SPHINX
by
Tobsha Learner
A GRIPPING THRILLER
FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF 'QUIVER' AND 'THE WITCH OF COLOGNE'
Building
on the strengths of her previous novels: the eroticism of 'Quiver', the historical
research of 'The Witch of Cologne', the mystical dimension of 'Tremble' and the
taut suspense of 'Soul', Tobsha Learner has crafted an exciting new novel in 'Sphinx'
which promises to be her most powerful and heart-stopping yet.
A
thriller based in Alexandria, Egypt, '' revolves around an ancient device - an
astrolabe - which was inspired by the real-life Antikythera mechanism. The oldest
known complex scientific calculator, the Antikythera mechanism's true purpose
is a mystery as technological artefacts of similar complexity did not reappear
until two thousand years later. Weaving fact with fiction, Learner creates a world
of intrigue, a world where events defy reason and suspense is unending.
Learner
says: 'Like Soul and The Witch of Cologne, I intend it to be very much a page-turner
with recognisable Tobsha Learner traits: thoroughly researched, incredibly atmospheric
and with supernatural, mythical and erotic elements.' Written from a male perspective,
'Sphinx' plays out to its terrifying climax against a backdrop of political unrest,
occult intrigues and anguished love.
About Sphinx: Egypt,
1977: Oliver, an English geophysicist expert in oil exploration, finds himself
unwillingly swept up in a world of political and mystical sabotage after his wife,
Isabella, a marine archaeologist, discovers a mysterious ancient astrolabe she'd
been searching for all her life.
Oliver embarks on a journey
that takes him into the secrets of Isabella's once-wealthy Italian-Alexandrian
family, and the powers of the astrolabe itself. Powers he, a fierce sceptic, refuses
to accept. But Oliver is haunted by strange dreams, and Isabella never seems far
away.
Now the reluctant custodian of the astrolabe, and pursued
by those keen to use it for their own purposes, Oliver flees back to London and
tries to block out his grief. Punk is raging, and sex, drugs and rock'n'roll are
all around. When his brother has a drug overdose, Oliver is reluctantly forced
to try the power of the astrolabe himself. But in saving his brother's life, he
has sealed a Faustian pact.
While contact with the mechanism
sees Oliver's career blossom, when he returns to Egypt he discovers much darker
consequences.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tobsha
Learner was born and raised in England and has lived in both Australia and the
USA. She is well-known in Australia as a playwright and her first collection of
short stories‚ Quiver‚ has sold over 150‚000 copies internationally.
She has also written 'Madonna Mars', the bestselling 'The Witch of Cologne', 'Tremble'
and 'Soul'. Tobsha divides her time between London‚ Sydney and California.
Visit Tobsha Learner at her website: www.tobshalearner.com
'Sphinx'
is available now (RRP $32.99).
