Introducing Harvard professor Cal Donovan in the first of an intriguing new series of religious conspiracy thrillers. Responding to an urgent summons from the Vatican Harvard professor of religion and archaeology Cal Donovan flies to Italy to interview a young priest who has developed the stigmata of the crucifixion. Stunned to discover that the priests condition may be genuine Cal determines to uncover the cause of the mysterious wounds. But Cal is not the only one. When Giovanni is kidnapped f