ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phillip L. Wray
Phillip Wray graduated from Baylor University with a French degree and a law degree.
He studied for a time in Paris where he came to appreciate French history and literature. He has visited France a number of times and had the wonderful experience of honeymooning in Paris.
As a Francophile, Wray loves the stories of Dumas, particularly the D’Artagnan Romances, and, as a trial lawyer practicing in Dallas-Fort Worth, he loves a good mystery.
Gallery
View a selection of photos from our past book signings and launch parties.
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The Charles de la Forêt Series
Musketeer cadet Charles de la Forêt has been assigned his first mission: travel to a small French town far outside of Paris and retrieve a prisoner accused of killing an entire family. Arriving in Pontcourt, Charles finds the villagers ready to take justice into their own hands. Mob rule threatens to prevail over the King’s law, and, worse yet, Charles discovers the locals may be seeking vengeance against an innocent man. Compelled to investigate the truth behind the murders, Charles explores the complex and dark side of rural French life in the 17th century. With little more than his wit and rapier to rely on, the musketeer cadet must solve the mystery of the Pontcourt massacre before more innocent life is lost.
Fresh off solving the Pontcourt murders and then saving a kidnapped merchant’s daughter, young musketeer Charles de la Forêt is assigned a new case: investigate the murder of a marquis in the wealthy Marais district of Paris.
Despite the deep rivalry between the Musketeers and Cardinal Richelieu’s guardsmen, Charles is forced to work with guardsman Henri Reynard. The two men must overcome their differences if they are to determine who poisoned the marquis before forces in the upper echelon of the 17th-century French nobility put a stop to the case.
Capturing the mystery and adventure that gripped readers of the first book in the Charles de la Forêt series, The Pontcourt Murders, this follow-up, Murder in the Marais, introduces an expanding cast of colorful and intriguing characters. Readers with an interest in mysteries, musketeers, and French history will not want to miss the continuing adventures of musketeer Charles de la Forêt.
Charles de la Forêt, a King's Musketeer, has finally found happiness in his life—a fulfilling position and a blossoming romance. However, his newfound peace is brutally shattered when a witness from a previous investigation is savagely murdered. Determined to bring the killer to justice, Charles embarks on a relentless pursuit, only to realize that this murder is just the beginning of a much darker conspiracy.
As Charles delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a sinister web of interconnected crimes that stretches through the corridors of power in a city embroiled in heated scientific debates and the clandestine activities of a secret society. Prepare to be enthralled by this atmospheric historical fiction/mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
The history is accurate, the characters so real you feel you’re in the book with them, and you’ll be rooting for Charles de la Forêt to overcome every tribulation he encounters. Add in some comic relief and rich descriptions of life from the highest to the lowest of humanity, and you won’t be able to put this down. Les Meurtres de Pontcourt c’est magnifique!
P.A. Duncan
AUTHOR OF 'A WAR OF DECEPTION'
Media & Press
Phillip Wray discuss sword and word play!
Phillip Wray, like the legendary musketeers, possesses a fervent spirit and unwavering dedication to his craft. Just as Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan exemplified loyalty, bravery, and camaraderie, Wray's writings exude a similar sense of adventure, valor, and unity.
Phillip L. Wray on Writing Historical Mysteries — The Writing Coach Episode 136
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with my client: author Phillip L. Wray. We discuss the creative process of his debut novel, THE PONTCOURT MURDERS, how his love of French culture inspired the story, as well as his unique approach to combining musketeer adventure with Agatha Christie-style murder mystery.