The Rome Prophecy: A Thriller
Carabinieri Captain Valentina Morassi is back, along with her romantic interest, ex-priest Tom Shaman (The Venice Conspiracy, 2012), as they try to solve a mysterious case that starts with a severed hand found in the famous carving, Bocca della Verita, the “Mouth of Truth,” in Rome. A woman is discovered nearby, covered in blood and carrying an ancient sword, but she suffers from multiple-personality disorder, and the blood on her clothes does not match that of the hand. As Valentina and Tom search for answers, their trail leads to ancient symbols and a secret cult of women held prisoner in catacombs underneath the Eternal City. Tom is able to shed some light on the religious aspects of the case, while Valentina follows the leads without support from her boss. Brutality is rampant in this historical religious thriller, and the characters are not fully developed and the pacing is erratic—slow through the first half, faster toward the end. Recommended for readers who enjoy James Rollins, Steve Berry, and Dan Brown. Originally published in the UK under the pseudonym Jon Trace. --Stacy Alesi