by Timothy Zahn
First published 2017
Basil Fox splits his time between standing guard for the Queen and stealing by moonlight. His partner Alaric Moebius talks his way out of trouble with Oxford wit and into danger with equal skill. The two rogues work for a wealthy patron known only as "The Collector," tracking down mystical artifacts across ten adventures. Their missions blend military precision with academic cunning as they navigate occult mysteries and supernatural threats. Fox brings battlefield experience and royal protocol training to their partnership. Moebius contributes classical education and natural charm. Together they face cursed objects, ancient powers, and modern criminals who want the same prizes. Each case tests their friendship and forces them to rely on complementary skills. The stories capture the thrill of treasure hunting mixed with genuine peril from forces beyond normal understanding.
Genres: adventure, mystery, fantasy, thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: complementary-skills, found-family
Setting: Oxford
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
500 pages · Paperback · Independently published