What do you get when you mix vintage aircraft, high-stakes treasure, the wild Australian Outback, and a retired astrophysicist with a flair for sarcasm? You get The Missing Mallard Mystery, the fourth aviation-fueled adventure from Rod Lewin, a seasoned pilot turned author whose own life reads like an epic.
Rod Lewin is hitting the skies once again, virtually this time, as he launches a Virtual Book Tour to celebrate his latest novel. A lifelong aviator with over 40 years in the cockpit, Lewin draws upon real-life experiences flying across Australia, the South Pacific, and the U.S. to create action-packed fiction that’s as thrilling as it is authentic.
What’s The Missing Mallard Mystery About?
This fourth installment in Lewin’s Mitch Blaine adventure series finds the heroic pilot and his trusty co-pilot, Beyer (a retired astrophysicist with an encyclopedic brain), investigating the disappearance of a Grumman Mallard flying boat, along with a multi-million-dollar cargo of cultured pearls. Their search pulls them into a web of mystery, piracy, and peril that stretches across the remote coastlines of northern Australia.
Lewin calls the book an “aviation-slanted adventure,” but it’s so much more. As one Amazon reviewer put it, the novel is “equal parts travel guide, history text, scientific treatise, cultural study, high adventure, quick justice, and love letter to aviation.”
Why He Wrote It
Lewin says the story was written by popular demand: “Readers of my three previous novels wanted more of the same,” he explains. He’s even working on a prequel that will explore how Mitch and Beyer’s high-flying friendship began.
He also notes that the story’s setting in the little-known cultured pearl industry of Western Australia adds something unique to the genre. “Add a twist of grand larceny, piracy on the high seas, and the mystique of the wild Outback, and you have the makings of a good tale.”
Who Should Read It?
While aviation enthusiasts will find plenty to love, Lewin is quick to point out that his books are for anyone intrigued by “history, geography, science,” and even “spiritism and paranormal activity” (which appear in earlier books). The adventures span continents, cultures, and genres, all anchored by Lewin’s deep respect for aviation and story craft.
His Publishing Journey
Lewin has partnered with Outskirts Press to bring all four of his novels to life. “They do a fantastic job,” he says. “I decided to go with them ten years ago after numerous attempts with traditional publishers. I’ve stayed with them ever since.”
In addition to fiction, Lewin is also the author of the critically praised autobiography Steel Spine, Iron Will, which recounts his dramatic recovery from a near-fatal plane crash. Though out of print, it remains in demand with aviation fans and readers inspired by real-life resilience.
Watch the Book Trailer
Curious about the vibe of the book? Catch the trailer here: Watch on YouTube
About the Author
Rod Lewin was born in Brisbane, Australia. After surviving a devastating plane crash early in his flying career, he went on to travel the world as a commercial and seaplane pilot. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Greek Islands to the deserts of the American Southwest, his flight path has inspired every page of his fiction. Today, he continues to write adventurous novels drawn from his experiences, delivering gripping, character-driven stories with heart, humor, and real-world grit.
Want to Join the Adventure?
The Missing Mallard Mystery is available through Outskirts Press, Amazon, and major bookstores. Readers and bloggers can also reach out directly for a personalized, signed copy or to chat about the book: Visit the author’s page
Keep an eye out as Rod Lewin appears across blogs, podcasts, and book platforms during his virtual tour, sharing the real-life stories behind the mystery, the plane and the pilot.
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This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.”