Comment from lancellot

Excellent

A well written chapter, filled with very smart people, that's something that comes through clearly to the readers. Perfect editing and structure. The storyboard is progressing to a win for Brian with the aid of his family and friends. A team effort.

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Thanks for your kind words here, Lance. It took me way longer to edit this chapter than most, especially after I wrote chapter 20 which expounds on the science some more. To make those two chapters work together, be understandable in terms of the science, and not bore the reader to tears was a major challenge.

reply by lancellot on 24-Dec-2024

No, no more expounding on the science is needed. It doesn't matter.

reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

It does to me. This is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the novel for me. If others aren't as enthralled with it, that's fine. But I know there are some who will be.

It's only one small part of the whole thing. (I've written a disclaimer to go with it that they needn't read it if this is not their thing, and they won't lose any understanding of what's going on.)

There are plenty of novels that contain parts that I skim through and feel aren't really necessary. An example is Stephen Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger novels. Hunter is a real gun nut and waxes on about guns ad nauseam. I just skim those parts. They don't detract from the story, but he enjoys writing about it.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

Good writing. I think most people with smarts can follow this just fine. But, you might want to consider a glossary.
I have read lots of medical and drug related books, so I can follow. However, had I not, I might have stopped reading. You write well, but not for the main stream here. You write way too intelligent! Love to you and yours. Karen

 Comment Written 23-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

I'm okay with that. I write the kind of stuff I like to read myself. I always loved the science in Michael Crichton's novels, but it isn't for everyone. I'm glad you're enjoying it, though, Karen.

Good idea about a glossary. I might include one when we get to chapter 20 which contains some more of the science.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 24-Dec-2024

That is why some novels do better as movies than books. people can see what they are talking about. :-)

reply by the author on 24-Dec-2024

Very true. I really did like your glossary idea and wrote one for chapter 20 with about 6 terms in it.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 24-Dec-2024

I will of course read it. HOHOHO Mery Christmas
Karen

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

It seems like the Chinese, like Brian, would know to grow their own Balanga plants rather than constantly travel to Gunagua Island. But, if they are not that smart, Brian can sabotage or destroy properties of the plant.

This chapter has moved into some basic scientific explanations, but I'm pleased at how you've simplified things enough for me to understand. Understanding makes the story more enjoyable. Also, I'm enjoying the fact that the three women have essential specialties. Great chapter.

 Comment Written 22-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 23-Dec-2024

Thanks so much, Lorraine. That does my heart good to hear that I've made it understandable enough. It took a great deal of editing to get it so, but it was worth it.

I purposely chose the Philippines because it's not that far from mainland China. In fact, as we'll see, it is only an 8-hour boat ride, to the island from a port city in communist China. Eventually they probably will want to grow it themselves in China, but Brian, et. al. are banking on that they haven't begun to do that yet.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
another great chapter my friend. I like the technical stuff, even though I don't understand it. When I looked at the plants you have pictured I thought of mint. We used to have mint plants growing wild around the house and if I recall correctly, they appeared somewhat like this.
I suspect that there are probably answers to a lot of human illnesses growing in the Amazon or other tropical or even temperate forests, we just haven't discovered them yet. Keep up the good work Jim, I'm enjoying this.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 22-Dec-2024

I don't really understand all the technical stuff either--just enough to write about it and make it sound half-believable. But I find it interesting even if I don't fully grasp it.

Thanks for your great review, my friend.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Exceptional

Jim, I know how hard it can be to research a subject you know little about and then write about it as though you are an expert in the subject. A scientist might argue with your reasoning here, but 99% of the people reading this will not know any better. You pulled it off and set up the next part, which will be the "smarty pantses" working together.

I think you pulled this off well, and I look forward to reading more.

I will be mostly absent from the site in January, working on the last two chapters of my book and taking a break from reviewing, but I will continue to read this and a few other books I have begun.

Have a lovely holiday season with your family and friends.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2024

Thanks so much, Pam. I really appreciate your comments about the difficulty of researching a topic you aren't knowledgeable about and making it sound convincing to most people. I seem to know just enough to make me dangerous, as some doctors would say about their patients who have done internet research about symptoms they are having and suggest things to the doctor. Some of the old timers don't appreciate that.

The real challenge is to understand it enough yourself, then to try to write it simply enough so that the readers can likewise understand it. For me, this takes constant editing and rewriting to try to distill it down so that it is both clear enough and brief enough to maintain interest.

In chapter 20, there will be some further details about how all this works and what the practical solution will entail. That will be the last of the "sciency" stuff because I don't want it to become tedious. Some of that will be a brief recap of what was in Duel with the Devil for those readers who are new, and those who may have forgotten how Dipraxa and Glyptophan work and how Brian's solution addresses the problem. Let me know when we get there if you found it interesting or you think it was too much.

Thanks for the 6 stars and for the holiday wishes. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Yay, Fran's computer expert friend will also get in on the action. I think the number of heroic ladies keeps increasing. I'm sure you'll add a role for Julie and Marie as well. Lol.
Great details about the plant only available in the Philippines.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2024

Julia, not so much. She had her day in the last book. Marie, definitely!

This is quite a team Fran has put together to solve this problem. There will be more about the details of it in chapter 20, but that will be the end of the "sciency" stuff. Let me know when we get there if you think it is too much or just about right for the story.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I like the interconnections between the old and new characters, and the obvious research you've obviously done into the research of how they process drug discoveries, and besides that the way they go about FBI investigations, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2024

You've identified two of my favorite parts of my novel writing, Roy: bringing in previous characters and doing the required research to make the stories somewhat believable and authentic. Glad you are enjoying the story and thanks for your kind words.

reply by royowen on 21-Dec-2024

Well done

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

It sounds like Abby is interested and may have the be exactly right for this Job. You are doing a good job of making a complicated process interesting and making so we can follow along.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2024

I'm really happy to hear that the science is interesting and understandable to you, Beth. Thanks for mentioning it. That's been a real challenge in both the previous story and this one. That stuff is interesting to me, but I just wasn't sure if the readers would also find it interesting.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I could say 'smarty pants' to you too Jim, understanding all this enough to write about it. Wow, my head is still spinning after all that 'smary pants' talk. A good read, Jim, even for someone who never did science.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 21-Dec-2024

I hope I've made it understandable enough and not overwhelming, valda. I know readers come at novels with different perspectives and likes, but my aim is to make it interesting and simple enough that even people without a scientific bent may still find it interesting. It's nice to know you are enjoying it so far. Only one more "sciency" chapter to come (20), then I promise we'll be done with it, so, if you can stick with me through that, it will be easy going from then on!

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

I like all the technical jargon you add throughout to sort of keep us readers on our toes and wondering just how much of what you're saying is correct or keeping us guessing. As you already know, there are never enough stars in my kitty so late in the week to reward this chapter properly, but that doesn't mean I like it any less. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2024

I also wonder how much of what I say is correct. I do try to base it on the research I've done. I have a great time posing some very specific questions to my favorite digital assistant, an AI bot called Poe Assistant, to see if my ideas are feasible based on current medical research into things like gene manipulation. He tells me if I'm totally off base or if there's anything like what I propose currently being worked on.

The only things in this chapter I made up are the names of the plant, the island they are found on, and Brian's drug names.

My last few novels have required a lot of this sort of research, but I find it very enjoyable, especially since discovering how helpful and efficient AI can be in this.

Thanks, as always, Ric, for your praise of and continued interest in this story.