BEHIND THE SCENES OF

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING HEAD

Gabriel Farago

This book is brought to you by Bear & King Publishing.

Publishing & Marketing Consultant: Lama Jabr

Website: https://xanapublishingandmarketing.com

Sydney, Australia

First published 2019 © Gabriel Farago

The right of Gabriel Farago to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review) no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Authenticity

Passion

Inspiration

Introduction

The Research

The Writing

Connect with the Author

A headless body on a boat. An international conspiracy. Can he survive a controversial scientific discovery?

Esteemed Australian journalist Jack Rogan is on a mission to solve the disappearance of his mother in the 70s. But when a friend needs help rescuing a kidnapped world-renowned astrophysicist, he doesn’t hesitate. Struggling with more questions than answers, his investigation leads them aboard a hellish hospital ship, where instead of finding the kidnap victim, he’s confronted with a decapitated corpse.

As the search intensifies, Jack bumps up against diabolical cartels with hidden agendas. And when his research reveals dubious experiments, a criminal on death row, and a shocking revelation about his mother’s fate, he must uncover how it’s all linked.

Can Jack unravel the twisted connections and catch the scientist’s killer, or will the next obituary published be his own?

The Curious Case of the Missing Head is the fifth standalone novel in the page-turning Jack Rogan Mysteries series. If you like meticulous theoretical science, exponentially increasing intensity, and astonishing surprises, then you’ll love Gabriel Farago’s hair-raising medical thriller.

Authenticity

I am frequently asked by my readers how ideas for a new book emerge and are shaped into a storyline with interesting characters who captivate, fascinating places that ignite imagination, and a subject matter that both teases the intellect, and entertains at the same time. A tall order for sure, but certainly possible if certain principles are carefully followed.

The very cornerstone of a successful thriller that becomes a 'page-turner' are authenticity and the element of surprise.  The storyline and the characters must be anchored in reality, and readers have to be able to relate to situations and characters they find both plausible and interesting. To do this successfully is only possible if the subject matter - in this case astro-physics, cosmology and cutting-edge medical science - is presented in the right way. And what exactly is that right way I hear you ask? Once again, we come back to authenticity.

I encourage and greatly value feedback from my readers. This not only tells me how my books are received, but helps me understand how they resonate with readers. What is important to point out here is the fact that every reader will see a book differently and therefore find different aspects appealing, or not. In short, it is impossible to please everybody and cater for all tastes and expectations. However, certain trends appear, and as my readership grows, certain aspects of my books become important, and are the very features of my writing that appeal, captivate my readers and create anticipation and makes them stay with me and look forward to the next book. And to find out what that is can only be done through communication. In short, if I listen to what my readers have to say. And that, my friends, is exactly what I try to do, and why I believe it is important to tell you a little about what lies 'behind the scenes' of a book, especially one with subject matters that are complex, and therefore quite difficult to incorporate into an action-packed thriller.

As you are obviously all aware, The Jack Rogan Mysteries are a series, and therefore presented as such. However, I hasten to add that each of my books can be read as a standalone work without having to be familiar with all the books in the order in which they have been released. That said, reading the books in chronological order will of course add to the enjoyment and understanding of the overall concepts and ideas that have inspired the series and help the reader follow the journey of the key characters, especially Jack Rogan, who is of course at the very centre of the stories as they unfold.

Now that we’ve reached book 5 in the series, I believe it is both meaningful and appropriate to briefly talk about something important that stands behind the Jack Rogan Mysteries and underpins all of my writing. The subject matters introduced in each book are by no means arbitrary, but part of an overall, carefully structured plan and design. It is an intellectual journey through history and subjects that are linked, have fascinated me for years and I want to explore and share with my readers.

In order to be able to do this successfully, a ‘vehicle’ was needed that would allow me to introduce such diverse subjects as theology, philosophy, the occult, archaeology and cosmology, deal with complex science, cutting-edge medical research, genomics, astro-physics and mathematics to name but a few, in a way that makes these often quite complex and esoteric subjects both interesting, and easy to understand.

The ‘vehicle’ I have chosen to achieve this, is the thriller. The reason behind this decision is as simple as it is effective. It is based on something I believe is in all of us: curiosity, and the joy of learning. This is certainly what motivates and inspires me to write. However, the real challenge here is how to make learning fun and entertaining, and how to make complex subjects interesting and ‘palatable.’ That’s where the action-packed thriller comes into play.

By carefully weaving these subjects into a captivating, page-turning storyline with fascinating characters, exotic locations often liked to current affairs, it is, in my view, possible to make the joy of learning part of the reading experience in a way that is both subtle, and effective. In short, the reader isn’t really aware that he or she is ‘learning’ about genomics and complex surgical procedures, how black holes work and how theoretical physics explains the laws of nature and the beginning of the universe, but is captivated by characters and a storyline that entertain and make the pages turn; irresistibly.

Passion

To create a successful thriller is only possible if the author is passionate about the subject matter he has decided to write about and is in total command of it. Why? Because this passion will shine through every line, and either draw in the reader from the very beginning or, if this passion is not genuine, or the author’s knowledge of the subjects superficial, turn the reader away. It sounds simple, but let me assure you, it’s not easy to do. To begin with, this passion has to be real. Without that, the enormous research to make such a book feasible, just wouldn’t be possible. And research is the very cornerstone of authenticity, especially if we are dealing with complex subjects.

Inspiration

Those of you who have read my previous books would have noticed that I briefly explain at the very beginning of each book what has inspired me to write it. The idea for this book was triggered by a certain event: the death of Steven Hawking who passed away in March 2018. I have dealt with this in the Introduction:

Introduction

Westminster Abbey. Iconic final resting place of kings and queens, composers, statesmen, explorers and scientists, where every stone has a story to tell about the journey of man. Not only is it a spectacular reminder of extraordinary people and great achievements, but at the same time, every stone whispers of mortality and the certainty of death. As a repository of history, Westminster Abbey is unparalleled.

I will never forget 15 June 2018. On that day, one of the greatest minds of our time, Stephen Hawking – who died in March that year after decades suffering from motor neurone disease – had his ashes interred close to the graves of Newton and Darwin in the Scientists’ Corner of the Abbey.

And how appropriate it was, I thought. Hawking was born exactly three hundred years after Newton. It was Newton who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, and it was Hawking’s genius that took astrophysics to new heights. The inscription on his memorial stone is a translation of the Latin text on Newton’s gravestone: ‘Here lies what was mortal of Stephen Hawking 1942–2018’. In addition, the stone is inscribed with one of Hawking’s most famous equations:

hc3

T= ____________

8 PiGMk

But that wasn’t all. The Greek composer Vangelis set Hawking’s inspirational message to the world, to music, which according to Hawking’s daughter was beamed into space that day from a European Space Agency satellite dish, aimed at the nearest black hole, 1A 0620-00.

I have followed Hawking and his inspired, ground-breaking ideas for over thirty years. A keen interest in mathematics and physics inspired me to read all his books, especially A Brief History of Time (1988 Bantam London), which explains complex, revolutionary ideas in ways a layman like me can relate to and understand.

The service was attended by luminaries from around the world. Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, made a moving speech; actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Hawking in a BBC drama, delivered a reading; and Nobel laureate Kip Thorne paid tribute to his remarkable colleague and friend.

As the sound of Richard Wagner’s stirring ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ rose, heralding the end of the service, and the bells of the Abbey began to toll, conjuring up images of man’s futile quest for immortality, my mind began to wander ...

How tragic, I thought, that such a gifted mind capable of solving some of the greatest and most challenging mysteries of the cosmos, was cut down by a terrible disease in the middle, if not at the very beginning, of what he might have been capable of, thereby preventing him from reaching his full potential, and depriving mankind of precious knowledge.

However, was this any more regrettable than Beethoven going deaf and unable to hear some of his greatest works, or Mozart dying as a young man of only thirty-five? One can only speculate what might have been possible if these gifted minds could have stayed around for longer, allowing their creative genius to blossom and reach new heights.

And then something occurred to me. What if we could somehow change all that and make it possible? Turn a vision into reality today, right now? Recent ground-breaking advances in medical research and technology – especially in surgery and surgical techniques and procedures – have led to some breathtaking discoveries and results, placing some concepts that only a few short years ago would have been considered science fiction, into the realm of realistic possibilities. What if a gifted mind like that of Stephen Hawking’s could somehow be liberated from a terribly disabled body, and manage to live on for some more time, allowing it to continue its ground-breaking work and reach for the stars, literally? What if...?

That was the thought I took away with me from this moving service. It was a thought inspired by optimism and hope for the future that stayed with me and became the inspiration for this book.

The Research

Authenticity, especially in a book of this scope and complexity, can only be achieved through meticulous research. I carry out all the required research myself, and whenever possible, turn to experts in the field for assistance and advice. I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of those experts who, when asked for assistance, freely give of their time and patiently explain complex subjects to a curious amateur like me, and then review what I have written to make sure I haven’t fallen into error.

I briefly deal with research in A Parting Note from the Author at the end of the book, relevant extracts of which are set out below:

A Parting Note from the Author

Because a lot of cutting-edge science and medical subjects have been incorporated into the multi-layered storylines of this book, a few observations are definitely warranted to put that material into its proper context.

For me as a writer, authenticity and accuracy are paramount. Without that, it isn’t possible to create a seamless storyline where the boundaries between fact and fiction are blurred, so that the reader is never quite sure where one ends, and the other begins. This is quite deliberate, as it creates the illusion of truth and reality in a work that is pure fiction. In my view, a successful work of fiction is a balancing act: reality must rub shoulders with imagination in a way that is both entertaining and plausible, and this can only be achieved through meticulous research and attention to detail.

All the material touching on physics, cosmology, technology and science generally, has been carefully researched and is, to the best of my knowledge, based on the latest findings and theories accepted by scientists today. The same can be said about the cutting-edge medical subjects, especially surgery, dealt with in the text. That said, please keep in mind that I am not a scientist, nor a doctor, but a fiction writer with a legal background whose aim is to entertain and tease your intellect and imagination with questions and scenarios that are both realistic and plausible, but are of course pure fiction...

... Finally, all the concepts, theories and ideas relating to theoretical physics and cosmology featured in the book are based on the work of the late Professor Steven Hawking, who passed away in March 2018. I have followed the work of Professor Hawking for the past thirty years, and have admired his extraordinary insights and discoveries that have elevated theoretical physics to an entirely new level, and became the inspiration for this book.

The Writing

I am often asked about my writing habits. This may be a good place to tell you a little about that.

Writing is a solitary, time-consuming pursuit that requires a lot of discipline and focus. I approach each book as a separate project, and plan my approach accordingly. Needless to say, research comes first, followed by visits to all the places mentioned in the book. I believe authenticity demands this, and getting a real ‘feel’ for a particular location rewards you with insights and detail that are only possible through first-hand experience.

Capturing smells, sounds, colours and atmosphere for instance, is just not possible through imagination alone. They transcend the merely factual, and enter the subjective realm of feelings and emotions. Yet all these elements are absolutely essential if you want to reach out and engage with your readers. It’s the difference between an ordinary book, and a special one readers just can’t put down! Nothing else comes close.

Once I begin writing a book, I write every day. In fact, my conscious hours are consumed with the subject matter, and even if I don’t sit at my computer, I think about my characters, dialogue, storyline, etc. I even have a notepad next to my bed to jot down ideas, should I wake up during the night inspired with an answer to something I have been wrestling with during the day.

I take frequent breaks during the day and go for long walks in the rainforest just below our house, or do some work in our garden. Even then, I have a notepad in my pocket because ideas flow in unexpected ways, and must be captured at once before distractions make them disappear forever.

Because I do all my own research, writing itself can be exhausting and draining, often making almost impossible demands on your time, emotions and memory. Translating ideas and emotions into text can be very challenging and frustrating if the written word doesn’t do the subject matter justice, or just doesn’t look and feel like what you intended to say. When that happens, there’s only one answer: rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, then polish and rewrite again, until you get it right. Not easy, but absolutely necessary.

Most of my writing is done in my attic at home in the Blue Mountains just outside Sydney, where I live most of the time. I am surrounded by a unique World Heritage National Park, and have a wonderful garden full of exotic plants and trees where native birds like parrots, cockatoos and kookaburras are frequent visitors. During the warmer months, I spend a lot of time outside and actually write in the sprawling garden. If this sounds idyllic, I suppose in a way it is. I draw inspiration from my surroundings, and the beauty and solitude of this unique environment give me the energy to weave my thoughts and ideas into stories that will in turn, I sincerely hope, entertain and inspire my readers.

I hope you have found this brief journey ‘behind the scenes’ of The Curious Case of the Missing Head informative, and it has ignited a spark of curiosity that will entice you to step into the world of my imagination and read the book. And that, my friends, is what every writer strives for.

Connect with the Author

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https://gabrielfarago.com.au/

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