On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, in Mark E. Scott’s gripping psychological thriller King of Peru, a former Marine turned college student battles the ruthless voice of a 16th-century conquistador haunting his mind, blending historical intrigue, campus drama, and raw suspense into a haunting exploration of madness, faith, and identity.
Something dark is stirring beneath the surface of everyday college life for one young man. But what if the voice inside his head isn’t madness — but history itself calling his name?
In his latest novel, King of Peru, Mark E. Scott masterfully weaves psychological suspense, campus drama, and historical intrigue. The story follows a college student grappling with a haunting presence from centuries past, exploring the thin line between delusion and destiny.
King Of Peru
At the heart of the novel is Matthew “Matt” Obrodnick, a former Marine adjusting to civilian life as a student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Matt shares an apartment near campus with two very different roommates: one gentle and philosophical, the other a power-hungry aspirant to the title King of Peru. While one is flesh and blood—his steady, chain-smoking friend Thomas—the other is a figment of Matt’s troubled imagination: the ruthless 16th-century Spanish conquistador Lope de Aguirre.
As Aguirre’s disturbingly persuasive voice grows stronger, Matt wrestles with delusions, paranoia, and violent impulses. Everyday challenges like attending classes, dealing with reportedly poisoned tap water, and navigating relationships become infinitely more complicated when cohabiting with a ghostly tyrant. Matt’s friendship with Thomas provides some grounding, but tensions rise when Thomas’s long-absent sister Renee returns, forming an unexpected romantic bond with Matt that threatens their fragile harmony.
Thomas, seeking solace in faith and family, contrasts sharply with Matt’s internal chaos. The novel delves into competing inner voices—destructive delusions on one hand, divine calling on the other—while examining themes of identity, belonging, love, mental illness, and friendship amid turmoil. Life, as Matt discovers, was definitely easier in the Marine Corps.
Mark E. Scott
Born in Galion, Ohio, Mark E. Scott grew up in various small towns across Ohio and Michigan before enlisting in the Navy. He spent years traveling the world aboard the USS Mount Whitney. Upon returning, he earned a degree in education from Miami University—the very setting that inspires much of King of Peru—before pursuing a career in banking.
Today, Scott resides in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, where he balances writing with travel and outdoor adventures.
Scott’s path to authorship began early. At age eight, a school journal assignment sparked an unstoppable urge to write, leading to early competition success. By 13, inspired by classics like Brave New World, 1984, and the Lord of the Rings series, he dreamed of writing books—though a teenage attempt with a friend to pen a Lord of the Flies-inspired story fizzled after fewer than twenty pages.
King of Peru represents a remarkable milestone: Scott’s very first completed novel, conceived decades ago, now finally seeing publication after nearly 29 years from initial idea to release. His subsequent works, including the self-published Burning Buildings and the acclaimed Drunk Log series, have honed his craft.
Insights from the Author: On Writing and Perseverance
Scott emphasizes the value of external feedback, advising aspiring writers to assemble a team of beta readers—even non-writers—for honest input. He admits that early in his career, he viewed his own words as flawless, a misconception improved only through trusted critiques.
Proud of his accomplishments, particularly the unexpected evolution of characters in his Drunk Log series, Scott affirms that every moment of doubt and struggle has been worth it. Looking ahead, he has exciting plans: a half-finished book paused for other commitments, plus ideas for a new three-book series.
With King of Peru, Scott delivers a darkly humorous yet tense exploration of the human mind, proving that echoes from history can resonate powerfully in the present. This psychological drama invites readers to question the voices demanding their loyalty—and the chaos they bring.
Find more from Mark E. Scott now:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qD9SiZ
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/45AffqS
Instagram: markescottauthor
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