The Last Odyssey: A Sigma Force Novel

The story starts when a group of researchers stumble upon a shocking find: a centuries-old medieval ship buried a half-mile below the melting ice. The ship holds a collection—both wondrous and horrific—dating back to the Bronze Age. Including a clockwork gold map crafted by a group of Muslim inventors, considered to be the Leonardo Da Vincis of their time. It is a map rumored to lead to Tartarus, the Greek version of Hell featured in Homer’s Iliad and the Odyssey. And in order to stop zealots from breaking those gates open and unleashing an apocalypse, Sigma Force must go where humans fear to tread—to cross through the very gates of Hell to save the world.

Definitely. The novel is my attempt to expose the dark truths hidden in our mythologies. For eons, the city of Troy—whose fall was detailed in Homer’s Iliad—was believed to be myth, until archaeologists in the nineteenth century uncovered its ancient walls buried beneath the sands. And just like that, myth became history. And if Troy was a real place, how much of Homer’s twin tales of gods and monsters,curses and miracles—The Iliad and the Odyssey—could also be true and awaiting discovery? That’s what this book explores, crossing from one end of the Mediterranean to the other, revealing how history and mythology blend to reveal the hidden truths of our past.

To accomplish this, I did extensive research. I traveled from the melting glaciers in Iceland to ancient ruins in Sardinia to museums in Athens and Olympia and Rome. I pestered historians and archaeologists and anyone else willing to answer questions. Across the Mediterranean, I studied artifacts and ancient writings dating back to a mysterious era known as the Greek Dark Ages, a shadowy time of the Bronze Age when three civilizations were laid low during a massive war, a warm any historians have dubbed “World War Zero.” One of the only accounts of this war-torn time come from those twin epics of Homer. But THE LAST ODYSSEY sheds an even greater light into that dark time—and what it means for us today.

During my research, I discovered a tantalizing connection between Leonardo da Vinci and a school of Arab inventors from many centuries earlier, a school called the House of Wisdom which has a fascinating and bloody connection the Greek Dark Ages. From the eighth to the fourteenth century—known as the Islamic Golden Age—Arab scientists proved themselves to be masters of design and innovation. By his own admission, Da Vinci was influenced—even borrowed—from these earlier Muslim inventors. Moreover, the Arab influence over Leonardo’s work has proven to be far greater than anyone imagined. In fact, many of the startling revelations you’ll find in the book’s prologue are indeed true.

I think what surprised me was how much we underestimate the technology of ancient peoples. I hada chance to study the Antikythera Mechanism at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, aGreek device from the first century B.C. Most archaeologists now accept that the device was the firstknown analogue computer. Still, the list of amazing Greek automated designs is much moreextensive. Historians and archaeologists have documented countless designs of self-operatingmechanisms, cunning automatons, and ingenious mechanical devices. And in THE LAST ODYSSEY,readers will get a better look at the astounding extent and breadth of their inventions—many will beshocking, but also true.

During my research for this book, I became fascinated by all the ways various cultures view the end of the world. Especially in regard to the visions that are common among them. That said, it is worrisome that there appears to be a growing zealous view that not only are the End Times near—but that we should do everything politically and militarily possible to make sure it happens in our lifetime. That trend is growing in support both here among Western nations, but also across the Islamic world. Even the current Supreme Leader and president of Iran are believers that the End Times are upon us. So, while such apocalyptic cults featured in my novel are fiction, their existential threat is very real.

Sure. My support for veterans first came about after I participated in a USO tour of authors to Iraq and Kuwait in the winter of 2010. Upon coming home, I knew I wanted to do more. First, I worked with USA Cares, which raises emergency funds for vets in need, then most recently I joined US 4Warriors as an advisory board member. The new charity started as a grassroots effort in San Diego and has since expanded nationwide. Besides helping to promote the social welfare of vets in a wide spectrum of activities, the latest endeavor also involves helping veterans tell their stories…and get published! So as a writer, I’m especially excited as US 4 Warriors expands into this adventure.

I have an anthology of short stories coming out next September, which includes a brand-new hundred-page novella featuring a pair of characters from the Sigma universe, Tucker and Kane, an army ranger and his military war dog. They’re a dynamic duo who were inspired from a USO trip to Iraq that I took during the last war, where I saw men and women working with their dogs in the field.I love trying to capture that unique bond in print. And, of course, I’m also finishing up next year’s Sigma novel, tentatively titled The Savage Zone—but further details are presently classified.