The Da Vinci Code meets Rumi in a global thriller/mystery
Rumi and the Retribution
Gabriel McKnight Book 1
by Pooneh Sadeghi
Genre: Global Thriller, Mystery
You Are What You Seek.
Gabriel McKnight, a decorated former U.S. Navy SEAL and
bestselling author, sees his perfect life come unraveled when he’s named the
prime suspect in a murder case after his twin brother vanishes without a trace.
Now on the run from the law, Gabriel embarks on a desperate worldwide quest to
clear his name and uncover his brother’s fate.
His only ally is Noor Rahman, the scion of a once-powerful
Iranian dynasty whose past intertwines with a mysterious book of Rumi’s poems
left behind by her deceased parents. Together, Gabriel and Noor decipher
cryptic passages suggesting a link between the historic murders of Noor’s
family and his brother’s disappearance. From the back alleys of Washington,
D.C., to the bustling streets of Paris, and the vibrant vistas of Tehran, they
navigate a labyrinth of danger and deception leading them inexorably to Rumi’s
mystical resting place in Turkey.
But discovery comes with a perilous cost. With every
revelation, Gabriel and Noor inch that much closer to unlocking the sinister
truth behind their parallel destinies. Can they outwit their unseen foes and
decode the final mysteries before they themselves become the final casualties
in this deadly game?
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? Like many authors I am a voracious reader. I learned the alphabet at age 4, started reading at age 5 and picked up my first Agatha Christie Mystery in 3rd grade—I knew I’d be an author since childhood. I was always thinking up of stories and writing them down in my diary.
What is something unique/quirky about you? Prior to starting a book, I live with my characters for several weeks. We talk and I get to know them to the point I’d know how they’d dress, what food they would order in a restaurant or how they would react in a situation. I also have many interesting plot discussions with my two dogs (golden doodles). They’re great listeners.
Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you! I don’t know if it’s interesting but it was life changing. I was 9 years old when a revolution took place in my country. I’ve lived in total oppression and then experienced the freedom of first world countries, added to that I’ve lived in war and all that—well, it changes one’s perspective. You tend to really value what others take for granted and not pay attention to topics that many media sites focus on.
What
are some of your pet peeves? People who use books for
decoration but never read them! People who mistreat books (really not
acceptable!),
Where were you born/grew up at? Born in Tehran, Iran, Raised in many countries across Europe and in the USA. This was due to my father’s job.
If you
knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
1-I’d cook a delicious meal for my family and prior to eating it I’d take a lot of food to a shelter and we’d dance and laugh and play games.
Who is your hero and why? Gosh there are many but for me Rumi, Ghandi, Anyone who tries to be kind to others
What kind of world ruler would you be? One who ensures every human being is treated fairly and that all humans have the same rights—I’d also have a wicked sense of humor, maybe play tricks on my government/cabinet members….
What
are you passionate about these days? Writing, writing,
writing, reading but also trying to do one good thing a day to help make the
world a better place.
What
do you do to unwind and relax? Walk, swim, and read!
And in no particular order
How to
find time to write as a parent? I make time to write a
1,000 words a day
Describe
yourself in 5 words or less! Mom-booklover-Author-Tree
hugger
When
did you first consider yourself a writer? For as long
as I can remember I knew I wanted to write
Do you
have a favorite movie? Ohhh several: “oh goodness too
many—I always find myself watching the BBC Agatha Christie series with David
Suchet…..so much fun and Midnight in Paris!
Which
of your novels can you imagine made into a movie? Really
all of them because they are visual as I write them. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION
could definitely be a movie or mini-series
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal? A dog! They are loyal, fun and loving.
What inspired you to write this book? I have always wanted to write engaging thriller/mysteries, I also wanted to combine life lessons I’ve acquired as part of living and working across the globe for 25 years with the beauty and richness of the Persian culture and literature. That’s what I’ve tried to bring to RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION
What can we expect from you in the future? I have at least 10 stories for this series and each will be a bit different.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters? YES and that’s all I can share for now!
Can
you tell us a little bit about the characters in (RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION)?
Gabriel McKnight (MC): courageous, loyal, kind yet distant to everyone outside of his family circle. Has a global outlook in life. Is a former Navy SEAL, successful author—scarred by a past incident—an incident that would change who he is and how he’d approach life.
Noor Rahman: Sharp, witty, kind, a little lost and scarred by the death of her parents. She has a strong drive, global mindset and just can’t accept reasons given to her for the death of her parents death.
How are these two people connected? How are their pasts intertwined? READ THE BOOK & YOU WILL FIND OUT!
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book? I have always loved puzzles and mysteries. I also enjoy high stakes plots, I wanted to take that and combine it with my global experience and Persian poetry and culture. And that’s what I did.
Where did you come up with the names in the story? Noor, well, there are several reasons for her name which you will see in the books. Gabriel is a name I’d give to an honorable, yet scarred hero.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Every part of it. For me writing has the same sensation one has when wrapping a Christmas gift for a loved one.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick? Gabriel McKnight (MC): courageous, loyal, kind yet distant to everyone outside of his family circle. Has a global outlook in life. Is a former Navy SEAL, successful author—scarred by a past incident—an incident that would change who he is and how he’d approach life. He is a natural hero although he would be the first person to deny it. Present him with a problem and someone who needs help—he’ll dive in.
Noor Rahman: Sharp, witty, kind, a little lost and scarred by the death of her parents. She has a strong drive, global mindset and just can’t accept reasons given to her for her parents death. Justice and finding the truth drive her.
How are these two people connected? How are their pasts intertwined? READ THE BOOK & YOU WILL FIND OUT!
How did you come up with the title of your first novel? I strive to find a title that captures the soul of the novel. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION does that for book 1 of my series.
Who
designed your book covers? Roan and Weatherford
Publishing, my publisher.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? No!
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book? Yes, that Gabriel and Noor’s arcs continue. They evolve as they go through each adventure.
If
your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Ah, I’d say Jake Gyllenhaal as Gabriel, and maybe Nazanin Bonyadi, Sara Shahi, or Golshifteh Farahani as Noor.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers? My goal is to take you on a journey where you experience a thrill, try to work out interesting puzzles, become good friends with captivating characters while learning a bit about the Persian culture—I want to do all this and make your head spin (in a good way) with a surprise ending!
How did you come up with name of this book? I strive to find a title that captures the soul of the novel. RUMI & THE RETRIBUTION does that for book 1 of my series.
What
is your favorite part of this book and why?
The unraveling of clues as well as moments characters share in their private world like dinners with family etc…
If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day? I’d spend a day talking writing with Gabriel and Noor—I’d also have dinner with “Sheila” we’d have some interesting discussions.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? A bit of both
Do
your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the
reigns of the story? A bit of both
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read. My book will transport you into another world and won’t give you a moment to think about anything else—let alone miss the world you left behind!
Have
you written any other books that are not published? Yes
4 others. And they are in line to be published.
If
your book had a candle, what scent would it be? A
combination of Jasmine, the scent of damp tree leaves and Persian spice.
What did you edit out of this book? Not much I only tweaked the line editing.
Is there an writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why? Anthony Horowitz, he wrote the moon flower murders which is the story of an editor who solves the murder of her publishing house’s writer by reading the book. It’s a novel within a novel and you aren’t bored for a moment.
Matthew Quirk: love his plots
Tidbits:
1) There are pieces of me scattered across several
characters- 2) I have lived in 4 of the settings where the story takes place.
Stuff
about Writing/ Reading:
What
are your top 10 favorite books/authors? In no
particular order
1)
Jane Austen : Pride and Prejudice- Persuasion
2)
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
3)
LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables
4)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5)
Agatha Christie :All the Poirot Novels and Marple novels: some
favorites are “The Moving Finger-Cards on the Table-Funerals are Fatal”
6)
Anthony Horowitz: Magpie and Moonflower Murders, then the Hawthorne
and Horowitz mysteries
7)
Richard Ossman’s “Thursday Murderclub series”
8)
Nora Roberts :Suspense/mystery series
9)
JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
10) Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar Series
What
book do you think everyone should read? TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
How long have you been writing?I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing—Although I’d say I started my novel around 2019.
Do the
characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as
you write?
I know my characters well before I write about them. I spend time
with them in my head until they are real and then I write about them.
What
kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I do the historical research or whatever research is needed based on
the topic I’m writing about.
Do you
see writing as a career? YES YES AND YES!
What
do you think about the current publishing market? I
think like many other industries it’s going through change but what I do
believe is that readers will continue to want good stories!
Do you
read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes, voraciously, my favorite genre is mystery/thriller, then
literary books
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? In silence without distractions.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? One at a time because I’m totally immersed in my world with my characters.
If you
could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you
choose? Ah now that’s a tough one—I love many authors
however their styles are different from mine so I’d say my own books!
Pen or
type writer or computer?laptop!
Tell us about a favorite character from a book. Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben’s Bolitar series. He has a quirky sense of humor, is kind and dives into mysteries. Also Joyce from the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. She sounds a bit flaky but is very shrewd and sharp.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision? I’ve always known I’d be an author. I just wanted to add meaningful life experience to my novels which is why I started in my late 40s after 25 years of global travel, living and working across the globe.
A day
in the life of the author? I have a full 9-5 job. Then
when I come home I spend some time with family and write from 9:00 pm to
midnight. Everynight!
Advice
they would give new authors? Don’t give up!
Describe
your writing style. Pass I’d rather surprise you with
it!
What
makes a good story? To me a good story, regardless of
the genre, is one that makes the reader keep turning the pages, gives them a
delightful ending and makes them want more when the story is over.
What
are you currently reading? Anthony Horowitz’s Close to
Death
What
is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the
chapters first? I have a general outline with key
milestones mapped out. I know where I start and what the end will be. Then the
characters fill in the rest.
What
are common traps for aspiring writers? Doubting
yourself
What
is your writing Kryptonite? Life’s responsibilities,
work projects etc….
Do you
try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?I can’t be anything but original and hope that readers will
like what I write.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Trust your gut and go for it!
How
long on average does it take you to write a book? 4-5
months
Do you
believe in writer’s block? I believe it
exists—thankfully it hasn’t happened to me yet! Too many stories with too
little time to tell them
EXCERPT
Paris, July 14, 1997
Dying for your loved ones is a noble sacrifice, but outsmarting a killer before you die is a
sweeping triumph. That’s what Shiraz Rahman thought as she rushed out of the Trocadero metro
station on a balmy summer evening.
The sun had begun its descent, making way for midnight blue skies. Paris dressed in lights,
welcoming all to its various restaurants and cafés. Shiraz’s gaze darted around as she turned into
the Delessert Boulevard. Her posture was stiff, her pace fast, and her breath labored.
Up ahead, the Café Delessert bustled with activity. Waiters rushed about delivering trays of
food. The aroma of coffee and French cuisine drifted in the air. Parisians and tourists clustered
around the tables lined by the sidewalk, their carefree laughter carrying into the night. Shiraz
recalled the days when she, too, laughed freely, unaware of the evil surrounding her.
A loud clatter broke through the night. Shiraz bit back a scream and jerked around. A waiter
had dropped a tray on the sidewalk. He bent over to pick it up. Shiraz clutched her purse and
hastened her pace. Every so often, she looked back to make sure she wasn’t being followed.
The Delessert Boulevard swarmed with people. It was no surprise. This area offered the best
view of the Eiffel Tower. Each year, thousands of people gathered here to celebrate and watch
the dazzling fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero gardens.
It seemed like a normal night, and by all accounts it should have been, but Shiraz knew better.
I will die tonight. Beads of sweat formed on her upper lip. I’m not afraid. I’m prepared. After all,
her daughter’s life depended on it.
Noor, my sweet Noor! Shiraz rubbed her chest as she considered her options another time.
There was one way to keep Noor safe, and when the time was right, Noor would know the truth.
Shiraz had made sure of it.
She approached her bookstore and risked another glance over her shoulder. A shiver ran up
her spine. The killer was in the crowd, waiting for an opportunity to strike. She squared her
shoulders. Come and get me. That’s all you’ll get.
She entered her bookstore and let her head fall against the door. The scent of worn leather,
polished wood, and new books were welcoming and familiar.
Jean Luc, her friend, and the bookstore’s sole employee, sat by the reading nook.
Shiraz pasted a smile on her face. “Why are you working when you should be outside
celebrating with the rest of the country?”
Jean Luc placed a book on a shelf close to the armchair he occupied. “Cheri, we have a
splendid view. I can watch the celebration from here.”
Shiraz placed her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows into a mock frown. “It’s
Independence Day. Go drink wine, celebrate your freedom, and flirt with someone nice. I’ll close
the store tonight.”
“Come with me,” Jean Luc pleaded. “We’ll find two delicious men and party all night.”
Shiraz snorted. “The only man I’ll ever love is Parviz.” She rushed on before Jean Luc could
say anything. “I know my husband died years ago, but what Parviz and I had was unique.
Something like that happens once in a lifetime.” She made shooing motions with her hands.
“That’s why I’m closing, and you’re leaving. It’s your turn to find your soulmate.”
A movement outside of the window caught her eye. For an instant, Shiraz saw a familiar
figure standing in the crowd outside of her store. She gripped the armchair and craned her neck
to get a better look. The Trocadero gardens overflowed with people wearing France’s national
colors. Its fountains switched from red to blue and back. The Eiffel Tower shone tall and proud.
Her heart thudded wildly. “Why did it take me so long to figure out the truth?”
“Shiraz, are you all right?” Jean Luc asked, concern evident in his ruddy round face. “You
were mumbling to yourself.”
Shiraz studied her hands. Her knuckles had gone white. She let go of the armchair and
relaxed her features. “I’m fine. I was just thinking, that’s all.”
Jean Luc looked uncertain. “Are you sure you want to stay here?”
Shiraz bobbed her head. “Yes, Noor and I have plans. Go enjoy your evening.”
Jean Luc finally gave in and left the store. Shiraz shut the door behind him then poured
herself a cup of tea. She sat behind the counter and picked up a volume of Rumi’s poems.
“Life is a multitude of patterns that rise, fall, and flow together. You taught me that.” She
traced her hands along the book’s spine. “It’s Noor’s turn to find her place and purpose in life. I
know you’ll guide her as you did me.” Shiraz opened the book and lost herself in Rumi’s
compelling verse.
The sound of chimes announced a newcomer. Footsteps echoed in the silent store. The
grandfather clock ticked in the corner, counting every second that remained of her life.
Shiraz closed the book and stared into the stone cold eyes of a killer.
The killer aimed a gun at her. “I put the ‘Closed’ sign up. Let’s go to the back of the store.”
Shiraz grimaced, revulsion evident in her face. “I can’t believe it. All the lies, and the
betrayal. How could you do it?”
The killer spoke with a coldness Shiraz had never heard before. “Easily. Now move. I don’t
have all night.”
She rose and headed toward the small office at the back of the store.
Her enemy held the gun at her back and pushed her into the office.
She stumbled and straightened herself. “I know why you’re here. You shouldn’t have come.”
“Where is the package?”
Shiraz raised her chin. “I don’t know.”
Her enemy slapped her with enough force to knock her head against the bookshelf behind the
desk. Shiraz stumbled and straightened herself. She spat blood, and at that moment the future of
her daughter was all that mattered. Her face flushed. There was a moment of stillness on both
sides, then Shiraz charged her foe. She was no match for her opponent’s strength, but it took her
assailant off guard.
They fell to the floor in a struggle. Shiraz kicked her opponent as hard as she could and
struggled to rise to her feet. Outside, voices rose as thousands of Parisians sang their national
anthem.
The murderer grabbed Shiraz’s ankle and dragged her back down. Shiraz reached out and
grabbed the volume of Rumi’s poems. She knocked her assailant over the head with the book.
“Argh!” her assailant grunted, nonplussed.
Shiraz wobbled to her feet. Her breath hitched as she forced her shaky limbs to move. She
made it halfway to the exit when the murderer grabbed a fist full of her hair and dragged her
back to the office.
Shiraz’s chest heaved, and her lungs burned as she gulped air.
The killer aimed the gun at her. “I’m in no mood to play games. I’ll ask one more time.
Where is the package?”
Shiraz met her foe’s gaze defiantly, and for an instant, her mouth turned up. “You’ll never
find it.”
Nostrils flared. “Then you’re no use to me.”
Gunshots echoed in the store just as the fireworks at the Trocadero started. Shiraz blinked.
She felt nothing for a few seconds, then fell to the floor as pain gripped her body.
She tried to rise. Her body didn’t cooperate. Her body twitched and convulsed as blood
drained from her wounds. She flung her hand out, trying to reach for the telephone cord a few
feet away. Her vision grew blurry, and her breath came gasps.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when footsteps approached her. A man bent over
her. Shiraz squinted through the haze of pain. It was Morris, her late husband’s friend.
Morris pressed his hands over her wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. He shouted something,
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About the Author
I was born to a diplomat and housewife in Tehran-Iran then
whisked across the globe to whatever country my parents had been assigned to.
Raised to appreciate various cultures, landscapes, languages, and viewpoints,
my life was one grand adventure until a revolution took place in my country and
turned our lives upside down. Between then and the age of eighteen I had
experienced both the joy, freedom, and magic our world offers as well as wars,
deprivation, and oppression. My undergraduate studies were in the Middle East
and my post graduate studies were at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France.
So, when did I become a writer? Books had always been my
greatest friends, teachers, refuge, and the inspiration to forge my own future.
In college I realized I wanted to write engaging mysteries and thrillers. At
the same time, I wanted to give readers more than a story. I wanted to share
the rich beauty of Persian literature as well as that of other cultures. For
that I embarked on a twenty-two-year journey, traveling to various countries,
and experiencing life while establishing a successful career. Gabriel McKnight
and his first story had been on my mind for several years yet it wasn’t until
my mid-forties that I picked up the proverbial pen. The time had come to share
my stories.
The next step was making my dream come true. I queried
several agents and one glorious day in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic my
wonderful literary agent reached out to me with an offer for representation.
She took my story to publishers and before I knew it, we had a publishing
contract –and here we are.
Today, I live in Oklahoma City, USA with my family and two
dogs. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the power of words. Words can
heal, teach, entertain, inspire, and evoke change. I hope you enjoy Gabriel’s
adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Website
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Author Links
Website: https://poonehsadeghi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557188217131
X: https://x.com/SadeghiPooneh
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