I’ve received feedback from fifteen beta readers at different points in the development of A Dangerous Gamble. The most recent one came from a person with a unique viewpoint. William (Bill) Daitch was the first director of the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center (NTNFC), which was established in the Department of Homeland Security in 2006, and he served in this role for a decade. In the first year I was his scientific adviser, and I left only because I retired from LLNL.
In my subsequent role on a Nuclear Forensics Science Panel (sponsored by the NTNFC), I had occasional interactions with Bill, but it was only a year ago when I told him I was writing a nuclear forensics thriller. He immediately offered to help.
I “saved” Bill as a beta reader for the fourth draft of my manuscript. He let me know he was a big fan of thrillers, and listed his current favorite eight authors, including Andy Weir, who Bill anointed as the “king of science thrillers.” He then graciously added, “for which you have a wonderful knack.” By the way, writing experts tell you to especially value beta readers who are fans of your genre, so I placed even more value on his opinion.
Bill’s feedback was very encouraging, and because you might be wondering if my fiction writing is any good, I decided to quote him at length.
“I want you to know how absolutely wowed I am with your thriller. I mostly read thrillers, and I am so impressed with your talent. Your story and craft are very polished, gripping, and entertaining. I’m simply blown away.
If I were still Director of the NTNFC, I would absolutely make your novel MANDATORY reading for every employee. I really would. And I would attempt to convince my interagency colleague to make it required reading for their staffs.
Your novel accomplishes something that’s been needed in the NTNF community since the beginning—to shine a light on the serious value of pre-detonation nuclear forensics. In my experience, it always toiled in the shadow of the “urgent” post-det program. Your story did it! You made me say “EUREKA! THAT’S IT!!!”
In my opinion, you are an exceptionally talented science thriller novelist. Please keep writing, because I can’t wait to read your next book.”
So here’s my semi-public thanks to Bill for his knowledgeable yet kind review. Hopefully, it whets your appetite to read the book when it’s finally published.