An ARKANE Thriller by J.F. Penn
One Day in Budapest
Nationalistic fervor. Genocidal violence. The first time, the world went to war. This time, the world could end.
At dawn, the Holy Right, the mummified hand of Hungary's first king, is stolen from St Stephen's Basilica, and a Star of David is painted in blood at the scene.
As a mob gathers at the gates of Europe's largest synagogue, Morgan Sierra, in the city on a simple courier mission, has until nightfall to find the relic and expose who really took it.
A novella of revenge, memory and courage in a city where the past is never far beneath the streets.
One relic. One city. One day to stop a pogrom.
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The research behind the book
The Holy Right
The mummified hand of St Stephen really rests in the Basilica. Seeing it gave Jo the crux of the story.
Learn more → MemoryThe Dohany Street Synagogue
Europe's largest synagogue, with a mass grave in its courtyard. The book is dedicated to those buried there.
Learn more → The DanubeShoes on the bank
Sixty pairs of iron shoes mark where the Arrow Cross shot Budapest's Jews in 1944.
Learn more → HistoryThe House of Terror
Arrow Cross then secret police headquarters at 60 Andrassy, preserved as a museum of two terrors.
Learn more →The Gold Train
The 1945 Nazi train of looted Hungarian-Jewish valuables was real, and so was the 2005 settlement.
The Castle Hill labyrinth
The caves beneath Buda really were closed abruptly in 2011. Jo took liberties with what lies inside.
Learn more →
Stone of Fire
Book 1
Crypt of Bone
Book 2
Ark of Blood
Book 3
One Day in Budapest
Book 4 · this book
Day of the Vikings
Book 5
Gates of Hell
Book 6
One Day in New York
Book 7
Destroyer of Worlds
Book 8
End of Days
Book 9
Valley of Dry Bones
Book 10
Tree of Life
Book 11
Tomb of Relics
Book 12
Soldiers of God
Short story
Spear of Destiny
Book 13