Reviews

Dear Dan Mulvagh,

I want to begin by expressing my deep admiration for your gripping, high-stakes novel, Ballot: When Fate Called Their Name. You have masterfully captured the turbulent political climate of 1969, the emotional weight of conscription, and the deeply personal impact of war on young men whose lives were altered by a single lottery draw. Congratulations on creating a powerful, historically rich, and emotionally charged narrative that resonates with themes of identity, loyalty, and the cost of patriotism.

One moment that truly stayed with me is the scene surrounding the conscription ballot, the tense silence, the weight of uncertainty, and the gut-wrenching finality of hearing one’s birth date fall from the ballot drum. The way you portray Mitch Masters’ sudden shift from rising speedway star to soldier is profoundly compelling. Jay’s journey as the son of Russian refugees, Greg’s abandoned dreams, and Kiwi’s quiet resilience each add depth and humanity, creating a portrait of mateship that extends across three continents and three decades. Your storytelling illuminates the psychological fog of war, the fractures of political duplicity, and the possibility of Australia’s greatest cover-up with haunting clarity.

Dorcas Martins, Amazon Certified Book Marketer

What an amazing story, a masterful portrayal of how political and ideological conflicts impact individuals. It could have been written for life today as opposed to the 60's & 70's

Grant B

PS I bought the novel (Ballot) from Kobo and read it on an international flight.

Hi Dan

I have just finished reading your book, Where the Truth was Buried. It’s quite a page-turner and I’ll be telling everyone to read it. I suggested to my wife that it might be considered a man’s book, but that it had great female characters in it….but, yes, a bit of carnage here and there. Easy to see that you are a military nut. You had me totally believing in the existence of the Prinz Cougar tank until I Googled it.

I think what I enjoyed most of all was the cunning structure you achieved, not only in juxtaposing time periods, i.e. 1989 and the 1940s but also the points of view. The 1989 chapters all recount James’ encounters with people who know something about his past. But he is restricted very much to what these people actually know or witnessed.  Anyway, if I’m reading this right, you’re a cunning bastard, is all I can say. It’s old literary wisdom that suspense is achieved via the strategic suppression of information. You do that really well.

Texturally, you’re great at evoking in a few words/images places: sights, sounds, smells….A great cast of characters and just the right amount of damning critique of the English upper-class and Irish romanticism. (I’m with you there on both counts!).

Emeritus Professor, Arts and Language, Terry Locke

Hi Dan, 

Just wanted to let you know I have read your book, Where the Truth was Buried. My daughter gave it to me for Christmas. Although I am not a great reader, I found this a book I could not put down. You say it's fiction, and yet it reads so true. You can just imagine it really could have happened.

Many thanks

Dennis Wilson

Dear Dan,

First and foremost, allow me to commend you for the exceptional depth, intelligence, and emotional resonance you’ve poured into Where The Truth Was Buried. From the very first chapter, it’s evident that this isn’t just a story about espionage it’s an exploration of loyalty, identity, and the haunting echoes of war. You’ve masterfully blended historical authenticity with suspenseful storytelling, crafting a narrative that grips both the heart and the mind.

What truly stands out is the way you’ve brought post-war trauma and secrecy to life through James Hamilton’s journey. The discovery of the letters, the buried truths, and the moral complexity that unfolds all serve as a powerful reminder of how the shadows of war linger long after the guns have fallen silent. It’s the kind of historical fiction that resonates deeply with readers who crave substance, emotional tension, and a story that feels both cinematic and timeless. Where The Truth Was Buried has all the ingredients of a breakout success rich character development, a compelling mystery, and the universal theme of truth versus betrayal.

Lorretta Molina

Dear Dan

I finished the book (Ballot) on the bus up to Auckland yesterday.  You must have done a helluva lot of research to build the story.

You are pretty brave in the way you occupy Jay’s point of view and record his growing understanding of what the Americans were doing in Vietnam. I’m not aware of many books out there that deal with this kind of disillusionment….and in your case, it’s double-barrelled….disillusionment both with Australian AND American policy makers.

Mitch is my favourite character. He’s a genuine petrol-head and a perfect point of view in scenes involving any kind of vehicle, two-wheeled or otherwise. Jay’s dilemmas at the heart of the novel are central to its narrative tension and tautness.

Keep it up.

Terry