Researching fiction

I’m not sure that readers of novels appreciate how much research often goes into creating a story that, while fiction, includes elements that are accurate. For example, when Linda Reid and I wrote Deep Waters, the third in our Sammy Greene thriller series, we imagined a shipwreck dated from  415 CE. Salvaged in Greek waters in 2003, among the artifacts discovered was an ancient device that is critical in our story to locate the true statue of Athena.

The device we “created” was similar to  the Antikythera Mechanism  which is currently on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Scientists believe that the tool was one of, if not the first computer, built by Ancient Greeks during the Roman Empire.  The latest theory is that the “computer” calculated the lunar calendar, critical for safe and effective navigation. 

It’s always fun to find validation for your “creations”. Just recently Darren Orf took a look at our current understanding of this ancient mechanism in his article in Popular Mechanics.  You can read the updates here

If you have not read our award winning Deep Waters, join Sammy and Gus Pappajohn  in sunny Greece for a virtual vacation and exciting thriller.

And of course, we hope you’re enjoying Dirty Deeds, Sammy Greene’s latest adventure set in New York City.