The Man Who Sold the World by Iain Benson

SPSFC 2024

James London is having a weird week. One minute, he’s dodging London traffic like a caffeinated squirrel, and the next, he’s knee-deep in Istanbul’s rubble, where a rogue chemistry experiment has gone disastrously right, turning the city into a tourist-free zone. Not that this is a first for him—saving the world is just another bullet point on his CV. Enter D&D aficionado, Zee, a teenager (maybe) with a knack for shortcuts and a dad who thinks Ambrosia is more than just custard. Together, they’re on a mission to stop a Turkish mobster in a gold lamé tracksuit from turning copper into gold and the global economy into a grim joke. Oh, and there’s the small matter of immortality on the line, because why not? Meanwhile, Detective Louise Sargant wants to solve a straightforward case of a shattered mirror on the Southbank. Instead, she’s stuck dealing with colleagues who think her last name is the punchline to every joke, and she suspects beloved chef Nigella Lawson might be in danger. Packed with more twists than a politician’s promises and enough irreverent humour to make you snort your coffee, “The Man Who Sold the World” is James London’s third outing and a wild ride through secret shortcuts, interdimensional mayhem, and one detective’s quest to avoid going completely bonkers. Perfect for fans of madcap adventures, this novel will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about alchemy, ancient myths, and the Turkish mafia.

Adult • Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense • Science Fiction/Comic and Light SF • Science Fiction/Weird