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Marius’ Mules series

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MM series

The Marius’ Mules series by S.J.A Turney.

Following the career of the legate Marcus Falerius Fronto in the army of Julius Caesar from 58BC, this series of military historical action novels tells the tale of the great conquest and revolt of Gaul. The bestselling series has received praise and recommendation from readers and reviewers alike and will continue in Summer 2021 with book 14

The books are available in 9″x6″ paperback format from Amazon or CreateSpace and in various e-Formats, including Amazon’s kindle, the Kobo, iTunes and Nook, and from Smashwords

Have a look at my Facebook page for photos of the locations in my books, including this series HERE

All the latest news on this series and others is available on Facebook, on my Twitter feed and on my website.

Written by SJAT

May 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm

100 Responses

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  1. When can we expect to get Marius’ Mules VI ?????

    Like

    Dianne

    August 19, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    • Currently in process, Dianne, for a release in very early 2014. πŸ™‚ Cheers.

      Like

      SJAT

      August 19, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    • When can we expect Marius’ Mules VIII? My favorite series in books.

      Like

      Richard Guenther

      July 30, 2015 at 1:52 am

      • In about a month’s time, Richard. Should be on Amazon fro Pre-order in a week or so, matey. Cheers. πŸ™‚

        Like

        SJAT

        July 30, 2015 at 9:04 am

  2. love this series cant wait for the next 1.

    Like

    michael

    November 21, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    • Cheers, Michael. Book 6 shaping up for a release in the New Year. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      November 21, 2013 at 4:07 pm

      • Love this series and think it would make a very good tv series like game of thrones as done

        Like

        michael

        February 27, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    • Cheers Michael. πŸ™‚ Ottoman tale for now, but it’s my master plan to have MM7 out before the end of the year too!

      Like

      SJAT

      February 27, 2014 at 4:51 pm

  3. Can’t wait already read the latest 1

    Like

    michael

    February 27, 2014 at 5:00 pm

  4. love love love this series, i have read them all including the prelude to war while waiting for no 7 ! i have downloaded all your other books to keep me busy,, keep them coming

    Like

    martina mcdonnell

    March 2, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    • Wayhey! Cheers, Martina. Am busy on Ottoman book 3 at the moment, but MM7 looms after that. πŸ™‚ Got to go walk the circumvallation of Alesia before that.

      Like

      SJAT

      March 2, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      • love all the empire books, just finished the dark empress last night! the ending was perfect i was wondering what would happen to Asima in the end there were so many possibilities , im off to read the theifs tale now!

        Like

        martina mcdonnell

        March 6, 2014 at 12:08 am

    • Hope you enjoy. The Ottoman Cycle are some of my fave stories so far. Heading to Istanbul next week on research for book 4. ::-)

      Like

      SJAT

      March 6, 2014 at 12:11 am

      • cant wait to start on book 3 of ottoman cycle, love sikirous just as much as fronto! i will be heading to istanbul next year i will have to get some tips on places to visit πŸ™‚

        Like

        martina mcdonnell

        March 28, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      • I will be happy to give you any help for an excellent trip, Martina. πŸ™‚ Book 3 is nearing completion now.

        Like

        SJAT

        March 31, 2014 at 6:51 pm

  5. Just read all 6 Marius Mules + Prelude to War. Great books. I especially like the technical details about the legions: battle tactics, building projects etc. Brilliant! Looking forward to Book V11.

    Like

    Patricia Craig

    March 15, 2014 at 9:58 am

    • Wow. Sorry about the MASSIVE delay in my reply. I just this morning discovered 3 comments that WordPress seems to have glossed over without telling me! Thank you, Patricia. And now, 2 books on, hopefully you’re still looking forward to book IX πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      May 7, 2016 at 9:51 am

  6. Help!

    I am in total addiction withdrawal since finishing V6. Please, o-please, o-please ……. πŸ™‚

    Like

    Terry RHodes

    May 29, 2014 at 12:12 am

    • Hi Terry. MM7 is due out on Halloween, so not that long to wait. πŸ™‚ Glad you’re enjoying the books. Cheers.

      Like

      SJAT

      May 29, 2014 at 8:06 am

  7. Terry: Any hope of a prequel to the “Mules…”series ie:Caesar in Spain?

    Like

    Char

    July 29, 2014 at 3:32 am

    • Hi Terry. You know, that had never occurred to me! But I have a grand arc for the series that ends on book 15 so there’s a way to go yet. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      July 29, 2014 at 8:41 am

  8. Probably the best series of books I have ever read – I have enjoyed every one – can’t wait for MM7 πŸ™‚

    Like

    Peter

    August 7, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    • Wow. Tremendously high praise, Peter! Thank you from the bottom of my heart/my bottle (whichever is deeper tonight!) MM7 is approaching at a rate of knots. Cheers and thanks again.

      Si

      Like

      SJAT

      August 7, 2014 at 8:23 pm

  9. Write faster you lazy sod. The end of Prelude To War was great: they were heading to see Fronto πŸ™‚ Actually, I was seriously impressed with PtW, I thought it your best writing yet.

    I’ve had to buy some of your other books for my Kindle to keep me going. Now I see the place-holder ‘late October’ I can revisit the early books in advance. The impulse to download your first Fronto was one of those decisions I am most happy about; up there with my impulse purchase of Patrick O’Brian’s first Aubrey and Maturin paperback many years ago. Yes, that is high praise, and you may feel smug if you wish.

    Like

    Vince

    August 20, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    • Thanks, Vince. That was a nice message to find waiting. πŸ™‚ Release date for MM7 is Halloween. Not that it’s going to feature vampires mind… Heh heh heh. Hope you like the other books too. Cheers, Si.

      Like

      SJAT

      August 20, 2014 at 1:44 pm

  10. M.Mules book 8 read the rest which I really enjoyed,is book 8 out yet?

    Like

    Peter hemming

    May 7, 2015 at 9:15 am

    • Hi Peter. Book 8 will be out this summer. It is in process at the moment. Glad you’re enjoying them. Have a good day, and I’m going back to making Fronto’s life difficult. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      May 7, 2015 at 10:54 am

  11. Thanks for your Marius series, have read them twice, second time with map-in-hand! I live on the west coast of USA, now I know I must plan a trip to Europe to see some of these sites, especially Alesia. While waiting for Mules 8, I guess I will journey off to learn about the Ottoman world. I appreciate your craftsmanship, best wishes.

    Like

    Steve Buckley

    May 24, 2015 at 5:11 am

  12. Excellent, Steve. Reminds me of a Turkish guy I watched some videos of a while back. Check this out:

    There was also an amazing vid of a guy shooting while leaping from a fast horse, still managing to put three arrows into a bull before he hit the floor and rolled back to standing!

    Si

    Like

    SJAT

    May 26, 2015 at 9:42 pm

  13. When iare the mules going to start braying again? I can’t wait for Marius’ Mules VIII

    Like

    Richard Guenther

    June 11, 2015 at 9:00 am

    • Hi Richard. Planned release for book 8 is August.

      πŸ™‚

      Si

      Like

      SJAT

      June 11, 2015 at 9:10 am

      • nice one i have just reread the series waiting for it, trust me this is the only series i would even consider rereading.

        Like

        jade152

        June 11, 2015 at 10:14 pm

      • Yay. Cheers, Jade. Book 8 not far off now. πŸ™‚

        Like

        SJAT

        June 11, 2015 at 10:21 pm

  14. I also can’t wait for the next book. I can foresee Fonto marching with Octavian. I believe I posted a similar comment several years ago but, its worth repeating I also am in the process of rereading the series in preparation for book 8.
    Thank you for a great series of books I rarely have the pleasure of anxiously anticipating the next book in series.

    Like

    Dan

    August 18, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    • Cheers, Dan. Oddly, given the fact that book 8 isn’t quite out yet, it’s book 10 I’m most looking forward to! πŸ˜‰

      Like

      SJAT

      August 18, 2015 at 8:13 pm

  15. Fret! I see book 8 is available now, but only for the kindle. Will there be a paperback version?

    Thank you.

    Like

    Marilyn

    September 10, 2015 at 3:57 pm

  16. Hi again,

    Last time I posted here I suggested you should write faster; I won’t be so rude again πŸ˜‰

    I read VIII last September, and I thought it a very good book; I was one that was glad you put the work into it rather than skip to the historical ‘highlights.’

    Today I had a look on Amazon to see if there was anything to be found. I found a new Praetorian book published in December, and as there are now two I bought both of those. But I’ve come back here looking for news on Fronto.

    So, Si, what’s the word? Are you working on IX, or are you plotting in you head at least? Will we see a Fronto sometime this year at all?

    Regards

    Liked by 2 people

    Vince

    February 13, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    • Hi Vince. I’ve a bit of a complex year in respect of scheduled writing, as I’ve been contracted to write another fantasy novel, plus I’ve committed to a joint project with Christian Cameron, but I have a detailed plan ready for MM9, and a rough plan for book 10 too. My original plan called for MM9 to be out mid-summer this year. I’m hoping to shuffle things around enough to get MM9 out by late summer or early Autumn. But the upshot is I fully intent to have Fronto stomping around the hills with a legion, grumbling and moaning and decapitating the odd nutcase at some point in 2016. πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      SJAT

      February 13, 2016 at 6:24 pm

  17. I have read all of Marius Mules 1 thru 8 and I must say that the object of your verbs need a little working on. Having readers check your writing still leaves said objects out there. There is a difference between floor, the ground, the grass, the planking, and whatever is more definitive. I have enjoyed the story and the history, being Retired US Army, I find do not really like to provide the objects to your verbs. I understand the Queen’s English, remender we left when it was the King’s English. Military writing requires definition in objects. as my English Army friends have too me over the years, so please try to help us poor uninformed readers.

    Like

    Jim Benoit

    March 15, 2016 at 12:44 am

  18. Thank you. I’ve had the great fun of reading all the MM series as well as the two Praetorian books. Do you have plans to complete a significant number more in the Praetorian series. If so what is the schedule

    Like

    Ed Cavenagh

    March 20, 2016 at 3:40 am

    • Sorry about the delay in my reply, Ed. For some reason, WordPress decided your comment was spam without telling me. Thank you, my friend. I plan to continue releasing one book a year for each series. MM9: Pax Romana will be out late summer, and Praetorian 3: Eagles of Dacia in late autumn/winter. The MM series is planned to run to a final book 15. There are very specific reasons for that number, and we’re on the slope into Civil war now. Praetorian has a definite 5 book arc. There might be more beyond that if interest holds. Have a good weekend and sorry again for the slow reply

      Like

      SJAT

      May 7, 2016 at 9:41 am

  19. I’ve read up to book V and the series is great. I’m in The US Army and I’ve thought ROTC for three years. I used some examples of leadership within these books in order to teach leadership. In fact, I put this series on my recommended reading list. Great series and I feel any military person sees a little Fronto in themselves.

    Like

    Marco Ramello

    May 7, 2016 at 8:29 am

    • Hi Marco. Thank you and… wow! That’s one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had. I’m a little humbled by that. I used to know the British Army Air Corps well, and had several friends at NCO level. My centurions are largely based on them. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      May 7, 2016 at 9:38 am

      • It makes sense that you used your British Army NCO friends as examples. I’ve served in Afghanistan and Belize with British Soldiers and they are truly professionals.

        Like

        Marco Ramello

        May 7, 2016 at 10:34 am

  20. I’ve found them generally to be utterly professional except in private (or in the sergeants’ mess) when they are dangerously comedic animals! I can’t imagine the US Army is vastly different in that respect πŸ˜‰

    Like

    SJAT

    May 7, 2016 at 11:50 am

    • Hilariously accurate!
      You mentioned Air Service. The unit I worked with in Belize was 25 Flight. Great bunch and they made things happen for us. They left for Canada in 2011.
      I’m stationed in Europe now (possibly my last stint after 26 years) and I hope to work with Brits again.
      Back to the books; I’m on MM5 but I downloaded all the rest. Though I like holding a book, with the amount of travel I do, I prefer my iPhone or Kindle.
      I’ll catch some of your other books as soon as I’m done with the MM series.

      Like

      Marco Ramello

      May 7, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      • Hope you enjoy 6-8. I particularly liked 6 myself, though 7 seems to be more popular. Heh heh. Which country are you based in at the moment?

        Like

        SJAT

        May 7, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      • I’m in Italy a little ways from Verona. I mention that ’cause I’m sure you must’ve traveled through here for research. I’m sure you’ve especially checked out the Coliseum in Verona.

        Being assigned here is great and one of the things I’ve wanted to do all my life. My father was a partisan during the war in Torino. I’ve always wanted to see his little town of Santa Rita. It baffles me how he could’ve left such a beautiful country. But I’m sure Italy was quite different in 1951. I always wanted to know his story during the war but he only spoke of it, once. His story along with him died in 2007. That story must’ve been epic.

        Liked by 1 person

        Marco Ramello

        May 8, 2016 at 8:54 am

  21. Actually I’ve never done the north of Italy, though it’s on my list, of course. I’ve been to Florence, Venice, Naples area and Rome repeatedly, but that’s it. Your dad’s story sound like it must have been quite something. It’s terribly sad when a generation passes on and takes unfinished tales with them. My grandad and great aunt both passed and with them went what I suspect was an epic tale from the war which was responsible for the fact that she never married. I’ve always suspected what happened, but will now never know for certain. Oh, and I did wonder whether you were 1st or 2nd generation Italian from the name. Nice to be posted in your family’s old lands. Must be amazing.

    Like

    SJAT

    May 8, 2016 at 9:29 am

    • It was an emotional assignment to say the least. I am 1st gen USA and my father wasn’t too keen on me joining the army in ’89. He said, “You shouldn’t run to war, you should run from it!” Though he was proud to see me in my uniform when I graduated Basic he was even more proud when I pinned on 2LT after OCS. But the Twin Towers were on his mind and he knew I was going see action, soon. The last conversation we had together was on the Santa Barabra Pier in California, smoking a cigarette and drinking espresso as he told me the one and only story his war. Hah! Maybe this isn’t the forum to discuss things. Thanks for listening.
      Cheers.

      Like

      Marco Ramello

      May 8, 2016 at 9:56 am

  22. Any idea on when the new mm book is coming out!? Absolutely love the series

    Like

    Michael

    May 24, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    • Hi Michael. Thank you my friend. πŸ™‚ MM9 will be out late summer. It’s all planned in fine detail and the main write starts on Monday. Fronto’s on his way to the Pyrenees with an army of old men this year!

      Like

      SJAT

      May 24, 2016 at 5:33 pm

      • Yesss!!! cant wait!!!!!!!! Seriously cant even tell you how many times I’ve read and reread the series lol just wanna say thanks for the hours and hours of entertainment πŸ˜›

        Like

        Michael Robinson

        June 20, 2016 at 1:44 am

      • πŸ™‚ Cheers, my friend.

        Like

        SJAT

        June 20, 2016 at 7:41 am

  23. For the third time I have completed the marius series, yes all nine of them, for the third time. Why three times? well why not. Each time I read them I find them as refreshing and funny as the first. Caesars Commentaries are not as much fun, but as I still wait for that elusive MM10. I can always read praetorian once more.. By the way after serving in the British Army, 10 years, My old memories cannot find an officer like Fronto. A lot of boozy foul-mouthed NCO.s yes, but none like Fronto. I await with my finger poised waiting to find out more about our hero and his friends. SOON I hope.

    Like

    George Stenhouse

    August 4, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    • Hi George. Great to hear such nice things, and nice to speak to you. Next up is MM9: Pax Gallica, and it’s almost ready. It’ll be out in mid September. πŸ™‚ And I know what you mean. I’ve met a couple of colonels who would have trouble counting without using their fingers and toes and with an overbite you could open a beer with! But I also knew two captains who were more like Fronto than they’d care to admit. One made it to Major for a while but was so outspoken and troublesome he got busted back down! Heh heh heh. But WO2s I’ve met quite a few over the years who could have made a great centurion πŸ™‚

      Cheers and have a great weekend.

      Si

      Like

      SJAT

      August 4, 2016 at 6:18 pm

  24. Any new news on mm9?

    Like

    Michael

    September 9, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    • I did read the mid September comment just wondering if you had an exact date. Can’t help but check five times a day lol be a whole lot easier if I had an exact date lol

      Like

      Michael

      September 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm

  25. I went to the link you provided to pre-order it. Said it’s not available for kindle version in my country (usa) tried looking for it through my Amazon/kindle but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Do you have a link or something for a us version?

    Like

    Michael Robinson

    September 14, 2016 at 5:58 pm

  26. Mr gurney
    Can you advise what novel describes Fronto being given his gladius on the battlefield

    Like

    Andrew Kayes

    July 21, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    • Hi Andrew. If you mean the expensive one with the embossed orichalcum hilt he carries now he took it from the Tribune Menenius at the end of book 4. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      July 22, 2017 at 10:04 am

  27. I have just discovered the series. I am on book three at the moment. love them. I am a Celt but I am rooting for Fronto and the 10th.

    Like

    Catherine Doolan

    September 6, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    • Hi Catherine. πŸ™‚ Hard not to root for Fronto! Glad you’re enjoying the books.

      Like

      SJAT

      September 7, 2017 at 5:47 am

  28. When will XI be released? Great Series! Please let the Mules march soon.

    Like

    Richard Guenther

    April 3, 2018 at 6:00 am

    • Hi Richard. Book XI will be out this summer. More soon. Cheers πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      April 3, 2018 at 8:32 am

  29. On book VIII and X in the side line, starting to get panicky for XI but glad it will be out this year. I am a grey haired old Granny who cannot put your books down. You keep writing I’ll keep being around to read them. Thank you

    Like

    Evelyn

    May 26, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    • Hi Evelyn. Thank you for that πŸ™‚ Book 11 will be put in the summer. Hard at work on that, Templar 2, Commodus and Praetorian 4!!!

      Like

      SJAT

      May 27, 2018 at 9:15 am

      • When can we expect MM 12

        Like

        Bill Schmitz

        October 30, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      • Hi Bill. 12 will be out summer 2019. In the meantime there’s the paperback of Caligula and Templar 2 in the next month or so, and Praetorian 4 over the winter, then the hardback of Commodus in April. πŸ™‚ Much ado about bookage!

        Like

        SJAT

        November 4, 2018 at 11:42 am

  30. Hello Mr Tunney, Iv’e enjoyed the Marius Mules series from 1 thru 12 and am looking forward to series #13. Can you tell me when that will be released. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you for your time. Dave Bruce 04/02/2020 @10:58 am

    Like

    roy d bruce

    April 2, 2020 at 3:59 pm

    • Hi Dave. Things have slowed a little at the moment, as my time is partially taken up with home-schooling, but MM13 is scheduled for the late Summer or Autumn, probably end of August or beginning of September πŸ™‚ Glad you’re enjoying the series, my friend. Are you in lockdown like many of us? If so, I’m also writing a story daily on my Facebook page that might help keep you entertained. πŸ™‚

      Si

      Like

      SJAT

      April 2, 2020 at 5:55 pm

  31. When is Cival War X111 available?

    Like

    DAVID G R KEMP

    July 13, 2020 at 2:16 am

    • Currently planned for late August David πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      July 13, 2020 at 7:49 am

      • Thoroughly enjoyed reading every novel, even read the first six books again as I’m getting older forget how they ended, like a new read. Have found in recent books Fronto is becoming more injury prone and not leading from the front guess old age is setting in!!. Still look forward to end of August

        Like

        Andrew kayes

        July 13, 2020 at 8:00 am

      • Cheers, Andrew. πŸ™‚ Yes, Fronto’s journey has aged him. It’s been 13 years after all, and he wasn’t a young man to begin with. His ailments more or less mirror mine! His knee happened when mine did πŸ™‚

        Like

        SJAT

        July 13, 2020 at 8:28 am

  32. When can we expect Marius mules 8 in audio form? I drive for work and it keeps me sane with all the crazy drivers.

    Like

    Cameron

    April 7, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    • Hi Cameron. While I don’t know the release schedule, I signed the contracts for the audio of books 8-10 in January, and I know that Malk, the narrator, is working on them now. He has a twitter account, so if you keep an eye on that, perhaps he’ll leak some info about how it’s going.

      Like

      SJAT

      April 7, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      • Good evening Mr. Turney, hopefully you and yours are weathering this pandemic and everyone’s in good health. Me. Turney, I can’t tell you how much I’m so looking forward to Marius Mules Xlll As well as VX and XV. Thank you in advance, Roy Bruce

        Like

        Roy David Bruce

        April 7, 2021 at 10:35 pm

      • Thanks, Roy. MM14 will be out later this year. Glad you’re enjoying them. We’re all good and enthusiastically looking forward to a summer where the world returns to some semblance of normality. Hope you and yours similarly stay safe. Have a good weekend.

        Like

        SJAT

        April 8, 2021 at 7:23 am

  33. Outstanding! Great work, I love the series!

    Like

    Cameron

    April 8, 2021 at 3:11 am

  34. very enjoyable tale i will read them all.
    But you keep mentioning sycamore log’s and stumps etc when in a forest or wood area.
    sycamore was not introduced into the uk until the 1500’s .

    Like

    kirk

    August 23, 2021 at 11:34 am

    • Yes, I have found theories that it was the Romans who introduced the species (as well as the Tudor theory) but still that would be hundreds of years too late. Mea Culpa. πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      August 24, 2021 at 12:00 pm

  35. Good evening Mr Turney,

    Please can you let us know when MM14 will be out?

    Many thanks,

    Like

    Mark

    August 31, 2021 at 10:43 pm

    • Hi mark. MM14 is in progress at the moment for a hopefully October release πŸ™‚ Cheers.

      Like

      SJAT

      September 1, 2021 at 5:53 am

      • Thank you very much for confirming.

        Like

        Mark

        September 1, 2021 at 9:47 pm

  36. Message from Holland here, I am enjoying the series enormously. Thank you for the series! Cracking up laughing many times of Fronto cursing. How do you come up with these insults πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    Koen

    March 10, 2022 at 10:21 am

    • Hi Koen. I find stubbing my toe or dropping things makes me very inventive in the cursing way! πŸ˜‰ Glad you’re enjoying them.

      Like

      SJAT

      March 10, 2022 at 10:25 am

  37. This audio series of Caesar’s wars has been a learning, exciting, suspenseful series….I so look forward to hearing what becomes of Fronto and Galronus (forgive any misspelling, I listed to the audio, which by the way was superb). When will the final book come out:

    Like

    Katharine Potter

    September 4, 2022 at 4:07 am

    • Hi Katharine. The production of book 15 has been somewhat delayed by events beyond my control this year, but I am planning it now, and it will be out as soon as possible. In the meantime, Malk Williams is busy recording the audio for my Viking series! πŸ™‚

      Like

      SJAT

      September 4, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      • Thank you. I bet you have more time on the computer than with the books! Mr Williams is an excellent narrator. He would have been good for the Praetorian series. But, busy is busy.

        Liked by 1 person

        Katharine Potter

        September 4, 2022 at 10:14 pm


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