A QUEST to discover the original language and symbols of humankind places Dr. Hope Taylor and her dedicated associates - a British archeologist, a biblical historian, and an ex-Legionnaire/NSA operative - in deadly danger. Secret societies, the Vatican, and rogue mercenaries pursue them to both suppress and unleash the power of ancient knowledge and biblical prophecy. THE ENIGMA of the Black Opal, the sub rosa plot to usher in The Second Coming, and the real power of The Ark of the Covenant are all revealed in this quest to solve mysteries unknown for centuries. Originating from the distant stars, hidden for centuries, and now scattered throughout the world - Sumer, Luxor, Roswell ... - etched on shimmering triangular Tablets, come oracles and compelling evidence of alien intervention. Hugh Fraser is a college English professor, trained Acupuncturist, and ex Top Secret International Courier Officer for the U.S. Army. His goal is to "bring to the reader thought-provoking novels that enlighten, engage, and entertain." He lives in Reno, NV with his wife Louise and their three West Highland White Terriers.
Early life Born in London in 1950, but brought up in the Midlands, Fraser studied acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. As a member of folk band Telltale, Hugh co-wrote and performed the theme music for Rainbow, the iconic ITV children's television series.
Work Fraser's first big break came after portraying Anthony Eden in the 1978 television series Edward & Mrs. Simpson, with Edward Fox, after which he was frequently cast as upper class or aristocratic characters, such as Mr Talmann in Peter Greenaway's The Draughtsman's Contract.
He has regularly appeared on film and in television and is best known for his portrayal of Captain Hastings in the television series Agatha Christie's Poirot opposite David Suchet, and his role as the Duke of Wellington (replacing David Troughton) in the Sharpe television series. He has also narrated Poirot audiobooks, including Elephants Can Remember.
In the 1980s, he appeared in the BBC thriller Edge of Darkness. Fraser can be frequently heard narrating the audiobooks of Christie’s works, which are currently published by HarperCollins publishers. As of recent years, he has been an associate tutor, director and member of the audition panel at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, specialising in Shakespeare. Fraser has also directed several plays, most notably a production of David Mamet's adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, which was staged at Wilton's Music Hall in London in January 2007, with Rachael Stirling as Yelena.
His film credits include Curse of the Pink Panther, 101 Dalmatians and Patriot Games along with his Sharpe co-star Sean Bean. He has also worked in theatre, playing Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1979. He has guest starred in the Doctor Who audio dramas Circular Time (2007) and Cradle of the Snake (2010), and in 2003, alongside Martin Shaw in Death in Holy Orders.
Fraser has also become an author; his first novel, Harm, was published in 2015, followed by Threat in 2016. The third in the Rina Walker series, Malice, comes out in June 2017