Murder on the Ghan — Gabriel Farago

A cursed opal; an iconic Australian rail journey; one fatal adventure When Jack Rogan, charismatic journalist and author, meets Sophie Ritter, a celebrated conductor, at a concert in Sydney, he is instantly smitten. Little does he know what he is letting himself in for when he promises Ritter adventure, and offers to show her Outback Australia before her next concert.A promise to help Andrew Simpson - an old Aboriginal friend - to investigate the discovery of a precious opal in a Coober Pedy mine, unwittingly draws Rogan and Ritter into the dangerous world of the Desert Raiders, an outlaw motorcycle gang operating in Alice Springs. Ruled by a ruthless master and his henchman, the Desert Raiders will stop at nothing to get their hands on the priceless gemstone.Soon, an iconic rail journey, the famous Ghan, turns into a nightmare trip of violence, fear, and murder, where Aboriginal Dreamtime stories collide with the forces of evil coveting the precious opal.In a race against time, Rogan and Ritter try desperately to make it safely to the next concert, but sinister ambitions and lust for riches stand in their way.Will Rogan and his friends succeed? Will the priceless gem end up where it belongs? Will Ritter make it to the concert, or will unexpected obstacles overwhelm them, and leave them stranded in the desert?