The Sphinx Swindle

(The Ballashiels Mysteries Part 1)

Archaeologist Ruby Towers embarks on a televised search for the fabled Hall of Records within the Sphinx at Giza, unaware that her career is being manipulated from the shadows by a seedy television producer who has placed her at the heart of the greatest archaeological swindle of modern times. Meanwhile, her on-screen relationship with the documentary’s presenter, Matt Mountebank, alarms her eccentric friend Lord ‘Ratty’ Ballashiels, who is viewing the nightly broadcasts from his crumbling English manor. Ratty flies to Cairo, plotting to carry out a desperate plan in front of the television cameras. When he arrives, the shocking consequences of the swindle start to unravel. Ruby’s reputation is in tatters, and any hope of finding the real Hall of Records seems lost for a generation. Ratty has one last chance to make things right, but it will cost him everything…

The Sphinx Swindle is published in Kindle eBook format by Headline Accent.

'This is a really good mix of adventure and humour. It pulls on some lesser-known but accurate history (I've checked a few of the references) with a nice touch of conspiracy to it. Definitely worth a try.'

(The Ballashiels Mysteries Part 2)

Ruby Towers discovers a mysterious Mayan artefact in the Guatemalan jungle. It attracts the attention of the President, who forces her to work for him. The imminent arrival of her ex-special forces lover, Matt, gives her hope of rescue, but the unexpected arrival of Lord ‘Ratty’ Ballashiels increases her concerns. However, Matt is not what he seems. Her job is not what it seems. The artefact is not what it seems. As a previously unknown chapter in mankind’s ancient past begins to open up to her, even the story of humanity appears not to be what it seems. Philip Larkin, Aristotle, Josef Mengele, The Sphinx at Giza, Egyptian mummification – all turn out to be connected to the mystery. Ruby can no longer dismiss the Mayan prophecies relating to the end of the world when she discovers that the ancients have set something in motion that will threaten the world today.

The Sphinx Scrolls is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook by Headline Accent. 

'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 Ballashiels Mysteries Part 3)

December 2012. There is global paranoia surrounding the predicted event described in the ancient scrolls recently discovered in the Sphinx: the resurrection of ancient malevolence in the form of Halford. His body has been preserved for 12 millennia in such condition that reanimation might be possible using the genesis procedure. Halford’s advanced technical knowledge, twisted mind and capacity for evil are well documented in the scrolls. Dictators want him. Powerful crime syndicates want him. Scientists want him. But even if they find him, to exploit his curse from the past they first need someone who can communicate with him. Only the three people who found and translated the scrolls have sufficient knowledge of the ancient language: a peculiar Guatemalan known as the Patient; Lord 'Ratty' Ballashiels, and archaeologist Ruby Towers. As the competing nations battle to kidnap the translators and find Halford, a glitch in the genesis procedure becomes apparent, rendering their quest even more urgent...

 The Genesis Glitch is published in Kindle eBook format by Headline Accent.  

'Absolutely stunning book, brilliantly written. A gripping plot that means you don't want to put it down. Can't wait to read the other books by this author.'

(The Ballashiels Mysteries Part 4)

When an English Earl opens a forgotten room in his stately home – a room that has been locked since 1937 – he discovers a connection to his mother’s tragic disappearance and re-awakens a decades-old conspiracy against his family. Vengeful former servants have him in their sights, but it soon becomes clear that their agenda reaches far beyond the aristocrat and his forebears. As he unravels the connections between a lost Dali painting found in a Spanish cave, a time capsule buried at Flushing Meadows and his grandmother’s friendship with Hitler’s lover Unity Mitford, the Earl realises he has just hours to save millions from the horrifying true purpose of the conspirators.

The Dali Diaries is published in eBook and paperback print by Headline Accent.

'This was the best book I've read in quite some time.  I read for escape, and this one dove headlong into the story line immediately.  I have now read all the Ballashiels Mysteries and enjoyed every one immensely.  Stewart Ferris is an excellent writer, and in this series he combined historically accurate information into an archaeological thriller with influences of (just to name a couple) Dan Brown, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's  Sherlock Holmes (love it - this made the book).  It was humorous throughout, and I enjoyed the way Ferris kept on making you think that problem solutions were resolved, only to do a 180 degree turn around and put you right back into the plot again.  Absolutely recommend this entire series to all out there.'

(The Ballashiels Mysteries Part 5)

When hard-up aristocrat Lord Ratty Ballashiels finds an old film reel in his attic he discovers that it s a home movie of Charlie Chaplin's visit to Rennes-le-Chateau in the south of France. But Ratty spots a strange anomaly: clearly visible behind Chaplin is the famous millionaire priest of that village, Bérenger Saunière. The film tin is labelled Chaplin 1932 . Saunière died in 1917. Before Ratty can process the implication of what he has witnessed, the heat of the projector lamp ignites the film and starts a fire which rips through a wing of his manor house. Investigators subsequently discover a body amid the charred ruins and issue a warrant for Ratty's arrest. The aristocrat has no intention of handing himself in. Knowing that Saunière reputedly buried a fabulous hoard of treasure, and convinced that the Chaplin film is a vital clue to its location, he teams up with Saunière expert and former punk rock star Rat Scabies and stows away on a boat to France where they become embroiled in a frightening and dangerous race to uncover the astonishing truth about Saunière's legacy.

The Chaplin Conspiracy is published in paperback and eBook formats by Headline Accent. 

'Terrific characters. And a twisting plot of mystery and intrigue.. Lots of action. I have enjoyed this series, and look forward to the next book.'