When celebrated war correspondent Jack Rogan receives a phone call during a bloody battle in Afghanistan, he knows something is wrong; his father is dying. With his last breath, Rogan’s father makes a disturbing revelation that rocks his son to the core and leaves him pondering who he really is, and where he came from. With his world turned upside down, Rogan soon finds himself irresistibly drawn into a desperate search to find his true identity, and turns to an old friend for help. On a dangerous journey of discovery that takes him around the globe and the remote wilderness of outback Australia, Rogan follows clues hidden in unexpected places to uncover the truth. Will Rogan succeed? Will the truth – if and when he finally finds it – crush him, or will lifting the curtain of uncertainty and doubt be liberating, and finally bring peace by showing him who he really is?
Gabriel 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.
I love reading adventure stories, and historical mysteries, and archeological escapades.
But I’m sorry to say that I am very disappointed with this book. I’ve heard good things about the series, but to each its own.
Jack Rogan is a war correspondent during the Afghan war years. He is called away to home, to Western Australia. It is an emergency. His dad is dying.
Just before he’s gone forever, his dad manages to give him news that will change his life forever. How he looks at himself. How he appears to others.
Jack must step away from his “War on Terror.” His father’s last words are giving him a lot to think about. So will the letter that leads to a treasure.
A book like this is rarely given less than four points…from me …and then, again…they’re rarely dull.
This book is a short novella to introduce Jack Rogan. Jack is a war photographer/correspondent covering the war in Afghanistan when he receives a telephone call. His father is dying at home in Australia. He rushes home and in the hospital his father tells him that he is adopted. Jack reels at this knowledge and is determined to learn the identities of his parents. Jack’s father told him that his trusted ranch hand Gurrul brought little Jack to the ranch soon after his birth.
This leads Jack to visit Gurrul and from there it leads him on a ten year search for his parents. From a precious little cross to a rare pearl connected to a murder, to a Russian ballerina and an adventurous photographer the story is slowly told.
This is a remarkably entertaining little book. I truly enjoyed learning more about Jack and his origins. The story turns out to be as incredible as Jack’s other adventures. It is well written and plotted, as are all of Gabriel Farago’s novels. It reads very quickly; the pages just fly by. I truly enjoyed it and I look very much forward to reading the next in the series, Professor K; the Final Quest, next.
I want to thank Gabriel Farago for forwarding to me a copy of this novella for me to read, enjoy and review.
Since this was a prequel, I thought I would read this first and then read the series. That turned out to be a mistake since this book also covers time periods both before and AFTER the series.
It left me a bit lost near the end since familiar characters from the series made an appearance and their importance was lost to me. It was my own fantasy who had to fill up the parts not known to me.
Once I finish the other books, I'll revisit parts of this story to let everything make a bit more sense.
The breadcrumbs of Destiny has led Jack to fulfill his greatest mystery yet. Throughout all the Jack Rogan series we have been given breadcrumbs of Jack's life, and now, much more of the puzzle has been revealed. As compelling as Jack's story is I hope the puzzle is never completely solved. Why, you ask? Because that might mean the end of the series which would be a loss to many many readers. Mr Farago has managed to build a world of wonder and entertainment that I am happy to spend many hours in. Another captivating glimpse into the lives of these interesting characters.
The Kimberley Secret is a prequel to Gabriel Farago's Jack Rogan Mysteries' series. After four books it seems his audience wanted to know the background of journalist Jack Rogan, on his quest to solve historical mysteries. Luckily, for me, it is the first book I read, receiving it as a free gift from the author via Booksweeps. However, I think you can read the books in any order.
Jack Rogan is a successful war correspondent in Afghanistan, when he receives a phone call, telling him his father is dying. He hurries home, just to get the chocking news that he was adopted as a young boy. The whole adoption process is rather mysterious, so Jack Rogan sets out to find out who his parents were, and where he comes from.
What I find so attractive with this book, is that it is an old fashion mystery of a kind we seldom meet these days. There is a mystery, a riddle to solve, and clues that lead you further and further into the story and its solving. Not necessarily a murder. Or maybe, just one, passing by in the outskirts of the story, but not to be diminished nevertheless. His trail takes him to unexpected places. They lead him back into Australia's wilderness, to forgotten history and stories and on a global trip where he finally finds an answer to his own background and who he is.
It is a charming story about a charming man. An enjoyable easygoing read, with history surrounding the story, and told very well. It has a little bit of Agatha Christie style over it, or those mysteries written earlier in the 20th century, that we love so much. Far away from the sometimes very violent detective stories we get today. I am now going to read Professor K; The Final Quest. From my blog: The Content Reader
I have just discovered this author. I am an avid reader. I tend to love descriptive authors, whose words take you on a compelling journey, making the characters, places and events come alive within your imagination. So much so, you can picture the smells, textures and tiny details come alive within each page in the book. I love a well researched historical backdrop. This author offers these things and so much more. The twist and turns in these books certainly make all of his novels page turners, which are difficult to put down,making you wonder what the characters are up to when you are unable to read at that moment and making you anxious for your next reading session. The author is truly gifted. I believe his novels are works of art.
and all of his novels page turners that are difficult to put down, making you wonder what the characters are up to when you are unable to read at that moment, making you anxious for you next reading session. The author is truly gifted. I believe his novels are works of art.
The Kimberley Secret: A Historical Mystery Novella (The Jack Rogan Mysteries, #0.6), my fourth read from author Gabriel Farago, an author I’d wanted to read for some time since I got Professor K: The Final Quest: A medical mystery (Jack Rogan Mysteries Book 4) back in October of 2018 and hadn't got around to reading it so I've gone back to the beginning and reading book #0.6 since I've already read books #6 & #7. 148 pages, but reads longer due to the detail & historical content written in it back-filling Jack's past. I was given the Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I look forward to more from this author and more in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Beginning in 2002, newspaper reports sent to Jack Rogan (about a sensational murder trial, that took place in Perth in the 1970s), keep the interest flowing smoothly along, in Gabriel Farago's historic drama with a twist, The Kimberley Secret. What's the Kimberley Queen? Why does Jack want to know more about the accused, Bryn Evans and his artwork?
An entertaining international mystery-thriller by Gabriel Farago, The Kimberley Secret both reveals answers and raises more questions, in Jack's quest to find his birth family. Well worth reading!
I would not normally grant this a hankie book. But I have to - at least one, maybe two hankie tale. Sad enough to find out that Jack was not part of the family he grew up with. There begins the hunt with a pawnshop receipt - many years old. The ride is extraordinary and he meets quite a few people who help him in his search. I do not want to ruin it because it is worth the journey into his past. But be sure you have at least 1 hankie available - you will need it. Is it over?
Jack’s father is dying, and he reveals a secret that will take Jack on a journey, filled with mystery and suspense. It is a story of betrayal, secrets, and murder. There is even a treasure to find. If you read any of the novels in this series, you might enjoy knowing more about Jack. Even if you did not read any of the books in this series, you might like the story if you appreciate books with mystery and suspense. I enjoyed this suspenseful tale and would recommend it, along with this entire series of thrillers.
Who doesn't love a good mystery? At his father's death bed Jack learns about the secret of his birth that had been withheld from him. In typical style Jack begins to investigate. He has a few clues to kick start his quest and leaves no stone unturned in his search for the truth. A truly wonderful book that I'd recommend to others to read. Now I've read the prequel, I need to start on the other Jack Rogan novels.
After reading the inspirational ‘Letters from the Attic’, I knew Gabriel Farago would be a writer I had to follow. Now, after reading ‘The Kimberley Secret’, I know he’s an excellent storyteller and a fav new author. He took bits and pieces from history and made them alluring as ‘Breadcrumbs of Destiny’ to develop the character, Jack Rogan. Each crumb became a fateful storyline that took Jack closer to finding where he came from. With each crumb, I read on, pages turning, wanting more. Jack’s discovery of the Kimberley Secret tied the crumbs together and the pages flew to the emotional end. I was left still wanting more of Jack Rogan, the series is a must read!
Jack Rogan likes adventure and it is no surprise that his origins are not as they seem. Another adventure packed story where Jack will go to any extreme to uncover the truth and this time it involves uncovering the truth about his true parentage after a deathbed disclosure from his father. A journey that crosses vast distances, countries and boundaries and discover historical details that fascinate. A wonderful read. Thanks Gabriel.
Jack is in Afghanistan covering the war when he receives a call from the nursing home his dad resides in. His dad is dying so Jack flies home to Australia where his dad tells him that he was adopted. So off Jack goes on a wild goose chase picking up clues to his identity. This story follows Jack through his wanderings looking for information about who his mother and father were. Highly recommended.
Loved this Jack Rogan novella. I really enjoyed his search for his birth parents and how the search wrapped up. What a wonderful friend he had in Gurrul and I'd love to hear more about that some day. Mr. Fargo paints a beautiful picture of Australia for those of us not lucky enough to have visited. The mysteries keep me hooked and the characters keep me interested. I can't wait to start book number one.
I loved this short story. Like every other story this author has written it has heart and soul. It’s a very beautiful and moving story. It fills in the gaps of Jack Rogans life. You see and feel thru the story telling of this author. The story weaves the history, fact and fiction so well intertwined I felt like I was part of the story. Just beautiful!
The author succeeds to blur the lines between fiction and reality and drawing his readers into his world and keeping their attention right through until the end of the book. A page turner. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend that you read it too.
I enjoyed this historical mystery. We are given Jack Rogan's back story. It is a well researched story that gives the reader a look at Jack and his mystery solving skills. After giving us snippets of his past in other stories. This story reads like an adventure where Jack is given clues and has to solve each one until the truth is revealed. A quick easy read... Highly recommend.
For all readers of the Jack Rogan mystery series, this is a must read. The Kimberley Secret gives readers insights into Jack's personal history, where he came from, who his parents were. You will see how the mystery of his birth and parentage can be considered the seed of Jack's fascination with and pursuit of mysteries .
This is a quick read that gives a bit of background on Jack Rogan's history where he ends up on a mission to find out about his biological parents - and the reader ends up getting an overall impression that he's very focused and driven. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very interesting read. A free lance journalist covering the war in Afghanistan is called home for the death of his father. A deathbed revelation sends Jack on a quest to find out more about his family. Very well written and intriguing story.well worth the read.
A well-written, hugely enjoyable story. My only gripe was the references to the later stories, none of which I have read. It might have paid me to read the series, then read the prequel. With the quality of writing in this book, it will be a pleasure.
As a reporter, Jack has seen and heard a lot. When jack gets the call his father is dying and needs to see him, Jack hears something he never thought his father would say. Secrets of the past have Jack on a great adventure to find answers. Good story with a great backdrop.
How would you react if your parent reveals they aren't your biological parent? That's the premise here, how he searches for his roots. Well written, fast paced, and great characters. Looks like I'll be reading the next book, very interesting an engaging read.
Pleasant folks with unbelievable luck and fortune. SS officer became a priest and his wife became a nun. The Russian jewelry and family treasures passes on. What a luck.