Hugh Finch - Mind Blowing Psychological Thriller
Dr. Finch narrates with a humble authenticity, forged in the flames of a traumatic childhood and honed by his years as an Assistant Dean and Professor. Eternally grateful for the support that saved him after a rough start in life, Dr. Finch is committed to paying it forward. A majority of all royalties from 'Arctic Revelation' are donated to supporting mental health awareness, including causes like the opioid crisis and veterans with PTSD—just a few of the many themes deeply woven into the fabric of this uplifting thriller. Residing in Connecticut with his wife, two children, and a mischievous Goldendoodle, Dr. Finch balances his passion for writing with family life and a busy practice. His rich experiences as an assistant dean/professor, and student abroad in Denmark lend an authentic texture to his storytelling. As our Author of the Day, he tells us all about his book, Arctic Revelation: A Thousand Lifetimes in the Blink of An Eye.
Please give us a short introduction to what Arctic Revelation: A Thousand Lifetimes in the Blink of An Eye is About.
Arctic Revelation introduces Dr. Christian Yates, a new psychology PhD graduate. His steadfast belief in ancestral memories encoded in human DNA has cost him his reputation and job opportunities. Moreover, his determination has drawn the attention of both a ruthless pharmaceutical CEO and a master of disguise serial killer, each pursuing the knowledge Christian seeks.
Your protagonist, Dr. Christian Yates, holds controversial views about ancestral memories stored in human DNA. What inspired this unique premise?
The premise is autobiographical to some extent. Christian, like me, endured a childhood trauma that led to blocked memories. Arctic Revelation was inspired by Christian's (and my own) journey to uncover these repressed memories. I was very fortunate to have received wonderful support and therapy as a child. I attribute much of my adult success to this early childhood intervention. This is a very clear theme in 'Arctic Revelation,' and it is also the reason I donate the majority of royalties from the book to support mental health awareness and other related causes, such as PTSD and the opioid crisis..
Both Dr. Christian Yates and the serial killer known as "the Surgeon" are complex characters with intertwining narratives. How did you approach developing these characters, and what aspects of their personalities did you find most challenging or intriguing to portray?
Both Christian and The Surgeon are obsessed with finding the yet-to-be-discovered interface within our DNA that gives access to the infinite store of ancestral memories we all carry. Christian's obsession comes from a place of wanting to help his patient and better himself. The Surgeon's obsession stems from a belief that a secret of unimaginable power and destruction lies hidden deep within the collective memory of all mankind.
The novel takes readers on a journey through various locations, including Denmark, Greenland, and Switzerland. How did you use these settings to enhance the suspense and intrigue of the story, and what research did you conduct to ensure accuracy in depicting these places?
The adage, "write what you know," is very applicable in this case. I had the good fortune to study abroad for a year in Denmark after high school, and then returned to study at the University of Copenhagen during an exchange from my alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During this time in Denmark, I was able to travel through Europe, including Switzerland. Danish culture is rich with history and tradition. There's a reason Denmark is routinely voted one of the best countries in the world to live in, with one of the happiest populations on the planet. I tried to infuse my experiences and understanding of Danish culture throughout the book to enrich the reader's experience. Most people think Denmark is one of the smallest countries in the world, but Greenland (the largest island in the world) is a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and makes Denmark one of the largest countries in the world!
Your novel touches upon several significant themes, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, pharmaceutical ethics, and mental health awareness. Can you discuss the importance of these themes in the context of the narrative and your broader intentions as an author?
The majority of indigenous peoples around the world have ancient rituals and natural psychedelics they use to commune with the spirit world and their ancestors. Modern medicine is only now realizing the vast potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating conditions such as PTSD and repressed trauma. To quote ‘Arctic Revelation’, “Modern-day mental health providers have only recently begun to utilize these various techniques and psychotropics to help patients. Had we spent more time appreciating and protecting the indigenous peoples around us, we could have long since learned what they’ve known for countless generations. We are just scratching the surface of a vast reserve of untapped access to the mind, memories, and subconsciousness via psychedelics.”
"Arctic Revelation" combines elements of speculative science fiction with murder mystery. How did you navigate blending these genres, and what challenges did you face in ensuring a cohesive and engaging storyline?
To be honest, I had no idea what path or genre this story would take. I approached the plot as I would any scientific endeavor. I generated a hypothesis: in this case, the idea that there is a yet-to-be-discovered interface between our environment and our DNA. This interface, among other things, allows us to record all the sensory data we accumulate over a lifetime into our genetic code to be passed to the next generation. The plot and characters emerged very organically as I worked to prove and explore this theory through a fictional story. I didn’t set out to make this a whodunit mystery; this also happened naturally as the story progressed.
The novel employs alternating timelines and perspectives to reveal crucial plot points gradually. Why did you take this approach?
Every character in this story has been manipulated and damaged in one way or another by the Surgeon, whose identity is unknown until the final chapters. At the end of the day, Arctic Revelation is also a very complex whodunit that I believe adds to the excitement and suspense of the story.
Are there any particular authors, books, or films that influenced your writing of "Arctic Revelation"? How did these influences shape the tone, style, or thematic elements of your novel?
Dan Brown's work significantly influenced my approach to combining educational elements with a compelling narrative. I aspired to create a similar experience of discovery and wonder, enriching the novel with a blend of mystery, science, and history.
Does this book contain any hidden message? What do you hope readers take away from the story?
In all honesty, 'Arctic Revelation' is a metaphorical Russian Nesting Doll of hidden messages. Some contribute to the 'whodunit' plot, but others are meant for future installments, so I must tread lightly. Without giving too much away, 'Arctic Revelation' is the first step down a much greater path that will show the human mind, spirit, and collective consciousness are far more valuable and powerful than we give them credit for.
Your novel has received praise for its gripping plot and thought-provoking themes. How do you approach balancing entertainment value with intellectual stimulation?
My goal with 'Arctic Revelation' is to explore the current boundaries of our knowledge and then take a step beyond. There is so much we don’t know about our past, our origins, and our potential as a species. I believe we are on the cusp of unimaginable scientific breakthroughs and discoveries as our knowledge of the world and the universe grows exponentially. I love trying to incorporate all this wonderful science into a thrilling fictional plot with complex and lovable characters.
When starting on a new book, what is the first thing you do?
Even though my writing is fiction, I am constantly searching for truth and logic. I have a general idea where I want the next book to go, but I also know there are numerous problems that must be solved along the way before the plot and characters have reached their full potential. My job is to identify these problems and obstacles that must be overcome and solve them. If I can do this with honesty and integrity, the end product will be a story that speaks to the reader and takes them on an adventure that is both educational and entertaining.
Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?
With a busy practice and family life, I rarely have dedicated blocks of time for writing. Instead, I write for five to ten minutes in between seeing patients or while waiting to pick up one of my kids from school or sports. Smartphones, Google Docs, and other online platforms have given us the ability to write anytime and anywhere, which I feel is extremely important. I mention this because I rely heavily on my subconscious when writing. Each time I encounter a problem with the plot or a character, I try to take my mind off writing and focus on something else, or try to get a good night's sleep. Almost like clockwork, I will wake up with the solution to the problem, or it will come to me in the middle of surgery or while writing a patient note.
I learned this technique decades ago in university after about a thousand exams and standardized tests. When taking a test, you always want to either preview all the questions before starting or skip any question you aren't absolutely sure about. This way, your subconscious/unconscious mind can work on the problem while your conscious mind is focused on other tasks.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently developing the next installment in this series, focusing on deepening the themes introduced in Arctic Revelation and exploring new dimensions of the characters and their journey. Although details are still under wraps, the project is progressing well.
Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?
I try to keep my website, www.Drhughfinch.com, and social media sites up to date, and I respond to messages and emails as quickly as possible. Below are links to my social media platforms:
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554422192123&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/drhughfinch/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/drhughfinch
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@drhughfinch
Dr. Christian Yates risks his reputation and life to prove human DNA contains an infinite repository of ancestral memories. Alas, Christian may get more than he bargained for as his mission attracts the attention of both a ruthless pharmaceutical CEO and a notorious serial killer, each seeking the same knowledge.
