Do you want to know what is hidden?
SEVEN DIALS
BURIED BENEATH THE STREETS OF LONDON,
A SECRET THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
London’s Seven Dials – an intersection of time, place and hidden secrets.
A talented journalist, Alison Hill, breaks the biggest media story in the world.
A mysterious Questor, Brad Sayers, makes an extraordinary discovery.
A powerful Guild Master vows to recover an
ancient debt.
A heart-stopping race to unravel an unbreakable puzzle, stretching from the glittering court of Charles II to the gritty back streets of modern London.
At the centre of this enigma is Thomas “Golden” Neale, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed a notorious slum into Seven Dials, defying powerful enemies and hiding an invaluable secret that could topple empires.
A Questor novel. Book One.
Coming Soon - To be publisHed 28 October 2025
THE NOVEL
Seven Dials will be RELEASED in OCTOBER 2025
Check back here for sneak previews, teasers, puzzles and videos that take you into the world of The Questors, a global network of alternative history geeks, who pursue “quests” to solve ancient mysteries and explore strange phenomena.
If you would like to register early to receive a signed copy of Seven Dials before the publication date, press “Find Out More” and we will be in touch.
SEVEN DIALS
The past, THE PRESENT AND THE PUZZLE
Seven Dials – an enigmatic London district where time, place, and hidden secrets intersect.
When a dramatic incident brings chaos to the area, ambitious reporter Alison Hill witnesses Brad Sayers’s sensational discovery but becomes a target of dark forces determined to bury the past. Forming an uneasy alliance with Brad – a mercurial “Questor” with secrets of his own – Alison is thrust into a desperate race to solve an unbreakable puzzle that spans 300 years, from the glittering court of Charles II to the gritty backstreets of modern London. At the heart of this enigma is Thomas “Golden” Neale, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed a notorious slum into Seven Dials, defying powerful enemies and hiding an invaluable secret that could topple empires. Alison’s savvy intelligence and daring are tested to the limit as she unearths a world where science and magic still co-exist.
In the past, a brilliant entrepreneur, Thomas Neale, seamlessly navigates the worlds of politics, business, and the Court but finds only empty fulfilment in his pursuit of unlimited wealth. He traverses a realm where ambition, magic, and science intertwine, becomes fabulously wealthy with the assistance of Daniel Defoe, and faces ruin when his relationship with Isaac Newton turns sour. Desperate to leave a meaningful legacy and atone for the prodigal sins of his past, he defies the powerful Guilds to transform a notorious London slum into a new district called Seven Dials, hiding an invaluable secret that could topple empires.
Seven Dials is a historical novel like no other. It unfolds simultaneously as a fantastical adventure in the present while revealing the untold story of Thomas Neale, an extraordinary figure in late-seventeenth-century London. Known as “Golden Neale,” he was among England's wealthiest men and one of the most influential figures of his age. However, he died, apparently penniless, and his grave is unknown.
Seven Dials - a mesmerising blend of historical intrigue and contemporary thriller that will captivate fans of Dan Brown, Kate Mosse, and Ben Aaronovitch.
The AUTHOR - JOHN DORE
John Dore was born and educated in Yorkshire before making his home south of the river in London. His lifelong fascination with ancient mysteries led him to create the fictional world of “Questors” – a global network of alternative history sleuths who challenge conventional understandings of our past. After a distinguished career in the City and internationally, John now leads the flagship executive programme at LBS, one of the world’s leading business schools. His experience provides a unique lens for exploring organisational behaviour, leadership, and culture.
An award-winning author, his leadership book GLUE: Transforming Leadership in a Hybrid World (Routledge) won the 2024 Business Book of the Year (Leadership). His debut novel, SEVEN DIALS – The Past, The Present and The Puzzle of Thomas Neale, combines meticulous historical research with an explorer’s passion for uncovering the esoteric clues connecting seemingly disparate events. When not working with business leaders to create cohesion, he can be found exploring ancient lanes, coastal paths and old hostelries, contemplating the extraordinary people that conventional history has overlooked. You can find out more at www.thequestor.com.
