"If you like your history served with a slice of romance, a dash of danger and a generous helping of ancient secrets, Palmyra Road is one for your to-read list....With romance simmering the story moves at a whirlwind pace from a manor house in England to Rome, Syria, Israel, Istanbul and the South of France... This book is not just a globe-trotting thriller, it’s also a thoughtful look at faith, heritage and what we choose to preserve in a world that’s always changing... A gripping, intelligent read with characters you’ll want to follow into the planned sequel."

"I started this expecting a cerebral treasure hunt and ended up deeply moved by the human side of it. Rebecca’s memories of her captivity, Jack’s quiet grief over his first wife those moments give the story heart.

There’s a tenderness beneath all the ancient dust and mystery. And the way Simpson writes about purpose why we dig up the past at all gave me goosebumps.

Beautifully written and surprisingly emotional." 

"Absolutely gripping! Palmyra Road blends ancient Roman history with modern-day intrigue in a way that feels both intelligent and cinematic. The mix of Rebecca’s fearless determination and Jack’s grounded pragmatism makes them a fantastic duo to follow. I especially loved the diary passages from Maximus—such a clever way to bring the past alive. It reminded me of The Da Vinci Code but with more archaeological heart. Can’t wait for the next book!"

"Underneath all the adventure, The Palmyra Road asks deep questions about what we believe in religion, in love, in ourselves. I loved that.

Rebecca’s arc, especially as she reconciles her rational mind with what she uncovers, felt genuine. And the relationship between her, Jack, and the mysterious consigliere had shades of both trust and betrayal that kept me guessing.

Not a flawless book some dialogue could be sharper but a fascinating, heartfelt journey that made me want to visit Baiae myself."

"One of the things I loved most was how seamlessly Simpson bridges time from AD 137 Rome to modern-day Exeter and Baiae. The sense of continuity between the ancient architect Maximus and his descendant Jack is handled beautifully.

It’s not just about treasure hunting; it’s about legacy, truth, and the moral cost of discovery. The philosophical conversations between Rebecca and Jack are some of the best dialogue in the book.

There were moments I had to reread passages just to absorb the ideas. This isn’t a popcorn thriller it’s richer and more rewarding than that."

"This book surprised me. I picked it up expecting a standard “ancient secret” thriller, but it had so much more heart than that. The philosophical undertones — faith, loss, identity — really stuck with me.

The writing about the ancient world is beautiful, and the quotes from Marcus Aurelius at the start set the tone perfectly. You can tell Simpson knows how to blend fact with fiction without ever losing believability.

The ending left me thinking for days. I can’t wait for what I assume will be the next installment!"

"Rebecca and Jack remind me a bit of Indiana Jones if he had better emotional awareness and a girlfriend who could outthink him! Their banter and chemistry were honestly the best part for me.

I also really appreciated that the female lead isn’t just there to be rescued she’s the expert, the scholar, and often the one driving the action. P.D. Simpson gives her layers: survivor, lover, scientist, and realist.

By the time they reached Syria, I couldn’t put it down. The mix of real-world conflict and ancient mystery made it feel eerily believable. A total page-turner."