by Ian Caldwell
First published 2017
The Vatican Museums prepare for their most ambitious exhibition yet, featuring the Turin Shroud and the Diatessaron, a Fifth Gospel long believed lost forever. One week before the opening, the curator, a distinguished scholar, falls victim to an unknown killer. Suspicion immediately falls on his friend and assistant, a Roman Catholic priest. The priest now faces accusations that could destroy his life and career. To clear an innocent man, someone must unlock the secrets of priceless Christian artifacts. These mysteries stretch back thousands of years, buried in layers of history and faith. The investigation forces a confrontation with ancient truths that powerful forces would prefer to keep hidden. As the evidence mounts and time runs short, the real killer remains free while an innocent man suffers. The answers lie somewhere in the intersection of scholarship, belief, and murder.
Genres: christian-fiction, historical-fiction, mystery, crime, archaeology, academic
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: ancient-conspiracy, cover-up, investigation, religious-themes
Setting: Vatican, Vatican Museums
Period: 5th Century
512 pages · Hardcover · Azbuka