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Caesar's Spies
Series · 5 books · 2016-2020

Books in series

The Ides book cover
#1

The Ides

2016

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. 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? Set against the backdrop of Ancient Rome, The Ides is a fast-paced historical thriller, providing an insider perspective to the infamous Ides of March.
After The Ides book cover
#2

After The Ides

2017

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? 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. This historical thriller follows on from The Ides but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. Praise for Peter Tonkin “The Ides is a testosterone-fuelled battle roar in a world of double-dealing and betrayal, where wits must be sharp and recovery time between violent encounters is brief. Peter Tonkin has infused a familiar narrative with excitement, energy and a delicious twist right at the very end.” — Mystery People ‘Riveting tale full of fast action’ – Publishers Weekly ‘Edge-of-the-seat terror’ – Daily Post ‘Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading’ – Publishing News Peter Tonkin was born in Northern Ireland, and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. He has written thirty novels including the Richard Mariner Series.
Cicero Dies! book cover
#3

Cicero Dies!

2018

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. 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. Once again Tonkin takes his readers on a breath-taking journey. History - and history-makers - come alive. Recommended for fans of Conn Iggulden. Ben Kane and Steven Saylor. Praise for Peter Tonkin 'The Ides is a testosterone-fuelled battle roar in a world of double-dealing and betrayal, where wits must be sharp and recovery time between violent encounters is brief. Peter Tonkin has infused a familiar narrative with excitement, energy and a delicious twist right at the very end.' — Mystery People ‘Riveting tale full of fast action’ – Publishers Weekly ‘Edge-of-the-seat terror’ – Daily Post ‘Good technical detail, plus an exciting climax, makes this entertaining reading’ – Publishing News Peter Tonkin was born in Northern Ireland, and was raised in the UK, Holland, Germany, and the Persian Gulf. He has written forty novels including the Richard Mariner Series.
The Road To War book cover
#4

The Road To War

2019

“Superb ... For fans of steven saylor and conn iggulden.” Richard Foreman ROME. 42 BC. 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. 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. Recommended for fans of Steven Saylor, Robert Harris and Ben Kane. 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. "A breathless, brutal tale which weaves together historical fact and creativity." Mystery People Magazine
Death at Philippi book cover
#5

Death at Philippi

2020

42BC. 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.

Author

Peter Tonkin
Peter Tonkin
Author · 37 books

Peter Tonkin's first novel, KILLER, was published in 1978. His work has included the acclaimed "Mariner" series that have been critically compared with the best of Alistair MacLean, Desmond Bagley and Hammond Innes. More recently he has been working on a series of detective thrillers with an Elizabethan background. This series, "The Master of Defense", has been characterised as 'James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes meets William Shakespeare'. Each story is a classic 'whodunit' with all the clues presented to the reader exactly as they are presented to the hero, Tom Musgrave. The Kirkus Review described them as having 'Elizabethan detail, rousing action sequences, sound detection...everything a fan of historical mysteries could hope for."

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Caesar's Spies