In the third century AD, a Roman Emperor has a vessel buried in one of the ancient hills of Rome. Then in 1939, when the Pope dies and is being buried, the vessel resurfaces, only to pass into the hands of Hitler. Inside the vessel is hidden one of the early Christian church's most dreadful secrets.

In the present, just as American teacher Don Huff begins to unravel the mysterious secrets of the vessel and those involved with its movements, he's assassinated and his files pillaged. Huff's daughter calls on Lang Reilly, a retired special agent and friend of her deceased father, to investigate the murder. Lang and his partner, Gurt, begin by flying to Spain, but when several attempts are made to thwart their investigation, including assassination attempts, they realize Huff was on to something covert and getting close to an answer. As time goes by, Lang is reduced to criminal status, wanted all over Europe and in America with attempts made on his life at every turn. When Gurt is tragically struck down, Lang finds renewed determination to find out who killed his friend and his lover. Lang will need all the prayers of all the Popes to get him out of this one.

I could not put this book down! Loomis has woven three time periods into a plot tapestry of twists and curves and connected them through the lives of a gritty American and a stoic German. I was sure I had the mystery figured out, but as usual, Loomis kept me involved and surprised until the end. This sequel to THE PEGASUS SECRET is a highly recommended read.