The Lucan Drakenfeld novels

The first novel, Drakenfeld, is due to be published around October 2013. This is a new series and a very different direction for me – one that is heavily inspired by classical history, as well as crime fiction in general.

“I am Lucan Drakenfeld, second son of Calludian, Officer of the Sun Chamber and keeper of the peace. Sometimes people get in the way of that ambition . . .”

The monarchies of the Royal Vispasian Union have been bound together for two hundred years by laws maintained and enforced by the powerful Sun Chamber. As a result, nations have flourished but corruption, deprivation and murder will always find a way to thrive . . .

Receiving news of his father’s death Sun Chamber Officer Lucan Drakenfeld is recalled home to the ancient city of Tryum and rapidly embroiled in a mystifying case. The King’s sister has been found brutally murdered – her beaten and bloody body discovered in a locked temple. With rumours of dark spirits and political assassination, Drakenfeld has his work cut out for him trying to separate superstition from certainty. His determination to find the killer quickly makes him a target as the underworld gangs of Tryum focus on this new threat to their power.

Embarking on the biggest and most complex investigation of his career, Drakenfeld soon realises the evidence is leading him towards a motive that could ultimately bring darkness to the whole continent. The fate of the nations is in his hands.

Legends of the Red Sun series:

Nights of Villjamur

First in the Legends of the Red Sun series, and my first proper novel. It’s a fantasy set in an ancient city, focussing on a cast of characters and how they deal with personal issues amidst larger events. It’s a little experimental, perhaps, especially with the prose, but there’s a new and much cleaner edition coming in November 2012. If you can hang on until then, you’ll get a much cleaner edition.

City of Ruin

Second book in the Legends of the Red Sun series, though designed to work as a standalone, this fantasy novel sees things get a lot darker. For the genre taxonomy geeks out there, whilst not consciously a New Weird novel, I certainly hope that the sub-genre acts as an inspiration. Also, if anyone was going to read just one book of mine so far, I’d like it to be this one, as I’m really proud of it.

The Book of Transformations

Third in the Legends of the Red Sun series, and something of a change of gear: it combines a transgendered lead as well as a new group of heroes. The action moves back to Villjmamur, where there’s great political unrest and a series of strikes by anarchists begins.

The Broken Isles

Final book in the series, a return to Viliren, and which brings all the strands together for the big finale. Also features the Mourning Wasp.