STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s Rob Hart is kicking off 2026 with a return home and the official release of his latest sci-fi thriller.
“Detour,” Hart’s new novel co-written with “Manifest” creator Jeff Rake, hit the shelves Tuesday, and the pair will celebrate with an in-store event at the Barnes & Noble at the Staten Island Mall on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The event, scheduled for 7 p.m., will feature a conversation moderated by Melissa Roxburgh, best known to fans as Michaela Stone on “Manifest” and currently starring in NBC’s “The Hunting Party,” followed by a book signing.
Published by Random House Worlds, “Detour” marks Hart’s first collaboration with Rake and blends the high-concept mystery of “Manifest” with a grounded, emotional sci-fi narrative.
The story follows Ryan Crane, a devoted family man whose life takes a turn when he stops a shooting and ends up saving the life of John Ward, a billionaire with presidential aspirations. As a thank you, Ward offers Crane the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the first manned mission to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Motivated by an included lifetime money guarantee to care for his disabled son, he accepts, and when their space adventure begins, things start to unravel.
Co-written by Rob Hart and Jeff Rake, “Detour” is set to release on January 13, 2026.Courtesy of Rob Hart
Hart previously described “Detour” as a “mystery box” thriller, echoing the DNA of “Manifest” and “Lost,” and said the project was conceived from the start as a series, which is a first for him as a novelist.
“The fun thing about ‘Detour’ is that it was conceived of and is being sold as a series,” Hart told the Advance/SILive.com in June 2025. “That was the first time I ever got to write a book that had a cliffhanger at the end of it.”
The collaboration came together quickly after Rake, who had never written a novel before, was connected with Hart through publishing circles. According to Hart, the two “hit it off” immediately and outlined not only the first book but also future installments.
“There’s no ego involved,” Hart said. “The only thing that matters is the story, and we had such a blast.”
Wednesday’s event will be held at the Barnes & Noble at the Staten Island Mall in New Springville, located at 2655 Richmond Ave. Books will be available for purchase in store, with receipts serving as entry to the signing line.
For more on Hart, a former Stapleton resident who now lives in Jersey City, N.J., visit his website, or follow him on Instagram (@robwhart1) or on Substack.