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Trina Piper Thrillers #2
Scepter of the Sun King: Trina Piper Thrillers Book 2
A relic recovered from the ashes of Notre Dame de Paris… A relic that could topple Europe… A relic worth killing for. Historian Trina Piper arrives in Paris on a research trip, only to find her doddering old mentor in handcuffs, accused of robbing the Louvre. With only a cryptic clue to guide her, she’s suddenly on the hunt for a mysterious scepter. And she’s not the only one. With a nefarious Russian hot on her heels, she finds herself racing across the Paris of Louis XIV, from the opulent Mazarin Library to the massive, maze-like gardens of Versailles. Against a backdrop of widespread political violence, she’s aided by two eccentric professors… and handsome Interpol agent Ulrik Stander. When a horrific terrorist attack threatens to fracture Europe, Trina realizes the scepter carries a dark secret—a secret Louis XIV himself once used to become Europe’s most powerful King. Now, a shadowy syndicate wants the scepter of the Sun King for themselves, and will stop at nothing to usher in a new European order… one in which the levers of power are sold to the highest bidder. They’ll kill anyone who gets in their way. And Trina is right in their crosshairs. From Cambridge to Paris… from Cyprus to Strasbourg… Trina Piper is back for another thrilling adventure!
500 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2022
116 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 21, 2023
Loved it! Such fun history and action and the slow burn romance is methodically killing me. Looking forward to more Trina!
September 22, 2022
I anxiously awaited the next adventure of Trina Piper, an extraordinary historian and mystic sleuth. The “Scepter of the King” does not disappoint. In fact, I much appreciate the real history behind the story and the magic the author weaves between history and fiction. In this adventure Trina finds herself at Cambridge studying Alchemy, under the tutelage of Fiona McFee, Professor of Renaissance Magic. Fiona has gifted Trina a special sigil, a painted symbol said to have magical power. With this sigil Trina should be able to move water with air. Alas, Trina as hard as she tries cannot make it work. She is encouraged to try harder. Part of Trina’s problem is rectifying magic with fact based science. Maybe with enough learning and preparation she can. Fiona tells Trina that the Order of Neptune, long thought to be defunct, has resurfaced and signs of alchemical magic, not the good kind, are increasing across Europe. Oh and by the way, Trina has been recruited to help stop the Order. She travels to the Louvre in Paris to assist Professor Alasdair Edelstein. There is a very powerful artifact recently found hidden is a barrel said to hold the innards of King Louis XIV. The Order of Neptune seeks to possess it. The story behind this artifact and King Louis is fascinating and adds much to the explanation of the object’s power over mankind. As Trina arrives at the Louvre chaos ensues. Police are everywhere. Apparently a robbery has taken place. She sees Alasdair running out of the museum being chased by the police. He sees Trina and before he is arrested places something into her hand and tells her to “find Naude’s daughter and give her my love.” What did that mean? Trying to find her way through the crowds she is bumped hard by someone. The person said “Sorry.” She knew the voice to well – Vasili Kotov. He demands to know where the artifact is. Trina denies knowing anything, truth is she doesn’t. She thinks about screaming, but Kotov is using his own type of magic. The sigil, use the sigil. Trina closes her eyes and pictures a great gust of wind hitting Kotov. He releases her and he stumbles backwards. Trisha escapes amongst a group of tourists towards the entrance to the museum. Checking her bags she ventures forth to the crime scene. What was stolen appears to be a scepter, but it can’t be what Alasdair was looking for. Trina must decipher Alasdair’s cryptic message and find the artifact. Will she succeed? Trina’s love interest in the last book joins her in her quest. This book is brilliantly written, filled with excitement, twists and turns, humor and a promise of romance. The depiction of King Louis Versailles, Cyprus, and Cambridge are like a mini vacation in words. The characters, both historic and modern day, have unique personalities with strengths that make this book a winner. Mr. Ruskin I hope there is another adventure is in the works.
September 20, 2022
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
In the story Trina is working in her lab when she noticed a text message from her mentor. This message asks her to go to Paris and meet with him. Trina immediately stops what she was doing and then heads to Paris. She was told to meet with him at the Louvre. When she gets there for the meet, she discoverers he has been arrested. Before he is taken away, he whispers in her hear a message and also provides her with a plastic card. Trina learns that there has been a robbery in the Louvre and he was a suspect. After trying to figure out what the clue meant, she learns that it directs her to another building. When she gets there, she learns that it is closing, so she hides so that she can find a missing item. Along the way to the building, she runs into an old nemisis. She finds the item that her mentor wanted, but before she could leave, her nemisis took it.
Trina then begins a quest to recover the item back from him. She receives help from Ulrik, a member of Interpol who she worked with in the earlier book. Find out the steps that Trina and Ulrik needed to take and what obstacles they had to overcome. Learn tthe story of the sceptor and how it came to wind up in the Louvre. Discover what steps her nemisis's organization were willing to take and who they subjected to pressure.
The story provides a look into King Louis IV and why the scepter was wanted so much. It is a great book and well worth your time to read it.
In the story Trina is working in her lab when she noticed a text message from her mentor. This message asks her to go to Paris and meet with him. Trina immediately stops what she was doing and then heads to Paris. She was told to meet with him at the Louvre. When she gets there for the meet, she discoverers he has been arrested. Before he is taken away, he whispers in her hear a message and also provides her with a plastic card. Trina learns that there has been a robbery in the Louvre and he was a suspect. After trying to figure out what the clue meant, she learns that it directs her to another building. When she gets there, she learns that it is closing, so she hides so that she can find a missing item. Along the way to the building, she runs into an old nemisis. She finds the item that her mentor wanted, but before she could leave, her nemisis took it.
Trina then begins a quest to recover the item back from him. She receives help from Ulrik, a member of Interpol who she worked with in the earlier book. Find out the steps that Trina and Ulrik needed to take and what obstacles they had to overcome. Learn tthe story of the sceptor and how it came to wind up in the Louvre. Discover what steps her nemisis's organization were willing to take and who they subjected to pressure.
The story provides a look into King Louis IV and why the scepter was wanted so much. It is a great book and well worth your time to read it.
September 12, 2022
Another fun ride through history
LOVED the Monty Python duck reference!
There are some illustrations to enhance the text of some of the more technical aspects of the mystery as well as an Historical Afterword (thanks!).
The author provides the reader with some sage advice:
‘To rule effectively requires self-control. Before you conquer others, you must conquer yourself.’
The reader learns not only about the time of The Sun King, but also modern-day Paris with a little Cypriot-Turkish relations thrown in. Add some art crime, hotwiring, a crush, political blackmail. And a little Church intrigue for good measure…
If only all of our problems could be solved with a Swiss Army knife.
I would definitely read more in this series and others by this author.
LOVED the Monty Python duck reference!
There are some illustrations to enhance the text of some of the more technical aspects of the mystery as well as an Historical Afterword (thanks!).
The author provides the reader with some sage advice:
‘To rule effectively requires self-control. Before you conquer others, you must conquer yourself.’
The reader learns not only about the time of The Sun King, but also modern-day Paris with a little Cypriot-Turkish relations thrown in. Add some art crime, hotwiring, a crush, political blackmail. And a little Church intrigue for good measure…
If only all of our problems could be solved with a Swiss Army knife.
I would definitely read more in this series and others by this author.
August 28, 2022
High stakes adventure with a touch of the supernatural and mythical. Loved it! The lines between historical fact and modern fiction get blurred with a rather pleasant outcome.
All of the main characters are back in this second story of Trina's, as she follows the clues to another powerful alchemical item to try and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Ruskin sets a brisk pace for his characters, and they do a good job keeping up. The budding romance between Trina and Ulrik is kept on simmer (thank you!) but does continue to develop.
Definitely recommend if you enjoy a bit of magic with your history!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
All of the main characters are back in this second story of Trina's, as she follows the clues to another powerful alchemical item to try and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
Ruskin sets a brisk pace for his characters, and they do a good job keeping up. The budding romance between Trina and Ulrik is kept on simmer (thank you!) but does continue to develop.
Definitely recommend if you enjoy a bit of magic with your history!
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
September 22, 2022
Wow! What a thrill ride. This novel was a creative way to combine historical events and characters to a non stop archaeology thriller. Trina Piper and her mentor try to keep a powerful relic out of the hands of group that seeks world domination through magical means. Real events like the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral are folded into this spellbinding tale. Trina explores what she is capable of while trying to just stay alive. A marvelous adventure with captivating characters. A romp through Paris is definitely worth every moment you spend reading this extraordinary novel.
September 22, 2022
How powerful can an antiquity be?
Historian Trina Piper races throughout Paris and Versailles to find the scepter of Louis XIV. It’s not the typical jewel encrusted extravagance associated with royal rulers. This simple scepter holds unspeakable powers.
Trina has to beat a shadowy syndicate plot, to grab the scepter and then unleash a horrific terrorist attack across Europe.
A degreed Historian, this novel merges the author’s researched historic descriptions with an edgy thriller plot. It certainly follows his success as first seen in his book The Newton Cipher.
Historian Trina Piper races throughout Paris and Versailles to find the scepter of Louis XIV. It’s not the typical jewel encrusted extravagance associated with royal rulers. This simple scepter holds unspeakable powers.
Trina has to beat a shadowy syndicate plot, to grab the scepter and then unleash a horrific terrorist attack across Europe.
A degreed Historian, this novel merges the author’s researched historic descriptions with an edgy thriller plot. It certainly follows his success as first seen in his book The Newton Cipher.
August 23, 2022
This book was a fantastic read. Trina gets the call to go to London and while there she runs into her nemesis Kotov and the two lock into a battle of alchemy and wits. To try and unravel the mysticism behind the Sun King and also to keep the world on an even keel! Great entertainment and I highly recommend it!
September 21, 2022
Trina becomes embroiled in helping to recover a powerful scepter than was previously owned by Louis XIV (The Sun King), while learning to use powers of her own through her necklace. Good, well written and informative. Plenty of food for thought, containing historical references, action, magic and murder. Very enjoyable.
September 1, 2023
Very enjoyable!
I enjoyed the second in this series as much as I enjoyed the first! The characters are getting more fleshed out and I like them. I love the mixture of history, magic, intrigue and perhaps romance. It all makes for a fun book to read. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
I enjoyed the second in this series as much as I enjoyed the first! The characters are getting more fleshed out and I like them. I love the mixture of history, magic, intrigue and perhaps romance. It all makes for a fun book to read. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
September 22, 2022
This was an awesome book! I really love the Trina Piper character and this is one of my favorites! While this does continue from The Newton Cipher I think it can also be read by itself. Great story full of action and intrigue. Can't wait for the next one!
September 26, 2022
I enjoyed this because it is a high octane thriller and part scavenger hunt for a Louis XIV artifact. There are subplots and great character development. I love some of the characters. The good and the bad guys make a second showing in this sequel. It has a satisfying ending.
September 7, 2024
Awesome
The Scepter of the Sun King was just as well written as The Newton Cypher, the first book in this series. I throughly enjoyed both adventures with Trina Piper. Now on to the next one!
The Scepter of the Sun King was just as well written as The Newton Cypher, the first book in this series. I throughly enjoyed both adventures with Trina Piper. Now on to the next one!
March 20, 2025
Modern adventure and history
Well-researched in its historical accuracy, yet the story also weaves a tale of alchemical magic into current day. From Louis XIV to now, tied together with magical artifacts and discovered powers. Very nice, well worth reading.
Well-researched in its historical accuracy, yet the story also weaves a tale of alchemical magic into current day. From Louis XIV to now, tied together with magical artifacts and discovered powers. Very nice, well worth reading.
October 25, 2022
Love the series - hope to see more soon!
What a fantastic mix of fact and fiction mystery -suspense and magic! These books will keep you reading late into the night...
What a fantastic mix of fact and fiction mystery -suspense and magic! These books will keep you reading late into the night...
November 28, 2022
A fun blend of historical fiction and fantasy.
November 30, 2022
Amazing story
Oh my word. I was inthralled from the start and couldn’t put it down. Mystery, magic and Intense scenes kept me turning the pages. Loved it and I think you will too.
Oh my word. I was inthralled from the start and couldn’t put it down. Mystery, magic and Intense scenes kept me turning the pages. Loved it and I think you will too.
February 2, 2023
Second book in the series.
Can't wait for the next book to continue reading about Trina and her friends. This story was just as exciting as the first book. Maybe even more.
Can't wait for the next book to continue reading about Trina and her friends. This story was just as exciting as the first book. Maybe even more.
January 2, 2025
stupendous
Another great story. Engaging and entertaining, you don’t want to put the story down! Great writing with historically correct origins to spice things up
Another great story. Engaging and entertaining, you don’t want to put the story down! Great writing with historically correct origins to spice things up
September 22, 2022
The Scepter of the Sun King is a great story - well plotted with a fascinating alternative history. I love the four main characters but they’re a bit thin. In the next book, I’m hoping for more dialogue and character interaction to more fully flesh them out.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews