What do you think?
Rate this book
Lag Delay: A Technothriller
A NASA mission to Venus has a dark secret.
Grace Parkowski has her dream job.
Piloting remotely-controlled humanoid robots to explore Venus from an air-conditioned room in Los Angeles is the next best thing than actually being there on the hostile planet.
But things start to happen. A dragon attacks her on her first mission; the answer to its appearance opening up more questions than it closes. Strange errors show up in subsequent trips to Venus, and neither Grace nor her Space Force boyfriend can figure out what's going on. But, they do learn that the military and CIA are involved in a secret program called Bronze Knot that casts a shadow on the entire Venus effort.
When she pushes too far, Grace finds herself on the run from shadowy agents working at the fringes of the federal government. From sunny Los Angeles to arid Barstow to the launch mecca of Cape Canaveral, Grace fights to uncover the truth.
What is Bronze Knot, and why are people willing to kill to keep its secrets?
Find out in Lag Delay!
Grace Parkowski has her dream job.
Piloting remotely-controlled humanoid robots to explore Venus from an air-conditioned room in Los Angeles is the next best thing than actually being there on the hostile planet.
But things start to happen. A dragon attacks her on her first mission; the answer to its appearance opening up more questions than it closes. Strange errors show up in subsequent trips to Venus, and neither Grace nor her Space Force boyfriend can figure out what's going on. But, they do learn that the military and CIA are involved in a secret program called Bronze Knot that casts a shadow on the entire Venus effort.
When she pushes too far, Grace finds herself on the run from shadowy agents working at the fringes of the federal government. From sunny Los Angeles to arid Barstow to the launch mecca of Cape Canaveral, Grace fights to uncover the truth.
What is Bronze Knot, and why are people willing to kill to keep its secrets?
Find out in Lag Delay!
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2024
7 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Ryan M. Patrick
4 books18 followersRyan M. Patrick is a United States Air Force and Space Force veteran, aerospace engineer, and author. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he currently lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, four daughters, and dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2024
Ryan Patrick’s new release is a grounded technothriller with a savvy, likable heroine and a fast-paced plot!
I was privileged to receive an ARC of this book to review. We join Grace Parkowski, a junior engineer at an aerospace company hungering for a promotion. She’s confident she can land it if she performs well on her mission navigating robots on Venus virtually from Earth - but when mishaps start happening only during her shifts, Grace begins to investigate. Things quickly escalate in a way that makes Lag Delay impossible to put down.
I loved the pacing of this book. Ryan Patrick is skilled at ending chapters in the perfect way to keep you reading. There’s no fluff in the prose or plot - every moment and word is intentional. This is absolutely a book you can finish in one sitting!
I also thoroughly enjoyed our protagonist. She is clever, determined, and practical. Parkowski is never saved by a plot device or deus ex machina - she thinks logically and solves her own problems. She’s very easy to root for and should make this book even more accessible for those who may not read much in the genre.
The book ends in a way that leaves the door open a sequel (or more)! I have thoroughly enjoyed both books Ryan Patrick has released and will be eagerly awaiting his next book.
I was privileged to receive an ARC of this book to review. We join Grace Parkowski, a junior engineer at an aerospace company hungering for a promotion. She’s confident she can land it if she performs well on her mission navigating robots on Venus virtually from Earth - but when mishaps start happening only during her shifts, Grace begins to investigate. Things quickly escalate in a way that makes Lag Delay impossible to put down.
I loved the pacing of this book. Ryan Patrick is skilled at ending chapters in the perfect way to keep you reading. There’s no fluff in the prose or plot - every moment and word is intentional. This is absolutely a book you can finish in one sitting!
I also thoroughly enjoyed our protagonist. She is clever, determined, and practical. Parkowski is never saved by a plot device or deus ex machina - she thinks logically and solves her own problems. She’s very easy to root for and should make this book even more accessible for those who may not read much in the genre.
The book ends in a way that leaves the door open a sequel (or more)! I have thoroughly enjoyed both books Ryan Patrick has released and will be eagerly awaiting his next book.
January 30, 2024
I had the privilege of beta reading this book, and I'm incredibly happy and proud to drop a formal review after reading the free ARC Ryan was kind enough to provide.
As someone who grew up reading classical thrillers featuring the likes of Bourne, Pitt, Austin, and Schofield, this book felt quite refreshing in its choice for the protagonist as Parkowski, who is neither entrenched in the bowels of the government (at least at the start!) nor is she a badass nothing-gets-me-down hero. She's someone with a good head on her shoulders, fails, but more importantly learns from them and grows. The first third of the story does a good job establishing her motivation and personality, both of which end up critical for the rest of the story to pan out. The book doesn't compromise on action either, delivering a few sequences that had me turning the pages. Everything culminates in the final twist, which is simple yet plot-turning, just how most good twists are! It also makes the book great to re-read. If you like the works of authors like Lincoln & Child or Rollins, this technothriller will be your cup of tea.
As someone who grew up reading classical thrillers featuring the likes of Bourne, Pitt, Austin, and Schofield, this book felt quite refreshing in its choice for the protagonist as Parkowski, who is neither entrenched in the bowels of the government (at least at the start!) nor is she a badass nothing-gets-me-down hero. She's someone with a good head on her shoulders, fails, but more importantly learns from them and grows. The first third of the story does a good job establishing her motivation and personality, both of which end up critical for the rest of the story to pan out. The book doesn't compromise on action either, delivering a few sequences that had me turning the pages. Everything culminates in the final twist, which is simple yet plot-turning, just how most good twists are! It also makes the book great to re-read. If you like the works of authors like Lincoln & Child or Rollins, this technothriller will be your cup of tea.
June 8, 2024
I picked up Lag Delay after reading the author’s ‘The Martian Incident’ offering last year, where his hard science knowledge shone. In this book, Patrick takes a different turn, focusing on the thriller aspect of a near future Earth. This novel is more within the technothriller category, Patrick’s understanding of the inner workings of Space Force, NASA and the US military coming through strongly and giving a fascinating insight into that world. At times, this can be a little overwhelming, and takes patience as the acronyms fly, however the story pulls through with tightly written narrative and consistently good prose, keeping the story moving at a satisfying pace. I will have to bow to Patrick’s knowledge when it comes to how the agencies would react to many of the goings on, but in the end, this is an enjoyable book that I read through in a few sittings because the premise pulls you along. Another 4.5/5 from me.
March 13, 2024
Ryan Patrick’s LAG DELAY is a fast paced techno-thriller that is sure to leave you entertained.
Grace Parkowski is working on the mission of a lifetime, remotely operating robots on Venus. But shortly after the start of her mission, errors in the technology start her down a path of conspiracy and deceit.
This novel leads the readers down lots of twists and I did not see the end coming, which is a compliment. The techno stuff goes right over my head, but so does the technobabble of Star Trek and I still love that. It’s still accessible to the regular person which I really appreciate.
Overall LAG DELAY is fun, action packed and a blast to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Grace Parkowski is working on the mission of a lifetime, remotely operating robots on Venus. But shortly after the start of her mission, errors in the technology start her down a path of conspiracy and deceit.
This novel leads the readers down lots of twists and I did not see the end coming, which is a compliment. The techno stuff goes right over my head, but so does the technobabble of Star Trek and I still love that. It’s still accessible to the regular person which I really appreciate.
Overall LAG DELAY is fun, action packed and a blast to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
March 18, 2024
I read a good chunk of this book during a bout of insomnia, and let me tell you, I was hooked. The initial mystery drew me in and once the bullets started flying, I had to keep going.
It's clear that Lag Delay is well researched, and that research immensely added to my enjoyment. The acronyms did become cumbersome at times, but the author did a great job making sure the reader understood all the terminology. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's clear that Lag Delay is well researched, and that research immensely added to my enjoyment. The acronyms did become cumbersome at times, but the author did a great job making sure the reader understood all the terminology. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2024
excellent
This was a fantastic journey through some inner workings of the near future military and NASA and their mission to Venus. The book kept me on my toes and the twists and turns were epic. I would have liked to have spent more time on “Venus” as it were but the plot more than made up for that. IYKYK. Look forward to seeing where else Grace can make trouble for herself!
This was a fantastic journey through some inner workings of the near future military and NASA and their mission to Venus. The book kept me on my toes and the twists and turns were epic. I would have liked to have spent more time on “Venus” as it were but the plot more than made up for that. IYKYK. Look forward to seeing where else Grace can make trouble for herself!
January 22, 2024
Great story!
A great futuristic story that makes you think, with lots of action, a shootout and a high speed car chase, and fast pacing.
A great futuristic story that makes you think, with lots of action, a shootout and a high speed car chase, and fast pacing.
March 26, 2024
This author keeps getting better. This is a novel that ignited a love for sci-fi. I normally read fantasy, but after reading this, I dove head-first into the genre. I highly recommend this!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews