In January, “Detour,” a sci-fi mystery novel by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart, hit the shelves. Rake, known for the TV series “Manifest,” teams up with bestselling author Hart, whose work includes “The Warehouse.” Their story, reminiscent of classics like “The Twilight Zone,” follows astronauts returning from Titan, Saturn’s moon, to a drastically changed Earth.
The duo revealed the book’s journey in an interview. Rake shared that after “Manifest” ended, he wanted to explore new ideas. He pitched “Detour” as a potential sci-fi show but was encouraged to develop it into a novel. Unsure about writing a book, he teamed up with Hart, who was eager to contribute.
Hart admired how Rake blends ambitious sci-fi plots with relatable characters. Their collaboration sparked creativity, leading to innovative ideas for the story. The concept of Titan as the setting came from Rake’s desire to explore a different frontier, emphasizing that it could be more viable for colonization compared to Mars.
Setting the story in 2030, Hart acknowledged that many technological aspects are theoretical but grounded in current research. A recent study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) highlights the potential of Titan’s atmosphere and resources. Here, humans could theoretically build habitats without the need for heavy protective gear due to its dense atmosphere protecting against cosmic radiation. Titan’s lakes of hydrocarbons could even be utilized as energy sources.
Both Rake and Hart committed to extensive research to authentically portray space travel. Hart’s design for the spaceship, featuring wheels to create artificial gravity, added a unique touch, allowing readers to visualize the journey. Hart expressed excitement over including diagrams in the book.
“Detour” isn’t just a thrilling read; it sparks discussions about our future in space. With the scientific community increasingly turning its focus to Titan, the novel raises intriguing questions. Why has Mars dominated our imagination for so long? As we look beyond Earth, perhaps Titan represents a more promising goal for human exploration.
The partnership between Rake and Hart shows how combining different backgrounds can yield fascinating stories. “Detour,” available now, offers both adventure and food for thought on our cosmic future.
