Aspiring archeologist Laetitia Talbot fights the rejection by academia that she does not belong because of her sex. She refuses to conform and uses blackmail when necessary to get her assignments to digs. When Daniel, her godfather, is murdered in France, she forces a previous professor to write a letter of recommendation that allows her to join an excavation in the town where the murder occurred. Laetitia has precious few clues into what Daniel was working on. His host was an aristocratic and powerful French family who reveals little information. Laetitia cannot resolve if they are involved or innocent.

When a murder occurs at the dig, Laetitia finds a Roman gold coin in the victim's hand. It sends her on a path into Celtic history and folklore. She discovers the towns' coexistence with fact and fable and their inability to separate them. Laetitia's predicament becomes more convoluted when she uncovers facts that could put modern Christianity in turmoil. At a crossroad, Laetitia is told she has few options, acceptance or death.

In this prequel to TOMB OF ZEUS, Ms. Cleverly joins other authors with her interpretation of the Mary Magdalene conspiracy and meshes it with the aftermath of World War I. The research is impeccable, especially the tormented characters who suffered emotional and spiritual loss during the devastation on the battlefields.