First published 1980
Simon Raikes deals in ancient artifacts, walking the fine line between legitimate commerce and the shadowy world of stolen treasures. When a valuable piece surfaces in his London gallery, Raikes finds himself drawn into a web of deception that stretches across the Mediterranean. His pursuit of the object's true origins leads him from the civilized auction houses of Europe to remote archaeological sites where looters work under cover of darkness. As Raikes digs deeper, he discovers that his own moral boundaries blur when faced with objects of extraordinary beauty and value. The hunt becomes personal as he confronts dealers, collectors, and thieves who share his obsession with the ancient world. Raikes must decide how far he will go to possess what others have killed for, and whether his passion for antiquities will ultimately destroy him or set him free.
Genres: fiction, art, adventure, mystery, crime, antiquities
Vibes: atmospheric, fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, moral-ambiguity, obsession
Setting: Europe, London, Mediterranean
Period: Contemporary
342 pages · Paperback · Thorndike Press