Ghost Keys

While investigating counterfeit books, an immortal chronicler becomes ensnared in a mystery and must find the key that unlocks why the fakes are being produced to stop a madman from annihilating humanity's freedom of choice.

The Chronicles of Max - Ghost Keys launches into a mystery where Max Ambrose is inadvertently getting himself into trouble. He's investigating whether rare books are counterfeits, judging their authenticity. After several attempts on his life and torture, he is hurled into finding Vladimir Odin, the one responsible for the fakes, along with why he is stealing them.  What he finds leads to a chilling conspiracy to overthrow the minds of every person on earth using bleeding edge technology and ancient secrets.  This must be stopped for Vladimir wants to create a global Stalinist 'utopia' where Russia's 'good old days' will come to every corner of the world. 

Meanwhile, Max has been cajoled into meeting a ghost writer to tell his story.  Gillian Douglas is an accomplished writer and their partnership will surely write best-sellers. As they are both avowed loners, the romance that emerges is a surprise to both.  Max struggles with the possibility of relationship because over his life, relationships have caused the most pain. Max is an immortal, and his stories tell of a 2300 year old 'everyman' who stumbles into adventure and disasters, much to his displeasure.

If Max can't find out the key to Vladimir's plan, the whole world may live under the rigid boot of Leninist communism.

Who is Max Ambrose?

Max Ambrose is a 2356 year old immortal who is an investigative consultant for hire. He's been a historian, scribe, secretary, conscripted soldier, blacksmith and dozens of other professions. 

He is a NYC resident who has stumbled into a conspiracy from identifying counterfeit rare books. He's a confirmed bachelor who has hidden in plain sight in the big city for over 350 years. He helped exonerate a Dutch real estate magnate who awarded him a plot of land in Manhattan for payment. NYU was built up around Max's plot and he had his building constructed in the mid 19th century. He expanded in the early 20th century and renovates his 7th floor apartment as technology innovations require.

He must hide in plain sight with very few documented ties to records. Those that he has are processed through trusted attorneys and shell corporations. Max spends a fair bit of cash scrubbing his name from the records of the various government entities. Max is not 'filthy' rich but he is wealthy enough to avoid thinking about money.

Max is a average looking guy.  A cross of Richard Dreyfuss and Dustin Hoffman, he stands 5' 7" and weighs 150 lbs. His sole distinguishing factor is a mop of curly hair on his head. Its length and curls created a sandy brown helmet of chaos on his noggin.

Max emerged from a crazy thought experiment; what would you get if you crossed Harry Potter, the Highlander and Sherlock?  What was birthed was Maximilian of Egypt, in the year 364BC.  He's a foundling.  At his first death in his 30's, he stopped aging and remained in the prime of his physical condition for over 2000 years.

Max learned of his immortality from the Oracle at Delphi. He studied at the Academy of Athens and chose the written language and related roles as his 'profession'. He learned the hard way, it's best to keep immortality a secret.

The Chronicles of Max series are tales of the exploits Max gets himself into.  Max is brilliant, has a photographic memory and has an enormous ego regarding his intellect. This combination leads him into situations prone to trouble, both for society and especially himself.

The Chronicles of Max - Ghost Keys

The Chronicles of Max - Apprentice

The Chronicles of Max - Elixer