Mine captain's mystery continues in new teenage thriller...
Local author Petrus Ursem has recently published 'The Truth Teller', the second instalment of a Tamar Valley thriller which he opened last year with 'The Fortune of the Seventh Stone'.
The Truth Teller continues the adventures of thirteen-year-old chess genius stroke treasure hunter Steven Honest. In the first book Steven inherits - by pure coincidence - a fortune left to him by a mysterious (but long dead) mine captain, if, at least, he is able to solve a trail of riddles that guard the treasure.
In this sequel the hunter becomes hunted. Steven must at all cost prevent his mysterious treasure falling into the wrong hands, because not everyone can be trusted to act in the best interest of mankind....
The Truth Teller is a truly gripping story. It cleverly forges links between past and present, between the mining history still so visible in today's Tamar landscape and the drive of a teenage boy to find his place in a world at risk of mindgames and betrayal. All is spinning around a sacred object that, in the right hands, will reveal its mysterious powers.
Both novels are classified as books for young adults, but enjoyed equally by young and older readers. Readers have commented on the filmic quality of the events and locations, illustrated by the author's lino prints (one is of Drakewalls Mine) used on the book jackets. Readers also say:
“An amazing book. The treasure hunt cleverly links all the different places and events together. At points, it seems that all is lost and it feels like you have just been punched in the stomach, but it keeps you wanting to read more, right up to the end of the book.”
"I bought 'The Fortune of the Seventh Stone' as a Christmas present for my nephew, Tom, who is 11, and he loves it! He says that what he liked about it was 'the mystery - you have to almost solve the riddle yourself, and so it draws you on'.
"A brilliant second instalment. What began as an exciting treasure hunt has developed into an even more deeply enthralling story."
Both 'The Fortune of the Seventh Stone' and 'The Truth Teller' are available in paperback from Book Stop in Tavistock or via the author's website: www.petrus-ursem.co.uk