Overview

A thrilling epic of murder and intrigue in the age of the Crusades from the author of swashbuckling historical novel The Blighted Cliffs, winner of the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger award. The Mosaic of Shadows is the first in the historical adventure 'Crusade' series and a wonderful historical fiction account of the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Lindsey Davis, Steven Pressfield, this breathtaking and captivating novel brings the Crusades to life in all their triumphant and tragic glory. 'Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm under siege.' - Ink 'Superb read. Thoroughly enjoyed it' -- ***** Reader review 'Highly enjoyable read' -- ***** Reader review 'Brilliant.' -- ***** Reader review 'Holds your interest from the first to the last page' -- ***** Reader review ******************************************************************** AN ASSASSIN IS ON THE LOOSE...AND AN EMPIRE STANDS IN PERIL Byzantium, 1096- When a mysterious assassin fires his arrow at the Emperor, he has more than a man in his sights; as the keystone of a crumbling empire, if he falls, then the mightiest power in Christendom will be torn apart. Aware of the stakes, the Emperor hires Demetrios Askiates, the unveiler of mysteries, to catch the would-be-killer. But Demetrios is entering an unknown and mysterious world and must edge his way through a glittering maze of treachery and deceit before time runs out. Nor are all enemies within the city walls. With the Turks rampant across Asia, the Emperor has sent to the west for mercenaries to reinforce his position. When a great army, tens of thousands strong, appears before the gates, he gets more than he bargained for. The first crusaders have arrived, intent on making their fortunes in war, and they have no allegiance to an empire they eye with jealousy and suspicion. As the armies of east and west confront each other, and the assassin creeps ever closer to his prey, Demetrios must untangle the golden web of intrigue which surrounds the Emperor before the city - and the empire - are drowned in blood.

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An epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under siege. Well-researched and cinematic in its imagery, this is a fast-paced and exciting debut. <br>-- Ink

An epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under seige. Well-researched and cinematic in its imagery, this is a faced-paced and exciting debut * Ink * Harper's...portrayal of the Byzantine city and the intrigues that threaten its destruction is vivid and convincing * Joan Smith, Sunday Times * It's a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, clearly revelling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance * Yorkshire Post *

In the waning years of the Byzantine Empire, a onetime mercenary and bounty hunter seeks the assassin who attempted to kill the emperor. Demetrios the Apokalyptor is not your typical private eye. He's a widower with a pair of smart, sarcastic daughters and not much in the way of a sense of humor, and he lives in Constantinople, circa 1096. But Harper, a student of medieval history at Oxford, gives him a first-rate debut. When a high-ranking eunuch Imperial advisor wants to know who took a shot at the emperor with a crossbow, he hires the Apokalyptor, his reputation burnished by years as bounty hunter and general problem-solver. By his side is Sigurd and his henchmen, a band of fierce Varangians (actually Celts from England, recently conquered by the Normans) itching for a fight with the partly Norman barbarian army closing in on Constantinople. Like most private eyes, Demetrios knows his city like the back of his hand; he can scour the place from the royal palace to the teeming markets and the foul roadsides where mercenaries and whores ply their trade. Harper resists the urge to stop the plot dead for lectures on the time and its curious geopolitical and religious entanglements. While the mystery can be ho-hum-Demetrios depends more on luck than deduction-plenty of drama is supplied by the invaders massing outside the city gates and the possibility of traitors inside the palace. A solid beginning for what could be a rewarding series. (Kirkus Reviews)

An epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under seige. Well-researched and cinematic in its imagery, this is a faced-paced and exciting debut Ink Harper's...portrayal of the Byzantine city and the intrigues that threaten its destruction is vivid and convincing Joan Smith, Sunday Times It's a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, clearly revelling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance Yorkshire Post

Author Information

Tom Harper is the pseudonym for author Edwin Thomas. Writing as Thomas, he won the Crime Writers' Association debut award in 2001 for his swashbuckling naval historical novel The Blighted Cliffs, the first book in the 'Reluctant Adventures of Lieutenant Martin Jerrold' series. This is his second novel and his first as Tom Harper.

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