Legions of the Moon

Legions of the Moon is a plausible, meticulously researched and exquisitely written reimagination of tribal Britain under the yoke of the Roman Empire: an espionage and detective thriller rolled into one that introduces the immediately memorable tired loyal old soak Quintus Suetonius - a bit of a Sherlock Holmes - and his disaffected opportunistic stepson Manius.

Quintus and his Manius are frumentarii, the Roman Empire’s secret police. Dispatched to Britannia on a mission whose purpose is kept veiled from them, they join forces with the formidable female spy Tita Amatia and find themselves embroiled in plot, counter-plot and assassination, unsure of either their allies or their  enemies. 

They journey from bustling, cosmopolitan, civilised Londinium to the wild North — a hostile snowbound land. 

Besieged by an alliance of rebellious local tribes, surrounded by  intrigue, assailed by matters of the heart and personal ambition, they become reluctant players in a struggle between a ruthless imperial government and others seeking control of the Empire. 

Peter Jackson lives with his family in County Durham but comes originally from Lancashire. He read Modern History at Oxford and is a journalist. He's worked on papers in the North West and North East of England where he was business editor of the Newcastle Journal before becoming a freelance.

Legions of the Moon is his first novel and the first in a trilogy.

It will be published in hardback, trade paperback and ebook formats on 31 January 2021

"...well crafted tale pulsates with violence, intrigue and romance to say nothing of complex plot twists...add to this intelligent mix a sprinkling of dry humour and you have the perfect recipe for a good read.'' Newcastle Journal.

"A gripping novel...page turner...convincing and colourful picture of Roman Britain. Legions of the Moon is as plausible as it is exciting.'' Northern Echo.

Marketing is two pronged: Legions of the Moon is a rattling good historical and literary fiction read. It’s also so well researched as to be a highly plausible, visually rich reimagination of the Roman occupation of Britain that is ironically relevant to the world order today.

There will be two UK levels of geographical activity – the regional North where the book is located, and the National/Southern. International activity will replicate this.

UK North

• Regional press coverage

• Regional digital marketing agency for a social media campaign

• Local and village newsagents

• Local Facebook pages.

• Friends of Longovicium, Lanchester Partnership for support and publicity

• Ditto the Derwentside Business Network

UK South

Approach English Heritage

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

who run five major Roman sites in the region, all of which have gift shops selling both fiction and non-fiction touching on the Romans in Britain.

Vindolanda is a major site owned and managed by the Vindolanda Charitable Trust.

At the last count total annual visitors to all the staffed sites on Hadrian’s Wall numbered over 560,000.

National journalists

Literary prizes, post publication such as: CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger; Desmond Elliott Prize, and he Walter Scott Prize.

International

Leverage social media influencer interest in Roman Ancient History & genre-specific fiction in the same way

Both UK & International: approach radio, tv, and production company contacts.