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Richard Ayre
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Minstrel's Bargain: The Prophecy Trilogy Book One Kindle Edition

by Richard Ayre (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 101 ratings
An ordinary man. An age old evil. A blood-soaked nightmare with no escape. When reporter Phil Sturgess hears of a new rock band called Minstrel's Bargain, his life descends into horror. As the city he lives in succumbs to ever more violent and macabre episodes of shocking murders and barbarous acts of self-destruction, Sturgess begins to understand that there is something very wrong with Minstrel's Bargain. Something very wrong indeed. With time running out for humanity, Sturgess is threatened with an ancient malevolence. And to stop it, he is forced to confront the terrifying stranger who has been dogging his footsteps for months. The only question is; will Sturgess do what needs to be done? If not, the souls of millions will be destroyed.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Prophecy Trilogy
  2. Print length
    391 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    14 Oct. 2016
  6. File size
    2.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01M6X9WNO
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 14 Oct. 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 391 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Prophecy Trilogy
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 101 ratings

About the author

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Richard Ayre

Richard Ayre

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Richard Ayre was born in Northumberland too many years ago to remember, and teaches History for a living. He is the author of The Prophecy Trilogy Books; Minstrel's Bargain, Minstrel's Renaissance and Minstrel's Requiem, and he has also written Point of Contact, a Sci-Fi chiller, and A Life Eternal, a speculative historical novel. He lives in the North East of England where he continues to write whenever he can. When not writing, or putting children on detention, he can be found pottering around the Northumberland landscape on his motorcycle, Tanya. You can contact Richard at www.richardayreauthor.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
101 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great page-turner with an engaging plot and heart-pounding mix of horror. The writing style receives positive feedback for its well-crafted descriptions and easy readability, while the characters are believable and the humor is appreciated. Moreover, the book is set in the North East and includes local references, and customers praise its imaginative storytelling.

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29 customers mention ‘Story quality’29 positive0 negative

Customers describe this book as a great page-turner with an engaging plot.

"WARNING: This book with capture your soul!..." Read more

"‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is the first in a musical horror trilogy of epic proportions...." Read more

"...heavy metal are excellent and add a great deal to the story Well worth a read and I look forward to the next part of the trilogy." Read more

"...The writing was good and kept me hooked to the end. Couple of deep breaths now before I pick up the courage to buy the next one." Read more

19 customers mention ‘Horror content’16 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the horror content of the book, describing it as a heart-pounding mix of rock horror, with one customer noting its sickening gory detail.

"...Ayre combines a dry, easy-going, humorous style with a level of sickening gory detail that leaves nothing to the imagination...." Read more

"...I also loved the part based in Australia and the links with rock and heavy metal are excellent and add a great deal to the story Well worth a read..." Read more

"...Each and every one of the isolated stories breathed life and realness into the main one, showing the repercussions of the main events were far and..." Read more

"...little predictable, but this was countered superbly by Mr Ayre’s graphic narrative and fabulous characterisation; never did I confuse one character..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Writing style’10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read with well-crafted descriptions, and one customer notes how a few words create vivid pictures and feelings.

"...the north east that place the storylines in time and place in a very believable way...." Read more

"...I liked the tension of the writing; it keeps up to the very end as Sturgess’ David takes on the Minstrel’s Goliath...." Read more

"...do not want to reveal in its blood, Richard Ayre's simple, easy to read style of writing enables you to tune out to those parts, if you so choose...." Read more

"...This is, without doubt, attributed to The author’s clean writing style where seldom is a word wasted or unnecessary...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Character development’9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them all believable, with one customer particularly enjoying the tramp persona.

"...The characters are authentic and multi-faceted and you find yourself feeling genuine empathy for them with the terrible events that are unfolding..." Read more

"...Ayre’s writing is competent and enduring, giving each character just enough life to keep us interested before they are violently ripped from the..." Read more

"...It is gory horror, but with touches of humour, interesting character development and descriptions of Newcastle and the north east that place the..." Read more

"...Perfect! Even the minor characters had character...." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Humour’7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humorous style and good writing, with one customer noting the playful bantering type dialogue.

"...Ayre combines a dry, easy-going, humorous style with a level of sickening gory detail that leaves nothing to the imagination...." Read more

"...Ayre’s writing is competent and enduring, giving each character just enough life to keep us interested before they are violently ripped from the..." Read more

"...It is gory horror, but with touches of humour, interesting character development and descriptions of Newcastle and the north east that place the..." Read more

"...The writing was good and kept me hooked to the end. Couple of deep breaths now before I pick up the courage to buy the next one." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Showcasing of local attractions’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book is set in the North East and includes local references, with one customer particularly enjoying the Australian setting.

"...I also loved the part based in Australia and the links with rock and heavy metal are excellent and add a great deal to the story Well worth a read..." Read more

"...The author has included a few nice local North-East references and with an obvious passion for the rock music of the 80s that forms the backdrop of..." Read more

"...Loved seeing locations I actually know and have been to" Read more

"...be disappointed with this, mixed with some rock music and North East areas of interest. A brilliant present for any reader...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Imagination’6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's imagination, with one customer highlighting its unique piece of work and another appreciating the beauty of the city's architecture.

"...Spanning lifetimes and generations, the darkness in this story is a legendary and mythological one...." Read more

"...upon Tyne in the late 80s this author captures the beauty of the architecture of the city and the atmosphere of living in a city adapting from a..." Read more

"...He is far better than this ending! He is imaginative, witty, has the ability to make the bland come to life through words...." Read more

"...passion for the rock music of the 80s that forms the backdrop of this devilishly good book, it is an excellent book to add to any collection." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Ease of use’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use.

"...Ayre combines a dry, easy-going, humorous style with a level of sickening gory detail that leaves nothing to the imagination...." Read more

"...was amazing, a simple hero's journey down to its basics, not complicated in essence but totally unpredictable in the path it took to bring our hero..." Read more

"Very easy to get into and each chapter left me wanting to read the next..." Read more

A Dark and Epic Novel
4 out of 5 stars
A Dark and Epic Novel
‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is the first in a musical horror trilogy of epic proportions. Spanning lifetimes and generations, the darkness in this story is a legendary and mythological one. Our protagonist Philip, a young music journalist with the world at his feet, becomes embroiled in the fight against this evil when his hometown of Newcastle is overrun with an obsession with a new rock band, and numerous and sporadic violent events. Finding the connection between these two things is the only way for Philip to stop them and save the people around him, but he is loathe to look to deeply into the shadows. Reminiscent of ‘The Dark’ by James Herbert, ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a succession of insanity fueled horrifying incidents, held together by the strange events currently affecting Philip Sturgess’ life. After listening to music of the new sensation that is ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’, a band from the states that has swept the airwaves like a tsunami, listeners may find that they have dark and violent impulses that must be sated – whether it’s their friends, work mates, or even their own mother who draws their eye. Ayre’s writing is competent and enduring, giving each character just enough life to keep us interested before they are violently ripped from the pages. While cosmic horror-ish elements of the mysterious ‘tramp’ and the world which he inhabits did slow the pace of the book somewhat, overall ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a novel that stretches across time, about an evil that annihilates everyone in it’s path, and the time honoured tradition of a chosen one who must fight it. And who better to take down an evil band than a music critic?
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • M. C. Gibson
    5.0 out of 5 stars One hell of a tale!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    WARNING: This book with capture your soul! Well, not really, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know what happens next at every turn. I can't tell you the number of times I have nearly missed my Metro stop in the past couple of weeks as I have been so engrossed in the pages of this novel. Ayre combines a dry, easy-going, humorous style with a level of sickening gory detail that leaves nothing to the imagination. If blood and guts are your thing then this is the book for you! Ayre captures the essense of Newcastle in the 1980s so well one would almost think that the book was written at the time. The characters are authentic and multi-faceted and you find yourself feeling genuine empathy for them with the terrible events that are unfolding taking over their lives. No doubt a holywood blockbuster in the making, if you're looking for something to get your heart pumping this summer then look no further than Minstrel's Bargain!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Gloria
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Dark and Epic Novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is the first in a musical horror trilogy of epic proportions. Spanning lifetimes and generations, the darkness in this story is a legendary and mythological one. Our protagonist Philip, a young music journalist with the world at his feet, becomes embroiled in the fight against this evil when his hometown of Newcastle is overrun with an obsession with a new rock band, and numerous and sporadic violent events. Finding the connection between these two things is the only way for Philip to stop them and save the people around him, but he is loathe to look to deeply into the shadows.

    Reminiscent of ‘The Dark’ by James Herbert, ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a succession of insanity fueled horrifying incidents, held together by the strange events currently affecting Philip Sturgess’ life. After listening to music of the new sensation that is ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’, a band from the states that has swept the airwaves like a tsunami, listeners may find that they have dark and violent impulses that must be sated – whether it’s their friends, work mates, or even their own mother who draws their eye.

    Ayre’s writing is competent and enduring, giving each character just enough life to keep us interested before they are violently ripped from the pages. While cosmic horror-ish elements of the mysterious ‘tramp’ and the world which he inhabits did slow the pace of the book somewhat, overall ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a novel that stretches across time, about an evil that annihilates everyone in it’s path, and the time honoured tradition of a chosen one who must fight it. And who better to take down an evil band than a music critic?
    Customer image
    Gloria
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    A Dark and Epic Novel

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2021
    ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is the first in a musical horror trilogy of epic proportions. Spanning lifetimes and generations, the darkness in this story is a legendary and mythological one. Our protagonist Philip, a young music journalist with the world at his feet, becomes embroiled in the fight against this evil when his hometown of Newcastle is overrun with an obsession with a new rock band, and numerous and sporadic violent events. Finding the connection between these two things is the only way for Philip to stop them and save the people around him, but he is loathe to look to deeply into the shadows.

    Reminiscent of ‘The Dark’ by James Herbert, ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a succession of insanity fueled horrifying incidents, held together by the strange events currently affecting Philip Sturgess’ life. After listening to music of the new sensation that is ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’, a band from the states that has swept the airwaves like a tsunami, listeners may find that they have dark and violent impulses that must be sated – whether it’s their friends, work mates, or even their own mother who draws their eye.

    Ayre’s writing is competent and enduring, giving each character just enough life to keep us interested before they are violently ripped from the pages. While cosmic horror-ish elements of the mysterious ‘tramp’ and the world which he inhabits did slow the pace of the book somewhat, overall ‘Minstrel’s Bargain’ is a novel that stretches across time, about an evil that annihilates everyone in it’s path, and the time honoured tradition of a chosen one who must fight it. And who better to take down an evil band than a music critic?
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    One person found this helpful
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  • Sue Oxley
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great page-turner of a book in the new rock-horror genre!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a real page turner, goes along at a cracking pace and really deserves to be a film. It is gory horror, but with touches of humour, interesting character development and descriptions of Newcastle and the north east that place the storylines in time and place in a very believable way. I also loved the part based in Australia and the links with rock and heavy metal are excellent and add a great deal to the story Well worth a read and I look forward to the next part of the trilogy.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J B Books
    5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this book and sincerely hope this is the first of many from Mr Richard Ayre.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    WOW! I cannot believe this is a first novel by a new author. Minstrel's Bargain reads like an offering from a practiced author who has already honed his skills on previous work. While this book offers the reader the sheer horror and gore of an early James Herbert and the infinite battle between good and evil to be found in John Connolly's Charlie Parker series this is a unique piece of work. Set in Newcastle upon Tyne in the late 80s this author captures the beauty of the architecture of the city and the atmosphere of living in a city adapting from a pre1984 predominantly working class environment to the metropolitan city it is about to become. Thankfully the author manages to tell a story set in Newcastle without resorting to "Geordie clichés" or badly attempted accents. Placing events of such biblical proportions on the shoulders of well described everyday characters such as the main protagonist and his girlfriend gives a sense of the supernatural being a little too close for comfort. The author takes care to flesh out even the most minor characters in the book which makes whatever befalls them all the more moving. I must admit that there were times I actually felt fear at turning to the next page but had to do so as I had become so involved with the characters. I highly recommend this book and sincerely hope this is the first of many from Mr Richard Ayre.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • A. Lockwood
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enough blood and gore to keep hardened horror fans on their toes.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first book in a trilogy and what a start it was. Set in Newcastle of the late eighties, we delve into the world of emerging rock bands and the journalists that report on them. Philip Sturgess is one of those young journalists that write for a heavy metal magazine. He is happy with his life and girlfriend Shelley until he is sent to report on emerging rock group ‘Minstrels bargain’. The tension builds slowly as you realise Kick Bizarre is not your average rock star. The horror that follows comes as a shock, when people start to behave in rather zombie like trances and inflict gruesome acts. This horror novel has enough blood and gore to keep hardened horror fans on their toes. I liked the tension of the writing; it keeps up to the very end as Sturgess’ David takes on the Minstrel’s Goliath. We have seen the plot of good versus evil and a battle for the souls before, but Richard Ayre brings something fresh to the table by setting it in the eighties uk music scene. The writing was good and kept me hooked to the end. Couple of deep breaths now before I pick up the courage to buy the next one.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Loretta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic horror at its best!
    Reviewed in Canada on 16 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was in the mood for horror and boy did I get it. Dark and gruesome, fascinating characters, intriguing plot, and the "showdown" ending was wicked. The 80's rock scene, demons, hell, good vs evil, mystery, suspense, murder, & mayhem all combined made this one heck of a great read.

    Absolutely loved Richard Ayre's story telling, writing style, and his imagination is incredible.
    I actually had nightmares when I read this book before going to bed and that is my kind of story!

    In his bio the author says: "Minstrel's Bargain is my first novel but I am working on another project at the minute before I intend to write the second novel of what will eventually be a trilogy concerning the demon called Minstrel." I for one am definitely looking forward to the next book!
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  • Rona Trout
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in the United States on 2 June 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This story pulled me in and kept me on the edge of my seat holding on like a rollercoaster ride! I couldn't put it down. Every time I thought I figured out the plot it would charge down another horror hallway and blow my mind! I must read Renaissance to find out if I should be concerned for my soul! No music for me for awhile!
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  • Angel P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars All of the things
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 September 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Creepy and interesting
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