Out Now
Fantasy adventure set in a dystopian future Britain, published by WIZARD’S TOWER PRESS.
“A boy and his dog journey across very-far-future Britain, a land crawling with monsters and brimming with magic, in this enthralling and heartfelt novel. I loved it.” — Joanne Hall
“The characters burst off the page, you’ll be hooked instantly.” — Joel Cornah
In a world ravaged by rising sea level and nuclear war, Britain is a dangerous place reliant on steampunk technology. Street urchin, Ebadiah, is given a chance in life by two middle-class men who recognise his intelligence. They tell him about their secret struggle against mutated beings called gawpers who have psychic powers. When his benefactors are called up to the army to face a foreign invader, Ebadiah must deal with the gawpers by himself. He has a permanent limp, a damaged eye and little self-confidence. But with a faithful dog and some good friends, a young man can perhaps accomplish great deeds.
Listen
An excerpt from Chapter One read by actor and voice artist Trevenen Harry.
Ben Mears
Ben first began writing high fantasy as a hobbyist, later working on a series of early-medieval whodunits before self-publishing the YA Tyler May Series. His passion for fiction embraces crime, detective, historical, speculative and fantasy genres.
In addition to his role as an author, Ben is a songwriter, illustrator and graphic designer. Based in the south west of England, he is married and has three daughters. As a visiting author, he runs creative writing workshops in secondary schools and academies.
The Banyard & Mingle Mysteries were his first novels to be traditionally published. For signed copies, please visit banyardandmingle.com
In 2025, Ben signed a deal with fantasy and sci-fi publisher Wizard’s Tower Press for his dystopian novel, The Jicker Man.
Price List
You cannot order books directly from this site but prices for books supplied by the author at author events are listed below.
A sock Full of Bones £9.00
The Green Ink Ghost £9.00
The Shadow of Grayrton Mire £9.00
Seraph of the Sallow Grove £9.00
The Jicker Man £12.00
Books by Ben Mears
A Sock Full of Bones
Young private detectives, Banyard and Mingle, are out of money and out of luck when a swindled widow presents a life-changing case.
As clues reveal a treacherous shipwreck and a rotting corpse in a cage, they are confronted by brutal smugglers and ghoulish gawpers in a mystery that could cost them their lives!
However, in a dystopian world of slavery and greed, where silkers rule and threaders serve, it is not just the criminals they will have to fight…
Can justice prevail when the law itself is corrupt?
And how might a sock full of bones help bring it about?
The Green Ink Ghost
Following their success recovering King Doon’s bones, Banyard and Mingle’s services are in high demand. But when a mysterious green-ink letter claims Michael’s dead father was murdered, he is compelled to reopen a long-forgotten case…
Pursuing clues to a powerful, clandestine order and a missing young woman, the duo confront vengeful enemies and shocking truths – and then there’s Willow, a runaway slave, who bursts back into Josiah’s life with deadly effect!
With gawpers haunting and a murderer closing in, can they survive long enough to see the case through?
And if the ‘green ink ghost’ is revealed, will it be too late for justice to be done?
The Shadow of Grayrton Mire
Shadowy deaths have long made Grayrton Mire a place of gruesome legend. But when a vulnerable boy is charged with the latest killing, Banyard and Mingle brave the treacherous marshes to defend him.
Confronted by suspicious locals and rumours of a terrifying beast, they stumble into a deadly conspiracy. With the clock ticking and ruthless authorities determined to protect their secrets, they will need associates Penney and Lizzy to risk their lives if they are to uncover the truth.
Can they save the boy and discover who – or what – lies behind the sinister legend?
And will they survive a final night on the mire?
Seraph of the Sallow Grove
When the fearsome Lord Draker approaches Banyard and Mingle for help, they are immediately on their guard. Two high-profile silkers have been murdered with chilling precision, their bodies unearthed in a snowbound, sallow grove – but why would the chief of police come to them?
As the body count rises, a terrible pattern emerges, confronting Banyard and Mingle with their greatest challenge yet. Facing deadly threats and political pressures, Banyard discerns a sinisterly sacred motive, and Mingle a risky opportunity to make their investigation pay.
But can they prevent the next murder? And will the true killer be apprehended?
For author visit enquires, please visit banyardandmingle.com