BOOK REVIEW

~Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers’ Favorite

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.

BOOK REVIEW

~Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers’ Favorite

The Bone Scraper Legacy by Gabriel Farago tells the tale of Jack Rogan, an esteemed Australian author, who is pulled into a figurative rabbit hole shrouded in suspense, adventure, and danger. Jack is dining with his friend, Tristian, one night when Tristian is asked to speak with his dying uncle, a Maori, who lives in New Zealand. Both Jack and Tristian go to see the dying man. Tristian learns about an ancient Maori chief, the Bone Scraper, who was defeated in battle. Tristian has to retrieve Bone Scraper’s lost skull and return it to his family for a proper burial so his soul can rest in peace. Jack decides to help his friend locate the missing skull. They are aided by their associates Claude, Isis, and Mademoiselle Darrieux. Jack and Tristian’s adventures pit them head-to-head against the deadly world of murder and the occult. Will they achieve their mission and live to tell the tale?

The settings, locations, and cultures mentioned will carry you into a world full of color, cuisine, and style. In my mind, I went for the adventure and ended up staying for the culture. I learned a lot about the Maori culture from this book. Overall, I found The Bone Scraper Legacy to be fascinating, informative, and rewarding. Gabriel Farago’s bold writing makes this a hypnotic tale that will keep you occupied and turning the pages late into the night. Jack is a character I can root for any day. He’s courageous, loyal, and intelligent. He’s the modern version of Sherlock Holmes. This winning combination of action, adventure, danger, and suspense will keep readers wanting more. Since this is novella five in the Jack Rogan series, I’m immediately inspired to read the other books. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. I recommend this sensational read to fans of historical mystery novels.

BOOK REVIEW

~Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers’ Favorite

Gabriel Farago’s The Stolen Altarpiece is a psychological and suspense-filled thriller. Connecting ancient and modern times, this is the riveting tale of a quest to find a painting, an amulet, and an artifact, each of great religious and historical significance. The novel takes its inspiration from historical figures, events, and places. I liked the Author’s Note, in which Gabriel Farago writes about current events, and how a Russian children’s poem inspired him to write The Stolen Altarpiece. Jack Rogan is an acclaimed journalist and novelist who is drawn into a dangerous quest by a powerful adversary from the past. His enemy is a psychopath who will not hesitate to murder and manipulate people for his nefarious ends. Jack follows a trail of cryptic clues from Venice and on to other European cities. He must defeat his archenemy to keep his family and friends safe. The story twists and turns to the very end!

I greatly enjoyed Gabriel Farago’s riveting The Stolen Altarpiece because of its remarkable character Jack Rogan and his extraordinary courage and love for his family and friends. I particularly liked the interweaving of the backstories of Jack and the other major characters into the quests. As I read the evocative and gripping descriptions, the characters sprang to life. I liked how Jack’s dilemmas, fears, and hopes emerge throughout the story as he faces challenge after challenge from his malevolent and manipulative adversary. At the same time, Jack is committed to protecting his family and friends. I loved this intriguing multilayered story and how the complexity of human nature emerges through different characters, their actions, settings, and dialogues. Equally, I loved the details as Jack tracks the “journeys” of the historical artifacts, the different owners through time and geography, and of incomplete or lost records. Some of the most powerful and emotional moments were when Jack finds significant pieces of the puzzle. The Stolen Altarpiece is a fascinating, compelling, and thought-provoking historical crime mystery with extraordinary characters!

BOOK REVIEW

~Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Disappearance of Anna Popov is a work of fiction in the psychological thriller and suspense subgenres, and it serves as the second installment of the Jack Rogan Mysteries series. It is aimed at the mature reading audience and was penned by author Gabriel Farago. The book follows Rogan after the accidental discovery of a clue about a pair of missing girls draws him into an investigation of a dangerous gang that has left a trail of tragedy in their wake all across the outback. With the aid of his agent and an occultist with her own agenda, Rogan’s only hope of survival is to find the truth.

This was a thriller that spun a deep web of mystery for its protagonists and readers to get lost in together, with twists in the tale timed flawlessly to shake up the narrative whenever we came too close to feeling overly secure in what we thought was happening. Author Gabriel Farago has created an exciting cast of characters for this mystery thriller, led once more by Jack Rogan, who has been dragged into this narrative by his own investigative instincts. Cassandra is an engaging addition to the team, sharing a dynamic with Rogan that adds a complex level to the plot as the two allies are unable to fully trust each other. Overall, The Disappearance of Anna Popov is a whirlwind of exciting prose that paints a gorgeous and dynamic picture of the Australian outback as a perfect backdrop to this dark and dangerous thriller. An exciting read that I’m happy to recommend to any reader.