September/October 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy by L.A. Starks

[Lisa P, My weekend is all booked up!]

One of our September/October Featured Member-Author Group Reads is 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy by L.A. Starks

Synopsis:

Energy executive Lynn Dayton thinks her challenge is fixing the troubled refinery her company has just acquired on the Houston Ship Channel. But soon she must save it, and other oil refineries, from the industrial havoc and deaths directed by a French saboteur, simultaneously fighting off threats to her own life. As Lynn deals with chemical leaks, disloyal employees, a new season of hurricanes, and mounting casualties, Robert Guillard, a corrupted idealist, plans to manipulate her through her vulnerable sister. But Robert underestimates his prey.

Let's Read and Discuss!!!

[L.A.]

Goodreads has approved a US giveaway for the print edition of 13 Days! If you want to enter, it began midnight Pacific time September 12 and ends at midnight, Pacific time, September 23.
I look forward to discussing the book with everyone in the Action/Adventure Aficionados group.
Enter giveaway here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

or make sure you get a copy by visiting the updated Goodreads page here for options: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[L.A.]

Fellow readers,
What do you think is the biggest risk Lynn faces?
Are you or do you know an everyday hero?

[L.A.]

For readers interested more questions for this discussion, 18 are here:

http://lastarksbooks.com/guide13days.php

[L.A.]

What is "X" in 13 Days? Why is it important?

[L.A.]

Speaking of everyday heroes, our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the Florence floods and storm.

[J.]

Somehow I lost this thread, found it again and will mark it so once I have the book I'll be able to join in with the discussion.

[Agnieszka]

I hope we can join at a later time as well. Due to illness most of the last several months I missed what's going on in my groups. This week I started to check them and see what I want to join.

Being a number and math junky the title grabbed immediately my attention. Oil/energy related thrillers are not (yet) my kind of books but I love strong female main characters so I'm willing to give it a try. Unfortunately my financial situation doesn't allow any books this (and perhaps next) month so I'm not sure I'll be able to join in time.

[L.A.]

L.A. wrote: "Speaking of everyday heroes, our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the Florence floods and storm."

Agnieszka--we look forward to hearing from you whenever you're ready.

[L.A.]

J. wrote: "Somehow I lost this thread, found it again and will mark it so once I have the book I'll be able to join in with the discussion."

Great to have you here, J. !

[L.A.]

The Goodreads book giveaway for 13 Days ends soon, at midnight, Pacific time, September 23.
Enter giveaway here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

or be sure you get a copy by visiting the updated Goodreads page here for options: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

While in San Antonio yesterday, I heard a great talk by Kris Paronto, a veteran, Army Ranger and defender against the 9-11-2012 attack on Benghazi. The book and movie, 13 HOURS (similar title to 13 Days!), described the attack and fight.

Kris made points useful for our own discussion. Over the next few weeks, I'll pair his points with Q&A for 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy. Here's the first.

Kris spoke about the importance of skills, and the importance of mentors. What skills and advice from which mentors does Lynn Dayton bring to the conflicts in 13 Days?

Jump in with your answers. I'll update with mine in a few days.
LAS

[J.]

Got a copy ordered - paperback since I hate reading books on a screen. I do that too much as it is for work stuff. So will jump in after I get it and can start reading.

[L.A.]

J.,
Sounds great!
LAS

[L.A.]

Kris mentioned his particular gratitude to Vietnam veterans.

In 13 Days, Lynn's parents are-no surprise-her first models. Her mentor-turned-advisor is Reese Spencer.

She brings athletic skills as an opportunity to learn key clues throughout. Do you see these scenes, what she was doing, with whom, and what she learns?

[J.]

My paperback came yesterday and I got started, though not far into it. You certainly start off with a bang.
I have a question - no spoilers. On page 5 you describe a method to check that Lynn's mask isn't leaking. I don't understand what is being done and how it checks to see that the mask is sealed. Having worked in a toxic yard with nerve agent (a different life) we had a method to check that our mask was sealed but it seems much different than what you describe. Maybe I'm stuck in my own way of thinking. Could you explain just what is happening and how the check works? Perhaps the masks are different enough that the test is different as well. Thanks.

[Karishma]

This sounds really interesting, but I don't see any Kindle copies and in India we have paperback imports for 45$.

[L.A.]

Karishma, the paperback situation will be resolved with the US publishing company partnering with an Indian printer, but that is developing this fall, not immediately, unfortunately. I do see Kindle copies of 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy available on Amazon.in (India). https://www.amazon.in/13-Days-Pythago...

[Karishma]

L.A. wrote: "Karishma, the paperback situation will be resolved with the US publishing company partnering with an Indian printer, but that is developing this fall, not immediately, unfortunately. I do see Kindl..."

Thanks, I don't know why it didn't show me that edition. Thank you for finding the link. I prefer Kindle anyways.

Looking forward to your book :)

Edit : Goodreads was linking to this Amazon Edition -https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/1933...

[L.A.]

J. wrote: "My paperback came yesterday and I got started, though not far into it. You certainly start off with a bang.
I have a question - no spoilers. On page 5 you describe a method to check that Lynn's mas..."
Hi J, In this emergency situation, the test is a simple "touch test" to be sure the mask is tight against the skin--that the mask isn't loose and the seal can't be easily broken.
Your own experience with nerve agent sounds fascinating. How does the mask check work in a situation like that?
LAS

[L.A.]

L.A. wrote: "Karishma, the paperback situation will be resolved with the US publishing company partnering with an Indian printer, but that is developing this fall, not immediately, unfortunately. I do see Kindl..."
I will follow up with Ingram re when print copies will be available more readily in India.

[J.]

L.A. wrote: "J. wrote: "My paperback came yesterday and I got started, though not far into it. You certainly start off with a bang.
I have a question - no spoilers. On page 5 you describe a method to check that..."
Once the mask (and other protective gear) is in place, you place your hand over the inlet to seal it and try to breathe in. If you can, your mask is leaking. Also simple. That's if you are putting your gear on in a known safe environment.

[L.A.]

Aha.
In this case, they suspect (and are) in a compromised environment. So they expect the seals will be tight, but if they aren't, just one breath is typically not fatal. Typically.

[L.A.]

A Paronto note from his experience "Panic is contagious. But so is courage." As you read, who appears to be "on the team" with Lynn, who's against her, and who could apparently be in either camp?

[J.]

L.A. wrote: "Aha.
In this case, they suspect (and are) in a compromised environment. So they expect the seals will be tight, but if they aren't, just one breath is typically not fatal. Typically."

Yes, so different than a live nerve agent environment. If you are trying to put your mask on in the presence of the stuff, you're probably already dead. And of course just a mask isn't enough because the stuff goes through the skin too.
One other question. What font did you use for the print version? Always curious about choices that have to be made on that front.

[L.A.]

Hi J.,
Oooh. Font. For both editions (there is an earlier one) I was fortunate to have a pro do the printing so I can't tell you for sure. My manuscripts are Times New Roman 12, but you likely knew that.

[L.A.]

Is Preston Li who he seems? Reese Spencer?
Paronto had an interesting explanation about pulling pranks on supervisors--their reactions to small problems/annoyances are useful, important tests of what they will do when confronted with big, life-or-death problems.

In 13 Days, one reason I wrote athletic scenes were to illustrate character and provide information. What do you learn from the golf, racquetball, and running scenes?

[L.A.]

More from Paronto, who having distilled an entire firefight into one exciting and emotional talk, had a useful and non-intuitive note about leadership: "In a difficult situation, everyone is a leader."
In 13 Days, we of course see & expect leadership from Lynn, but other characters step up. In the opening scene, Adric, Dwayne, and Jean-Marie try to save the victims from hydrogen sulfide poisoning, at risk to themselves. And in the closing scenes, who else unexpectedly steps up?

[J.]

I finished today but will wait until the group read is over to comment - no spoilers until then. I wonder how many others are reading it.

[L.A.]

In the realm of different experience, Kris Paronto spoke about the sheer excitement of battle. He offered no disclaimers--he was frank about the adrenaline rush.
13 Days keeps rolling forward without pause--have there been other occasions when, Action/Adventure Aficionado readers, you've been relieved to finally....take action?
Speaking of relief at taking action--at long last, the third book in the Lynn Dayton series, titled The Second Law, will be released next week.

[L.A.]

What we may consider heroic, the man or woman taking action often say--honestly--"I just did what anyone what do." How wonderful that so many people are so inherently altruistic, and brave.

[J.]

Hi L. A.
It looks like I am one of the few who are on this list that read your book. Disappointing for you, no doubt. I sort of expected that, since when one of my books got into a group read like this only myself and the moderator bothered to participate. Now that the group read is over, I think the no spoilers rule is off, not that I'm going to drop any spoilers. I thought the book was interesting, the premise seemed sound and the tidbits about the oil and gas industry were kind of cool. Having a background in chemistry I got much of the chemistry even though I've never learned much about gasoline production. My criticism is that for much of the book I didn't think Lynn was digging deep enough fast enough into the serious stuff going on. I can't really say why, but there were times I just wanted to shake her and say, what are you waiting for? Also the fact that she didn't know who she could trust for so much of the book seemed problematic since at her level I'd have thought she would have more people she knew already and knew she could trust at least them. Anyway, I'd probably give it 3 stars based on my own criteria. I will plan to suggest it to a friend of mine who worked in the petroleum industry for a long time.

[L.A.]

Thanks for reading the book & for your comments, J.

[J.]

L.A. just an fyi - talked to my friend and suggested she read your book. Not sure if she will be she did sound interested. All the best.

[L.A.]

Thx for the recommendation to your friend, J. I appreciate it.
LAS