SOLVED. SF Book Aliens Come to Earth Lightning Strike Murder [s]

[Bargle]

I read this in the late 90s or early 2000s, though the book may be older.

The 3 main characters are a male scientist, his wife and another man who is the rival of the first scientist.

Plot events I remember:

The wife had dated both scientists at different times. She lost her virginity to the rival, but never told her husband.

The aliens study highly intelligent people by dissecting their brains.

One of the 2 scientists gives a paper at a symposium or similar event. The other was in the audience. The one giving the paper had left out some points for time. After the reading, the one in the audience brought up several points not covered. These were exactly the ones the speaker had left out for time. He was able to answer the points and the one in the audience ending up looking foolish, leading to long enmity between them.

The aliens kill one character by creating conditions for a lightning strike where he was.

I think the author was a prominent SF male writer, but I'm not certain.

[Andy]

This is Eater (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...) by Greg Benford, I think. I remember the scene at the symposium quite clearly. The alien was an intelligent black hole.

[Andy]

If you check the "Look Inside" feature at Amazon, the "tough question at the colloquium" scene is on page 22.

[Bargle]

That's it. Thanks, Andy.

Eater

[Andy]

Great! Glad to help.