TLC Book Tour & Giveaway for Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel by Nick Pengelley

Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel

By Nick Pengelley

Ayesha Ryder, Book 1

Publisher:  Alibi, a Random House Imprint

Release Date: September 30, 2014

Genre: Female Sleuth/Action Thriller

Length:  293 Pages

ISBN:  9780553393835

ASIN: B00JNQMKSM

Reading Level: Adult/ Mature due to Violence & Subject Matter

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About the book: 

As Israeli and Palestinian leaders prepare to make a joint announcement at the Tower of London, an influential scholar is tortured and murdered in his well-appointed home in St. John’s Wood. Academic researcher Ayesha Ryder believes the killing is no coincidence. Sir Evelyn Montagu had unearthed shocking revelations about T. E. Lawrence—the famed Lawrence of Arabia. Could Montagu have been targeted because of his discoveries?

Ryder’s search for answers takes her back to her old life in the Middle East and into a lion’s den of killers and traitors. As she draws the attention of agents from both sides of the conflict, including detectives from Scotland Yard and MI5, Ryder stumbles deeper into Lawrence’s secrets, an astounding case of royal blackmail, even the search for the Bible’s lost Ark of the Covenant.

Every step of the way, the endgame grows more terrifying. But when an attack rocks London, the real players show their hand—and Ayesha Ryder is left holding the final piece of the puzzle.

Move over Indiana Jones; Meet Ayesha Ryder!  If you’re a fan of action movies, thrillers, historical and conspiracy books, you definitely want to check out Nick Pengelley’s new Ayesha Ryder series.  The first book, Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel is quite literally a book I could not put down! Mr. Pengelley does a wonderful job developing the characters, two murder mysteries (one current and one that is almost one hundred years old) and the political tensions of the Middle East and how they affect the rest of the world.  While set in modern day London, the author does a good job taking us between the present and the past.

Palestinian by birth, Dr. Ayesha Ryder now lives in London and is one of the directors at the Walsingham Institute for Oriental Studies.  Her current life includes academic research and occasionally helping one of Scotland Yard’s inspectors if a case involves the Middle East, things that are a far cry from her past as a member of the Palestinian Fedayeen.  When she receives a call late at night requesting her assistance, she’s reluctant to go until she discovers the victim’s identity; Sir Evelyn Montague, a man who was both a friend and a former lover. 

Mr. Pengelley does a great job setting up the murder mystery against the backdrop of the political events taking place in London at the time.  While Ayesha is investigating her friend’s death – a peace conference concerning the Middle East and its future, is taking place.  A conference which will be affected by what Ayesha and the police discover.  Using T.E. Lawrence, or Lawrence of Arabia as many call him, as a plot device, the author takes us on a chase across time, political ideology and the past actions of members of the British government which would constitute treason.  There is plenty of conspiracy material to go around.

Will Ayesha discover who murdered her friend and why?  Will she be able to save the peace treaty and help shape the future of the Middle East?  You’ll have to read Ryder: An Ayesha Ryder Novel to find out.  I really enjoyed this book and can’t recommend it enough.  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Ryder: American Treasure.

My Rating:  5 out of 5 Crowns and a Recommended Read

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FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review.  I received no additional compensation for my opinion of the written material.