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Jack Rogan Mysteries
Letters From The Attic: Step behind the scenes of the 'Jack Rogan Mysteries'
What you always wanted to know ... Step behind the scenes of the Jack Rogan Mysteries and discover the intriguing world of an international historical thriller writer.
As a young boy, Gabriel Farago was given the key to his grandfather’s attic. This magical place opened a world of literature, music and history to the inquisitive boy. Gabriel spent many hours in the attic listening to his grandfather’s records, reading his books, and trying to unravel his cryptic journals which many years later inspired the writing of The Empress Holds The Key.
What goes on in the mind of a thriller writer? Where do authors draw their inspiration from? Becoming a writer doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is a journey in itself that provides the material for the stories, and the rich tapestry of characters and settings that bring those stories so vividly to life.
As a young boy, Gabriel Farago was given the key to his grandfather’s attic. This magical place opened a world of literature, music and history to the inquisitive boy. Gabriel spent many hours in the attic listening to his grandfather’s records, reading his books, and trying to unravel his cryptic journals which many years later inspired the writing of The Empress Holds The Key.
What goes on in the mind of a thriller writer? Where do authors draw their inspiration from? Becoming a writer doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is a journey in itself that provides the material for the stories, and the rich tapestry of characters and settings that bring those stories so vividly to life.
130 pages, ebook
First published October 21, 2013
187 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel Farago
25 books141 followersGabriel Farago is the USA TODAY Bestselling and Multi-Award-Winning Australian Author of the Jack Rogan Mysteries Series for the thinking reader and culturally curious.
As a lawyer with a passion for history and archaeology, Gabriel had to wait for many years before being able to pursue another passion—writing—in earnest. However, his love of books and storytelling started long before that.
Born in Budapest, Gabriel grew up in post-War Europe, and after fleeing Hungary with his parents during the Revolution in 56, he went to school in Austria before arriving in Australia as a teenager. This allowed him to become multi-lingual and feel ‘at home’ in different countries and diverse cultures. Shaped by a long legal career and experiences spanning several decades and continents, his is a mature voice that speaks in many tongues.
Gabriel holds degrees in literature and law, speaks several languages and takes research and authenticity very seriously. Inquisitive by nature, he studied Egyptology and learned to read the hieroglyphs. He travels extensively and visits all of the locations mentioned in his books.
‘I try to weave fact and fiction into a seamless storyline,’ he explains. ‘By blurring the boundaries between the two, the reader is never quite sure where one ends, and the other begins. This is of course quite deliberate as it creates the illusion of authenticity and reality in a work that is pure fiction. A successful work of fiction is a balancing act: reality must rub shoulders with imagination in a way that is both entertaining and plausible.’
Gabriel lives in the Blue Mountains in Australia just outside Sydney, surrounded by a World Heritage National Park.
If you like historical thrillers, excitement, mystery and suspense, if you enjoy exotic settings, colourful characters and fast-paced action, if you like to learn about interesting, well-researched subjects that tease your intellect and imagination, then once your step inside, Gabriel will show you his world; the world of the storyteller.
Shaped by a long legal career and experiences spanning several decades and continents, his is a mature voice that speaks in many tongues.
His first book – The Empress Holds the Key – will take you on an exciting quest for a holy relic mysteriously erased from the pages of history. You will be transported far back in time to the reign of Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. You will discover a dark secret guarded by the Knights Templar and feared by the Vatican, a mystery that has haunted the Catholic Church for centuries, and can challenge the very foundations of Christianity.
His second book – The Disappearance of Anna Popov – will thrill you in a different way. You will enter the dangerous world of an outlaw bikie gang. You will travel to the remote dreamtime wilderness of outback Australia where the ruler is an evil master, outcasts are heroes, and cruelty and violence are admired and rewarded. You will meet Cassandra, an enigmatic psychic. Using her occult powers to avenge an old, deep wrong, she sets the scene for an epic showdown where the stakes are high and the loser faces death and oblivion.
His third book –The Hidden Genes of Professor K – a medical thriller, was released in July 2016. Cutting-edge medical research meets the ruthless, dangerous world of pharmaceutical empire billionaires, where unbridled ambition and greed threaten to destroy the dreams of a visionary scientist with the power to change the future of medicine, and the journey of man.
A writer like Gabriel, sees the world through a different lens. Using creativity and imagination, He endeavours to weave fact and fiction into seamless stories that have only one aim: to entertain you.
As a lawyer with a passion for history and archaeology, Gabriel had to wait for many years before being able to pursue another passion—writing—in earnest. However, his love of books and storytelling started long before that.
Born in Budapest, Gabriel grew up in post-War Europe, and after fleeing Hungary with his parents during the Revolution in 56, he went to school in Austria before arriving in Australia as a teenager. This allowed him to become multi-lingual and feel ‘at home’ in different countries and diverse cultures. Shaped by a long legal career and experiences spanning several decades and continents, his is a mature voice that speaks in many tongues.
Gabriel holds degrees in literature and law, speaks several languages and takes research and authenticity very seriously. Inquisitive by nature, he studied Egyptology and learned to read the hieroglyphs. He travels extensively and visits all of the locations mentioned in his books.
‘I try to weave fact and fiction into a seamless storyline,’ he explains. ‘By blurring the boundaries between the two, the reader is never quite sure where one ends, and the other begins. This is of course quite deliberate as it creates the illusion of authenticity and reality in a work that is pure fiction. A successful work of fiction is a balancing act: reality must rub shoulders with imagination in a way that is both entertaining and plausible.’
Gabriel lives in the Blue Mountains in Australia just outside Sydney, surrounded by a World Heritage National Park.
If you like historical thrillers, excitement, mystery and suspense, if you enjoy exotic settings, colourful characters and fast-paced action, if you like to learn about interesting, well-researched subjects that tease your intellect and imagination, then once your step inside, Gabriel will show you his world; the world of the storyteller.
Shaped by a long legal career and experiences spanning several decades and continents, his is a mature voice that speaks in many tongues.
His first book – The Empress Holds the Key – will take you on an exciting quest for a holy relic mysteriously erased from the pages of history. You will be transported far back in time to the reign of Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. You will discover a dark secret guarded by the Knights Templar and feared by the Vatican, a mystery that has haunted the Catholic Church for centuries, and can challenge the very foundations of Christianity.
His second book – The Disappearance of Anna Popov – will thrill you in a different way. You will enter the dangerous world of an outlaw bikie gang. You will travel to the remote dreamtime wilderness of outback Australia where the ruler is an evil master, outcasts are heroes, and cruelty and violence are admired and rewarded. You will meet Cassandra, an enigmatic psychic. Using her occult powers to avenge an old, deep wrong, she sets the scene for an epic showdown where the stakes are high and the loser faces death and oblivion.
His third book –The Hidden Genes of Professor K – a medical thriller, was released in July 2016. Cutting-edge medical research meets the ruthless, dangerous world of pharmaceutical empire billionaires, where unbridled ambition and greed threaten to destroy the dreams of a visionary scientist with the power to change the future of medicine, and the journey of man.
A writer like Gabriel, sees the world through a different lens. Using creativity and imagination, He endeavours to weave fact and fiction into seamless stories that have only one aim: to entertain you.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 27, 2017
5 stars
This is a delightful little book full of vignettes about Gabriel Farago’s growing up years. From his flight from Hungary to becoming a full-fledged, full-time globetrotting novelist he cites the poignant, the funny and the interesting stories.
This book helped me get an idea of where his stories come from and how he weaves his experiences into his novels. It was absolutely wonderful reading!
Now that I’ve read all of his books, I can’t wait until the next one comes out!!!
This is a delightful little book full of vignettes about Gabriel Farago’s growing up years. From his flight from Hungary to becoming a full-fledged, full-time globetrotting novelist he cites the poignant, the funny and the interesting stories.
This book helped me get an idea of where his stories come from and how he weaves his experiences into his novels. It was absolutely wonderful reading!
Now that I’ve read all of his books, I can’t wait until the next one comes out!!!
January 22, 2019
I enjoyed this read because it gives readers a bit of background into not only this author's books but into the writer. It's always fun to learn about what makes an author tick and how, why and where the books come from.
Currently reading
May 1, 2020A part of The Jack Rogan Starter Library
Author gift
Author gift
September 14, 2018
Wish I’d read this first
I’m an action-fiction reader. I read The Forgotten Painting and thoroughly enjoyed it, adding the Rogan Mysteries to my Gotta.Read list. Having read this ... I must now GET the rest of of the series and start from the beginning, and I am Shute it will demand reference back here ... it’s no longer just “a good read”, it’s an assignment and I’m a tough teacher.
THANKS!
I’m an action-fiction reader. I read The Forgotten Painting and thoroughly enjoyed it, adding the Rogan Mysteries to my Gotta.Read list. Having read this ... I must now GET the rest of of the series and start from the beginning, and I am Shute it will demand reference back here ... it’s no longer just “a good read”, it’s an assignment and I’m a tough teacher.
THANKS!
March 8, 2022
This is an anthology of various and differing stories that take us through the authors younger years. He has the ability to weave the fact and the fiction together and you will never know where one begins and where one ends, and honestly why try? Enjoy the read. The stories are intriguing and delightful. You won't want to put this vignette down. I received this novel as a launch team bonus. this is my true and honest review.
May 31, 2020
Whilst I enjoyed some of the stories, I found many lacked 'meat' despite the rich material and the author's childhood experiences. Gently written, with charm, but I had difficulty staying with the author through these letters. Sorry. I am grateful for the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.
March 5, 2018
Fascinating
I always like to hear how authors came up with their ideas. Fortunately for me, I managed to get a hold of this book before reading any of the author's novels. This makes me want to read his series, now that I have the author's past in my brain
I always like to hear how authors came up with their ideas. Fortunately for me, I managed to get a hold of this book before reading any of the author's novels. This makes me want to read his series, now that I have the author's past in my brain
July 17, 2018
Fascinating behind the scenes look into a very talented author and his equally interesting life. I wanted to step into the pages and explore his grandfather's attic treasures with him. I'm looking forward to reading the Jack Rogan mysteries very soon!
November 30, 2018
"Fascinating insights"
If only more authors had such rich and intriguing backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of anecdotes from a family life full of warmth and incident. I'll start reading some Jack Rogan Mysteries now. I hadn't discovered them until now.
If only more authors had such rich and intriguing backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of anecdotes from a family life full of warmth and incident. I'll start reading some Jack Rogan Mysteries now. I hadn't discovered them until now.
August 20, 2020
A quick read allowing the reader to glimpse into the author behind the Jack Rogan series. Each little vignette highlights a moment in Gabriel Farago’s life and what inspired his journey as a writer. Brief and tantalizing.
June 13, 2021
All these short stories were fun to read especially when I could see where the author had used something from the life of his grandfather and his friend Lucius or from his own life. I could not really tell what exactly was fiction or fact. Highly recommended.
October 28, 2021
Excellent insight into behind the scenes of the Jack Rogan series. So glad I read this prior to reading most of the series as it gives a great foundation for the books and brings more depth to the personality of Jack Rogan
June 21, 2018
Intreage
This is a grand storey of warmth, love and an idea of a boy who became a pationet man of in site. A truly heart warming read. Kat
This is a grand storey of warmth, love and an idea of a boy who became a pationet man of in site. A truly heart warming read. Kat
December 31, 2018
3 1/2 Stars - Interesting Read
I was intrigued by the title and synopsis of this brief story. It enjoyed Mr Farago's tales and stories. I plan to look into more stories by him.
I was intrigued by the title and synopsis of this brief story. It enjoyed Mr Farago's tales and stories. I plan to look into more stories by him.
July 2, 2019
Entertaining
This is a first for me, reading an author's explanation of how and why he wrote his novels. The vignettes are very well written and entertaining.
This is a first for me, reading an author's explanation of how and why he wrote his novels. The vignettes are very well written and entertaining.
October 8, 2021
Short stories that capture the mystic of the letters found in the attic that lead to the creation of 4 great books. Recommend.
Found it very interesting.
Found it very interesting.
December 26, 2021
Interesting essays about authors life which influenced his writings.
September 3, 2019
I love Mr Farago’s newsletters from his attic; to read that a key to his grandfather’s attic opened the door to his inspirations to become a writer was especially meaningful and a great goodread.
Main Characters Profile is a 2nd prequel, a quick but insightful goodread. Readers are given a look at all Mr. Farago’s characters in the 4 book series. Most interesting is his take on the importance of well developed characters, including traits they must have to hold readers interest.
Main Characters Profile is a 2nd prequel, a quick but insightful goodread. Readers are given a look at all Mr. Farago’s characters in the 4 book series. Most interesting is his take on the importance of well developed characters, including traits they must have to hold readers interest.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews