The Magnetic Anomaly – A Science Fiction Novel

The novel version of The Magnetic Anomaly is now available on Amazon (ebook, print version to come soon, also audible version).

This novel began life as a short story, with a similar name, though not exactly the same: The Magnetic Anomaly – A Science Fiction Story (note “the novel” vs “story”). Some reviewers were interested to know where the short story would go, if it was expanded into a novel.

To be honest, I didn’t know myself, until I started writing it. But often the process of writing takes on a life of its own. I think it turned out quite nicely, in my humble but obviously not disinterested opinion. Fortunately, my beta readers agreed with that assessment. I hope other readers agree as well.

Summary

Below is an excerpt from the short story, which is also the first chapter of the novel:

“A geophysical crew went into the Canadian north. There were some regrettable accidents among a few ex-military who had become geophysical contractors after their service in the forces. A young man and young woman went temporarily mad from the stress of seeing that. They imagined things, terrible things. But both are known to have vivid imaginations; we have childhood records to verify that. It was all very sad. That’s the official story.”

As the summary above indicates, the main characters, geophysicist Alex and geologist Mary, survived their ordeal in the northern exploration camp. However, there was much more involved, behind the scenes, than they could imagine at the time.

The novel version of the story expands greatly on this.

Alex and Mary get caught up in a vast conflict and exciting adventure, one of literally cosmic proportions. During this time, they encounter a variety of enigmatic persons, as well as other entities, all of whom are also engaged in this struggle. With some of them they end up allying; with others, they contend in deadly conflict. The struggle takes them around the world, and eventually to the far reaches of the solar system.

During this time their relationship continues to evolve and deepen. Circumstances demand that they grow in courage and confidence, though within the scope of (mostly) normal people, as has been the case for countless people throughout history.

The story also showcases some historical events, relating to different versions of what went on in Antarctica, shortly after World War 2. Several versions of these events, official history and unofficial UFO lore are given. This becomes a springboard to much of the action. Some philosophical and scientific ideas are also explored, though not in such a way as to get in the way of the action, at least not for long.

Below is a Table of Contents, to give some hints of where the story goes.

Chapter 1 – The Magnetic Anomaly

Chapter 2 – The Radioactive Anomaly

Chapter 3 – The Battle of the Tableland

Chapter 4 – Fight and Flight In the Alien Tunnels

Chapter 5 – Special Ops

Chapter 6 – Jack and the Underground Base

Chapter 7 – Debriefing

Chapter 8 – Flight from the Base

Chapter 9 – Evasive Manoeuvres

Chapter 10 – Orbital Mechanics

Chapter 11 – Crash Dive