The Merchant of Shadows: Part 1 - The Mask and the Flame (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798298531412)

Set in the late Victorian era into the Edwardian. The British Empire's influence is vast, yet its power is often wielded in the shadows. When the usual agents fail to uncover a plot threatening Britain's interests in the heart of Africa, a new kind of spy is needed.

Enter Arthur Pemberton, a resourceful merchant from Manchester whose trade has taken him from the sweltering heat of the Congo to the gilded halls of Lisbon. He knows the powerful and the powerless alike, and his connections to Portuguese royalty and the African railways have given him access that no spy could ever achieve. But a web of deceit and danger now threatens to unravel the delicate balance of imperial power, and Arthur is thrust into a role he was never meant to play: the unwilling eyes and ears of an empire.

From the brutal realities of the Congo to the political intrigue of Lisbon, Arthur must navigate a world where a handshake can be a pact with the devil and a quiet word can save a nation. He will soon discover that in the game of spies, the greatest deception is believing you are not a player.

Perfect for fans of historical thrillers and classic espionage, this is the first book in a gripping series inspired by a true family history.