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.

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.

The story brilliantly draws the reader into the lucrative and often criminally-violent trade in black market antiquities.

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.

An island many think, with good reason, is haunted.

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.

After decades in the hospitality industry and the best part of forty years since opening the Drunken Admiral Seafood Restaurant, Craig hung up the apron to leave family at the helm and indulge in his other passion, writing fiction. Craig was born in Hobart, Australia, and has traveled extensively giving him the experiences and escapades he so enjoys putting into print. This includes working as a chef for a restaurant owned by Sydney underbelly figures in the early 70s and cooking in Darwin when cyclone Tracy destroyed the city. Life has been busy and interesting to say the least. In the 90s, Craig independently shot two feature films, a murder mystery set in Southern Tasmania which aired on television and a splatter comedy still available online. He wrote, produced and directed both. Having led a 'normal' life of work and duty Craig Godfrey decided to follow his real passion of writing fiction. And with Tasmania's fascinating past he has plenty to write about. Using Tasmania's history as a blank canvas, Craig loves nothing more than to weave adventure, mystery and mayhem involving colorful characters from all walks of life. He has written 36 previous titles.