Alchemy is a chilling historical tale of mystery, murder and suspense and reveals an extraordinary decade in the life of a talented, sweet young and innocent genius, as he transforms into a monster.
In Victorian London, England, around the time of Jack the Ripper, a young artist unravels what he believes to be the formula for immortality and raising the dead, prescribed in an ancient tome: Alchemy.
Just when he cracks the secret code for the final components, his mistress and inspiration, dies. His life is devastated, his mind broken through addiction to his own concoctions. He knows he has the power to revive her. But obtaining the last ingredients means resorting to murder, taking innocent lives.
He just has to decide whose.
His only surviving model, our narrator, infatuated with this painter of her portrait, attends the trial of the century, where she finally learns someone got away with murder.

What readers are saying:

"Wow! An absolutely amazing book. Spectacular. A real find. If I could give it ten stars I would. One of the best books I have read and I read a lot. I am grateful to the author for writing such a gripping, wonderful, completely absorbing and engrossing book. A lot of research has gone into this book and yet it is not clunky or feels laboured, the story flows effortlessly and takes us on a riveting journey. The pacing is excellent, the setting comes alive with the beautiful descriptions. Chris James is a master storyteller who effortlessly transports us into Victorian times, the smells, the crowds, the misery and the glory, via the evocative and dramatic prose. Sorcery, Magic, Murder, Science, Art, even a code, there is everything in this book, a tale which defies pigeonholing into genres and which I think will appeal even to the fussiest of readers. Really bow down to the author's wonderful imagination. The characters have a way of burrowing themselves into the readers' heads. Once I started reading I was ruined for the day. I could not put the book down. It haunted me when I was away from it. It haunts me still. An original, fantastic tale; a masterpiece, by an author to watch. I am recommending this to the world. I am SO glad there is a second instalment. Hopefully it is coming soon." - Renita D'Silva. Acclaimed literary author: 'Monsoon Memories' 'The Forgotten Daughter' 'The Stolen Girl' & 'A Sister's Promise'
"Chris James is a talented writer and a master at his craft. He takes you on a chilling and riveting journey. It's powerful, suspenseful, unique, and twisted. Can't wait to see this as a feature film." - Terri Lynn Zinner, Movie Producer & Screenwriterhttp: //www.afilmwriter.com

"a fascinating historical account of a disturbing murder trial, narrated by an amateur female sleuth, permeates through this mystery thriller as it unfolds"
"a scary suspense mystery with an eloquent narrative - without the blood 'n' guts"
"The suspense is powerful!"
"It's rare that I find a book that I just can't put down!"
"If you love Victorian Era historical mystery and intrigue, you'll like this book!"
"An excellent mystery thriller with lots of twists and turns!"
"full of excitement and surprises!"
"very suspenseful and leaves you at the edge of your chair!"
"Loved the twists and unexpected!"
"A real page turner. Couldn't put it down!"
"a very entertaining story with lots of mystery!"
"just gets better and better as you read it!"
"never ceases to surprise... compulsive reading and a real pageturner!"
"If you are a reader of period suspense and murder plots well written to portray the period I highly recommend this book!"