Goodreads asked Stephen Holgate:

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Stephen Holgate The same mystery we all face. Who am I? What is my place in the world? Am I of the spirit or purely material? More prosaically . . . I had several situations during my years as a diplomat that lend themselves to suspense stories more than to straight out mysteries. I've tried to use these situations in "Madagascar" and "Sri Lanka." I also learned a great deal about the unusual cultures I lived and, odd as it may sound, feel an obligation to share what I learned. I mean, if the taxpayer was allowing me to live this life, I need to report back on what I learned. Curiously, most of what I describe in "Madagascar" really happened in only slightly different form -- even the most unbelievable things. That's why I use several times the phrase, "I'm Madagascar the implausible is not only likely, it's mandatory." (At least that's how I remember writing it. I'm too lazy at the moment go back and look up the exact phrasing.)

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