The relics of St. Nicholas are among the most divine and prized possessions in the Christian world, said to hold the power to heal the most incurable diseases and protect those who come in contact with them. Biblical archeologist Maggie Shepherd has the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to extract and study one of these priceless artifacts buried in the tomb of the man who is now known as Santa Claus. In just a few weeks, on Christmas Eve, the Pope will present the venerated relic of St. Nicholas to the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Moscow in the hope of reuniting East and West after a 1,000-year schism.
Driven by rumors of the relic’s legendary power, many people want to control it, including a Russian mob boss who coerces Malachi Popov into stealing it for him before the ceremony. A devout man, Popov wants nothing to do with the evil scheme but his desperate need for money to support his ailing mother leaves him no choice. Once in possession of the miraculous relic, Popov witnesses its awesome power and regrets his action, but before he can set things right, it vanishes.
Not knowing who to trust, both Popov and Maggie set off on a globe-spanning chase to recover the treasured artifact before the world learns it’s missing, and all hope of reuniting the Church is lost. What they don’t know is there are others on their trail who will stop at nothing to keep them from their prize, including murder.
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Reminiscent of Dan Brown's work but with a tone and momentum all its own, Kelly's yarn will delight thriller fans looking for an exciting read. - Kirkus Reviews
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