Shadow of the alchemist

Since losing his knighthood, Crispin Guest has earned his reputation as the Tracker, a private investigator who can locate everything, and everyone he is hired to find.

When famed French alchemist Nicholas Flamel enlists him to locate both his missing wife Perenelle and his apprentice, Guest is confident that it will be a case quickly resolved.

But after Flamel's apprentice is found dead and a ransom note arrives threatening the life of Perenelle in exchange for the Philosopher's Stone, a magical object that can change lead into gold, Guest quickly discovers that there is nothing ordinary about this case.

Soon, strange, antiquated symbols begin appearing throughout the city and he learns he must decipher their hidden code to unearth the truth of secrets long buried. Plunged into the dark, underground magic of alchemy and the treacherous world of English politics, Guest and his dedicated servant Jack, will have to unravel the mystery in order to find Perenelle and reveal the dangerous mastermind determined to wreak havoc throughout the city. Shadow of the Alchemist is the intriguing sixth book in the Crispin Guest series.

It was featured as a "Best of 2013 Selection" by Suspense Magazine and was a finalist for Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in the Mystery Suspense & Thriller category.