Predestination

Speculation: Undercurrents of TreacheryEngland, 1549.As yet another riot erupts protesting the price of bread, the Lord Protector summons the mathematician, John Dee, to investigate an extraordinary claim: a prisoner in the Tower of London claims to know the location of a Spanish treasure hoard that could save the kingdom's economy.Dee leads a party to hunt for the bullion on the remote Suffolk coastline, but when disaster strikes, the exploration becomes a desperate struggle for survival.Can the treasure-hunting party overcome the odds and recover the Spanish gold? Or will they fall victim to the protective traps and spectral defences?Dee must navigate treacherous waters both literal and political. Meanwhile, his secret relationship with the powerful Duchess of Suffolk threatens to expose them both to ruin.In a world where gold corrupts and secrets kill, even the most brilliant minds may not see the undercurrents of treachery until it's too late. J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.A busy career in information technology provides just a little time left over to explore the mystery of history and, finally, to write about it.He currently lives with his wife and her horses near the Rocky Mountains in Canada.

Spring, 1549.Sudeley Castle holds secrets worth killing for. England's most dangerous traitor is dead - but his villainy remains alive.John Dee is hunting a secret weapon that could change everything. His orders are clear: find it, secure it, tell no one.Catherine Brandon is fighting to secure an orphaned child's inheritance. She'll do anything for it. Even deceive the man she loves.A Spanish agent schemes from the shadows. An alchemist hides behind a dead man's face. When Catherine accepts help, the price seems small - but her choice will set everything aflame.In the shadowy halls of Sudeley Castle, trust will shatter and love will burn.Some betrayals cannot be forgiven. J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.He pursued a busy career in Information Technology in England until he moved with his wife to Alberta, Canada, where they had a horse ranch in the foothills of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. The IT work continued in parallel for another twenty years or so, until retirement and family responsibilities beckoned back in the UK.He now indulges his passion for history full time with research, writing, and European travel.

Fourth novella in the Predestination series!Tudor justice hangs in the balance.In the frost-bitten winter of 1549, two investigations converge in the wake of Kett's Norfolk rebellion.John Dee, mathematician and reluctant investigator, must uncover the truth behind a judge's suspicious death before simmering tensions boil over once more.Catherine Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk, needs to rescue her kidnapped son, but she fears Dee's unrestricted investigation imperils her child's life.When corruption reaches into the highest echelons of Church and Crown, these former lovers must navigate dangerous political waters while confronting what still lies between them. In a world where the powerful prey upon the powerless and justice is bought and sold, even love cannot escape the demands of duty.Love can be given, but absolution must be earned.Perfect for readers who love:Tudor historical fiction with romance and intrigueAuthentic period detail from meticulous researchMorally complex characters facing impossible choicesEspionage, political scheming, and high-stakes adventureThe world of Shardlake but with romantic tensionFans of Philippa Gregory, C.J. Sansom, and S.J. Parris will devour this emotionally charged Tudor thriller where passion and duty collide.New to the series? Start anywhere! Each novella works as a standalone while building the larger world of Dr John Dee's adventures.Full series reading order:Novellas: Divination → Speculation → Restitution → AbsolutionPrequel: ResurrectionFull novels: Predestination → Proclamation → Insurrection J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.He pursued a busy career in Information Technology in England until he moved with his wife to Alberta, Canada, where they had a horse ranch in the foothills of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. The IT work continued in parallel for another twenty years or so, until retirement and family responsibilities beckoned back in the UK.He now indulges his passion for history full time with research, writing, and European travel.

DIVINATION: A CONSPIRACY OF BLOODCambridge University, 1547.John Dee finds himself in mortal danger when a visiting Polish astronomer is murdered hours after revealing revolutionary astrological techniques.Pursued by ruthless agents determined to suppress knowledge of a royal coup, Dee is forced from his scholarly sanctuary at Trinity College into the deadly intrigues of Hampton Court Palace.Can Dee master Kopernik's arcane methods before the killers find him? Will he decipher the astronomer's final, cryptic prediction in time to prevent a Midsummer eve coup? With spies lurking in every shadow and allegiances shifting like quicksand, whom at court can he possibly trust?In Tudor England, where the stars foretell one's fate, some conspiracies are written in blood. J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.A busy career in information technology provides just a little time left over to explore the mystery of history and, finally, to write about it.He currently lives with his wife and her horses near the Rocky Mountains in Canada.

The transfer of power between rivals is rarely smooth. In 1553 it was murder. Dr John Dee and his trusty colleague, Jack, embark on a dangerous adventure to find a document before it destroys a life.Vicious murder follows their every step as they break into the forbidding Tower of London. Can they escape its clutches safely?Will the impregnable Framlingham Castle remain inviolate or can they breach its defences?If they prevail, revenge would be sweet, but might it stain their souls? J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.A busy career in information technology provides just a little time left over to explore the mystery of history and, finally, to write about it.He currently lives with his wife and her horses near the Rocky Mountains in Canada.

Kent, 1554. The last thing you need when planning a rebellion is a dead body in your castle. Two would be an embarrassment.Dr. John Dee and his companions, Jack and Kat, find themselves at Allington Castle investigating murder while Sir Thomas Wyatt prepares his uprising against Queen Mary's Spanish marriage. Between mistaken identities and planned rebellion, our scholar-detective must solve the crime before the conspirators march on London.The third engaging novel in the beloved Predestination series combines historical authenticity with cosy mystery charm during one of Tudor England's most dramatic moments.Perfect for readers seeking:A lighter alternative to Shardlake during Wyatt's RebellionCosy historical mysteries that balance humour with intrigueAuthentic Tudor England during a pivotal moment in historyCharacter-driven puzzles solved through wit, not violenceEducational historical fiction that makes the past accessible and engagingCan Dee solve the murders before rebellion tears the realm apart? Sometimes the most dangerous plots aren't political-they're personal.Continue the beloved series as our characters face their most challenging adventure yet. Perfect after Proclamation, or discover the series in any order.Join the readers who've made Dr. John Dee's Tudor England their favourite historical escape. J. A. Downes was born and raised in England and educated at Imperial College, London University, where he gained a B.Sc. in Physics.A busy career in information technology provides just a little time left over to explore the mystery of history and, finally, to write about it.He currently lives with his wife and her horses near the Rocky Mountains in Canada.