The Alchemist’s Codex is out now. Eden Black’s eighth archaeological thriller takes her from a body hidden inside Notre-Dame de Paris to the catacombs beneath the city, a secluded French château and the last stronghold of the Cathars, all in pursuit of the legendary alchemist Fulcanelli and the secret of eternal life.
What if the secret of eternal life is real, and someone has already used it?
When Eden Black finds a dead man inside Notre-Dame de Paris, one detail makes no sense. The body is hundreds of years old.
All the evidence points to something impossible. The dead man is Fulcanelli, the legendary alchemist who claimed he had found the secret of eternal life, then disappeared.
But with the discovery comes danger. A pharmaceutical billionaire has already spent millions searching for Fulcanelli and his lost codex. The book is a threat to his empire, and a secret he’ll kill to control.
From the cathedrals and catacombs of Paris to a secluded château and the last stronghold of the Cathars, Eden must find the codex before the one man who would destroy it forever.
The Alchemist’s Codex is a race-against-time archaeological thriller for fans of Dan Brown, Scott Mariani, Steve Berry and James Rollins. It’s book eight in the Eden Black archaeological thriller series, but like every Eden Black adventure, it works as a standalone read too.
Launch day: when a book stops being mine and starts being ours
I always say I love launch day because it’s the day a book stops being mine and starts being ours, and I truly believe it. I write the books, create the characters and give them challenges, hopes and dreams, but they only live and breathe when you read the adventure.
With this book, that means more than ever. Just a few weeks ago, the story came to life when we went on a real Eden Black–esque adventure with a group of people who met through reading my books. We didn’t fight anyone, and there weren’t any car chases, but we explored some fantastic legendary places and made some amazing memories together. You can read all about it in The Real Treasure of the Templars: Our First Adventure Society Expedition.
Raising a glass to new friends on our first Adventure Society Expedition in Lisbon
People always talk about real life inspiring fiction, but here fiction inspired real life, real memories and real friendships. That’s powerful stuff, right?
Launch day!
So when you pick up your copy of The Alchemist’s Codex and dive headlong into the twisting path of Eden’s next adventure, you’re not alone on that trail. Thousands of other readers are diving into the same adventure at the same time, following in Eden’s footsteps and, in a way, experiencing it with each other.
The real France behind the story
As with all my books, I travelled to the places Eden visits. Mrs R and I took a campervan around France to research the locations, from the streets of Paris to the remote Cathar country of the south. If you want to see the real places behind the book, explore my France travel and location guide.
Outside Notre-Dame de Paris, where Eden’s adventure begins
Notre-Dame is where the story starts. Fulcanelli’s famous book Le Mystère des Cathédrales, published in 1926, claimed that the carvings of Gothic cathedrals like Notre-Dame hide the secrets of alchemy in plain sight. Once you know that, it’s impossible to walk through Paris without looking up at every gargoyle, angel and stone vine and wondering what it’s trying to tell you.
The nave of Notre-Dame de ParisGothic carvings above a Paris church doorwayStained glass in one of Paris’s historic churches
I also tracked down the house of Nicolas Flamel, the most famous alchemist in Paris and the man legend says discovered the philosopher’s stone. Built in 1407, it’s often called the oldest house in the city, and today it’s a restaurant. Yes, I touched the walls, just in case.
At the house of the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, built in 1407
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved THE ALCHEMIST’S CODEX! The fast pace of Eden’s adventures in multiple exotic locations is exciting, and the mystery plot is complex. It’s amazing how much of this book isn’t fiction but is written from Luke’s travels. I can’t wait to see what Luke brings us in the next Eden Black book.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “It’s high adventure, danger and humour! I have read every one of Luke’s books, and each one combines his historical research and great storytelling. Every one is different and leaves you feeling you have learnt as well as been entertained.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Love the series, especially the action sequences, the characters, the dialogue and the settings. As Luke travels to the places he writes about, the descriptions in his books make you feel like you’re there. The Alchemist’s Codex is no exception, with Luke and his wife travelling through France to the locations in the book.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I absolutely adore this author. I’ve read every single one of his books, and having Eden Black and the team back in action has made my day. The Alchemist’s Codex is heavily based around France, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the legendary alchemist Fulcanelli. But not everything is as it seems. Another pulse-pounding thrill ride, with a fantastic bit of banter along the way.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Action-packed right from the start and full of great characters, many of whom we’re getting to know well. A great plot set in many locations, all portrayed vividly. A fantastic ride on another of Eden Black’s quests, with plenty of thrills and adventure to be had.”
How to get your copy
If you pre-ordered the eBook, it should already be on your eReader, ready for you to dive straight in. If you haven’t, you can grab the eBook now.
Paperbacks are available now from my store, printed locally in your country. They’ll soon be on Amazon and other bookstores too, although it can take a little while for them to get through their systems.
The Alchemist’s Codex joins the rest of the Eden Black series
Liest du lieber auf Deutsch? The German translation is under way, and you can pre-order your German copy here to be among the first to read it.
Want to talk about the book with people who are reading it right now? Members of my Adventure Society chat about the books, the history and the places behind them every day. It’s the most fun corner of the internet I know, and you’d be very welcome. Join the Adventure Society here.
Every book you buy, every review you leave and every time you recommend me to someone helps me keep doing this. I don’t have a big publishing house behind me, so it truly means the world. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.
I write books that blend history, adventure, and suspense, taking you on a journey to foreign and exotic places like the Pyramids of Giza, the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, and the backstreets of Kathmandu. Whether you’re a history buff, a travel addict, or just looking for excitement, my stories are for you.
