The road to Samarcand

A classic Patrick O'Brian novel, back in print after many years. When Derrick's missionary parents are tragically murdered he is entrusted to his gruff uncle Sullivan, Captain of The Wanderer.

After surviving a killer typhoon on the South China Sea, and accompanied by their eccentric elderly cousin, they set off across land to discover the treasures of Central Asia. Derrick befriends a fierce Mongol warrior and must help him battle a ruthless Chinese warlord.

Given a gift of priceless jade, the group is pursued into the inhospitable mountains of Tibet where they are caught between fierce mountain monks and a terrifying unnamed creature that stalks them through the snow.