Vesuvius

Vesuvius blends a present-day mystery with the tragedy of two young Romans caught in the first century eruption that buried Herculaneum and Pompeii in A.D. 79. Oliver a retired history instructor and his granddaughter Cassandra bring a golden box with them on a vacation to Italy. The box given to Oliver long ago by his grandfather contains ancient scrolls from the first century-letters from a young Roman and her father. With help Oliver and Cassandra find the skelatal remains of two Romans and a historic villa near Herculaneum that enables them to discover the meaning of the scrolls. However the thief Mee Lee is always one step ahead of them in putting together the puzzle that ultimately leads to the most prized discovery the sword of St. Peter. Used by Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane to protect Jesus this sword could become one of the Vatican's most coveted possessions. Vesuvius brings the reader into the Roman history of ancient gladiators chariot races the rich the poor and the cruelty of the times. Still there are parallels between then and now. Hate is still hate love is still love and the reason to search for something coveted is different from person to person.