Ten years ago, I introduced readers to Map of the Dead, a modern-day thriller steeped in ancient secrets. It followed Alex MacLure — a socially awkward but brilliant man with a talent for cracking complex mathematical puzzles — as he stumbled into a world of danger, history, and mystery. Alongside the main plot, the story also unfolded in ancient Egypt, weaving together past and present.
The sequel, Secrets of the Dead, saw Alex drawn deeper into the mysteries of Egyptian antiquity — and into the path of a serial killer. Enter FBI agent Charlie Rebb, a sharp, relentless investigator who proved the perfect foil to Alex’s hesitant genius. Charlie quickly became one of the standout characters of the series, and her presence helped shape the story in unexpected ways.
Then came book three — a project that took me almost four years to complete. Featuring both Alex and Charlie, it turned into something I’m incredibly proud of. In fact, it may be the best — and most commercial — thing I’ve written.
That experience made me pause. It felt like the right time to step back and reconsider the series as a whole.
The result? A full relaunch, and a fresh new identity: The Egyptian Stones.
After some brilliant reader feedback, I’ve made a few key changes:
- Alex MacLure has evolved. Think early Stargate’s Daniel Jackson — still awkward, still brilliant, but with more heart, courage, and emotional depth.
- I’ve tightened the writing (ten years later, I’m a better writer).
- The ancient Egyptian flashbacks have been removed to keep the pace focused on the modern-day thriller.
The core of the story remains — cryptic puzzles, ancient mysteries, dangerous truths — but now it’s sharper, cleaner, and more accessible.
Here’s the new lineup:
- Book 1: The Heretic Cypher – Available July 25, 2025
- Book 2: The Mark of Eternity – Coming Spring 2026
- Book 3: Codex of the Gods – Out Autumn 2026
If you’ve already read Map of the Dead and Secrets of the Dead, you don’t need to read the new editions — the core story is unchanged. But if you’re new to the series, this is the perfect time to jump in. And yes, Codex of the Gods can be enjoyed as a standalone.
I’m excited to reintroduce Alex MacLure to the world. He’s back — and he’s got work to do.
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