by Kate Mosse
First published 2005
Alice volunteers at an archaeological dig in the Pyrenees mountains when she stumbles into a hidden cave. Inside, she discovers two ancient skeletons, mysterious wall writings, and a labyrinth pattern carved in stone. Eight centuries earlier, Alais receives a ring and a book from her father as crusading armies approach Carcassonne. Her father tells her the book holds the secret of the true Grail, while the ring bears a labyrinth design that marks her as a guardian. The brutal crusade threatens to destroy southern France, and Alais must protect these sacred objects at any cost. As Alice uncovers more clues in the present day, the connections between her discovery and Alais's dangerous mission become clear. The labyrinth links two women across time in a story of sacrifice and secrets.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure, fantasy, mystery-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, epic, mysterious, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: connected-across-centuries, dual-timeline, guardian-legacy, mystery-unraveling
Setting: Pyrenees Mountains, Carcassonne, Southern France
Period: 13th century, 21st century
528 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group
Content warnings: violence, war