Eric Jones introduces Jake Stone, an ambitious finance grad whose pursuit of success draws him into a dangerous world of organized crime and divided loyalties.
Before the next chapter of the Stone saga hits shelves, the author is shining a spotlight back on where it all began. Eric Jones is currently at work on Bellicus Stone, the follow-up to his crime thriller Antillus Stone, while also reintroducing readers to the book that launched his central character into a world of Mafia power struggles and moral chaos. The timing gives newcomers a chance to start at the beginning before the continuation arrives.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA , CA, UNITED STATES, October 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Set against the financial institutions, fashionable neighborhoods, and criminal underworld of New York City, Antillus Stone begins with a young man determined to create his own future. Raised in rural upstate New York and educated in California, Jake arrives in Manhattan with an MBA, a disciplined work ethic, and aspirations of building a successful career in finance.
Also worth a look: Marcus T. Brooks fights online HIV rumor, flags decade-old email account as possible mix-up source and Deborah Ann Mack urges early custom fashion planning for holiday season.
His plans take an unexpected turn when an altercation at a Manhattan bar brings him into contact with members of two competing Mafia organizations. What initially appears to be an isolated confrontation gradually draws Jake into a world governed by competing loyalties, carefully guarded secrets, and the constant threat of violence.
At the center of this conflict is Vincent Capoli, a powerful Mafia patriarch whose devotion to family and personal code of honor exist alongside the ruthless demands of organized crime. His rival, Roberto Rossi, commands an organization built on intimidation, exploitation, and the pursuit of power without moral restraint.
For Jake, the distinction between good and evil becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile. His relationships with the Capoli family challenge his understanding of justice, while his connection with Isabella Franco, the woman he loves, raises the emotional stakes of every decision.
"Antillus Stone is my tribute to the classic mob genre, reimagined for a modern audience," Jones writes in his introductory note to readers.
Beyond its criminal rivalries, the novel examines the psychological transformation of an individual confronted with extraordinary circumstances. Jake's martial arts discipline, financial intelligence, and deeply rooted family values become increasingly important as he navigates threats that cannot always be resolved through conventional means.
Rather than portraying the criminal underworld solely through violence and power struggles, Jones uses the contrasting philosophies of his characters to explore a larger question: Can a person preserve a moral identity while forming alliances with individuals who operate outside the law?
The upcoming Bellicus Stone, currently listed as coming soon through the official County Road 12 bookstore, continues the saga and its examination of power, personal responsibility, and the consequences of loyalty.
Antillus Stone is available in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin, with print, ebook, and audiobook editions providing multiple ways to experience the opening chapter of the series.
Readers can explore the novel through Eric Jones Books: Antillus Stone:
https://ericjonesbooks.com/antillus-stone/
The official book trailer is available at:
https://youtu.be/Ebo7P_TL-gE?si=AiAXI_nZ6Ja7VpLX
About Eric Jones
Eric Jones is an American author whose literary work crosses the boundaries of philosophical nonfiction and contemporary crime fiction. His earlier books, Navigating Through Time and Navigating Through Space, explore human consciousness, personal growth, and the philosophical dimensions of the human experience.
Through the Stone crime series, Jones applies his interest in human behavior to fictional worlds shaped by ambition, violence, family allegiance, and moral uncertainty. His writing combines character development with suspense and action, inviting readers to examine the choices that define individuals when confronted with extraordinary circumstances. His works are published through County Road 12 and made accessible to readers across languages and cultures.
Media Contact
Eric Jones
County Road 12
Phone: +1 951-363-3534
Email: info@countyroad12.com
Official Website: https://ericjonesbooks.com
Eric Jones
County Road 12
+1 951-363-3534
Antillus Stone Book Trailer
Why it matters: This release signals that Jones is betting on a long arc for the Stone series, with Bellicus Stone already in the pipeline. For readers who like their crime fiction with philosophical weight, the series offers a blend of classic mob tropes and modern moral questions — and with editions in four languages, the story is clearly aiming well beyond a domestic audience.
