The Suez Canal, 1956. The world teeters on the brink of nuclear war and
the Middle East is a tinderbox. Conversely, redeemed archaeologist
Benedict Hitchens is enjoying a peaceful existence after years in the
professional and personal wilderness. His recent discoveries in western
Turkey secured him a place in history and the smart thing to do would be
to ignore his growing fear that Britain, France and Israel's imminent
invasion of Egypt to liberate the Suez Canal is only a diversion.But
Ben's natural inclination towards self-sabotage is never far below the
surface. When he learns that the woman who betrayed him is leading a
team into the Sinai Desert in search of an ancient treasure, he puts
everything at risk to seek his revenge. She is as brilliant as Benedict,
but has had to fight to survive in a world dominated by men. Having
aligned herself with unprincipled and ruthless men to further her own
interests, her motivations are laid bare as she confronts ghosts she'd
rather forget, and makes amends for past wrongdoings.Both are forced to
grapple with their own personal demons as they race to unearth a secret
that will, in the wrong hands, mean the annihilation of humankind. 'Pure
escapism in the mould of Dan Brown or Indiana Jones...vivid evocations
of place' Saturday Age
