L U S I T A N I A R. E. X is an historical fiction account of the sinking of the Lusitania replete with spies and secret societies, super weapons, millionaires and martyrs. After being struck by a single torpedo on May 7th 1915, the Lusitania sank in only eighteen minutes. Passengers such as Alfred Vanderbilt, one of the wealthiest men in the world, ignored warnings from the German embassy, confident the fastest ship in the world could outrun enemy submarines.
Since the time of her sinking, the Lusitania has been wrapped in mystery and intrigue. Experts continue to debate the cause of the second explosion that sealed her fate after the torpedo struck. Imperial Germany immediately claimed she was loaded with explosives destined for the front. Why did the Admiralty withdraw her escort ship? Who were the three German stowaways arrested shortly after sailing? Why did Alfred Vanderbilt give away his lifebelt?
L U S I T A N I A R. E. X weaves fiction around the known facts to create a plausible explanation of some of the mysteries surrounding her sinking. The book describes how modern, mechanized war with its zeppelin raids and poison gas brought to an end the gilded age of Newport, Edwardian England and Imperial Germany and Russia. The story unfolds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in settings that range from gilded palaces and the Lusitania to the blood-soaked trenches of Ypres
The launch party for the book will take place on Tuesday, November 25th at the Royal Institute for British Architects in London. If would like to receive an invitation to the launch and book signing event please RSVP to Helen Lewis at Literally PR (helenlewis@literallypr.com<
