Was in my local supermarket yesterday and did my usual drooling over the book shelves. They had a bunch of books by Scott Mariani, who I had never read before, and upon reading the blurb of the first in the series it immediately found its way into my basket – along with the next three in the series.

By the sound of it, these books are way up my alley – ex-soldier with a haunted past becomes sort of an Indiana Jones figure. What’s not to like? I started the first one, The Alchemist’s Secret this morning and I get the impression I’ll be inhaling it at top speed.

Also, it was an interesting lesson on the importance of a compelling book cover – I literally picked the book up on the strength of its jacket art, and ended up buying a handful. Bravo Harper Collins – you got me hook, line and sinker.