Beneath a church in central Italy lies a secret vault. Sealed off for centuries and forgotten in the mists of time, it is suddenly revealed when an earthquake causes damage to the ancient building above. The hidden chamber holds a hoard of treasures unrivalled in modern times and the world’s best archaeologists arrive to study and document its contents.

Pilfering is rife and despite being guarded, thefts are increasing. But worse is yet to come. Among the artefacts, the archaeologists make a shocking find, the body of one of their colleagues. Before they can raise the alarm, a second earthquake causes further damage. The vault is buried, along with its secrets and an international team of archaeologists.

In Cambridge, Eden Reid is trying to locate antiquities expert, Dr Vanessa Higgins, who has been unaccounted for since she left for Italy and it is feared she may be among those killed in the earthquake. Eden uncovers unsettling facts about Dr Higgins’ private and professional life and fears she may have stumbled on an antiquities theft and forgery ring that threatens the security of some of the world’s greatest treasures. But where there is big money, there is danger and Eden is soon to discover that when murder is cheaper than bribery, even the innocent are no longer safe.