From a seemingly cursed diamond to a meteorite filled with stardust, Mark Greenwood, author of the History Hunter series and Lucky’s Star, is bringing the fascinating mysteries of Australia’s rich history to life.

What inspired you to become an author?

Before I was a writer, I was a professional musician. I spent many years touring and recording in Australia and overseas. Writing song lyrics influenced my writing in books in terms of the being conscious of the rhythm and flow of words. These days I’m inspired to share stories, particularly stories about our history. In the safety of a book young people can imagine the past and develop an understanding of characters, events, struggles and perspectives.

What draws you to a particular historical mystery enough to create a novel around it?

My passion for history is continually evolving. My writing is occupied with curious characters, journeys, quests and challenges. I’m drawn to folklore, legends and themes like courage, hope and determination that have played an essential role in defining our national story. My intention is that my books will become a springboard for deeper learning and understanding. My responsibility as an author is to provide students with access to stories that encourage them to listen and understand so that history lingers in their memories long after they close the book.

Are there any Australian mysteries that you are most excited to write about in the future? Or do you have a favourite that you have already written?

I usually come across stories by chance – perhaps stories find me? The initial spark that causes me to want to write can be generated by an object, a character or a setting. I’m drawn to subjects I care about. There are many mysteries out there, waiting to be discovered – secrets and hauntings, unexplained occurrences, lost treasures. There are mysteries that solve the disappearance of something or someone. There are mysteries that remain unsolved. History hunters like me are drawn to anything inexplicable, unknown or puzzling. And there are so many mysteries out there...

The latest two books in the History Hunter series, The Wonder Horse and The Deadly Diamond, cover the mysteries associated with Phar Lap and the Hope Diamond respectively. What did you find most fascinating about both of these stories?

The Wonder Horse, Phar Lap, was more than a hero. He was a beloved national icon who brought hope to a nation during the Great Depression. In dark times, people with little reason for hope cheered him on. But at the height of his fame, there were some who would stop at nothing to keep Phar Lap from winning. The mystery of what happened to Phar Lap continues to beat at our nation’s heart. To write the Wonder Horse I walked Phar Lap’s old training track in Melbourne and visited his remarkable effigy at the Melbourne Museum… and the stables at Menlo Park, USA where he died. The story of Wonder Horse revolves around a bond of trust forged between a young man and a magnificent animal. The story hugged my heart and for readers, I hope it finds a place in their hearts – and perhaps they’ll discover why over 90 years later, a big red horse means so much – and why Australians still cheer him on.

Aside from mysteries, are there any other moments in Australia’s rich history that particularly speak to you?

Our past is not colorless and dull. It is a rich vein of inspiration for creative writing. I often look for little known stories from our past, as I did for Lucky's Star – The story of a meteorite. This new picture book explores the fascinating true story of the Murchison meteorite. The pieces of space rock that were discovered in 1969, in Murchison, Victoria, provided clues about the origins of life on Earth. Fragments from the meteorite contain clues about the formation of the planets, the solar system the origins of life on Earth. Even though Lucky is a fictional character, the story of the Murchison meteorite is real. My aim was to weave the creative element of a story around an actual historical event in order to tell the tale of one of most important space rocks in history – a meteorite that contains the oldest material ever found – STARDUST!

How do you research your stories? Do you do any hands-on research through travel?

For me, one of the crucial stages in bringing the history to life is to go to the setting where the historical events occurred. These journeys of discovery help me to balance creative interpretation with historical authenticity. The story of The Deadly Diamond took me to India to learn about the gem and diamond trade. I followed in a character’s footsteps on the ancient trade route that led me to ruins of the 13th century fortress at Golconda, and to many other locations connected to the story. Finally, I visited the real Deadly Diamond at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The legendary curse associated with the Hope Diamond is a mix of mystery and intrigue, fact and fiction. My aim was to untangle myth from fact, and take readers on a journey back in time, where we leave the realm of superstition and enter that of history to trace a diamond’s truly remarkable life.

At times, young readers can find nonfiction stories uninteresting. How do you write in a way that captures their attention?

To bring historical characters and events to life involves thorough research which is like excavating an archaeological site. You need to brush away layers of time. But the goal of research isn't just to gather documents and collect information. These are only the raw materials, not history itself. To tell the story requires imagination, passion and enthusiasm. I look at the task of researching as an adventurous unveiling of facts that may have long been lost or forgotten. Research helps to capture a setting and enhance the narrative. For me the ultimate purpose of research is to become so steeped in a period that in my imagination I can walk there undetected.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I’m thrilled to be working on the next two books in the History Hunter series. Each new case file invites readers to delve into two more extraordinary historical mysteries. One is about an unlucky pirate and a legendary lost treasure. The other delves into the authenticity of legendary objects attributed to ancient civilizations, that have been a source of controversy for decades. Those two books will be published in 2026. I’m also working on a very special non-fiction picture book with my wife, illustrator Frané Lessac.