by Ian Caldwell
First published 2015
Father Alex Andreou lives inside the Vatican with his five-year-old son, an unusual arrangement for a Greek Catholic priest. When his research partner, a museum curator, is murdered just before a mysterious Vatican exhibit opens, Alex's world turns dangerous. That same night, someone breaks into Alex's home. The papal police make no arrests, leaving Alex to fear for his family's safety. He begins his own investigation into his friend's death. The curator had discovered something about the Diatessaron, a fifth gospel that combines the four canonical gospels, and its connection to Christianity's most controversial relic. As Alex pieces together his partner's secret research, he uncovers truths that could shake the foundations of the world's largest Christian churches. But his investigation puts him in the crosshairs of someone with deadly interests in the exhibit. Alex must solve the mystery while protecting his son and staying one step ahead of his pursuer. The case forces him to confront questions about sacrifice and forgiveness that go to the heart of his faith.
Genres: christian-fiction, historical-fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, academic
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigative-protagonist, religious-mystery
Setting: Vatican
Period: Contemporary
431 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster