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The Ballashiels Mysteries #1
The Sphinx Scrolls
An ancient Mayan prophecy…
A dangerous Nazi descendant…
A passionate archaeologist…
And an aristocrat desperate for cash.
Mayan legends tell of a location where the secret to surviving the end of the world may be found. One part of that legend is recorded on a stone tablet in the dusty attic of Lord ‘Ratty’ Ballashiels’ crumbling manor. The other twin part disappeared from a Berlin museum when the Nazis took power. When Ratty seems about to sell his tablet to the adopted son of Josef Mengele, his friend, the archaeologist Ruby Towers, is appalled.
Soon it is clear that more than archaeology is at stake. The quest to rescue historic Central American artefacts becomes a race to prevent an apocalyptic threat when Ruby discovers that the ancients have set in motion something that will threaten the world today.
A dangerous Nazi descendant…
A passionate archaeologist…
And an aristocrat desperate for cash.
Mayan legends tell of a location where the secret to surviving the end of the world may be found. One part of that legend is recorded on a stone tablet in the dusty attic of Lord ‘Ratty’ Ballashiels’ crumbling manor. The other twin part disappeared from a Berlin museum when the Nazis took power. When Ratty seems about to sell his tablet to the adopted son of Josef Mengele, his friend, the archaeologist Ruby Towers, is appalled.
Soon it is clear that more than archaeology is at stake. The quest to rescue historic Central American artefacts becomes a race to prevent an apocalyptic threat when Ruby discovers that the ancients have set in motion something that will threaten the world today.
- GenresFiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2016
162 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Stewart Ferris
65 books2 followersStewart writes The Ballashiels Mysteries, a series of semi-comedic archaeological adventures (The Sphinx Swindle, The Dali Diaries, The Chaplin Conspiracy and others). He is also the author of Oversleeper (under the Matt Mountebank pseudonym), plus The Reluctant Rescue and a number of non fiction books including How to be a Writer. His scriptwriting includes Pokémon and The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau. He has a PhD in Creative Writing, specialising in P.G. Wodehouse.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 27, 2024
Oh dear. This is a mess. Where the prequel showed a bit of promise, there is little to like about the fully fledged characters (more like caricatures, especially the villains...and the heroes... and the ... well, pretty much all of them), the plot is uneven and more than a bit silly for something that at times takes itself seriously enough. This is the first full novel of the Ballashiels Mystery series and the titular character is portrayed as unevenly as the story.
I was quite disappointed that Ferris had an archaeologist primary character think about the Sphinx “It had survived Napoleon’s soldiers using it for target practice.” Why? Why perpetuate that myth, even in a satirical fantasy? I probably shouldn’t have been surprised because she doesn’t appear the think like a scientist, let alone be much of a critical thinker. At one point in the last third of the book, we see “How very euphemistic,’ said Ruby. ‘I really thought more highly of you than this, Paulo. ...” Non sequitur. Everything about this guy has been a sham, and then there was her first impression: “a curiously annoying and frequently absent man called Paulo Souza, who in Ruby’s opinion had so far displayed remarkably little competence for his role heading up the protection of Guatemala’s heritage.” Inconsistent. That’s okay... some ancient scrolls (like...12,000 year old ancient) got fully translated in a matter of days (curiously referencing civilizations from 11 millennia after they were written??).
Unrelated, and coincidental as I write this, someone on a thread that was meant to be a joke about pyramids and lockdowns chimed in with some woo woo about pyramid healing, consciousness raising, crystals, piezoelectric attributes, and more. I thought the person was joking with the rest of us and added a bit from the loony 1970s new ager silliness about keeping razor blades sharp (plus a dig at Ben Carson’s grain storage). Turned out the commenter was serious. Might just buy this book as nonfiction.
I was quite disappointed that Ferris had an archaeologist primary character think about the Sphinx “It had survived Napoleon’s soldiers using it for target practice.” Why? Why perpetuate that myth, even in a satirical fantasy? I probably shouldn’t have been surprised because she doesn’t appear the think like a scientist, let alone be much of a critical thinker. At one point in the last third of the book, we see “How very euphemistic,’ said Ruby. ‘I really thought more highly of you than this, Paulo. ...” Non sequitur. Everything about this guy has been a sham, and then there was her first impression: “a curiously annoying and frequently absent man called Paulo Souza, who in Ruby’s opinion had so far displayed remarkably little competence for his role heading up the protection of Guatemala’s heritage.” Inconsistent. That’s okay... some ancient scrolls (like...12,000 year old ancient) got fully translated in a matter of days (curiously referencing civilizations from 11 millennia after they were written??).
Unrelated, and coincidental as I write this, someone on a thread that was meant to be a joke about pyramids and lockdowns chimed in with some woo woo about pyramid healing, consciousness raising, crystals, piezoelectric attributes, and more. I thought the person was joking with the rest of us and added a bit from the loony 1970s new ager silliness about keeping razor blades sharp (plus a dig at Ben Carson’s grain storage). Turned out the commenter was serious. Might just buy this book as nonfiction.
March 23, 2017
A great first book
The characters are really different and are described really well, and some things pop higher you don't expect. Storyline has facts, humour, a decent plot generally with surprises thrown in for good measure
The author keeps the pace going with no obvious clues to what is on the next page so it keeps your attention. There are lots of sub plots that add to the overall content positively and without confusion.
Even when you get towards the end of the book, you discover that the story continues and a few more twists come along.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future books with the characters.
The characters are really different and are described really well, and some things pop higher you don't expect. Storyline has facts, humour, a decent plot generally with surprises thrown in for good measure
The author keeps the pace going with no obvious clues to what is on the next page so it keeps your attention. There are lots of sub plots that add to the overall content positively and without confusion.
Even when you get towards the end of the book, you discover that the story continues and a few more twists come along.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to future books with the characters.
October 8, 2016
First class read really enjoyed it
August 11, 2017
Good mix of history and fiction. I love reading/listening to books that intertwine accepted history with a fictional plot and characters.
Stewart Ferris did a great job with character development and his plot twists. Looking forward to the next installment.
Stewart Ferris did a great job with character development and his plot twists. Looking forward to the next installment.
September 19, 2019
Surprisingly good!
Mayan myths, Egyptian sphinx, the jungles of Guatemala, ancient civilizations, Atlantis, bandits, treasure, war, Noah's ark?, Nazi experiments, and possibly the end of the world..... add in a pretty archeologist, an author, and an English aristocrat, mix them altogether and it really makes a great story. I liked how the story weaves from one location and scenario to another with a good flow, and storyline full of mystery, adventure, and discovery. A fun read that I didn't want to put down.
Mayan myths, Egyptian sphinx, the jungles of Guatemala, ancient civilizations, Atlantis, bandits, treasure, war, Noah's ark?, Nazi experiments, and possibly the end of the world..... add in a pretty archeologist, an author, and an English aristocrat, mix them altogether and it really makes a great story. I liked how the story weaves from one location and scenario to another with a good flow, and storyline full of mystery, adventure, and discovery. A fun read that I didn't want to put down.
October 28, 2019
Good heavens
In the past I would never leave a book unfinished. But if ever there was one I should have left it would be this one. The main characters were ridiculous and the plot ludicrous. The two stars represent good descriptions.
In the past I would never leave a book unfinished. But if ever there was one I should have left it would be this one. The main characters were ridiculous and the plot ludicrous. The two stars represent good descriptions.
February 1, 2019
A great core story let down by many scenes being overwritten, to the point of boredom - particularly during the middle of the book - while others were skipped through.
The characters, were straight from the late 1990s, early 2000s "Mummy" movies, with "Ratty" especially being very over done, and somewhat repetitive.
All this is a shame as, like I said, the story itself is nicely thought out with some great plot twists.
The characters, were straight from the late 1990s, early 2000s "Mummy" movies, with "Ratty" especially being very over done, and somewhat repetitive.
All this is a shame as, like I said, the story itself is nicely thought out with some great plot twists.
February 13, 2017
Rather complicated in parts but a good story
December 2, 2016
One of my personal rules about the MC(s) is that it should be pleasant to spend an hour with them were they to exist in real life. After all, the (audio) book will cause you to spend nearly twelve hours with them...
I wouldn't want to spend any time with any of the MC's in this book. Ever.
Well, perhaps if I was paid a lot of money and could do something else while being in their presence but overall they are useless examples of humanity that get no sympathy, interest, etc from me.
After 16% complete in this novel, I decided that rather than continue to listen to it, I would rather just sit quietly.
[Note, no fault of the narrator, he was fine though 'tuk tuk' is actually pronounced 'took took' regardless of the spelling. I've no idea why but I live in areas where they are a normal form of transport.]
I wouldn't want to spend any time with any of the MC's in this book. Ever.
Well, perhaps if I was paid a lot of money and could do something else while being in their presence but overall they are useless examples of humanity that get no sympathy, interest, etc from me.
After 16% complete in this novel, I decided that rather than continue to listen to it, I would rather just sit quietly.
[Note, no fault of the narrator, he was fine though 'tuk tuk' is actually pronounced 'took took' regardless of the spelling. I've no idea why but I live in areas where they are a normal form of transport.]
December 16, 2016
Good idea poorly executed
December 17, 2016
Kind of unsure what to say about this book. Unique style of writing, rather stereotypical characters that couldn't even be called protagonists. Yet, still somehow intriguing
December 27, 2023
Fun little read. Had some issues with finishing it. I don't know why, just bogged down about halfway through.
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January 27, 2018Sphinx scrolls book one
Ferris has an excellent imagination and the main storyline is a good one. Unfortunately, the author has included so many subplots that it is difficult to keep the stories straight. The main story line would have been quite enough and the sub plots could have been saved for a single chapter which leads to a second book. It is a good book. Enjoy
Ferris has an excellent imagination and the main storyline is a good one. Unfortunately, the author has included so many subplots that it is difficult to keep the stories straight. The main story line would have been quite enough and the sub plots could have been saved for a single chapter which leads to a second book. It is a good book. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews