The Lascar Mysteries: A Fate Unwritten

Set against the backdrop of imperial Britain’s zenith, The Lascar Mysteries: A Fate Unwritten is a riveting narrative that plunges into the depths of the 1856 maritime world, where the East India Company reigned with an iron fist over the azure expanses. This is a world where lascars—the backbone of the British maritime leviathan—are wrenched from their homes and compelled to fuel the perpetual engines of empire, enduring the relentless assault of the sea and the biting cold of foreign climes.

In the thick of these toiling masses is Arun Varma, who seems to be but a humble cook aboard the HMS Bengal. Yet, his is a tale of a sharp-witted, educated man, pulled from a life of intellectual pursuit by tragedy. Dreams of scholarly achievements and poetic endeavours are dashed when he is catapulted into the role of sole provider for his bereaved family after his father’s sudden demise. It is this vulnerability that Kabir Khan exploits, luring Arun with the veneer of opportunity, only to shackle him to the grim reality of servitude under the East India Company.

As the story unfolds, Arun’s ordinary existence is swept up into the sinister undercurrents of Victorian London, where he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a menacing conspiracy of murder and deception. His unexpected collaboration with a Scotland Yard Inspector takes the reader through a maze of intrigue, leading to the dark heart of the empire where justice is a rare commodity. It’s a journey that will test his mettle, his intellect, and his courage as he becomes an unwitting detective, navigating through the enigmatic and perilous lanes of the city, determined to untangle the mysteries that threaten not only his life but the very fabric of the society he has come to know.

The Lascar Mysteries: A Fate Unwritten promises an exhilarating adventure of historical suspense, exploring the resilience of the human spirit against the vast and oppressive forces of colonial power.

Star of Destiny

Flavius Septimus, the commander of the Sepphoris garrison in Galilee, harbors a dark secret that casts a shadow over the lives of his son, Linus Flavian, and Maria of Magdala. In these novels, Linus, Maria, and Joshua, the Biblical Jesus, are born under a mysterious star in a world steeped in superstition and intrigue. As the Jewish Temple hierarchy, the Herodian dynasty, and the Romans vie for power in tumultuous first-century Judea, their adolescent lives unfold, intertwined with personal destinies shaped by the beliefs surrounding their births under that enigmatic star.

“In providing historical, economic, and religious details, Peter Longley builds a bridge between spiritual divinity and traditional Christianity. Finally, it’s a relief to find a theologian that makes sense of the Bible and its many translations!”
– Jeanette Parker, USA

“Longley blends a fantastic mixture of historical and fictional figures and events to narrate the early lives of Joshua, (also known as Jesus of Nazareth,) Maria, (also known as Mary Magdalene,) and Linus Flavius, (the fictitious son of a high-ranking Roman official.) Using simple, effective prose, Longley tells an engaging tale that offers plausible explanations of those well-known stories of the miraculous, such as the virgin birth and the turning of water into wine. Longley tells an intriguing story in a setting that is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.”
– Sacramento and San Francisco Book Reviews, USA

“Longley’s feeling for the Roman and Jewish point of view is superb.”
– Dorothy Thompson, Scotland

“I very much enjoy your interpretation of the life of Jesus and feel it is much more logical than the accepted version. I have always had a fascination with Mary Magdalene and her life as well. I found this book to be very interesting. Nothing I have read on Mary Magdalene has had the same sort of story line including that of her mother.”
– Cheryl Huffman, USA

The Mount of Frogs

COVID-19 saw the death of normalcy. At which point, perspective and proportion evaporated only to reveal the dawn of a new reality. However, outdoor exercise was prescribed during lockdowns and nature eased the transition of feral spirits. By comparison, during the year of this tale, 1651, Thomas Hobbes stated in his societal doctrine, Leviathan, “Life in the state of nature is solitary, nasty, brutish and short”. However, the England of the seventeenth century suffered from a lethal mixture of religious extremism, civil wars and the ensuing societal uncertainty. Such toxic factors became intertwined and spawned an era of hysteria driven Witch Hunts.

Therefore, contrary to Hobbes’ theory, nature would have conceivably been the safest option to eschew the societal catastrophes woven into the 17th Century. Further, 1651 suffered the ongoing effects of a mini-ice-age, which attributed to the occurrence of famine and disease. These ingredients made for a cauldron, filled to the brim with diabolical misery for the British population at this time.

This tale discovers a young native of Somersetshire, Tizzy Greenham and her response to the aforementioned conditions. Although, it should be observed, this is not a children’s story but a story about a child, made concise within a day. Ultimately, Tizzy ascends the discombobulation attributed to such disastrous societal and planetary influences. The Prologue and Epilogue highlight the blights to humanity within the sixteen hundreds are still alarmingly prevalent on an international scale today. Furthermore, Witch Hunts still occur within less progressive countries. However, the Western culture is also guilty of savaging those who have fallen from grace, exemplified by the Cancel Culture. Whereas, to date, within rural East Asia, those accused of witchcraft are cancelled much in the same way.

Bearing these factors in mind, it was our ancestors who withstood the brunt of progression in this country, upon their knees if necessary. However, there are alarming similarities between the 17th and 21st Centuries, both at home and abroad. It is a reassurance to note, we have advanced as a nation to the point, we can tell the truth in this country, express its diversities and this is not only encouraged but valued. Freedom of mind is a given, whilst unfortunately, more dogmatic cultures still indoctrinate, persecute and barbarously execute perceived societal dissenters.

Those Hidden Monsters

Mona seems to have it all: youth, beauty, intelligence, and a privileged place in Germany’s elite Aryan society. At fifteen, she lives a life where power and wealth seem to affirm her family’s deeply ingrained beliefs. But as she uncovers the disturbing truths lurking behind the façade of her ‘perfect’ world, everything she has been taught begins to unravel.

Those Hidden Monsters is a haunting journey through the dark corners of human nature, exploring themes of fear, flawed ideology, friendship turned betrayal, and the transformative power of love and loss. Although a work of fiction, the novel provides an emotionally charged window into the harrowing years of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, as seen through the shattered innocence of its young characters.

While they start as fervent supporters of Hitler’s regime, a series of betrayals eventually opens their eyes to its horrifying collapse. Masterfully crafted by author Trevor Ripley, the story delves into the complex emotional landscapes of its characters, revealing how evil can flourish in the most ordinary of homes, and how courage can emerge from the most unexpected places. A compelling tale of bravery and tragedy, Those Hidden Monsters forces us to confront the darkest and most hidden aspects of human history.

Tyke

Against the grim backdrop of WWII London, a destitute young street urchin named Tyke stumbles upon an unconscious railway worker one fateful night. Though tempted by money left unattended, Tyke chooses to save the man’s life instead of stealing the cash. This single act of selflessness sparks a chain of miraculous events that could forever change the course of Tyke’s difficult life.

When the railway man, Mr. Thomas, resolves to find and reward his young hero, a city-wide search ensues. Just as hope dims, Tyke resurfaces. As he recounts his tale of hardship, flashes of innate wisdom and integrity shine through, capturing the hearts of all who meet him. With Mr. Thomas’s support, the chance for mentorship, and even a possible new family connection, has Tyke’s luck finally turned?

From life-threatening danger to unexpected kindness from unlikely sources, Tyke must navigate threats and opportunities alike on his journey to a brighter future. Will fate continue to smile upon this humble yet exceptional boy? Find out in this poignant tale reminding us heroism can come from the unlikeliest of places.

The Fields of Britannia : The Darkness Before the Dawn

It’s the year 367 AD, and the Roman military presence in quiet Brittania has dwindled to a mere few thousand legionaries made up of green recruits and tired veterans, with the mightiest of the legions having been pulled out of the province to fight in the gigantic power struggles for the Imperial throne, as Emperors rise and fall with astonishing speed.

Not unnoticed by the barbarian tribes beyond Hadrian’s wall and across the Irish sea, or by the fast-growing Saxon presence beyond the Rhine, the enemies of Rome begin to make plans to bring fire and blood to Britannia, and remove the Roman presence from the island for good…

In a story that will take you across England from the coast of Dover to the very edge of the Roman Empire, our heroes will be beset by enemies on all sides and have to fight against despair, overwhelming odds and their own prejudices in order to pull together and survive the onslaught.

Endless Mission III

This is a fictional plot, set in the period between the WWI and the WWII, as the third part to the espionage drama “Endless Mission” Trilogy.

When the Cows Come Home

In this sweeping family saga, the lives of five Bavarian German families unfold against the backdrop of the twentieth century, spanning from 1937 to 2020. At the heart of the story are Herman Finkelstein, a Jewish professor, and his wife Merla Finkelstein, whose tragic fate during the Holocaust sets the stage for the generations that follow. Their descendants, adopted by Lutheran families after escaping to Switzerland in 1943, have only a vague understanding of their Jewish heritage.

The narrative is centered around the Bavarian towns of Berchtesgaden and Oberstdorf, but also ventures to Switzerland and Israel as Germany grapples with its complex past and the specter of antisemitism. Both branches of the Finkelstein descendants find themselves connected through their herds of Hinterwalder cattle, a bond that ultimately brings them together after two generations of separation.

Through the purchase of a Hinterwalder bull, the families are reunited and uncover the full extent of their Jewish ancestry. While the novel explores the profound impact of the Holocaust, it also serves as a rich social history, illustrating how the ordinary lives of individuals are shaped by war, political upheaval, and cultural shifts.

Mr Roberts On The Tonle Sap and Mekong

In a world in flux, Roberts finds solace along tranquil lakes and serene rivers. Yet shadows of his past, where he was embroiled in the deadly dance of crime, politics, and warfare, still haunt him. When a captivating woman offers Roberts a lucrative opportunity, the stakes seem suspiciously high. With layers of secrets and a pervasive aura of danger, he can’t shake the chilling premonition: ‘This endeavour will end in tragedy.’

Liverpool Middle Teens

No longer a schoolboy but now a youth embarking on a fresh start. He sensed the significant changes in the air as World War II had just ended. Nations, both victors and vanquished, were scrambling to adapt their economies for peace, sparking an atmosphere of serious excitement about the impending transformation.

‘I’m leaving school this Easter,’ he announced to the September Road boys before descending from the low stone wall and making his way home, bidding his ‘byes’. He was about to join the ranks of the unemployed.

‘Ship’s Engineer or an apprentice to it, perhaps?’ his father had suggested. However, the title ‘Marine Engineer’ was not part of his parents’ final job considerations for him. The subject soon became as obsolete as the proverbial dodo – his first disappointment.

The challenge of finding a job as a young adult had begun, and his life progressed. He was eager to demonstrate enthusiasm and willingness to work.

Setting aside these challenges, he found solace in his reflective moods, comforted by the breathtaking glamour of Hollywood screen actress Rita Hayworth. Her latest film had introduced him to her new visage, now occupying his quieter moments with a vision that both calmed and thrilled him.

The Dublin Marilyn

The Dublin Marilyn transports readers back to 1960-80s Dublin through one girl’s coming-of-age amongst struggling inner city families. Capturing the era of booming post-war ‘Baby Boomers,’ this nostalgic tale highlights the tight-knit community binding battling neighbourhoods together.

Despite poverty and hardship, an unbreakable solidarity reigned - with helping hands extended whenever crises hit, and no pretensions of anyone being better than the next. Stitching tales steeped in humour and heart, the story unfolds in the lyrical lilt of working-class Dublin speech from a vanished time.

Whether reconnecting older readers to bygone memories or shocking younger minds with harsher lives, The Dublin Marilyn pays tribute to the humour and resilience of cities past. With evocative images complementing the rich narrative, immerse yourself in yesteryear’s vibrant streets – where community meant family and family meant everything.

The Triptych

Though fiction, The Triptych is firmly based on incidents in the lives of three ordinary men from the Hall family. Spanning nearly a century, this vivid narrative interweaves the fates of three generations caught in the tumult of three key historical events: the 1855 Siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War; the Expedition to rescue General Gordon in 1884–85; and the fierce Dodecanese Campaign of 1943.
While these stories form the triptych of the title, they are linked via the fate of a second triptych: an imaginary object bequeathed to James Hall by a dying Russian soldier. This passes repeatedly between the Halls and an Italian family, the Lassaros.
These stories bring to life the struggles of those who had no hand in the politics that sent them to battle yet bore the brunt of its consequences. From the brutal battlefields to the quiet courage that followed, their journeys highlight the personal costs of conflicts initiated by distant politicians.
Narrated by a fourth-generation Hall in the twenty-first century, himself a former soldier, The Triptych offers a window into a family’s legacy across a period marked by both volatility and violence. This novel is a tribute to the often unheralded resilience of ordinary people in times of conflict. Their lives paint a vivid triptych of quiet courage, endurance and the survival of the human spirit.