{"id":100560,"date":"2026-01-14T22:32:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/100560\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T22:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T22:32:07","slug":"staten-island-author-rob-hart-celebrates-release-of-detour-with-upcoming-local-book-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/100560\/","title":{"rendered":"Staten Island author Rob Hart celebrates release of \u2018Detour\u2019 with upcoming local book event"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island\u2019s Rob Hart<\/a> is kicking off 2026 with a return home and the official release of his latest sci-fi thriller. <\/p>\n

\u201cDetour,\u201d Hart\u2019s new novel co-written with \u201cManifest\u201d creator Jeff Rake, hit the shelves Tuesday, and the pair will celebrate with an in-store event<\/a> at the Barnes & Noble at the Staten Island Mall on Wednesday, Jan. 21. <\/p>\n

The event, scheduled for 7 p.m., will feature a conversation moderated by Melissa Roxburgh, best known to fans as Michaela Stone on \u201cManifest\u201d and currently starring in NBC\u2019s \u201cThe Hunting Party,\u201d followed by a book signing.<\/p>\n

Published by Random House Worlds, \u201cDetour\u201d marks Hart\u2019s first collaboration with Rake and blends the high-concept mystery of \u201cManifest\u201d with a grounded, emotional sci-fi narrative. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"DetourCo-written by Rob Hart and Jeff Rake, “Detour” is set to release on January 13, 2026.Courtesy of Rob Hart<\/p>\n

Hart previously described \u201cDetour\u201d as a \u201cmystery box\u201d thriller, echoing the DNA of \u201cManifest\u201d and \u201cLost,\u201d and said the project was conceived from the start as a series, which is a first for him as a novelist. <\/p>\n

\u201c\u200b\u200bThe fun thing about \u2018Detour\u2019 is that it was conceived of and is being sold as a series,\u201d Hart told the Advance\/SILive.com in June 2025<\/a>. \u201cThat was the first time I ever got to write a book that had a cliffhanger at the end of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201chit it off\u201d immediately and outlined not only the first book but also future installments. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no ego involved,\u201d Hart said. \u201cThe only thing that matters is the story, and we had such a blast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s event<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

For more on Hart, a former Stapleton resident who now lives in Jersey City, N.J., visit his website,<\/a> or follow him on Instagram (@robwhart1<\/a>) or on Substack<\/a>.<\/p>\n