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Jack Rogan Mysteries #5
The Curious Case of the Missing Head
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.
521 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2019
118 people are currently reading
66 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 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 29, 2019
An ingenious and carefully crafted plot, this story is full of mystery and intrigue, indeed! People who have seemingly nothing in common-drug cartels, scientists, governments, ex militia-, all come together in an unsuspecting and spinning plot. Greed, ego and ambition rule the world. A smart and devious complot, Gabriel Farago has developed the storyline ingeniously, taking us to different parts of the world, with an impressive and imaginative precision that kept me engrossed throughout the book. The lecture given by Professor Stolzfus had me enthralled! It’s so realistic and emotive, I even felt empathy with some of the villains. Atrocities, cruelty comitted in present day are reflected with precise definition. A thrilling, exciting and edge of seat premise. I highly recommend this series!
Read
February 5, 2021Release Date: 26th November 2019
Available Now on Amazon for Pre-order
Don't miss The Curious Case of the Missing Head PRE-ORDER GIVEAWAY
AVAILABLE till 25th November
Check it here:
https://gabrielfarago.com.au/book5-pr...
The Curious Case of the Missing Head is Book 5 in Jack Rogan Mysteries Series, however, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.
Available Now on Amazon for Pre-order
Don't miss The Curious Case of the Missing Head PRE-ORDER GIVEAWAY
AVAILABLE till 25th November
Check it here:
https://gabrielfarago.com.au/book5-pr...
The Curious Case of the Missing Head is Book 5 in Jack Rogan Mysteries Series, however, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.
November 16, 2019
All of Gabriel Farago’s books are wonderful, and The Curious Case of the Missing Head is no exception. Farago is a master storyteller who weaves history, medical science, geography, and adventure into marvelous tales. Jack Rogan, the incorrigible rascal, is always at the center of the action. A journalist and writer, Jack believes in destiny, and he and his supporting cast of complex characters weave brilliant threads through the tapestries of all the stories. The Curious Case of the Missing Head, the fifth in the series, is the story of Professor Zachariah Stolzfus, a world-famous astrophysicist and devotee of Stephen Hawking, who is kidnapped by a Columbian drug cartel with the help of a Florentine Mafia family. The non-stop excitement spans the globe, from Sudan in Africa to Italy, France, England, Australia, and South America. Jack brings all the threads together while trying to save Stolzfus’s life and his own, in the process finding an important piece of his own destiny. If you have never read Farago’s books, buy the whole series. You will never be disappointed.
Read
November 15, 2020The main story is about a Colombian Cartel boss that tries to blackmail the US president. His son is on death row in an American prison with the execution date rapidly approaching and all legal means depleted, so he wants to kidnap one of America’s brightest and most valuable scientists and auction him off to the highest bidder. This abduction goes awry and an awful lot of thrilling and terribly exciting things happen before the blackmail plan can occur. As this scientist is the brother of Jack Rogan’s publisher, he also gets involved and things get really complicated.
As is usual in this series, there are a lot of secondary stories woven into the mains story’s fabric. Some of those things made me look much more lenient towards some of the criminals involved. A Bosnian hitwoman that saw her parents butchered in order to sell their organs to rich Arab patients, desperate to get her revenge on the doctor masterminding that trade. A life-threatening injury that gets overcome by a head transplant operation. This book is certainly fast-paced and full of unexpected action. Far fetched science fiction? Not all that impossible as one would think. In 1954 dr. Demikhov in the USSR performed a head transplant on a living dog, and experiments are currently done in several renowned institutions. Allegations of black market organ trade were made and swept under the carpet after the war in Kosovo.
The book is also a tribute to Stephen hawking. The abducted professor is totally inspired by him and often named as his successor. The theories that he proved and explained also figure prominently in the book. Don’t worry, as I could understand the explanations (and I epically failed mathematics), I’m sure that most people will.
This is a great book. There’s a fantastic story, familiar characters that grow during the series but always remain human, tension, thrills, excitement. This writer is one of my best discoveries made this year.
A received a free ARC from the writer, but this is my own personal honest opinion.
As is usual in this series, there are a lot of secondary stories woven into the mains story’s fabric. Some of those things made me look much more lenient towards some of the criminals involved. A Bosnian hitwoman that saw her parents butchered in order to sell their organs to rich Arab patients, desperate to get her revenge on the doctor masterminding that trade. A life-threatening injury that gets overcome by a head transplant operation. This book is certainly fast-paced and full of unexpected action. Far fetched science fiction? Not all that impossible as one would think. In 1954 dr. Demikhov in the USSR performed a head transplant on a living dog, and experiments are currently done in several renowned institutions. Allegations of black market organ trade were made and swept under the carpet after the war in Kosovo.
The book is also a tribute to Stephen hawking. The abducted professor is totally inspired by him and often named as his successor. The theories that he proved and explained also figure prominently in the book. Don’t worry, as I could understand the explanations (and I epically failed mathematics), I’m sure that most people will.
This is a great book. There’s a fantastic story, familiar characters that grow during the series but always remain human, tension, thrills, excitement. This writer is one of my best discoveries made this year.
A received a free ARC from the writer, but this is my own personal honest opinion.
November 21, 2019
What happens when a national treasure is kidnapped to trade for a prisoner. Sounds like a normal start to the story, but what about when he is shot and dying, but you cannot afford to lose his scientifically famous brain. You perform a transplant of course. It sounds far fetched but reads like it could really happen. This story is fabulous from start to finish. Jack Rogan finds himself in so many adventures and I enjoy reading each and every one of them.
November 22, 2019
Jack is ask by a friend to help in the kidnapping of an astrophysicist..
A simple case that turns to be so much more. What is the link, a corpse a criminal, and his mother’s fate. As a reader we read and search, to the end, the author has given us a tense filled plot once again
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
A simple case that turns to be so much more. What is the link, a corpse a criminal, and his mother’s fate. As a reader we read and search, to the end, the author has given us a tense filled plot once again
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
November 26, 2019
Absolutely fabulous mystery thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Jack the main character is wonderful and realistic. Ready for the next one.
November 20, 2019
To say that this book is amazing is not enough of a descriptor. I found the book BEYOND amazing.
It took me on a whirlwind of emotions and locations. I could not ever guess the events that unfold in this book nor could I ever have expected such an ending.
Gabriel has crafted a masterpiece that should be on your must read book list!
David Parker, Canada
It took me on a whirlwind of emotions and locations. I could not ever guess the events that unfold in this book nor could I ever have expected such an ending.
Gabriel has crafted a masterpiece that should be on your must read book list!
David Parker, Canada
December 1, 2019
It's frightening how fear and money can erode morals and conscience - and I didn't exactly agree with the way things were handled after the 'mission' took place near the end of the book. I'm glad that Jack Rogan resolved a family mystery that he had.
I got an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I got an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2019
There are some things you can count on from this author, complexity in the plotline, science and plenty of thrills. This book definitely delivers! There are several intriguing storylines and a diverse cast of interesting characters. If you have never read anything from Gabriel Farago, this book is an excellent place to start.
Alonso Cordoba is on death row in the US. He is the son and heir to Columbian drug cartel lord, Hernando Cordoba. Hernando and his wife Rahima are desperate to save their son. Their attorney, Raul Rodrigo has not been able to do so through legal means, so instead he hatches a difficult and dangerous plot to save Alonso.
In June, a famous American scientist, Professor Zachariah Stolzfus, will eulogize his inspiration, the man who first introduced him to physics, Stephen Hawking at Westminster Abbey in London. Since the professor addressed the world from the International Space Station at the time of Hawking’s death, he has become even more famous than he already was. Stolzfus is one of the six greatest minds in the country and leader of the “Genius Club”.
He makes his home at a well-guarded compound at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. His security rivals that of the President! Despite that, Rodrigo’s plan is to kidnap him at Hawking’s memorial, an event that on its own will have exhaustive security due to the number of important attendees, in addition to Stolzfus security detail.
To accomplish the actual abduction, Rodrigo engages the Giordano mafia family of Florence, Italy. The Giordano’s have much to gain from a deal with the powerful drug cartel should the plan be successful.
Alessandro Giordano, surviving son of the Giordano family, has his own connections to an expert team, Spiridon 4, to carry out the kidnapping. They have never failed a job, no matter the danger involved. This job could be lucrative enough to be their last.
Nadia and Teodora, originally from Kosovo, half of Spiridon 4, were turned to a life of crime after heinous events in their early life. Their family were abducted, and the girls brutalized. Teodora witnessed the horrible murder of their parents and saw their organs being harvested for sale. She vowed vengeance on the doctor involved, Dritan Shehu or Dr. Death as he was known to the war crimes tribunal. He disappeared before he could be tried.
The girls were taken in by a group of Romany gypsies where they met the other half of their team, the brothers Silvanus and Aladdin. When the gypsies were wiped out at a later date, the four survived together and formed Spiridon 4.
Jack Rogan an internationally known author is in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan following up a lead on the disappearance of his mother when he gets a call from the woman who runs his publishing company in the US. Her brother, Professor Stolzfus, has been kidnapped and she enlists Rogan to help in the efforts to find and free him. Rogan has found the most promising lead in his search for his mother but agrees to leave immediately to help his friend.
Thus, begins the entwining of stories that will collide in one of the most intriguing and thoughtful thrillers ever.
Kindle Unlimited edition
Alonso Cordoba is on death row in the US. He is the son and heir to Columbian drug cartel lord, Hernando Cordoba. Hernando and his wife Rahima are desperate to save their son. Their attorney, Raul Rodrigo has not been able to do so through legal means, so instead he hatches a difficult and dangerous plot to save Alonso.
In June, a famous American scientist, Professor Zachariah Stolzfus, will eulogize his inspiration, the man who first introduced him to physics, Stephen Hawking at Westminster Abbey in London. Since the professor addressed the world from the International Space Station at the time of Hawking’s death, he has become even more famous than he already was. Stolzfus is one of the six greatest minds in the country and leader of the “Genius Club”.
He makes his home at a well-guarded compound at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. His security rivals that of the President! Despite that, Rodrigo’s plan is to kidnap him at Hawking’s memorial, an event that on its own will have exhaustive security due to the number of important attendees, in addition to Stolzfus security detail.
To accomplish the actual abduction, Rodrigo engages the Giordano mafia family of Florence, Italy. The Giordano’s have much to gain from a deal with the powerful drug cartel should the plan be successful.
Alessandro Giordano, surviving son of the Giordano family, has his own connections to an expert team, Spiridon 4, to carry out the kidnapping. They have never failed a job, no matter the danger involved. This job could be lucrative enough to be their last.
Nadia and Teodora, originally from Kosovo, half of Spiridon 4, were turned to a life of crime after heinous events in their early life. Their family were abducted, and the girls brutalized. Teodora witnessed the horrible murder of their parents and saw their organs being harvested for sale. She vowed vengeance on the doctor involved, Dritan Shehu or Dr. Death as he was known to the war crimes tribunal. He disappeared before he could be tried.
The girls were taken in by a group of Romany gypsies where they met the other half of their team, the brothers Silvanus and Aladdin. When the gypsies were wiped out at a later date, the four survived together and formed Spiridon 4.
Jack Rogan an internationally known author is in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan following up a lead on the disappearance of his mother when he gets a call from the woman who runs his publishing company in the US. Her brother, Professor Stolzfus, has been kidnapped and she enlists Rogan to help in the efforts to find and free him. Rogan has found the most promising lead in his search for his mother but agrees to leave immediately to help his friend.
Thus, begins the entwining of stories that will collide in one of the most intriguing and thoughtful thrillers ever.
Kindle Unlimited edition
November 26, 2019
The Curious Case of the Missing Head – ARC Review
Hot on the heels of the very successful Professor K: The Final Quest, Gabriel Farago’s fifth offering in the Jack Rogan Mysteries, The Curious Case of the Missing Head, bursts onto the scene with great expectations, and I can confirm, it does not disappoint!
Our hero, Jack Rogan is searching for clues to find his mother or at least a trace of her, in Sudan Africa, to establish what may have become of her. While he is engaged in this we have the mafia and drug lords conspiring, a world famous scientist abducted, a world first operation that will astound, and government agencies acting in their official capacity of constantly having their feet in their mouths.
When asked to provide assistance to find the scientist by his sister, of course, dashing Aussie novelist and hero Jack Rogan, dives in head first. What follows is a roller-coaster ride of epic proportions that will leave you wishing for more time in a day.
We visit locations such as: the International Space Station, New York, London, Florence, Venice, Monaco, Malta, France, Columbia, and the Amish heart land in the United States. There is also the comfort of old friends and new acquaintances, and Jack finds out just how dedicated and motivated his friends are in a time of dire need.
Gabriel has truly coupled with the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie as a wonderful mystery writer. His research on the topics he deals with is superb and factually correct. He also has a wonderful knack of inserting a little bit of fun where and when its needed, but be warned, you will need to keep your eyes open for this little gem, strategically placed and very subtle.
DO NOT miss The Curious Case of the Missing Head – an excellent mystery that will keep you wanting more!
Stewart W.
Hot on the heels of the very successful Professor K: The Final Quest, Gabriel Farago’s fifth offering in the Jack Rogan Mysteries, The Curious Case of the Missing Head, bursts onto the scene with great expectations, and I can confirm, it does not disappoint!
Our hero, Jack Rogan is searching for clues to find his mother or at least a trace of her, in Sudan Africa, to establish what may have become of her. While he is engaged in this we have the mafia and drug lords conspiring, a world famous scientist abducted, a world first operation that will astound, and government agencies acting in their official capacity of constantly having their feet in their mouths.
When asked to provide assistance to find the scientist by his sister, of course, dashing Aussie novelist and hero Jack Rogan, dives in head first. What follows is a roller-coaster ride of epic proportions that will leave you wishing for more time in a day.
We visit locations such as: the International Space Station, New York, London, Florence, Venice, Monaco, Malta, France, Columbia, and the Amish heart land in the United States. There is also the comfort of old friends and new acquaintances, and Jack finds out just how dedicated and motivated his friends are in a time of dire need.
Gabriel has truly coupled with the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie as a wonderful mystery writer. His research on the topics he deals with is superb and factually correct. He also has a wonderful knack of inserting a little bit of fun where and when its needed, but be warned, you will need to keep your eyes open for this little gem, strategically placed and very subtle.
DO NOT miss The Curious Case of the Missing Head – an excellent mystery that will keep you wanting more!
Stewart W.
November 27, 2019
Medical Thriller Edge of your Seat, Nail Biting Intrigue!
Gabriel Farago is a masterful storyteller who skillfully blends actual events and truths with fiction to create a world of intrigue and mystery. His careful research, character development, blending new characters with old, and ability to create and connect different levels into his story, Farago creates an “edge of your seat, nail-biting” tale. The Curious Case of the Missing Head is mesmerizing, and one is tempted to inhale it in one reading! But to fully appreciate the intricate masterpiece that Farago has written, one should take their time and enjoy it as one enjoys an expensive glass of Chardonnay.
The Curious Case of the Missing Head is the latest medical thriller adventure of Jack Rogan and his friends. They become embroiled in a kidnapping, drug cartel, advanced innovations in technology, Stephen Hawking and so much more all while Rogan looks for clues about his mother. This is a fascinating “destiny” thriller – everything has a reason and a reason for everything.
This can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, but you WILL be hooked! Farago has an amazing mind; he makes connections throughout all his novels but in such a way that one can still follow what is going on and not be lost if reading them out of order or individually.
This book is a magnificent piece of literature and should be enjoyed thoroughly.
Gabriel Farago is a masterful storyteller who skillfully blends actual events and truths with fiction to create a world of intrigue and mystery. His careful research, character development, blending new characters with old, and ability to create and connect different levels into his story, Farago creates an “edge of your seat, nail-biting” tale. The Curious Case of the Missing Head is mesmerizing, and one is tempted to inhale it in one reading! But to fully appreciate the intricate masterpiece that Farago has written, one should take their time and enjoy it as one enjoys an expensive glass of Chardonnay.
The Curious Case of the Missing Head is the latest medical thriller adventure of Jack Rogan and his friends. They become embroiled in a kidnapping, drug cartel, advanced innovations in technology, Stephen Hawking and so much more all while Rogan looks for clues about his mother. This is a fascinating “destiny” thriller – everything has a reason and a reason for everything.
This can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, but you WILL be hooked! Farago has an amazing mind; he makes connections throughout all his novels but in such a way that one can still follow what is going on and not be lost if reading them out of order or individually.
This book is a magnificent piece of literature and should be enjoyed thoroughly.
December 15, 2019
Lots of Suspense !
On a previous overseas trip, I had the pleasure of downloading an e-book ‘The Curious Case of the Missing Head.’ by Gabriel Farago. I purchased a copy because all of Gabriel’s’ previous novels have been excellent. This really affected my travel plans because I could hardly stop reading it! I used my iPhone to read the book in all sorts of locations; while standing in queues, in museums, cafes, curled up waiting for buses and boats. You know those annoying people who read during a long distant plane flight when everyone else is sleeping? That was me!!
Readers will find Gabriel’s book contains a lot of suspense. There with many “twists and turns” which will captivate your interest until the thrilling conclusion. The lovable Australian rogue, Jack Rogan, who has featured in previous novels, reappears in the story to make the story very entertaining. Jack’s investigations take him to a wide variety of interesting locations.
Gabriel’s research into new medical science and cutting-edge techniques has resulted in an astounding book for the ‘Thinking reader’ who enjoys having their intellect and imagination stretched to the limit !!
The Curious Case of the Missing Head
On a previous overseas trip, I had the pleasure of downloading an e-book ‘The Curious Case of the Missing Head.’ by Gabriel Farago. I purchased a copy because all of Gabriel’s’ previous novels have been excellent. This really affected my travel plans because I could hardly stop reading it! I used my iPhone to read the book in all sorts of locations; while standing in queues, in museums, cafes, curled up waiting for buses and boats. You know those annoying people who read during a long distant plane flight when everyone else is sleeping? That was me!!
Readers will find Gabriel’s book contains a lot of suspense. There with many “twists and turns” which will captivate your interest until the thrilling conclusion. The lovable Australian rogue, Jack Rogan, who has featured in previous novels, reappears in the story to make the story very entertaining. Jack’s investigations take him to a wide variety of interesting locations.
Gabriel’s research into new medical science and cutting-edge techniques has resulted in an astounding book for the ‘Thinking reader’ who enjoys having their intellect and imagination stretched to the limit !!
The Curious Case of the Missing Head
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
JOE ROGAN – The Curious Case of the Missing Head
When I was at a craft fair years ago, I was fascinated watching a bobbin lace maker at work, throwing the bobbins fastened on a pillow, and as the strands intertwined, gradually a pattern emerged, slowly turning into a lovely piece of lace.
That was the image I had when reading the 5th book in what I have found to be an ongoing wonderful, richly complex and completely captivating series. I am not usually a fan of series, making a commitment to an ongoing narrative. But I got the first 4 as a package deal, bought the 5th – and from there went right on to get the last three. My recommendation is to simply buy all 8.
This volume includes many of the characters we have met in earlier books – and introduces us to a new set of both villains and heroes, brings together threads from earlier books, create intricate plots that both work and fall apart, and teaches us early on never assume that an event has a resolution or a catastrophe cannot be overcome. Strand from earlier books come back and while there are a number of surprises, there is one major one that ties together a whole raft of earlier threads – and at the same time, leaves the door open for the next volumes.
I cannot say this often enough – this is one of the GREAT reads of the year, and has completely captured my time, my energy and my imagination. BUY THESE BOOKS. You will – as they say – thank me in the morning. Is masterpiece too strong a term?
When I was at a craft fair years ago, I was fascinated watching a bobbin lace maker at work, throwing the bobbins fastened on a pillow, and as the strands intertwined, gradually a pattern emerged, slowly turning into a lovely piece of lace.
That was the image I had when reading the 5th book in what I have found to be an ongoing wonderful, richly complex and completely captivating series. I am not usually a fan of series, making a commitment to an ongoing narrative. But I got the first 4 as a package deal, bought the 5th – and from there went right on to get the last three. My recommendation is to simply buy all 8.
This volume includes many of the characters we have met in earlier books – and introduces us to a new set of both villains and heroes, brings together threads from earlier books, create intricate plots that both work and fall apart, and teaches us early on never assume that an event has a resolution or a catastrophe cannot be overcome. Strand from earlier books come back and while there are a number of surprises, there is one major one that ties together a whole raft of earlier threads – and at the same time, leaves the door open for the next volumes.
I cannot say this often enough – this is one of the GREAT reads of the year, and has completely captured my time, my energy and my imagination. BUY THESE BOOKS. You will – as they say – thank me in the morning. Is masterpiece too strong a term?
November 25, 2019
5 stars
Fantastic! Simply fantastic!!
The gang is back in this latest addition to the extremely great Jack Rogan series. Jack, Tristan, Isis, Lola and all their friends and relatives have returned to entertain the reader. And the reader gets to meet new people too: brilliant physicist Zachariah, a very dedicated and likable African doctor and a whole host of bad guy drug dealers/killers, mafioso creepazoids, kidnappers, a famous quasi charity on a hospital ship and a crooked lawyer.
This is a fast paced thriller of a book filled with exciting characters some of whom are well liked and some the readers love to hate. The book is extremely well written and plotted. It is written in a linear fashion so one event follows another in a logical progression. It is easy to read and follow and a joy in which to get lost. The descriptions of the scenery and people are colorful and well thought out. The dialog is clear and so real to life it is as thought this reader was in the room with the speakers as I was reading along.
The race around the globe is nail-biting and very moving. Mr. Farago writes his characters so very well and I want to thank him for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Fantastic! Simply fantastic!!
The gang is back in this latest addition to the extremely great Jack Rogan series. Jack, Tristan, Isis, Lola and all their friends and relatives have returned to entertain the reader. And the reader gets to meet new people too: brilliant physicist Zachariah, a very dedicated and likable African doctor and a whole host of bad guy drug dealers/killers, mafioso creepazoids, kidnappers, a famous quasi charity on a hospital ship and a crooked lawyer.
This is a fast paced thriller of a book filled with exciting characters some of whom are well liked and some the readers love to hate. The book is extremely well written and plotted. It is written in a linear fashion so one event follows another in a logical progression. It is easy to read and follow and a joy in which to get lost. The descriptions of the scenery and people are colorful and well thought out. The dialog is clear and so real to life it is as thought this reader was in the room with the speakers as I was reading along.
The race around the globe is nail-biting and very moving. Mr. Farago writes his characters so very well and I want to thank him for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review.
November 27, 2019
Wow! Just Wow! This book was amazing and blew me away! Jacks publisher and friend needs his help to find her brother who is a genius scientist and was kidnapped in London. This book took us from London to Italy to Columbia to rural Pennsylvania! There was a lot of advance mathematics, quantum physics, in this book! Thankfully it was dumbed down so people like me could understand it! There is plenty of action and drama between the Italian mafia, a Columbian drug cartel, Dr.Death from Kosovo and a top notch Ukrainian terrorist/ assassination group! We also get to see the usual characters, Jack, Isis, Lola, the countess, Tristan and his wife! There are several storylines playing out throughout the book! Most surprising is the weird science stuff that borders on sci fi and finding out it is based in reality. Jack always finds himself in the most amazing and dangerous situations. This book was extremely well written and researched! If you like complex and amazing books this one is for you! I love all of Gabriel’s book. I feel so much smarter and more aware of the world around me and all the latest advances in medicine and science after reading one! I can’t recommend this book more highly! It was truly fantastic!
November 27, 2019
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?
This was a great thriller.
Although part of a series this one can actually be read as a standalone novel
Well written plot and story line that kept me engaged from the start.
Well fleshed out characters that were interesting to follow.
Kept me engaged to the end and guessing til I finished.
Really enjoyed.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review
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?
This was a great thriller.
Although part of a series this one can actually be read as a standalone novel
Well written plot and story line that kept me engaged from the start.
Well fleshed out characters that were interesting to follow.
Kept me engaged to the end and guessing til I finished.
Really enjoyed.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review
May 5, 2020
The story starts out with a tribute to Stephen Hawking and the amazing things he learned and discovered despite his health issues and disabling condition. With that as inspiration we have here a fantastic story . Starting out as a plan to stop the execution of a Colombian drug lord in a US Prison, a plot is hatched to kidnap a brilliant astrophysicist at the memorial service being held for Stephen Hocking and then trade him for the convicted felon. But things get a little bit messed up and that leads to some pretty fantastic actions; some life threatening, some deadly, and others that are far reaching in their advancement of knowledge. Even if you are not a scientist or and astrophysicist, you will understand the events that occur in this story. Nothing in t is difficult to understand at all, but wonderful to imagine it coming true. It is an action packed thriller with harrowing escapes, dangerous plots, fast cars, and ships, leading edge medical breakthroughs and inventions. So much happening, I could not put the book down. I just had to read the next part. Loved it. I have to get the rest of this series for sure. Jack Rogan kicks butt!
August 11, 2020
This book was purchased as part of a set of books 1-5 of the Jack Rogan mysteries. I previously read this book as a standalone (and it was free). I have also already reviewed it on Amazon and the text of my review is quoted below:-
"First of all, it is important to say that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have got to say that this book is one of the best I have read in a long long time and would thoroughly recommend it! It is the first Jack Rogan book I have read and I found it to be compulsive reading. In many ways, this is several stories in one because there are different, but related, strands within it. All the different strands have satisfying endings i.e. you are not left wondering along the lines of "I wonder what happened to...". Although there are references to Jack Rogan's other adventures (or so it would seem) these are just mentioned in passing and do not detract from the main storyline in any way. In fact, the way it is done with characters referring to previous situations in their dialogue it all seems quite natural. So, although it is one in a series of Jack Rogan books, it can be read as a standalone story."
"First of all, it is important to say that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have got to say that this book is one of the best I have read in a long long time and would thoroughly recommend it! It is the first Jack Rogan book I have read and I found it to be compulsive reading. In many ways, this is several stories in one because there are different, but related, strands within it. All the different strands have satisfying endings i.e. you are not left wondering along the lines of "I wonder what happened to...". Although there are references to Jack Rogan's other adventures (or so it would seem) these are just mentioned in passing and do not detract from the main storyline in any way. In fact, the way it is done with characters referring to previous situations in their dialogue it all seems quite natural. So, although it is one in a series of Jack Rogan books, it can be read as a standalone story."
November 27, 2019
Move over Wilbur Smith!
This latest book from Farago is a beautiful blend of page turning suspense interwoven with journeys into the world of science, medical research and international intrigue. It is set in locations that become vividly real thanks to Farago’s detailed research and pinpoint accurate descriptions. Facts and fiction are merged to set the stage for a truly addictive read.
The story line which unfolds from different directions keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. With unexpected twists and a masterfully delivered rhythm of action climaxes, the need to read just one more page is ever present.
A diverse cast of characters rounds out the mix and lets Farago use his skills to capture a range of human behaviour in disparate situations - from a casual meeting, through tense negotiations to life and death critical moments.
If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, I am envious of the entertainment that awaits you.
Absolutely a great read and not to be missed!
This latest book from Farago is a beautiful blend of page turning suspense interwoven with journeys into the world of science, medical research and international intrigue. It is set in locations that become vividly real thanks to Farago’s detailed research and pinpoint accurate descriptions. Facts and fiction are merged to set the stage for a truly addictive read.
The story line which unfolds from different directions keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. With unexpected twists and a masterfully delivered rhythm of action climaxes, the need to read just one more page is ever present.
A diverse cast of characters rounds out the mix and lets Farago use his skills to capture a range of human behaviour in disparate situations - from a casual meeting, through tense negotiations to life and death critical moments.
If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, I am envious of the entertainment that awaits you.
Absolutely a great read and not to be missed!
November 26, 2019
This is a very compulsive read, like the other book is the series, it is a very exciting thriller in its own right, but it is also a fascinating dramatisation of some medical advances that are theoretically possible today, and may well be practically possible in the near future. This shows the amount of research that the author has carried out, it's very impressive. The only downside to this is the length of time between books, I do get very impatient to know what Jack and his friends are going to get up to next.
For those of us who have read the preceding books in the series, it is a real pleasure to meet up with the characters with whom we have become familiar, but I think that this book can also be read as a very enjoyable and satisfying stand-alone.
I now can't wait for the next book in the series!
I did receive an advance copy of this book from the author, but this review is my honest opinion and has been written voluntarily.
For those of us who have read the preceding books in the series, it is a real pleasure to meet up with the characters with whom we have become familiar, but I think that this book can also be read as a very enjoyable and satisfying stand-alone.
I now can't wait for the next book in the series!
I did receive an advance copy of this book from the author, but this review is my honest opinion and has been written voluntarily.
November 25, 2019
It must be destiny
Wow! What a read! This book has it all: suspense, romance, intrigue, humor, murder, kidnapping. I was totally engrossed in the story. It has several plotlines which don't seem to be related. But, the author carefully weaves them together to show they really are connected.
Two mafia families grappling for superiority in Florence, Italy; Jack Rogan trying to find what happened to his mother who disappeared many years ago from an African mission; an orphaned set of twins looking to avenge their parents' deaths; an Amish prodigy who left his life behind to embrace science, working for NASA and was traveling to London to go to the memorial service for Stephen Hawking. You must read the book to see how it's all related!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
Wow! What a read! This book has it all: suspense, romance, intrigue, humor, murder, kidnapping. I was totally engrossed in the story. It has several plotlines which don't seem to be related. But, the author carefully weaves them together to show they really are connected.
Two mafia families grappling for superiority in Florence, Italy; Jack Rogan trying to find what happened to his mother who disappeared many years ago from an African mission; an orphaned set of twins looking to avenge their parents' deaths; an Amish prodigy who left his life behind to embrace science, working for NASA and was traveling to London to go to the memorial service for Stephen Hawking. You must read the book to see how it's all related!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
December 25, 2024
A Thriller That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat, from Beginning to End
An evil scientist, a decapitated body, the mafia, international assassins, and medical miracles are woven together to create a puzzling tapestry of events. In the middle of it all, is Jack Rogan, journalist, author, investigator, and adventurer extraordinaire. It is an international web of treachery, evil, and intrigue. At the heart of it all is greed. As Jack gets caught in this international web of conspiracy and evil, his past and present collide in an unexpected and twisted way. This story will take you on a wild ride, and it will be a long one. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like action-packed, international thrillers with a healthy dose of the inexplicable and paranormal. It might make you believe in destiny.
An evil scientist, a decapitated body, the mafia, international assassins, and medical miracles are woven together to create a puzzling tapestry of events. In the middle of it all, is Jack Rogan, journalist, author, investigator, and adventurer extraordinaire. It is an international web of treachery, evil, and intrigue. At the heart of it all is greed. As Jack gets caught in this international web of conspiracy and evil, his past and present collide in an unexpected and twisted way. This story will take you on a wild ride, and it will be a long one. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like action-packed, international thrillers with a healthy dose of the inexplicable and paranormal. It might make you believe in destiny.
November 26, 2019
Once again Jack Rogan takes us on an amazing journey of mystery, intrigue and villains. With a truly international flair we find that Mexican drug cartels do work in conjunction with the Italian Mafia and are capable of even bigger conspiracies than you might have thought. A genius is kidnapped and swapped for a jailed felon but that barely scratches the surface of this awesome book. Let me just say that if you action/adventure/mystery/intrigue stories you will love this one. Even though the cast of characters is large, the non stop action along with an extremely well written story will keep you on the edge of your seat !
Read
November 26, 2019I received this book free as an ARC reviewer. This book is by far the best book I have read this year. It is full of interesting and believable characters. It is the first I have read from this author and it hooked me onto his books for all time. Jack Rogan, the main character, is as real as it is possible to be and Gabriel has created a hero that is up there with the best of them. The twists and turns that the story takes keep the reader hooked and wanting to know what happens next. Since finishing it I have bought two more of his books and they are as delightful at this one. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Ken Martin.
Ken Martin.
November 27, 2019
This was my first reading in the Jack Rogan series. I was amazed at how detailed everything was: the characters, the plots and subplots, the environs, everything! This is not a quick read; this is a well-thought out, well-plotted book that engages the reader immediately. It covers so much that the book is broken into sections which helps keep the reader’s mind organized. It contains a complex variety of characters, both good and bad, and is written in such a way that the reader can relate to the them on many levels. I’ll be getting this series for my personal library and starting at the very beginning!
November 27, 2019
A page-turner!
The Curious Case of the Missing Head: A Medical Thriller is the fifth book in the exciting Jack Rogan Mysteries series.
This addition to the series is a real page-turner that captured my interest from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The plot is fascinating and complex, with multi-faceted, realistic characters that take you on a fantastic journey around the globe in search of answers. This is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that will keep you riveted from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and all others in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The Curious Case of the Missing Head: A Medical Thriller is the fifth book in the exciting Jack Rogan Mysteries series.
This addition to the series is a real page-turner that captured my interest from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The plot is fascinating and complex, with multi-faceted, realistic characters that take you on a fantastic journey around the globe in search of answers. This is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that will keep you riveted from start to finish. I highly recommend this book and all others in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 12, 2020
Modern science potential, or more like Frankenstein? Your take on the plot will determine how you feel about it.
Jack Rogan doesn't appear until well after the first quarter of the book has gone by, but that 'lag' is necessary for all the back story to be laid out. Once he does, he and his regular group take over and are off on an extremely dangerous and serious mission.
The Mafia, MI5, CIA, FBI, Metropolitan Police, and a couple of local Italian police agencies are all involved in this harrowing story.
Will Jack survive? Will the mystery be solved? Only reading the story will tell you once you begin, and then have trouble putting it down!!!
Enjoy this recommended read!
Jack Rogan doesn't appear until well after the first quarter of the book has gone by, but that 'lag' is necessary for all the back story to be laid out. Once he does, he and his regular group take over and are off on an extremely dangerous and serious mission.
The Mafia, MI5, CIA, FBI, Metropolitan Police, and a couple of local Italian police agencies are all involved in this harrowing story.
Will Jack survive? Will the mystery be solved? Only reading the story will tell you once you begin, and then have trouble putting it down!!!
Enjoy this recommended read!
November 25, 2019
I was going to say that Gabriel Farago outdoes himself in this latest book, but that wouldn’t be correct. He is his usual self – a really great author. Once again Jack Rogan is involved way over his head (pun intended). This book takes what we assume to be the medically impossible to a realistic level. The Italian mafia, nobility, talking with angels, people who are incredible geniuses and of course Jack Rogan the amazing storyteller who goes to the extreme to get a story. Like all of Farago’s books I couldn’t put this one down.
November 28, 2019
Another fabulous page turner. You could read this as a stand alone novel, but I'm so pleased I read the Jack Rogan novels and novellas in order.
The author took me on a fast pace journey around the world and introduced me to new concepts. The story took me to exotic locations and created detailed mental pictures as the story developed.
Characters from previous novels reappeared.
There are numerous twists and turns in the main and sub plots culminating in great ending.
I loved reading this book and look forward to reading future novels from Gabriel Farago.
The author took me on a fast pace journey around the world and introduced me to new concepts. The story took me to exotic locations and created detailed mental pictures as the story developed.
Characters from previous novels reappeared.
There are numerous twists and turns in the main and sub plots culminating in great ending.
I loved reading this book and look forward to reading future novels from Gabriel Farago.
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