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Striking the Right Balance
Flush Royale follows a Greek-Norwegian marine investigator who is pulled into a quest to investigate the Hirondelle, where he uncovers a secret that could change history. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea for the story hit me during my first trip to Switzerland in 2022, while I was writing my debut novel. I was hanging out in a terraced vineyard in Lavaux, watching those Belle Époque steamships cruise across Lac Léman. Right then and there, I knew I wanted to set my next book in Switzerland. After that, I started exploring the lake’s maritime history and how I could connect it to Greece, which felt like a cool premise to build the plot around.
Nick Diamantis is a fascinating character. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
It’s hard to single out just one scene, but I find myself really drawn to writing the quieter and more introspective moments with Nick. That’s where his personality comes alive on the page, not always through action or dialogue but through subtle observations and reactions. Those moments reveal who he is beneath the surface, and I think that’s when readers are most likely to connect with him on a personal level.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
I think I’ve taken a lot from my own experience reading adventure novels, and I’ve always tried to keep that in mind when writing my own scenes. For me, it’s about striking the right balance. I want the scenes to be engaging and enjoyable to read, while still being clear enough for the reader to visualize without confusion.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on is the third novel in the Nick Diamantis series. It will feature all the classic elements people came to love in the first two. I can’t say too much about the plot or a release date, but this time, Nick’s next assignment will take him to Panama and South America.
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Flush Royale
Flush Royale is a gripping historical adventure that kicks off in the 19th century with a vivid shipwreck and spirals into a modern-day maritime investigation packed with intrigue, lost letters, and secret heirs. The novel follows Louis Von Büren, a sharp Swiss envoy caught in a steamer disaster in 1862, and then leaps to the present, where Nick Diamantis, a Greek-Norwegian marine investigator, is pulled into a quest to uncover the wreck’s secrets. The mystery stretches across Geneva, Venice, and even the English countryside as the characters piece together the hidden legacy of King Otto of Greece. At the heart of it all lies a safe, sealed for over a century, and a letter that could rewrite European history.
This book felt like a cinematic blend of The Da Vinci Code and a National Geographic documentary. The writing is sharp and immersive. It avoids the pitfall of over-explaining and instead trusts the reader to keep up. I appreciated that. The historical elements were seamlessly woven into the story. I loved how Padazopoulos shifted between eras, using language and tone that matched each period. That gave the story a real pulse. The pacing, too, was on point. Just when I thought the plot might cool off, something exploded, sometimes literally. But even with the action, it never lost sight of the characters and their inner lives.
Some of the lines seemed almost too perfect, like movie quotes waiting to happen. But honestly, that’s a minor gripe when the worldbuilding is this rich. What struck me most was the way Padazopoulos captured the mood of each setting: the stormy waters of Lake Geneva, the serene chaos of an old archive, the weight of stepping into a library full of forgotten truths. And I loved Nick. He’s the kind of character I want more of. He’s flawed, clever, a little cocky, but deeply driven by something he doesn’t fully understand himself.
Flush Royale is a wild and thoughtful ride. It balances suspense with heart and never forgets that history isn’t just dates and names, it’s people, choices, and secrets that still echo today. I’d recommend this book to fans of historical thrillers, amateur historians, lovers of European settings, or anyone who enjoys a mystery with real emotional stakes. It’s perfect for readers who crave depth without sacrificing fun. I came for the shipwreck and stayed for the politics, the philosophy, and the possibility that a single letter could change everything.
Pages: 228 | ISBN : 8230370664
Flush Royale
1862, Switzerland. The steamship Hirondelle sinks in Lac Leman, claiming the lives of most of its passengers. Louis Von Büren, the aide to one of the most prominent figures of the Greek Philhellenic community in Geneva, is traveling with the Hirondelle on that fateful night. He is on a mission that could forever change the fate of Greece’s first Royal Monarchy.
Coming up on the anniversary of Hirondelle’s sinking, marine investigator Nick Diamantis is paired up with a Swiss maritime archaeologist. Their goal is to uncover any secrets this shipwreck could hide. What seems like a routine dive will end up taking Nick and his team on a globetrotting adventure through Europe, where he will be pitted against his biggest challenge yet. Soon, Nick will find himself wrapped up in a treacherous hunt as he races to find some long-lost Greek riches before they fall into the wrong hands.
“Flush Royale” is an action-adventure novel with glitzy action, high stakes, twists around every corner, and grandiose villains. Buckle up for a rollicking ride that will let you travel through the scenic vistas around Geneva, explore the picturesque canals of Venice, and take a plunge into the crystal-clear waters of Greece.
Globe-Trotting Action
Shipwreck in Paradise follows a marine investigator who joins forces with the Australian Navy and a research team to discover the truth behind the disaster. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always had a strong affinity for anything maritime-related. Most of the people in my family have been seafarers, and I spent most of my childhood visiting cruise ships. All of this family legacy eventually led me down a path to become obsessed with shipwrecks or disasters at sea type of documentary series and movies.
When I first time saw a photo of the actual World Discoverer shipwreck from 2000, I felt compelled to craft an adventure-style plot inspired by it. I was immediately hooked, and that’s how the story began to evolve.
Nick Diamantis is a well-written character who blends personality and technical proficiency into someone that readers can trust and want to get to know. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Thank you for your kind words. That was exactly what I aimed for with him as a main character.
Nick is a composite character of different real-life people, including myself. From the get-go, I wanted to make him similar to my age, late 20s, so that we could potentially share similar thoughts, feelings, fears, and worries.
This, in turn, made it way easier to articulate his emotions and actions as his adventure unfolded.
The one thing we definitely share is the constant seeking of purpose and what is really meant for us as persons. What is it that we can bring to the table in order to make a difference in our world? For me, it was discovering writing. As for Nick, I will let the readers find out themselves when they read the book.
The action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
You point out a really good topic with modern adventure novels. I tried taking my experience from reading such novels and constantly having that in the back of my mind when crafting my own scenes.
I always aim to strike a balance with the scenes being entertaining and interesting to read through, while at the same time being comprehensible enough for the reader to visualize.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, Shipwreck in Paradise is the first book in the series featuring maritime investigator Nick Diamantis. My goal is to have the sequel ready for release during 2024. I have a really good idea of where I want to take the character next and can’t wait to immerse myself again in the world I have created. Fans can expect the same high stakes, plenty of globe-trotting action, and a personal odyssey for Nick with an alternative history premise.
Shipwreck in Paradise
Shipwreck in Paradise presents a riveting tale featuring Nick Diamantis, a marine investigator of Greek-Norwegian descent. The story takes a turn for the dramatic when the Norwegian cruise ship World Discoverer meets with a disaster in the Solomon Islands. Diamantis, joining forces with the Australian Navy and a dedicated research team, dives into a high-stakes quest to unearth the truth behind this calamity. As the narrative progresses, layers of secrecy unravel, propelling Nick into an enthralling journey marked by peril and mystery.
The novel stands out for its dynamic homage to traditional adventure literature, maintaining a brisk and engaging pace. Konstantinos Gustad Padazopoulos’s vivid descriptions effectively transport readers from Oslo’s bustling streets to the enchanting landscapes of the Solomon Islands. The author’s meticulous attention to environmental detail creates a tangible, absorbing world for the reader.
A key strength of the book is its depiction of crafty antagonists and nail-biting suspense, ensuring a consistently engaging read. Nick Diamantis emerges as a resilient and inventive protagonist, adept at navigating formidable obstacles. The novel skillfully intertwined maritime mystery and action elements, enriching the plot with multiple layers. While the narrative occasionally takes its time to build suspense, these moments enhance the depth of the otherwise tightly woven storyline. Some plot points may resonate with readers as familiar tropes, adding a sense of comfortable predictability to the unfolding adventure.
Shipwreck in Paradise is a captivating adventure narrative that adeptly captures the spirit of classic adventure literature. It skillfully merges action, intrigue, and vivid settings to offer an appealing read for enthusiasts of this genre.
Pages: 236 | ISBN: 8230362459
LITERARY TITAN 