by Ian Caldwell
First published 2004
Tom Sullivan and his three Princeton classmates stumble upon clues that could unlock the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a cryptic Renaissance text written by a Roman priest in 1499. The mysterious book weaves together art, mathematics, zoology, and faith in elaborate linguistic puzzles that have baffled scholars for centuries. As the students work through five sequential riddles spanning different fields of knowledge, they begin to grasp the true scope of their discovery. The coded message points to geographical coordinates marking the four cardinal directions, leading to a hidden crypt filled with priceless Renaissance art. But Tom and his friends soon realize they are not alone in their quest. Others know the treasure's value and will kill to possess it. What began as an academic challenge becomes a deadly race as the students navigate betrayal, madness, and murder. The ancient text's magnetic pull draws them deeper into danger, forcing them to question how far they will go for the greatest historical find of all time.
Genres: art, historical-fiction, adventure, mystery, crime, academic
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, treasure-hunt
Setting: Princeton, Rome
Period: 1499, 21st Century
354 pages · Paperback · Editorial Presença
Content warnings: murder