The Gates of Hell

In 334 BCE Alexander’s army moves south through Asia Minor towards Halicarnassus, a strongly fortified Persian naval base. As engineers and commanders prepare for siege, a series of killings reveals that enemy agents have penetrated the Macedonian camp. Telamon, physician and trusted companion of Alexander, must identify the traitors before the attack begins.

The investigation is inseparable from the military struggle for the city. Competing officers, foreign specialists and local informants all possess knowledge that could decide the siege, and the murderer exploits the disorder of an army on campaign. Telamon follows the evidence through the so-called Gates of Hell while Alexander risks men and reputation in one of the most difficult operations of his early conquest.