Does an ancient secret hold the key to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales? On 31st August 1997 the world was stunned and grief stricken as it awoke to the news that Diana, Princess of Wales had been killed in a car crash in the Pont de L'Alma Tunnel, Paris. After the initial shockwaves, it soon became apparent that many believe she was the victim of foul play. Several theories have been advanced as to why Diana may have been the victim of assassination but few might guess at the evidence of an ancient secret that could provide the motive for her death. Seventeen years later, Hal Bradbury, a jaded journalist whose career is stagnating and a world away from the investigative reporter he once aspired to be is tasked with exposing the secret to the world. Disillusioned and still grieving the death of his wife, he leaps at an invitation to take a sabbatical on a remote Greek island to write the biography of Tasia Artemis, a mysterious and mystical recluse endowed with supernatural powers. Tasia and those close to her reveal to Hal the astonishing secret contained in ancient parchments allegedly discovered by a 19th century French priest, Berenger Sauniere in the Languedoc village of Rennes-le-Chateau, Southern France. Hal, in a race against time and dark forces who would murder him to keep the secret safe, is led into a dangerous world of discovery, espionage and jeopardy as he unravels the mystery surrounding the Princess's death. Against the odds Hal determines to hour a dead Princess's desire to change the style of monarchy and reveal the truth about the corruption of Western democracy. Whether he can do so against the powerful forces who seek him out is an entirely different question as he is led into a mystical journey during which all his beliefs are challenged.
Jacqueline Dempster is a former litigation solicitor and employment law consultant who now lectures law in Edinburgh. Having changed profession to become a lawyer later in life, she began writing press releases and articles for the trade press and magazines during her early career as Public Relations and Marketing Executive for various large companies. She also has an interest in theatre and ran a performing arts school in Fife for a number of years when she produced and directed several shows for the Edinburgh Fringe. Her first novel, Charon's Children was published in 2007 and is currently available on Kindle. She has a great affection for Greece, particularly Crete and the myths and legends surrounding it.