5B

"Forty hours from now, this man will assassinate the president of the United States." Any thoughts as to the reasoning of this plan? Were you surprised by this, in relation to the beginning of the book?

The guild has pans to replace the president no doubt so assassination is definitely in play so using someone 'disposable' is definitely in keeping with how the guild operates.

To me, it spelled out the president wasn’t part of the kidnapping plot, and the Guild part of the Gant family (or at very least, the president’s brother) now want the top seat.
Somewhat surprised at this. From the opening chapters, it appeared Sigma might be behind the assassination.

The Guild wants Robert Lee Gant to be president so that’s why they are planning to assassinate the current president.

I owe the President an apology. I don't quite understand what the President's brother, or the guild, is going to gain by having the President killed. The brother isn't going to take his place...that isn't how it works. Someone from the guild isn't going to come into power either. Maybe I'm not thinking straight...

By killing the President it opens a path for his evil brother to run in the next election and probably be elected President. I did not see this as part of the plan.

I think Robert Gant could get the sympathy vote if he ran. It's very similar to Bobby Kennedy running after JFKs assassination. He was also part of his brother's administration. In the beginning of the book there was background information on the presidents who were assassinated on July 4 so I wasn't surprised.

I assumed it was another way to discredit Sigma. Plus, it pointed to the President being innocent in this scheme - so that pleased me.

Although I could not see a logical reason why Gray would try to assassinate the President, I did not see this coming. it’s a brilliant move. The guild destroys Sigma and at the same time creates a good pathway for Robert Gant to become President.

>9 bluebird_: I thought this was a brilliant plot development in a dazzlingly well plotted book. I feel that James Rollins has a particular gift in that department as well as writing terrific action scenes such as the escape from the island.

>10 Maura49: I agree with you about the escape from the island...should see that on the "big screen". I wondered how that island just appeared. Didn't anyone say, "Hey there's a big hunk of an island out in the ocean that wasn't there yesterday".

>10 Maura49: - I think the way he writes action scenes makes this series especially good in audio. I was filled with tension during the escape, even knowing they were going to make it.

As >7 Olivermagnus: says, his brother would get the sympathy vote and likely be elected at the next election, as happened with the Kennedys. Surprised that he was doing it under coercion, different to how it was laid out in the beginning of the book.