The Mystics: A Novel

John Henderson sits vigil in a remote Scottish house as his uncle Andrew breathes his last, and something unexpected rises in the young man's chest: relief. For years, Andrew's oppressive presence has shadowed John's life. Now, with death approaching, Andrew reveals himself as a member of a secretive religious brotherhood called the Mystics, and John inherits more than a fortune. There's a secret book, hidden within the sect, promising power and enlightenment to those who seek it. There's also an oath sworn over a strange octagonal symbol, and an Arch-Councillor soon to arrive. As John navigates grief, guilt, and his sudden liberation, he must decide whether to honor his uncle's final wishes or pursue the dangerous knowledge that was denied him all his life. Thurston weaves a darkly psychological tale of inheritance, ambition, and the seduction of forbidden truth.