Poveglia Island

<p>The modern part of the story begins in Hobart Tasmania through a chance discovery at a home auction. Hidden in a nondescript and decrepit shed are what at first appear to be valuable antiquities but are revealed to be high-end forgeries. In parallel the ancient part of the story begins with the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii.</p><p>Archaeological adventurers Jameson Rowley and Elspeth Poole arrive in Italy drawn by their passion for history and the hint of mystery surrounding the forged artifacts.</p><p>The story brilliantly draws the reader into the lucrative and often criminally-violent trade in black market antiquities.</p><p>While modern day Vesuvius threatens Naples for the first time in 74 years the investigation takes them from Pompeii to Venice to Poveglia Island-an island once used to quarantine plague victims and the insane-an island where the 'sandhills' are actually powdered human bones-an island where arch-criminal Cambino and his ruthless female accomplice Drishya have established an elaborately-concealed headquarters.</p><p>An island many think with good reason is haunted.</p><p>The different parts of the story are linked by a metaphorical bronze thread. The Lance of Destiny. The lance said to have pierced the side of Jesus of Nazareth-a lance said to have supernatural powers.</p>