The Assassin's Ruse*

THE ASSASSIN'S RUSE

An Assassin Without a Name Prequel

By Scott Marlowe

The Assassin's Ruse (An Assassin Without a Name Prequel)

About the Book

When a thief’s heist collides with an assassin’s contract, the real deception begins.

The Assassin Without a Name and Elizabeth West have never crossed paths before, and with good reason. Each prides themselves on working alone. But when the proprietor of a vanishing curiosity shop hires them both to recover a stolen artifact, they have no choice but to work together. They’re criminals, not colleagues, Elizabeth tells the Nameless Assassin, so when they finish the job, they go their separate ways.

The trail leads them from the city’s underbelly to a high-society gala, where trusting each other with their lives is the least of their problems. A mercenary turned acquisitions specialist named Varen Crost has the artifact, and he isn’t inclined to make their job easy.

Getting close to Crost means posing as something they’re not. Surviving him means working together. And when the night is over, going their separate ways may prove harder than either expected.

The Assassin’s Ruse is a standalone prequel to the Assassin Without a Name series.

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Characters

Assassin Without a NameAssassin Without a NameWitty assassin with a penchant for murder and fine wine. True identity unknown.
Elizabeth WestElizabeth WestA master thief.
Madam NadiraMadam NadiraSouthlander fortune-teller. A surrogate grandmother to Liz.
Marek VolarinMarek VolarinWealthy collector and proprietor of Volarin's Museum of Antiquities.
Mordecai SolvainMordecai SolvainMysterious collector and wizard. Owns a curiosity shop that appears at a new location each night.
SennaSennaFormer bounty hunter turned enforcer.
Varen CrostVaren CrostMercenary turned artifact acquisitions specialist.

Places

AlchesterAlchesterThe thriving capital city of Kallendor.
Ashworth MansionAshworth Mansion*The manor of Lord Ashworth.
KallendorKallendorA sprawling realm characterized by picturesque landscapes of grassy plains, densely wooded glens, and vibrant meadows.
The Lazy MinstrelThe Lazy MinstrelA shat-in-the-wall tavern known for its warm ambiance and vibrant atmosphere.
Rogue’s DenRogue’s DenAlchester'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.
Solvain's Curios & AntiquitiesSolvain's Curios & Antiquities*The disappearing curiosity shop of Mordecai Solvain.
Volarin's Museum of AntiquitiesVolarin's Museum of Antiquities*A museum of rare antiquities.

* newly featured in The Assassin's Ruse

About the Author

Scott Marlowe writes sword and sorcery fantasy where mystical technology meets explosive mayhem. His riveting tales feature unpredictable twists, compelling characters, and just enough intrigue to keep readers turning pages late into the night.

Read the author's full bio here.

The Series

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  • Publisher Name: Umberland Press
  • Publisher City: Bentonville
  • Publisher State: Arkansas
  • Publication Year: 2026
  • BISAC Category 1: FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
  • BISAC Category 2: FICTION / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
  • BISAC Category 3: FICTION / Fantasy / Gaslamp
  • BISAC Category 4: FICTION / Fantasy / General
  • BISAC Category 5: FICTION / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy

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