The Assassin's Cunning

THE ASSASSIN'S CUNNING

Book Two of the Assassin Without a Name Series

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The Assassin's Cunning (Assassin Without a Name Book Two)

About the Book

A ruthless assassin. A dangerous bargain. A city on the brink of chaos.

For the Assassin Without a Name, survival means staying one step ahead of enemies and rivals alike. But when the cunning and relentless Gwendolyn Goddard makes him an offer he can’t refuse, he’s drawn into a deadly game of deception, murder, and high-stakes intrigue.

Tasked with eliminating a key rival within the Progressive Society, the Nameless Assassin must navigate treacherous alliances, evade the relentless Black Guard, and unravel the mystery of an artifact that could change the city’s fate forever.

As old grudges ignite and shadows lengthen, the Assassin Without a Name faces an impossible choice that could cost him everything.

Perfect for fans of gritty sword and sorcery fantasy, fast-paced action, and morally complex antiheroes, The Assassin’s Cunning is a thrilling tale of espionage, betrayal, and the fine line between survival and honor.

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Books by Scott Marlowe

Reader Praise

"Scott Marlowe strikes gold again with the continuing adventures of the Nameless Assassin." - Goodreads reviewer

"This series is full of memorable characters and twists and turns aplenty." - Amazon reviewer

"Nonstop action and intrigue!" - Amazon reviewer

Sample Chapters

Read

Excerpt of Act I: Black Guard's Reprisal

Listen

Wine List

Most wines in the Assassin Without a Name series are fictitious, though many are based on characteristics found in the many wines of our world.

Barmeda sherry

A dry, light, and smooth sherry with a slightly salty tang.

Crusus Sabeler

A sweet white with a fine bouquet and nutty flavor. A member of the shiraz family of wines. The best shiraz wines come from grapes grown in terraced vineyards.

Jisendell Port

A smooth red fortified with the perfect amount of brandy.

Mullender

A dry red.

Scarlet Tempest

A deep red.

Characters

Assassin Without a NameAssassin Without a NameWitty assassin with a penchant for murder and fine wine. True identity unknown.
Abelard WhitfieldAbelard WhitfieldWealthy merchant with connections.
Ashunde RoeAshunde RoeBishop. Necromancer.
Atticus DrakeAtticus DrakeA founding member of the Progressive Society.
BraedenBraedenThief's apprentice.
Darius VilhelmDarius VilhelmA noted businessman known for his negotiating skills.
Dark OneDark OneA malevolent force.
ElizaElizaMathilda's daughter.
Elizabeth WestElizabeth WestA master thief.
Evelyn MullinEvelyn MullinOwner of Mullin's Pawn Shop.
GrukGruk / "Bonecrusher"Gaugath warrior.
Gustav PreytonGustav PreytonChief Administrator.
Gwendolyn GoddardGwendolyn GoddardChief Scientist and founding member of the Progressive Society.
Hesulton BranwickHesulton BranwickGardener with a dark secret.
Isadora BloodstoneIsadora BloodstoneA blood witch.
Jarek BlackwellJarek BlackwellSorcerer hunter.
KemKemA priest who believes that even the truly lost can be saved.
MalakaiMalakaiAll around scallawag. Informer.
Mason GouldMason GouldThe Assassin Without a Name's brother-in-law.
MathildaMathildaA witch.
Olivia GouldOlivia GouldThe Assassin Without a Name's sister.
OpheliaOpheliaProprietor of The Lazy Minstrel.
Qess LendinQess LendinCombat engineer.
RabbetRabbetThief, beggar, informer.
Raed LendinRaed LendinCombat engineer.
Remy CraneRemy CraneProfessor, Ruby Crane's father.
Ruby CraneRuby CraneProfessor, Remy Crane's daughter.
Ridlin TamarockRidlin TamarockOwner of Ridlin's Den.
Rolen FairwindRolen FairwindWealthy aeropreneur.
SamuelSamuelAtticus Drake's driver.
Thjorn TargalasThjorn "Heavyhammer" TargalasLeader of Alchester's thieves' guild.
William WrightWilliam WrightKing's inspector.
Zara BlackthornZara BlackthornSouthlander thief.
ZarekZarekSilent Thorns master assassin.

 

Black Guard

Geoffrey BelfordGeoffrey BelfordCaptain of the Black Guard.
Marcus NelsonMarcus NelsonBlack Guard lieutenant.

 

Jakaree

Ao-utetAo-utetWarrior priest.
OniusOniusHigh priest.
Scaramon One-EyeScaramon One-EyeWarrior priest.

 

Warders

Claire CarterClaire CarterBookshop owner.
Leonidas StormLeonidas StormWarder compulsor.
Nathaniel ManesNathaniel ManesWarder compulsor.

Places

Aikon CemeteryAikon CemeteryA cemetery where the dead have a knack for rising from the grave.
AlchesterAlchesterThe thriving capital city of Kallendor.
BarmedaBarmedaA charming Seacean vineyard known for its exquisite sherry.
Beggars' QuarterBeggar's QuarterA labyrinthine warren where cutpurses, information brokers, and black market traders ply their trades.
The Dusty ShelfThe Dusty Shelf*A bookstore specializing in rare and hard-to-find books.
Grainger TownGrainger TownA borough filled with a dynamic blend of shops, taverns, markets, and theaters.
The GroggeryThe GroggeryA raucous tavern known for its boisterous ambiance and lively patrons.
Guild HouseGuild HouseThe secretive base of operations for Alchester's infamous thieves' guild.
KallendorKallendorA sprawling realm characterized by picturesque landscapes of grassy plains, densely wooded glens, and vibrant meadows.
KhorasKhoras*City of legend and myth, thought to precede Alchester but destroyed long ago. Called Nyrax by goblin and ratfolk.
King's Airship DocksKing's Airship DocksA hub for aerial commerce and innovation in Alchester.
King's StockyardsKing's Stockyards*The bustling central hub where livestock are traded, slaughtered, and processed.
Lady Bellum'sLady Bellum'sA wineshop with a pleasant atmosphere.
Lady Smither’s BathhouseLady Smither’s BathhouseAn elegant bathhouse.
The Lazy MinstrelThe Lazy MinstrelA shat-in-the-wall tavern known for its warm ambiance and vibrant atmosphere.
Lockley’s DepositoryLockley’s DepositoryA venerable bank where whispers of local affairs and gossip intertwine with discussions of wealth and investments.
Mullin’s Pawn ShopMullin’s Pawn ShopA pawn shop known for its black market goods.
The Mulling MuleThe Mulling MuleA rough-and-tumble sanctuary for rogues, ruffians, and ruthless backstabbers.
Osterland'sOsterland'sA prestigious wineshop located along the charming Tanglewood Drive.
Pannernine’sPannernine’sA lively wineshop known for its relaxed atmosphere.
Ridlin’s DenRidlin’s DenPart gaming hall, part grogshop, all cesspit.
Rogue’s DenRogue’s Den*Alchester's premiere hideout and alehouse for thieves, cutthroats, and street dregs.
The ShamblesThe ShamblesThe Shambles is a notorious district where crime and a sense of lawlessness pervade.
The Silver HarpThe Silver Harp*A fine establishment known for its elegant decor and exquisite cuisine.
Temple CatacombsTemple CatacombsAn extensive series of tunnels beneath the temple district where the dead are buried.
Temple DistrictTemple DistrictOnce revered for its divine significance, this area now stands as a poignant reminder of lost faith.
The Weary BeggarThe Weary Beggar*A unique tavern known as much for its breakfast as its hospitality.

* newly featured in The Assassin's Cunning

The Series

Book cover for The Assassin's DilemmaThe Assassin's DilemmaPrequel
Book cover for The Assassin's BladeThe Assassin's BladeBook One
Book cover for The Assassin's CunningThe Assassin's CunningBook Two
Book cover for The Assassin's CodeThe Assassin's CodeBook Three
Book cover for The Assassin's SkillThe Assassin's SkillBook Four
Book cover for The Assassin Without a Name Box Set (Books 1-3)The Assassin Without a Name Box SetBooks 1-3

Where to Buy