Luxembourg-Based Author Michèle Jensen-Carlén Publishes Latest Thriller

Luxembourg-based author Michèle Jensen-Carlén recently published her latest novel, The Sentinel Directorate, a thriller set in the Himalayas in which journalist Simone Karlén "uncovers a revolutionary harmonic engine capable of reshaping human consciousness".

To learn more, Chronicle.lu spoke with Michèle, a passionate storyteller who spent nearly 20 years as an international journalist before returning to Luxembourg, where she now works with an NGO supporting development projects in India and Nepal. "My novels are where my worlds meet: real places, real tensions and human struggles woven into stories of adventure, conspiracy, espionage and a touch of mysticism," she said.

Her published novels to date are: The Sentinel Directorate; Secrets of the Mayan Talking Stones; The Tundavala Protocol; and The Temple Gate Conspiracy (synopses at the end of the article).

Chronicle.lu: You recently published your latest book, The Sentinel Directorate. Please tell us about your creative writing and publishing processes, including the decision to pursue independent publishing rather than working with a traditional publishing house.

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: I chose to self-publish mainly because of time constraints and the flexibility it offers. I work full time for an NGO, and independent publishing allows me to bring my stories to life and share them with readers without the long timelines that often come with traditional publishing. It felt like a natural and practical way to launch my books while balancing a very full professional life. At the same time, it has given me a wonderful sense of creative freedom and ownership over the entire process.

Chronicle.lu: What first sparked the idea for this particular story?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: My very first assignment as a journalist took me to Mexico. During a short holiday, I decided to travel to Palenque because I had always been fascinated by the ancient Mayan ruins. It wasn't considered particularly safe at the time and was far from touristy, so none of my colleagues wanted to join me. I ended up going alone which, in hindsight, feels very much like something my heroine would do. Parts of the story are drawn from real experiences, and then I let my imagination take over. I have always had a vivid imagination, and ever since I was young and devouring books, I dreamed of writing fiction myself. This story felt like a natural meeting point between memory and imagination.

Chronicle.lu: Although your four novels feature the same heroine, journalist Simone Karlén, they can be read independently. Why did you choose to structure them this way?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: I have long been a fan of Clive Cussler's adventure novels and I've always enjoyed how he follows the same hero across different stories. I wanted to create something equally adventurous, but with a female heroine at the centre. It felt refreshing to let a woman take on that role and then add a mystical layer to the narrative. At the same time, I wanted each book to stand on its own, so readers could enter Simone's world from any point and still enjoy a complete story.

Chronicle.lu: Simone Karlén is a journalist who finds herself drawn into geopolitical intrigue. To what extent is her character influenced by your own experience as an international journalist?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: Simone is very much influenced by my own life and the many countries I have worked in as a journalist. I have reported from more than 60 countries, including civil wars and natural disaster zones, and I have encountered more fascinating characters than I can count. When a journalist starts asking questions in geopolitically sensitive countries, especially where major powers have strategic interests, it doesn't take long before intelligence operatives and mercenaries appear on the scene. At one point in my life, I even travelled with a team of private intelligence operatives from the US (former deputy director of the FBI), presenting security proposals to presidents in parts of Africa and the Balkans. Over the years, I have interviewed heads of state, defence ministers and many other influential figures. All of these experiences have given me an endless reservoir of material that continues to inspire my writing.

Chronicle.lu: Your novels span locations from the Himalayas to Mexico, Angola and Indonesia. How do you select your settings, and how important is real-world research in your writing process?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: I have worked in all of those places, which makes the settings deeply personal. I often draw inspiration from people I met there, sometimes even individuals who were part of my team. Those who know me and shared those experiences would probably recognise fragments of themselves in the stories. Because I have been on the ground in these countries, research becomes less about imagination and more about carefully weaving real atmospheres, cultures and landscapes into the narrative.

Chronicle.lu: How did you settle on a genre (thriller) for the novels, and what draws you to it as a writer?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: Given that I have found myself in some very hair-raising situations, including being shot at and narrowly avoiding kidnapping attempts by UNITA rebels in Angola, writing thrillers felt almost inevitable. Real life has at times been intense enough to resemble fiction. From there, it became natural to build on those experiences and heighten them for storytelling purposes. I have also always been deeply intrigued by the supernatural, so I began blending real-world danger with elements that are more mysterious and unexplainable. The combination of realism and the unknown is what truly excites me as a writer.

Chronicle.lu: Looking at your body of work so far, do you see a common thread connecting your novels?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: The clear thread is Simone Karlén herself, her encounters with conspiracies, espionage and the hidden forces that shape world events. However, I am currently working on a very different book. This new project is inspired by my three daughters and by a visit we made last year to a Templar castle in Spain with my mother. While walking through the castle, vivid images began forming in my mind and a new story started to take shape. My two youngest daughters have also contributed many imaginative ideas, which has made the creative process even more special.

Chronicle.lu: Do you already have ideas about where Simone Karlén's journey might lead next?

Michèle Jensen-Carlén: Yes. Simone is preparing for a new adventure. This time, her journey may take her to Mongolia or Greenland. I have a feeling it will be one of her most intriguing and atmospheric expeditions yet.

Synopses

The Sentinel Directorate: High in the Himalayas, journalist Simone Karlén uncovers a revolutionary harmonic engine capable of reshaping human consciousness. What begins as an investigative report spirals into a global shadow war, drawing intelligence agencies, rogue operatives and the secretive Sentinel Directorate into a race to control - or protect - a force that could change humanity forever. With relentless suspense, global intrigue and high-stakes espionage, this thriller explores the fine line between discovery and disaster.

Secrets of the Mayan Talking Stones: Beneath Mexico's ancient Mayan ruins, Simone Karlén uncovers a hidden artifact that sets off a deadly race against forces determined to keep history buried. From secret chambers to coded messages and ancient mysteries, espionage, adventure and international intrigue collide as past and present intertwine.

The Tundavala Protocol: When experimental technology in Angola falls into the wrong hands, global security hangs in the balance. Simone Karlén must outsmart shadowy operatives, corporate conspiracies and ruthless mercenaries in a race against time.

The Temple Gate Conspiracy: Beneath Indonesia's sacred Borobudur temple lies a gateway centuries ahead of modern science, capable of piercing parallel realities. Simone Karlén and her team are thrust into a fractured world where history has taken a darker turn. Hunted by ruthless enemies and reunited with an old love, Simone must navigate ancient engineering, global espionage and betrayal in a race to prevent history itself from being rewritten.

The books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.