Murder on the Ghan
“the seamless blending of fact and fiction, the flawless melding of incredible imagination with historical reality and the vivid imagery all wrapped up in a smooth-flowing narrative will provide a sublime reading experience to all fans of this genre.“
~ Amazon Review
At present, this title is exclusively available from Amazon.
REVIEWS
“Action, adventure, romance and a glimpse of the Aborigine’s culture provide a memorable story.”
“This is an excellent addition to the Jack Rogan series, and even though it is called a novella, it is a wonderful tale not to be missed.”
“Edge of your seat mystery and adventure with a lot of good-natured ribbing and fun to put the spice on top. Great read.”
"Beautifully crafted and diverse characters are woven into a story line that delivers action and thrills from start to finish."
“Another electrifying adventure with Jack Rogan.”
“I love the characters and the way the author blends the story into Australian history and geographical locations to lend the plot an element of authenticity”
“Reading an enthralling book with vibrant characters and also learning is a great combo - something Mr. Farago is famous for doing. ”
“Murder on the Ghanaian, better than Agatha.”
“This is a wonderful novella. It has all of the familiar Jack Rogan features: friendship, treachery, excitement, adventure, romance and it beautifully describes the wonderful scenery of the Australian outback. And, as an added bonus, a touch of the supernatural. Just wonderful.”
Buy Your Copy of Murder on the Gan Now!
AWARDS
Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Book
Readers' Favorite Gold
Award
Fiction Short Story/Novella Category
#1 International Amazon Beseller
THE BOOK
Murder on the Ghan (A Jack Rogan Mysteries Novella)
A cursed opal; an iconic Australian rail journey; one fatal adventure
In the heart of the Australian Outback lurks a cursed opal, the centrepiece of Murder on the Ghan, a novella that ensnares you in a vortex of desire, peril, and relentless suspense. Join Jack Rogan, a charismatic journalist, and Sophie Ritter, a talented conductor, as their journey to showcase the raw beauty of Australia descends into a perilous quest. Their mission to aid an Aboriginal friend unearths an opal wrapped in ancient mystery, setting them against the Desert Raiders, a brutal bikie gang hell-bent on claiming the gem’s dark power.
As they traverse the legendary Ghan railway, Rogan and Ritter face a gauntlet of betrayal, violence, and murder. Ancient myths and modern greed collide, thrusting them into a deadly race against time. Murder on the Ghan is not just a journey; it’s a battle for survival, a test of resolve, and a chase for justice. Will the secrets of the Outback lead to their demise, or will they outwit the darkness that hunts them?
Dive into the suspense. Purchase Murder on the Ghan now and embark on an unforgettable adventure where destiny and danger meet in the vast, mysterious expanse of Australia.
CHAPTER EXCERPT
Alice Springs: the race
During the entire three-hour flight, Sophie had had her face pressed against the window like an excited child, taking in the stunning red, yellow and ochre colours of the Outback desert landscape gliding past below looking like something out of a National Geographic documentary. ‘I had no idea it would be this beautiful. And so different,’ she said, turning to Jack sitting next to her.
‘You ain’t seen nothing yet, kiddo. Wait till you see all this from the ground, especially the West MacDonnells.’ Jack pointed to an undulating, caterpillar-shaped mountain range in the distance. ‘That’s them over there. Stunning country with the oldest river in the world; the Finke River is thought to be more than three hundred million years old.’
‘Kiddo? What’s that?’
‘An Aussie term of endearment. After all, we’re about to land in the Outback. And where I’m about to take you, well, the lingo is going to be a little different. Better get used to it.’
‘Lingo?’
‘Yep. The language. You’ll find that folk speak a little differently out here. Especially where we’re going’ – Jack looked at his watch – ‘straight from the airport. We’ll leave our luggage there and collect it later. If we do that, we should just make it.’
‘Are you going to tell me where we are going?’
‘No. It’s a surprise. You wanted adventure, remember?’
‘True.’
‘A little different from the concert hall?’
‘Sure is.’
‘That was the idea. Buckle up, we’re about to land.’
The first thing everyone seemed to notice on arrival at Alice Springs was the dry heat and intense glare that made lips crack and eyes water. The hot air baked the red earth, and the rugged hills in the distance shimmered like liquid glass in the midday sun as Jack and Sophie walked out of the terminal and caught a taxi.
The racetrack on the outskirts of Alice was just a short ride from the airport.
‘Here we are,’ said Jack. ‘This should be quite something.’
Sophie looked at the huge crowd walking towards what looked like some kind of showground with marquees, banners advertising beer, tents, and all kinds of vehicles and trailers, converted vintage buses and ancient caravans parked along the way. Somewhere in the distance, a band was playing country and western music.
Readers' Favorite Review of Murder on the Ghan
Gabriel Farago’s Murder on the Ghan unfolds with the gripping allure of an Australian outback tale fused with a murder mystery. The narrative kicks off with a captivating scene featuring Jimmy Bingarra, a young Aboriginal miner whose prophetic dream sets in motion a chain of events revolving around a rare opal known as Yurlunggur. This serpent-shaped gem becomes the focal point that entangles charismatic journalist Jack Rogan and virtuoso conductor Sophie Ritter in a perilous adventure. Their decision to team up leads them down a rabbit hole into the dark and menacing realm filled with biker outlaws and murder. The heart of this pulse-pounding narrative beats with palpable tension as Rogan and Ritter board the iconic Ghan railway journey, seeking refuge from their pursuers while grappling with the weight of Aboriginal Dreamtime legends and the ruthless greed of their adversaries.
Gabriel Farago masterfully intertwines elements of Australian history and culture, enriching the plot with vivid descriptions of the outback landscape and the cultural significance of the opal. He excels in character development, presenting Rogan as a resilient and quick-witted protagonist whose journalistic instincts drive him to uncover the truth behind the opal’s curse. Sophie’s evolution from a talented conductor to an unexpected ally in the face of danger adds depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of courage and redemption amidst chaos. Murder on the Ghan is a testament to Farago’s storytelling prowess, blending suspenseful twists with rich historical detail and cultural insights. As the plot hurtles toward a climactic showdown, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, rooting for Rogan and his allies to triumph over their ruthless foes. This is a must-read for fans of murder mysteries and adventure tales set against the backdrop of Australia’s enchanting yet perilous landscape. Murder on the Ghan is a captivating read that seamlessly weaves together history, mystery, and the timeless allure of the outback, ensuring its place as a standout in contemporary crime fiction.
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers’ Favorite
