Cover of The Unseen Hand of Peter Gyges

What readers have said about The Unseen Hand of Peter Gyges:

“A well written easy read novel that grabs your interest in the first few pages. The author knows how to weave a compelling story-line, develop characters, and write both description and conversation that reads well. This would be a good book for anyone who enjoys spy or mystery novels.” (Ron Summers)

“Richards has an excellent ear for dialogue, and is at his best in portraying of the changing relationships among the characters.” (Peter Grady)

“Morality tale? Thriller? Mystery? How about all three? The book barrels forward on an ocean of clever dialogue and interesting characters.” (T. Mesich)

“Damn you, R.L. Richards! Because of you and your exceptional book, the garden was not weeded, the dusting and vacuuming went undone and food was ordered in, as I had no time to cook. All I wanted to do was keep reading”. (V. Navarro)

The Unseen Hand of Peter Gyges

Background and inspiration

In the Republic, Plato asks the question: are people good because they value being good or are they good because they are afraid of getting caught and punished? What if they could act with impunity; no matter what they did they would not be seen doing it. Would there be any limits to their ambition and self-serving? Plato recounts an ancient tale known as the Ring of Gyges. A lowly shepherd Gyges comes into the possession of a ring that provides him with the impunity of being invisible. He takes full advantage through intrigue, adultery and murder to become the king of Lydia. Richards transports Gyges into the corporate world of the 21st Century.

Richards writes The Unseen Hand of Peter Gyges as a straight forward thriller. But underneath the fast moving plot, he presents us with the same psychological and moral fears as Plato. The arc of a life not guided by the love of the good and unhinged by feelings of immunity devolves into deception, intrigue, greed, betrayal and murder. The Unseen Hand of Peter Gyges is a fast paced, suspense thriller rooted in the rise and fall of a man incapable of or unwilling to reflect on and relinquish a seemingly unqualified advantage.

Here is an interview with the author on an episode of the podcast “Philosophy Universe” hosted by Professor Alfredo McLaughlin of St. Ambrose University: https://philosophyuniverse.blog/2023/06/30/7-an-interview-with-randy-richards-author-of-the-unseen-hand-of-peter-gyges/

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To reach the author:
Randy Richards
309-781-7064
randyrichards49@gmail.com