The Rosarium philosophorum or Rosary of the philosophers, originally written in the 16th century, is one of the most important texts of European alchemy.

Set in 1920s colonial India, The Secret Road by John Ferguson is a gripping tale of espionage, danger, and high-stakes intrigue. John Neville of the Indian Secret Service is sent to steal the legendary Bumali diamond—a symbol of rebellion that could ignite an uprising against British rule. As Neville infiltrates the Rajah’s domain, he faces betrayal, ancient loyalties, and deadly pursuit. Blending fast-paced action with moral complexity, Ferguson explores the tensions of empire, identity, ...

Set in the remote village of Gart, hidden in the folds of the West Perthshire hills, The Dark Geraldine is a “Golden Age” mystery‑thriller, rich in atmosphere, intrigue, and unexpected peril. The story begins with two suspicious deaths: one accidental and one apparently suicide. The first vicitm is a respected villager in Gart, and the second is his employer—Robert Lawson—whose behavior leading up to his death has been increasingly strange and troubling. Then the plot thickens when Peter G...

First published in 1989, Among the Gods uses archaeological evidence to explore ancient Greek religion.The book analyses cult-statues and inscriptions to provide a detailed discussion of gods and goddesses, the priesthood, and healing sanctuaries. In doing so, it highlights the external, formal nature of religious practice in ancient Greece, such as pilgrimages, offerings, and hallowed sites. Archaeological records are used to examine both the theory and practice of ancien...

This book studies the pilgrimage of the Ancient World in its search for moral truth. After a brief examination of the values which dominated Homeric society and the subsequent aristocracies, the central portion of the book is an account and analysis of the moral ideas which illuminated the Greek, Roman and Hebrew worlds during the classical period. The volume discusses the cardinal virtues, the place of friendship, Plato’s love, philanthropia and the moral insights of the Jewish p...

First published in 1990, Jesus in the Tide of Time considers the historical Jesus and studies the ways in which he has subsequently been regarded by different people in different cultures.The book examines the political, social, economic and religious background to Jesus’ life. It also looks at what is known about Jesus as a historical personality, and considers the use of symbolic figures by the early Christians to represent him. It highlights the attitude towards the per...

STOICISMStoicism started as far back as the 3rd Century BCE when Zeno of Citium would sit on a porch in Athens and share his theories with all who cared to listen. Over time, more people started to realize just how valuable this school of thought could be, and it started spreading across the Greek and Roman civilizations. People from various walks of life started to adopt Zeno of Citium's theories: from soldiers to playwrights, slaves to emperors, these theories most definitely h...

In the heart of London's literary world, a brutal murder shatters the quiet charm of Charing Cross Road. Mr. Richard Dodsley, a well-known second-hand bookseller, is found dead in his shop—shot in cold blood amidst the dusty shelves and rare first editions. The scene is baffling: no sign of forced entry, no apparent motive, and a clientele made up of respectable writers, collectors, and publishers. Enter Inspector Wilkins of Scotland Yard, a thoughtful and methodical detective determined t...

Alec Maitland, recently returned from abroad and down on his luck in London, finds himself drawn into intrigue when an old acquaintance, Charles Biddulph — a high‑ranking government official — offers him a covert assignment. Tasked with investigating strange and unsettling occurrences threatening a British Crown colony in Africa, Maitland accepts—but soon discovers that the work is far more dangerous and complex than he expected. Living modestly over a Soho tobacco shop and eking out a liv...

A sinister shadow looms over the quiet Scottish countryside in this eerie and intelligent Golden Age mystery by John Ferguson, author of Death of Mr. Dodsley. When a reclusive and wealthy landowner is found murdered in his remote Highland estate, the case seems to be more than just a simple crime of greed or revenge. The local authorities are baffled—not just by the killing, but by the strange, almost spectral figure reportedly seen wandering the grounds at night. Rumors swirl: Who is the ...

When the First World War looms over Europe in 1914, young Scottish medical student Hugh Abercromby finds himself entangled in danger after a dying stranger thrusts a cryptic document into his hands. What seems a chance encounter quickly reveals itself as the opening move in a dangerous German plot to invade England. From Berlin to Hamburg, across Scotland, and finally to the quiet cliffs near Dover, Hugh is relentlessly pursued by enemy agents. Betrayals, shadowy figures, and impersonation...

John Ferguson was born on the 18th August 1881 in Stirling in Scotland.He attended the High School there and little other information is available.It is known that he worked primarily in the banking industry.His literary canon is exceedingly small, this being the only volume of his poems ever published. What is known is that he suffered from ill-health and these poems were written whilst in a sanitorium.The book itself was very successful after its publicati...