Vengeance at Aulis

The Trojan Murders: Book Two

"Entertaining crime fiction, set against a classical backdrop. For fans of Homer and Sherlock Holmes." Richard Foreman, author of Spies of Rome

The Port City of Aulis, Greece 1190 BCE.

The Greek fleet of a thousand ships, assembled for the attack on Troy, lies becalmed. The huge army, camped on the shore, swelters under a heatwave.

In the forest groves consecrated to the Goddess Artemis which clothe the hills above the port, a sacred stag and a young priestess lie dead. Superstitious soldiers believe that the outraged Goddess will not release the winds until the man who killed them is unmasked and sacrifices a child of his own in revenge.

The army begins to run out of patience and turns on its leaders. The soldiers demand that either the killer is found - or the assault on Troy be aborted.

Odysseus is asked to look into the case and reveal who is guilty of the sacrilege and crime.

But the closer he gets to the truth, the more gruesome murders occur until he and his young assistant become the subjects of brutal attacks themselves.

Time is running out. The hunters become the hunted.

Peter Tonkin was born in Ulster, Northern Ireland and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. The son of an RAF officer, Tonkin spent much of his youth travelling the world from one posting to another. He is the author of the Richard Mariner Thriller Collection, Caesar's Spies and the Tom Musgrave Mysteries.

'Homer meets Holmes in this delightful twist on the Iliad. Through the eyes of a young rhapsode, playing Watson to Odysseus's Sherlock, the murder mystery unfurls amid the build-up to the legendary Trojan war. Tonkin has managed to weave a story that remains true to the spirit of the original myths but keeps the reader guessing. With the stage set for further fun as the ancient detective double-act continues on towards Troy, a series of entertaining stories has only just begun.' Peter Sandham, author of the Porphyry Novels

'Beware of Greeks is an intriguing murder mystery with a skilfully depicted setting and charismatic hero. An unusual and enjoyable read.' Promoting Crime Fiction

Praise for Peter Tonkin:

'Riveting tale full of fast action.' Publishers Weekly

'Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.' Publishing News

'A welcome aura of old-fashioned expertise.' Publishers Weekly

'A good thriller, recommended.' Library Journal

'Tonkin is a superb storyteller who creates big, brash, swashbuckling adventures with taut suspense, fast-paced action and tough, resourceful characters.' Booklist

'Equals the best of James Clavell.' Daily Telegraph

'A master of sea-going adventure. Enough taut suspense to satisfy any reader.' Clive Cussler

'Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading.' Publishing News

'Edge-of-the-seat terror on the high seas.' Daily Post