M.C. V. Egan
When I caught a glimpse of Ms. Egan’s story, I knew I just had to catch up with her for an interview. The Bridge of Deaths is a story with intrigue, mystery, and a dash of the paranormal. And, one of the coolest parts is that it revolves around an event that occurred at the onset of WWII. Please help me give a warm welcome to M.C. V. Egan, and her book, The Bridge of Deaths.
Interview
The Bridge of Deaths appears to be historical fiction, but it has a very real basis. Can you explain what that is?
The Bridge of Deaths is a cross genre novel with a strong factual side. Fictional characters explore and research a 1939 plane crash in Denmark, in which five men were reported dead.
Because the crash took place in between two jurisdictions, the investigation involved a power play between the police from Vordingborg and Nykoping. The newly formed Danish Secret Police was also heavily involved and added more confusion.
As the characters explore the events of 1939 they find love and resolve phobias, fear and nightmares stemming from their past life. The data they find is carefully documented and footnoted.
My grandfather, Cesar Agustin Castillo, an executive for Standard Oil of New Jersey was one of the five men on board the plane. Extreme curiosity about his life and death are what inspired me to write. On The Bridge of Deaths there are American, British, German, Palestinian historical angles to the story.
Wow! So the history behind the tale is that much more meaningful. How much research went into preparing and writing your book?
The book was researched for almost two decades through archives; in various countries either physically or through on-line archives, newspaper microfilms, history books and interviews. It was also researched through documented past-life regressions (not the authors) and the use of psychometry by 5 different psychics.
This definitely sounds like an intense journey. How did it affect you on a personal or emotional level?
It did affect me at many levels not only because I started in my early 30s and finished in my early 50s, but also because of the very many changes that took place in the world in the course of those years.
As I researched the intrigue in files with covers that read TOP SECRET and were sealed for 50 years or longer; this made me aware of individuals’ need for vigilance and awareness; not paranoid nor see conspiracies behind every story, but conscious.
It also made me feel very strongly against war, all war; I gave that trait to the character Maggie.
What was one of the most interesting or shocking things you discovered when putting all the information and records together?
There is an Editorial from a British Newspaper from 1932. This was years before WWII began. The Member of Parliament Anthony Crossley; one of the five men who perished that day, in it he explains exactly how the Germans would invade through “The Polish Corridor” and start WWII. For any curious sorts they can request the file at The National Archives UK at Kew; file number 7735/110, December 30, 1932.
It attracts attention, the higher ups in the British Government pass it around and ask each other what they think, and I found the file when the conversation about invading Iraq was taking place here in the USA. I found it so shocking and frustrating that we as a society continue to make the same mistakes that cost so many from BOTH sides, any side their lives.
I found everything so interesting I cannot pick even a top three!
I, for one, am looking forward to reading the book. What do you think readers will enjoy most about The Bridge of Deaths?
The Bridge of Deaths is a cross genre and the readers vary widely; the history buffs find all the documented data interesting. The plane crash is an actual mystery and that has an appeal to those who like mystery or conspiracies. The technical data on the Lockheed Electra 10A appeals to airplane people. I added a love story with a couple seeking the historical data to resolve past life issues and that again seems to attract a different reader altogether.
Amongst the many good reviews it has received a common thread is that readers seem to feel like they become part of a small intimate group that researches the events. I have also gotten the fantastic “you made me like history” feedback which is a pretty cool feeling.
Thank you, M.C. (and yes, history IS cool!). Readers, I’ve got the details below for the author and book, so check it out for yourselves, and stop by her blog to say hello:
About The Author
M. C. V. Egan is the chosen pen name for Maria Catalina Egan, author of The Bridge of Deaths. Originally from Mexico City, Mexico; M.C.V. Egan has lived in various parts of the USA as well as France and Sweden. She is fluent in four languages; Spanish, French, Swedish and English.
Maria Catalina Egan is married and has one son, who together with their five pound Chihuahua make her feel like a full-time mother. Although she would not call herself an Astrologer she has taken many classes and taught a few beginner classes in Astrology. This is one of her many past times when she is not writing or researching.
She is currently working with Jolie DeMarco on a novel called 4covert2overt in 33 Days.
I’d heard about the bridge but not the plane crash. What a fascinating post, and what an intriguing book!
Sheila, agreed! This is definitely a book that I think will have you going along for the journey and trying to piece together all the parts of the puzzle.