The Hidden Genes of Professor K

Jack Rogan Mysteries #3

by Gabriel Farago

A medical breakthrough. A greedy pharmaceutical magnate. A brutal double-murder. One tangled web of lies.

World-renowned scientist, Professor K is close to a ground-breaking discovery. He’s also dying. With his last breath, he anoints Dr Alexandra Delacroix his successor and pleads with her to carry on his work.

But powerful forces will stop at nothing to possess the research, unwittingly plunging Delacroix into a treacherous world of unbridled ambition and greed.

Desperate and alone, she turns to celebrated author and journalist, Jack Rogan.

Rogan must help Delacroix while also assisting famous rock star Isis in the seemingly unrelated investigation into the brutal murder of her parents.

With the support of Isis’ resourceful PA, a former police officer, a tireless campaigner for the destitute and forgotten, and a gifted boy with psychic powers, Rogan exposes a complex web of fiercely guarded secrets and heinous crimes of the past that can ruin them all and change history.

Will the dreams of a visionary scientist with the power to change the future of medicine fall into the wrong hands, or will his genius benefit mankind and prevent untold misery and suffering for generations to come?

The Hidden Genes of Professor K is Book 3 in Jack Rogan Mysteries Series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

“Outstanding Thriller” of 2017
Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards

"The Hidden Genes of Professor K combines imagination, history, and knowledge of the leading edge of medical science to weave an epic tale of greed and intrigue. It takes the reader into the recesses of the human psyche, the hidden corners of history, and the dark matter of the human genome. The secrets are all there."

Professor John Mattick AO FAA,
Executive Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia

What readers are saying about The Hidden Genes of Professor K

A fast-paced thriller that delves into the exciting world of DNA and genome research ~ Sally Asnicar

A complex mystery with an intricate plot. ~ Saundra Wright

This is a fantastic book. There are so many twists & turns ... ~ S M R SARMA

Another amazingly well researched and written book. This time a medical mystery. Amazing is the only word for it! ~ Dixie Bee

I would recommend this to absolutely everybody who loves a medical suspense ... ~ Emmie Zeelie

An amazing read! Gabriel takes you on another enthralling journey ~ Ian Sanford

A definite Dark, Disturbing Medical Thriller - Prepare for Intense Intrigue! - Charla White

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2016

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Audiobookreviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written complex medical mystery that leaves no stone unturned. Not only is Professor K close to discovering a mind blowing cure for a deadly disease but he’s dying. The mega pharmaceutical self-made billionaire Alistair Macbeth of Blackburn Pharmaceutical wants it. Jack Rogan, famous author is charged with solving a mystery involving the murdered parents of world renowned rock star Isis; a mysterious skull that connects the Aztecs to Dr. Mengele and Hitler to Professor K.

Gabriele Farago carefully weaves a medical thriller connecting each character and occurrence carefully; his plot is excellently planned. The multiple story lines are not confusing but rather come together seamlessly and at times surprisingly.

Farago creates characters that are unique and exciting. His dialog is believable and flows smoothly.

‘They are crying,’ said Tristan after a while.

‘Who’s crying?’ asked Jack.

‘The angels.’

‘Why?’

‘It’s this place. I’ve never felt anything like it. This is a well of desperate souls. So many of them. They are all around us and they are drowning in their own pain. That’s why the angels are crying.’

Each character is strong in his/her own right. Jack Rogan must solve the mystery and in turn he knows he will write another best-selling novel. Of that he is sure but knows he must solve the growing mystery.

‘The next step was slowly emerging out of the maze of dead ends, false leads and speculation. A powerful, familiar gut feeling told Jack he was on the right track. However, one main clue central to it all was eluding him, despite being tantalizingly close.’

This is an involved and long novel but Farago does a magnificent job of keeping it readable, exciting and easy to follow. I have encountered several masterful story tellers and wordsmiths but Gabriel Farago is top in this field. Everything is expertly researched; his writing style is thorough and smooth. His carefully woven story is not one that can be easily forgotten. One will be left to wonder how much of what he has written is true and how much of it is truly fiction given the news coverage of pharmaceuticals in recent years.

This is the latest in a series of Jack Rogan books, but can be read as a stand-alone. This is the first Jack Rogan book I have read and not once did I feel lost or confused. I would highly recommend Farago and The Hidden Genes of Professor K. to anyone who loves dark, disturbing and mind blowing medical thrillers. The twists and turns begin on page one and goes through to the end.

WordsAPlenty gives The Hidden Genes of Professor K a five-star review and the highest approval level of enthusiasm for a book. Don’t miss out on this one!

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that author Gabriel Farago is a genius would be undercutting his grand talent of story telling. This is one of the few books in a long time that was thrilling, adventurous as well as heart warming. It affected me on so many different levels it just incredible. It needs to be adapted into a movie script for all the world to see. I loved all 1135 pages of it!!!!

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3SBHP5...

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book by Gabriel Farago but it will not be the last. I loved this story. This is the fourth book in this series but I did not need to read the others to figure out what was going on in this one. When people or happenings from previous books were mentioned there was a small explanation for what happened earlier. I did not want to put this book down. There were many adventures that happened. I look forward to reading many more books by this author. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion. If you like any type of science and adventure you will love this book.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read! Gabriel takes you on another enthralling journey. He has you wondering throughout how or even if the different facets relate and what is fiction vs real. Brilliantly he brings it all together at the end, but not just this book! I won't say more else will spoil it for you. Riveting, suspenseful, thought provoking and enthralling. I couldn't put the book down and and suggest this book is even better than his first two which were both great reads. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the different elements of this novel were tied together, each of them were really interesting and keeps a person turning the pages. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars +

Professor Kaspar Kozakievicz who is Professor K to his friends and colleagues is dying from a very fast growing cancer. After a particularly vicious episode, he calls Dr. Alexandra “Lexi” Delacroix in Marseilles. He wants her to carry on his work in Australia. He manages to recite to her the combination to his safe and then there is silence on the phone. Professor K is barely dead when the plots and counter-plots begin.

Isis is in the middle of her latest rock concert in Russia. In England, Isis’ parents’ home was broken into and her father was killed. Her mother dies after whispering to her “stars, hide your fires” in the hospital. (Isis is also known by his birth name George Elms.)

Jack Rogan has just left New York after re-writing his latest book. It was an instant success. Now he arrives in France to visit the Countess Katerina Kuragin and her daughter Anna and Tristan on his way home to Australia. The Countess’ niece just happens to be Dr. Alexandra Delacroix. They fly together to Australia and Jack invites her to share his apartment when they arrive.

While Jack is flying with Lola, Isis’ PA, on his way to meet Isis in Mexico City as Tristan had predicted, Alexandra is kidnapped by Jan Van Cleef, billionaire Alistair Macbeth’s henchman. Macbeth is a paraplegic who had Cavendish, the man who stole Professor K’s little notebook, killed. Now that he has possession of it, he and his pet scientists cannot decipher it. He believes Alexandra can. He allows her to go back to the lab in Sydney to work on the notebook. She is carefully watched, of course.

With problems on two fronts, Jack decides to take Isis’ case of the murders of her parents and asks friends Marcus Carrington, a former war crimes judge for The Hague, and Jana Gonski to look out for Alexandra. Jana is a former police officer.

Jack returns to France to follow some leads and makes startling discoveries, as does Alexandra when letters from Professor K are delivered to her via Professor K’s accountant. She gets another threatening visit from her kidnapper. Meanwhile Isis has a crisis on her hands. Jack continues his research, as does Alexandra. The two projects begin to dovetail in ways that neither expected.

Jack, Tristan and Lola fly to Kenya where they meet Dr. Bettany Rosen and learn some horrific information about what is going on in Ethiopia. They must make a dramatic and quick escape. They also learn more about their case. They soon fly to Nairobi with Dr. Rosen on board.

Thing get dangerous, the pace of the book picks up and our heroes are in danger.

This book is exceptionally well written and plotted. There are so many characters that I almost felt the need to get out a notebook and start drawing lines. When the plots lines connected up, it became easier to keep track of people. The suspense in the story starts out immediately and continued at high speed throughout the rest of the novel. There was sufficient information given about the major characters to flesh them out, but not so much that it intruded on the story. The book was exciting and thrilling with much action and fast paced drama. The research that went into the writing of this novel must have been exhaustive.

I, too, noted the error in the name of the discoverer of the double helix of DNA. However, I felt this was a minor issue. There were some rather hard to swallow points, but again they were of little matter. The book is simply a triumph. This is my second Gabriel Farago book, and I am a dedicated follower for sure!!

I want to thank Gabriel Farago for forwarding to me a copy of this most remarkable book to read and enjoy.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I enjoyed it, but I do have some caveats.
So to what I liked: I loved the premise of this book, and also thought that the characters are original, exciting and varied. The plot is involved and clever and includes some science which is generally described in fairly easy to understand language. There are some very exciting action scenes and some surprises (although it doesn't take a nobel laureate to work out who the 'baddie' is right from the start) The plot also moves along at a good pace.
Where I feel that it is let down a bit; the main characters (Jack in particular) seem to be a bit like characters from an action movie like 'Mission Impossible' in that they survive extreme situations and somehow emerge without a hair out of place. The book is quite long and has a lot of characters in it, and I found myself getting a bit lost in the middle. The summing up at the end where the entire story is related to all the main characters is over-long, and largely unnecessary (although perhaps the author felt that as the book is so long the reader needed reminding of what they had read, in case they had forgotten anything.) Without wishing to give too much away, I also thought that the practical obstacles of getting a new 'miracle' drug used on a human patient were rather ignored.
So did I enjoy it? well yes I did and I thought that the good aspects outweighed the bad, but it just had too many issues to get 5 stars from me.
I received a complimentary copy of the book when I joined the author's readers group, but I have voluntarily reviewed it.

[Biana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book challenge called for a Medical Mystery and this is the book I chose. I haven't read the two previous installations of Jack Rogan but I feel i was introduced to their concepts pretty throughly.

Jack is the perfect, well, everything. I kid you not. Everyone wants to sleep with him, he's friends with royalty and other people in high places, he's good with hand to hand and weapons, he's super smart...go ahead, talk in Geek...he's naturally fluent.

This is literally an international adventure. There is so much time spent in the air from Mexico to Australia to England to Somalia. And back. Of course, Jack uses this time to sleep with multiple women, make phones calls to his important people, and do other miracles.

Everyone in this story is a main character. Several are vital to the other books but their importance cannot be overstated. He calls in all his markers and folks are willing to buy companies, smuggle him into hostile territory, host a party for international big wigs on a moments notice, and loan him a jet...whatever it takes to make his story hunting happen.

The story itself was so bloody detailed. Nazis, bastard children, betrayal, medical experiments, internationally renowned geneticist, hired assassins, Psychic children, etc. TOO MUCH.

Still, it gets a high review because it was well interwoven mysteries. And I found I actually cared abut the people in the tale.

[Emmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell into the middle of this series, having not read any of the previous books. That did not matter one little bit, as there is enough background history for the reader not to feel lost.

This is one of those rare books that cover quite difficult scientific subject matter, but relays the information in such a way that even the most clueless lay person ( in this case me) can understand. Reading this book never felt as if the reader is being lectured or talked down to.

This is such a complex book as there are many threads or storylines at the same time that weave together to form a breathtaking finale. I have deliberately not written a review after finishing, to mull over this book, and still the complexity of this tale and the author's ability to bring everything together in a very unexpected and explosive way still boggles my mind.

I would recommend this to absolutely everybody who loves a medical suspense or thrillers in general. You will not be disappointed. It is epic!

Thank you to the author for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. It was amazing!

[Virginia Tican · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack Rogan is such a slut and so are the women with few exceptions like Dr. Rosen and maybe Countess Kuragin and of course, Tristan. As for Isis, she/he has more than enough on her/his plate so I will leave her/him alone. The James Bond~like aspirations as to gadgets and machines are just smokes and mirrors. The ready availability of transport like Pegasus to Africa is too Nancy Drew-ish as well as the castle venue for Rogan's denouement in France. I thought the chateau is also a hotel and one can not just cancel advanced bookings like missing afternoon tea with a titled lady without grave repercussions for business? Plus what is the true significance of the crystal skull aside from glowing when certain beings and elements are near it (or when Anna did her painting of the heart~shaped leaves) since the substance they took from Macbeth's despicable human trials was what was replicated to cure Isis anyway? Bottom line, the Gonzales women's infidelities are the cause for all this tragic melodrama. I find this one to be too pretentious and to compare it with Dan Brown's work is an insult.

[Margo James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Rogan is completely tailored after Gabriel Farago himself. Such a talented wordsmith and commiserate storyteller. I am awestruck at the intricacies and thrilling adventures that take place in this mesmerizing book. The science is incredible, the characters are unique and welcoming, even the villains have such terrific personalities, and the narrative is breathtaking and engaging. Not often does such a novel have so much going for it. This is one for my 'keep forever' files. I have not been able to find the words to explain the impact of this story, nor the wondrous writing that completely takes over your brain. So few authors can grab your wholehearted attention from the first word to the last. I wish I had the power to convey what a literary treasure this novel is, but you MUST experience it yourself! I am definitely adding his other works to my 'keep' library, even though it will take my entire entertainment allowance for the month, haha. These books are certainly worth it. Thank you so much for giving me this experience and reawakening my love of the written word. You are spectacular!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Rogan's adventures continue with many of the same characters plus some new ones. When a world wide singing star's parents are murdered, Isis contacts Jack to look into it as the the British authorities are being closed mouthed about the case. Isis heads a large and wealthy organization and jack agrees to look into it and soon discovers there is a lot going on. He is also caught up in an action when eye Dr. from the firs book contacts him to visit a refugee camp on the Somali border and takes him across the border to visit a small camp with medicines for the inhabitants. They discover a camp of cancer patients being used has human test subjects by a big pharma company and barely escape when they are discovered. The two stories merge when ISIS comes down with a brain tumor and the plots revolve around cancer cures and causes and the greed of the big pharma owner. In the investigations they unearth links to characters in earlier books and lay bare a number of uncomfortable truths around some of their friends. Another good read this.

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long, complicated and involved novel spanning the globe and decades about cancer research seeking a cure. What I liked: wonderful characters; great adventures trotting around the planet; intriguing premise; excellent writing. What I didn’t like: the author suddenly dropping information, even though he’s using it to build suspense and reveals the details later; individuals who act out of character, having gone through intense trauma, as if what they experienced didn’t faze them; the author’s rather flip attitude in writing about intuitive and psychic abilities; grief that seems minimized. Read the Jack Rogan books in order as they build on each other, especially the first and third books in this series. I would recommend this novel.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an enthralling thriller
This is the third book in the Jack Rogan Mystery Series. Dying professor K is on the brink of a big medical discovery. On his deathbed he selects Dr Alexandra Delacroix as his successor and asks her to finish his ground breaking discovery. The founder of Blackburn Pharmaceuticals, Alistair Macbeth will stop at nothing to obtain the discovery for his company. This is a great thriller that will have you page turning and wanting more. Well written with great characters and a strong storyline. I received an advance copy of the book from the author and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue, Mystery, Deceit, Terror and Skulldugery

This book has so many twists and turns that it should come with a detailed map. Just kidding. But, seriously, I've never read a book like this one that has as many subplots, storylines, twist and turns and switchbacks. What a mystery ride! Jack Rogan had so many different "irons in the fire" what with the different characters and their accompanying lives and stories. What a ride! One may well forget, even in their own life, that the things of the past may well hold answers as well as heartaches for them in the present or the future. This book proved that in spades!

[Paul Bennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was purchased as part of a set of books 1-5 of the Jack Rogan mysteries. This review is a repeat of a review posted on Amazon.

Another extremely enjoyable story in the Jack Rogan series, this being book 3. This story is interesting on two levels - not just the story itself but the glimpse we have of the possible science of the future. Another facet of the book is that Jack Rogan writes about his previous adventures which to him are his real world so you get fictional references to a fictional real world (if that makes sense!) I am by now thoroughly hooked on Jack Rogan mysteries!

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I was engrossed from start to finish, and it finished too soon. The author does massive research to weave enough science into the story so that we can understand but not be baffled. There are so many aspects to the story; pioneering breakthroughs in science, greed, war crimes, the horror of forced clinical trials, compassion and adventure. Once again Jack Rogan joins all the threads and brings his contacts and friends together to weave a fascinating story. Gabriel Farago is remarkable at blurring the boundaries between fiction and fact. A great storyteller. A highly recommended read.

[Isabella Le Roux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...wow...wow!
What an awesome book by an awesome writer!
Jack Rogan's story continues with adventure, thrilling action, breathtaking moments and mind-boggling coincidences. Jack is for sure the best storyteller ever and seems to get himself into so much trouble but at the same time seems to get himself out of it just as easy.
I absolutely love Gabriel Farago's writing. A storyteller in a class of his own.
If you want to read a page turner, on the edge of your seat novel, this is just the book for you.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather long novel. Professor K is a world renowned scientist that is on the verge of discovering a cure for cancer. He is dying and asks a former under study to take over his research. Alexandra knew the professor's methods and short hand notes that only she can understand. Alexander gets coerced to give up the secret research to a competing company.
There are several story lines that come together.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex mystery with an inticate plot. This book has a bit of everything. It stimulates your intelect with cutting edge science. Makes you question the morals of humanity. Thrills you with the action and throws in just enough humor to make it fun, all with a storyline that will keep you turning pages long into the night! If you haven't read this yet, pick up your copy today!

[Jacqueline Dispenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story! I am so impressed at how the intricate web of events all came together to form a satisfying conclusion. This book was well researched and takes the reader on a rip-roaring adventure around the world in the pursuit of justice and a cure for a deadly disease. It was fast-paced and featured a well rounded and inclusive cast of characters.
Well done, Gabriel Farago. Wow!

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly crafted, exceptional characters, and scenes that will flood your imagination, this is another Jack Rogan mystery that takes us back 70 years to WWII and life at the Ritz with the Nazis. Intensely researched with serpentine plots, this is a must have, must read, brilliant novel.
Very Highly Recommended.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, nail-biting, and compellingly written, this is an authentic page-turner.

With a carefully crafted plot, great characters and obvious well-done research, this book is a must for those who enjoy medical thrillers or simply of an enthralling book.

[Sri Gopalan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit conflicted on this one. Great premise, great plot development. Loved the science-fiction aspect to the story. But what ruined it a bit for me was the over complicated relationship between characters, too many coincidences and repetitions.
Note: I read a free copy provided by author.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor K close to making a medical breakthrough, his last thoughts before dying. The author again has given us a rich detailed plot. Full of intrigue and danger, he does his research, the characters are well described. Jack has his work cut out for him

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing story in a long line of truly amazing books by Gabriel Fargo. Believe me when I say that you're in for one hell of a ride with this superbly written book. To be totally honest a five-star rating isn't enough!

[cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and wonderful read

I can't say enough about this book. It captivated me from the start. I am hooked on this author. I find archeology fascinating. The study of the ancient cultures. What a wonderful ride this book gave me.

[David Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from Gabriel Farago …

Having read some Jack Rogan books, I should have expected a lot of secrets unravelling! This was gripping, enthralling reading. I would recommend this, but perhaps with refreshments nearby! You will need them.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!