Ancient history family past present day - all collide in this intricately woven first novel about three generations of one family set against seventy years of political turmoil in Europe. At the outbreak of World War I renowned archaeologist Lionel Richardson flees Sarajevo to begin an excavation at Ano Meri an ancient palace in Crete. His success there becomes a lifelong obsession for which there is a very high price - one that his family must pay.