The Hidden Truth: A Science Fiction Techno-Thriller

by Hans G. Schantz

  Heinlein’s Citizen of the Galaxy has its moments, portraying the business dealings of interstellar Free Traders and the inner machinations of a large corporation. Leo Frankowski did an excellent job working realistic cash flow issues in a dramatic and engaging way in The Fata Morgana, but it was all just background to launch him into his “real” story, which I didn’t find as compelling. More recently, Vin Suprynowicz has begun a series of books involving book-collector heroes who find and solve science-fiction mysteries involving rare books and old documents: The Testament of James and The Miskatonic Manuscript are his first two installments. Drawing on his own experience as a collector and dealer of used books, Suprynowicz does an excellent job of depicting the challenges his heroes face in distinguishing book club editions from more valuable printings and managing to make a living in a difficult business.

  Some of my favorite stories, like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files (Book 1: Storm Front) or Larry Correia’s Grimnoir Chronicles take place in alternate worlds very much like our own. Butcher’s hero, Larry Dresden, is a modern-day wizard/private investigator who keeps the streets of Chicago safe from any number of supernatural threats largely unseen by the city’s more mundane inhabitants. I like Butcher’s depiction of mystery and adventure and epic battles against the supernatural lurking unseen all around us. Correia’s Grimnoir Chronicles work from the assumption that magic began slowly popping up in a small number of talented individuals since the mid-nineteenth century. Set in an alternate 1930s, Correia draws heavily on an extensive knowledge of history, science, and culture to craft an alternate world with enough parallels to our own to keep a reader oriented and enough marvelously creative twists to entertain and thrill. Story telling in a universe very much – but not quite – like our own lets me focus on plot and characterization in an everyday context, avoiding complicated world building. In The Hidden Truth, I have endeavored to follow the fine example of these gentlemen.

  At the same time, I also enjoy historical and technical mysteries: something like Dan Brown's DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons, but with more plausible history and more credible science. Another book somewhat similar in spirit to The Hidden Truth is Arturo Perez-Reverte’s The Club Dumas, a literary mystery-thriller that pays homage to Dumas’s The Three Musketeers. John C. Wright’s does a remarkable job blending Christian stories and the remarkable real-life history of the Island of Sark in Iron Chamber of Memory. His Somewither also presents a beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale that blends science and ancient legend together in a most satisfying manner.

  My greatest inspiration is the work of philosopher and novelist, Ayn Rand. I’m partial to The Fountainhead, but Atlas Shrugged is also a favorite of mine. In fact, I wrote a detailed timeline of the events of Atlas Shrugged and compiled an extended Table of Contents. You’ll find them on my Atlas Shrugged page.

  Thanks again for your interest in The Hidden Truth.

  Acknowledgements

  I’m delighted to acknowledge the contributions and assistance of my alpha readers. Brandy Harvey provided detailed proof reading and excellent suggestions to improve plot and characterization. John R. Scales provided outstanding feedback on the logistics and operations of EVIL’s direct action team, as well as additional helpful suggestions and corrections. National Instruments IT guru, Jay Garing, confirmed that Amit’s scheme to tap into EVIL communications appears plausible. Jerry Gabig verified the credibility of the interrogation scene. Stan Evans provided useful insights on small-town law enforcement. Additional contributors, reviewers, and proofreaders included Barbara McNew Schantz, June Coker McNew, USAF Major Dan Travers, Dean Cook, Phil Oliver, Angie Storz, and Alex Storz.