What if the greatest archaeological discovery in human history has been hiding in plain sight for over 140 years—disguised as a Victorian novel?

In 1876, a brilliant translator named George Smith reportedly died in the Syrian desert. But two years later, an anonymous manuscript surfaced in America… filled with knowledge no one should’ve had.

Today, we’re following a trail of stolen tablets, faked deaths, and forbidden secrets—clues that suggest one of archaeology’s most explosive discoveries was deliberately buried. And the evidence? It might still be out there, waiting to be uncovered.

This episode wraps up Season One of the Adventure Story Podcast. Over the past few months, it's been an absolute blast sharing more than 20 incredible stories with you.

A show like this takes a lot of time and heart to create, so I want to thank the small but mighty team who’ve helped bring it to life. But most of all—thank you. Your support means everything to an independent creator like me.

For now, I’m stepping back to focus on my writing. I’ve been working on Eden Black’s next adventure, along with a few other exciting projects that need my full attention.

But don’t worry—the adventure isn’t over. The Ark Files and my other novels are available wherever you get your books. And if you prefer to listen, I’ve got a growing selection of audiobooks on Audible. Just search for Luke Richardson—and you’ll find me there.

Until next time—keep exploring.

Like the sound of this story - read THE ARK FILES today!

A secret society... An ancient manuscript... One woman to save the world...

Professional treasure hunter EDEN BLACK discovers that her father's death wasn't an accident - it was murder. Everyone involved in an archaeological dig twenty years ago has met with a similar untimely end. Everyone except Eden, who was ten at the time. When her father's house is raided and burned to the ground, Eden realizes she's next. To survive and learn the truth, she must uncover a manuscript that powerful people will do anything to keep buried. But this time the world is watching, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

THE ARK FILES is the first in a pulse-pounding archaeological thriller series that asks: what if the greatest discoveries in human history are the ones we're not allowed to know about? Fans of Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and Ernest Dempsey will devour this in hours!

Check out THE ARK FILES now ➡️➡️➡️

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE...

From the icy edges of the Arctic to the roaring spectacle of the 1939 World’s Fair, James Richardson’s The Valhalla Key takes readers on a whirlwind ride through hidden history, Norse myth, and golden-age thrills. But how much of this epic is rooted in truth—and what inspired Richardson to set his story on the edge of war?

In this episode, we sit down with the author-adventurer himself to explore the real-life research, legends, and historical obsessions (looking at you, Nazi occultism) behind the novel. We talk classic adventure storytelling, lost civilizations, and what it takes to capture that pulpy, globe-trotting spirit on the page.

Richardson shares stories from his own expeditions—volcanoes, jungles, ancient ruins—and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how his archaeology background fuels his fiction. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, ancient secrets, or stories where myth collides with history, this is one you don’t want to miss.

An ancient secret. A Nazi death squad. A race to stop the end of the world.

As war looms, New York P.I. Jackson Raine is pulled into a deadly hunt for a lost Norse relic—said to unlock the Hall of Valhalla itself.

From the World's Fair to the Arctic ice, he’s up against gangsters, spies, and SS killers. The prize? A power that could unleash Ragnarök.

The Valhalla Key is a pulse-pounding historical thriller packed with golden-age adventure.

Buy now and uncover the secret before it's too late.

Episode Takeaways:

• James Richardson's novel, 'The Valhalla Key', expertly intertwines elements of history, myth, and adventure.
• The setting of 1939 serves as both a pivotal moment in history and a rich backdrop for the narrative.
• Researching historical settings such as the World's Fair requires extensive investigation into archival materials.
• The characters in 'The Valhalla Key' navigate a world filled with both tangible and mythical challenges, emphasizing the blend of fiction and reality.
• The concept of keys in Norse mythology reflects deeper themes of unlocking knowledge and destiny throughout the narrative.
• James Richardson's personal adventures and archaeological background significantly inform his storytelling approach in 'The Valhalla Key'.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my...

What happens when an archaeologist sets sail across three oceans with her family in search of story and discovery?

In this episode of The Adventure Fiction Podcast, I'm Joined by Nadine Slavinski, a woman who’s excavated ancient temples by land and sailed vast, unpredictable waters by sea. Her four-year sailing odyssey from the Mediterranean to Australia is more than a trip—it’s the kind of lived experience most adventure writers only imagine.

Silver Spider by Nadine Slavinski

Inspired by Nadine Slavinski’s real-life voyage across three oceans, Silver Spider plunges readers into a time-spanning adventure of hidden treasure, pirate secrets, and perilous clues.

From a Spanish soldier’s 1667 discovery to a modern-day sailing couple entangled in a dangerous mystery, this gripping novel weaves together the intrigue of plotting pirates, scheming cartels, and a silver spider with secrets of its own.

Check it out here.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

📚 Early and free access to my books

🎁 More fun stuff as I invent it!

Join the crew on Patreon:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Patreon

Love Adventure Stories?

If you enjoyed today’s episode, you’ll love my books—fast-paced thrillers packed with action, history, and mystery.

Check them out at LukeRichardsonAuthor.com

Thanks for tuning in! See you in the next episode of The Adventure Story Podcast. 🏆🎙

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I sit down with thriller author Andrew Warren to dive into one of the world’s most enthralling cities—Tokyo.

We explore what makes Tokyo such a captivating backdrop for storytelling and how Andrew strikes the balance between cultural authenticity and fast-paced fiction. Andrew shares vivid memories from his time in Tokyo that shaped the novel, along with insights into how he weaves setting, character values, and action into his books.

We also delve into the research behind writing about the Yakuza, and how Andrew blends gritty realism with the cinematic flair that keeps readers turning the pages!

Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, fascinated by Tokyo, or just love a good story well told, this episode is for you.

Tokyo Black by Andrew Warren is available here. Here's what it's all about:

Thomas Caine was the CIA’s deadliest killer. Then he was burned, betrayed, and left for dead.

Now he survives off the grid, currently in Pattaya, Thailand. But when a feud with local criminals lands him in jail, his old CIA masters return with an offer he can’t refuse… Rot in a Thai prison, or accept one last mission in Tokyo, Japan.

Forced to hunt the neon-lit city for a CIA asset’s runaway daughter, Caine soon crosses paths with a sinister faction of the yakuza crime syndicate and finds himself drawn into a terror plot that could throw the US and Japan into chaos.

But Caine knows a double cross when he sees one. He’s convinced someone in the CIA is manipulating him from behind the scenes. Someone who knows his past in intimate detail.

But this time, he’s not going down without a fight…

Takeaways:

• Tokyo Black captures Tokyo’s unique blend of ancient shrines and high-tech sprawl, reflecting the city’s layered identity.
• Themes of honor, duty, and redemption run through the story, reflecting the protagonist’s search for moral clarity.
• Andrew's book taps into Japanese mythology, specifically the koi fish that transforms into a dragon to mirror the hero’s journey.
• Andrew's research into the Yakuza included books, films, and Japanese video games, helping him avoid clichés while keeping things dramatic!

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

What would you give to live forever?

A lock of hair? A drop of blood? Your soul?

In this spine-tingling episode, I plunge deep into one of history’s darkest and most enduring obsessions: the quest for immortality. Blending gripping fiction with chilling real-life accounts, I'll unraveling the strange, unsettling truths behind mankind’s age-old desire to cheat death.

🩸 From medieval castles to Silicon Valley labs, the pursuit of eternal life has taken some truly bizarre turns.

Hit play to hear:

• The horrifying legend of Countess Báthory, said to have bathed in blood to preserve her youth
• The disturbing practice of parabiosis, and why tech billionaires are paying for the blood of the young
• The rise and fall of Dr. Serge Voronoff, who implanted monkey testicles in wealthy men during the 1920s
• Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, who died from his own immortality potion—and built a booby-trapped tomb that has never been opened
• Isaac Newton’s secret obsession with alchemy, the philosopher’s stone, and the fine line between genius and madness

But what if immortality isn’t just legend? What if someone actually found the secret?

In Shadow of the Sunstone, my collaboration with thriller writer John Hopton, we explore this in all its detail:

Eternal youth. Forbidden science. A pilot caught in the crossfire.

When retired Air Force pilot Nora "Sierra" Byrd is handed a relic said to unlock the secret to eternal life, she’s thrust into a global conspiracy involving ancient tombs, human experiments, and a ruthless enemy willing to kill—or die—to live forever.

Some people will do anything to escape death. Sierra’s job is to make sure they don’t succeed.

The Shadow of the Sunstone is a pulse-pounding archaeological thriller where the quest for immortality turns deadly.

Check out THE SHADOW OF THE SUNSTONE here

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

📚 Early and free access to my books

🎁 More fun stuff as I invent...

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I'm joined by travel writing legend, Rolf Potts. We have an insightful conversation about the unpredictable magic of travel and storytelling—from jumping trains and sleeping in vans to drinking kava in Vanuatu and chasing the trans-Siberian express, Rolf shares the real stories behind his adventures, and how he shapes those moments into compelling narratives.

We explore the art of slow travel, the ethics of writing about cultures that aren’t your own, and why the unexpected moments are often the most unforgettable.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler, an aspiring writer, or just someone who dreams of far-off places, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and wisdom!

Vagabonding by Rolf Potts is available here. Here’s what it’s all about:

Vagabonding is about taking an extended time away from your normal life to discover and experience the world on your own terms. Veteran shoestring traveler, Rolf Potts shows you how anyone with an independent spirit can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel. Rolf shares how you can finance your travel time, determine your destination, adjust to life on the road and much more.

Takeaways:

• Early adventures, especially your first, often leave the most lasting impact, regardless of age, the emotional resonance of those initial experiences is unmatched.
• Letting go of strict itineraries allows space for unplanned, often magical encounters that become the heart of the best travel stories.
• Writing about other cultures involves honoring their realities while translating the experience for a Western audience, without exoticizing or distorting the truth.
• From the No Baggage Challenge to playing bagpipes in Cuba, Rolf reminds us that the best adventures are about the journey itself, not the destination.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks...

In a world obsessed with bucket lists and Instagram hotspots, there are still places that feel like the pages of an untold story. The Balkans—rugged, raw, and brimming with legend—are one of them.

In this episode, I sit down with adventurer and independent travel expert Annie Sisson to uncover why this overlooked corner of Europe deserves a place in every explorer’s heart. We swap stories of winding mountain roads, crumbling fortresses, secret coastlines, and cultures shaped by centuries of upheaval and resilience.

If you’ve ever dreamed of discovering a place before the world does—or you crave that old-school, edge-of-the-map feeling—this episode is your compass. The Balkans aren’t just a destination. They’re an adventure story waiting to be lived.

Listen to my trip to Albania on the Travel Now Podcast

You can find Annie here

Takeaways:

• Travelers have long sought destinations that remain unspoiled and free from tourists.
• The Balkan Peninsula, rich in culture, is often overlooked by mainstream tourism.
• Annie Sisson emphasizes the authenticity and unpredictability of traveling in the Balkans.
• The region offers a unique blend of languages, cultures, and landscapes, enhancing the adventure.
• Public transport in the Balkans can be challenging, hence renting a car is recommended.
• Sarajevo stands out as a magical destination, blending diverse cultures and rich history.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

📚 Early and free access to my books

🎁 More fun stuff as I invent it!

Join the crew on Patreon:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Patreon

Love Adventure Stories?

If you enjoyed today’s episode, you’ll love my books—fast-paced thrillers packed with action, history, and mystery.

Check them out at LukeRichardsonAuthor.com

Thanks

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I'm joined by Andrew Clawson, bestselling author of thrillers and adventure novels, for a captivating deep dive into the enigmatic Emerald Tablet.

We explore the tablet's myth, tracing the mysterious artifact’s journey through time—from its rumored roots in ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology to its influence during the Persian Empire.

Andrew reveals how this powerful symbol of alchemy and ancient wisdom has inspired his storytelling, and how it weaves into the plots of his gripping novels. We also discuss undiscovered ancient civilizations and their influence on adventure storytelling!

The Emerald Tablet by Andrew Clawson is available here. Here's what it's all about:

An ancient Persian relic. A message etched in stone. A deadly quest across the globe to reveal the forbidden truth.

Recovering ancient relics for the Italian mob can be deadly. When Harry Fox narrowly outwits a thieving artifacts dealer to escape with his life, he quickly discovers he came away with more than he bargained for. The stone tablet with a strange tale etched on it tells of lost knowledge from the cradle of civilization – the ancient Persian Empire.

If Harry Fox thought hunting artifacts for the mob was dangerous, he has no idea what’s in store as he hurtles toward disaster to uncover the truth behind the Emerald Tablet.

Takeaways:

• The Emerald Tablet is a legendary idea more than a real artifact, tied to alchemy and mysterious ancient wisdom.
• Its most famous line is “As above, so below,” hinting at a link between the cosmos and the human soul.
• It was likely written in Arabic around the 6th–8th century and later translated into Latin, fueling Renaissance interest in alchemy.
• It blends Egyptian, Greek, and Islamic thought, showing how ancient cultures influenced one another.
• Though short, the tablet’s dense symbolism has inspired centuries of mystical, philosophical, and scientific interpretations.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on...