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1. The Ides (Caesar's Spies: book 1 of 5)
March, 44BC. Caesar is a dead man… A plan to murder the most powerful political leader in the world is under way. More than twenty assassins are directly involved.
There is more blood to be spilt… Rome, first century AD and the city is in political and civil turmoil following the murder of Julius Caesar, (now posthumously elevated to the title of Divus Julius). Mark Antony, Divus Julius’ loyal co-consul and friend, is baying for blood, and for the heads of those of the scheming senators responsible for the murder, to display on spikes in the Forum of Rome. But who to go for first? Which of the twenty-plus conspirators struck the first blow? Instigated the attack? Manipulated the situation to facilitate the crime? What of Divus Julius’ dying words which implied that one of the attackers was actually his own son and therefore guilty of the worst crime possible… patricide?
43BC. The Roman world remains in turmoil more than a year after Caesar’s assassination. His murderers pillage Macedonia and Syria, building armies, refusing to obey the orders of the Senate, led by Cicero, to return and take control of the Republic before the dead dictator’s closest ally Mark Antony can do so.
Rome and its empire are in turmoil. Severed heads fill the Forum. Cicero’s remains among them, more than two months after his death. Power lies with Antony and Caesar’s adopted son and heir Octavianus. Their reign of terror continues but too many of their proscribed enemies are escaping their clutches. And Brutus and Cassius still oppose them. Their fleets are blockading the Triumvirate's ports as they build their armies in the East.
Mark Antony’s most dangerous and dedicated agent, Iacomus Artemidorus, is swept overboard from Cleopatra’s flagship during a terrible storm. But the near end to the Roman spy is just the beginning. Artemidorus must find a way to travel through enemy-held Thrace and Macedonia until he reaches Antony’s beleaguered generals Saxa and Norbanus in the besieged city of Amphipolis. The agent must then proceed to Philippi, carrying valuable intelligence which could change the fate of Rome and history. Standing alongside Mark Antony once more, Artemidorus must hunt down Cassius and Brutus - and exact revenge on those involved in Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March. The battle - and war - must be won.
Hundreds of others are aware of the plot, with thousands more hoping for its success. Only a handful of men and women stand against them, led by the infamous Artemidorus.
He and his associates are working undercover in the households of the main suspects, risking kidnap, torture and death in a desperate race against both time and fate. They are hopelessly outnumbered, battling against the most dangerous men in the city, their servants, slaves and soldiers. The future of the world as they know it is in their hands.
But the scheming senators will go to any lengths to stop anyone standing in the way of their plan. And with an army of bloodthirsty gladiators willing to carry out their orders, is Artemidorus destined to meet an equally brutal end?
Paperback:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
ISBN: 978-1790410774
Pages: 351
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Kindle:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
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2. After the Ides (Caesar's Spies: book 2 of 5)
Once again, Antony calls upon his contubernium of spies, his military intelligence unit, led by Centurion Iacomus Artemidorus, code-named ‘Septem’, to turn his vengeful intent into an unforgiving, carefully planned campaign. But Antony’s path is not clear. Senator Cicero wants him out of the way, and there is friction with Divus Julius’ heir Octavius, despite their mutual desire to hunt down Divus Julius’ killers. As Antony is reluctantly forced into war against Divus Julius’ murderers, and the Senate which supports them, the story follows Artemidorus’ mission, as he travels from Rome into the far reaches of her empire bringing back one head after another.
Paperback:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
ISBN: 978-1981072439
Pages: 282
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Kindle:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
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3. Cicero Dies! (Caesar's Spies: book 3 of 5)
Meanwhile Antony is trapped beyond the Alps with the tattered remains of his starving legions defeated at the battle of Mutina. Cicero has declared him enemy of the state and ordered his death. But no-one moves against him. The most powerful general nearby, Octavian, Caesar’s heir, is feigning sickness because he can see a way to take total political control: both Consuls were killed at Mutina and Octavian is waiting for the chance to replace them himself. Only Cicero stands in his way.
The desperate Antony gives secret orders to daring spy and tribune Artemidorus, the man who almost saved Caesar on The Ides. Who might just save Antony now. Artemidorus must travel undercover across war-torn Italy with messages for Octavian’s eyes only. But Octavian in turn needs someone he can absolutely trust to go clandestinely to Rome and ensure his mother and sister stay safe from Cicero’s ruthless senatorial guards when Octavian makes his grab for Consular power. So Artemidorus finds himself working for two masters. Facing twice the danger. His situation is compounded by one undeniable truth: For each of his commanders to achieve his goal of absolute power, Cicero must die.
Paperback:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
ISBN: 978-1729284681
Pages: 343
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Kindle:
Latest edition: 2018
Publisher: Sharpe Books
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4. The Road to War (Caesar's Spies: book 4 of 5)
Antony turns to his most trusted secret agent, Artemidorus. He is tasked with delivering a message to the only person with a navy powerful enough to help – Cleopatra. But the road to Alexandria is a dangerous one. Artemidorus and his companions must journey through treacherous countryside and past cities ravaged by Brutus’ rapacious legions and tax collectors. Before the Queen can help Antony, Cleopatra must rely on Artemidorus to find a way to stop Cassius from invading Egypt – and to bring grain to her starving people before they rise in revolt against her.
Artemidorus’ mission becomes ever more dangerous and desperate as friends turn into enemies and lovers into traitors.
Paperback:
Latest edition: 2019
Publisher: Sharpe Books
ISBN: 978-1796278293
Pages: 322
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Kindle:
Latest edition: 2019
Publisher: Sharpe Books
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5. Death at Philippi (Caesar's Spies: book 5 of 5)
Paperback:
Latest edition: 2020
Publisher: Sharpe Books
ISBN: 979-8634814131
Pages: 281
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Kindle:
Latest edition: 2020
Publisher: Sharpe Books
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