by Daniel Levin
Jonathan Marcus was a promising young archeologist studying at the American Academy in Rome when a terrible accident during an illegal excavation resulted in a friends death and Jonathans expulsion from the academy. Jonathan abandoned archaeology for the law, developing a reputation as a skillful advocate for some of the art worlds less scrupulous antiquities dealers.
When his firm sends Jonathan to Rome to discredit the testimony of a prominent U.N. antiquities official, he's stunned to discover that the expert is Dr. Emili Travia, a friend and fellow student at the academy who was also at the excavation. This chance reunion prompts Jonathan, against his better judgment, to help Emili as she searches for the fabled Tabernacle Menorah, a priceless historical artifact seized by Roman invaders in the first century A.D. and brought to Rome where it disappeared. As they scour the ancient sites of Rome for hints to the menorah's whereaboutsdeciphering clues to its location left by ancient spies and eighteenth century art restorersit quickly becomes clear that they are not alone in their quest.
What follows is a treasure hunt like no other, a race to find the menorah in order to control a historical perspective of who can defineand redefinethe past.
By turns a riveting page-turner and a compelling character study, set in the high-stakes arenas of art, politics, and terrorism, The Last Ember is a provocative and fast-paced glimpse into history, religion, and international law.
"Da Vinci Code addicts will enjoy Levin's debut, a dense, complicated novel of religious suspense.The fevered pace slows only to deliver a multitude, perhaps too much of a multitude, of interesting historical factoids." - Publishers Weekly
"With its strong Roman atmosphere, this dramatic and complex debut novel will please fans of both European crime fiction and religious thrillers." - Booklist
In his fast-paced, erudite, and original debut, Daniel Levin reveals a vivid world where archaeological, legal, and religious secrets swirl together into a thrilling nexus. Its rich texture and global cast of characters ignite genuine suspense and intrigue. Readers will savor this novel and await more blockbuster Daniel Levin adventures. - Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club
This information about The Last Ember was first featured
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Daniel Levin earned his undergraduate degree in Roman and Greek civilization from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of Harvard Law School. He won a visiting scholars fellowship at the American Academy in Rome and has practiced international law at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York.
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