The Stones of Judgment

When a nun from the Order of St. Epiphanius is found mysteriously murdered in their former convent school, Charlie Hamilton and Lucinda Galsworthy decide to go to a school reunion to see if they can find out who did it. When a second body turns up during the weekend, they find themselves drawn into a mystery that involves a long lost biblical artefact, the Breastplate of Judgment, described in the book of Exodus and the man who is trying to reassemble the Stones of Judgment that God commanded his high priests to wear in the beautiful and ornate Breastplate.

In this fast-paced mystery Charlie, an inveterate crossword puzzle enthusiast and journalist, and Lucinda, a jewellery designer, find romance and adventure in exotic locations, come face to face with death as they finally come to understand what the Order of St. Ephiphanius was really for. They are aided an abetted by a Detective Inspector from Scotland Yard, who bears a passing resemblance to George Clooney, and a young Indian journalist, both smitten by the gorgeous women who enter and change their lives forever.

The story starts in the quiet grounds of a beautiful Elizabethan stately home where Charlie and Lucinda first met as school girls. Here they meet Peregrine Aldershot, a local history enthusiast who has discovered the connection between the Order of St. Epiphanius and the Stones of Judgment. Charlie and Lucinda proceed to solve a series of clues that lead them to India where the final two stones are hidden. They are pursued by a ruthless killer into the heat and dust of Rajasthan as they try to secure the agate of Asher for the Order.

But the Order has a traitor within and they are up against a powerful and rich man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants before the Conclave to elect the next pope starts in Rome. In the deserts of Jordan, he has found the powerful Umin and Thummin and kidnapped the amateur archeologist who decoded the enigmatic Copper Scroll; he has discovered the foibles that will make the cardinals vulnerable, and all he needs now is the final stone of judgement -- the Asher agate.

The bombs are set on a timer that starts counting down to the Final Crusade, which will start on the day that the new pope is elected. The 215 cardinals are gathered in the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes.

It is a race against time for Charlie and Lucinda. Can they solve the final clues and thwart the plans of man who would take control of the Catholic Church. Will the Stones of Judgment send them a sign? Will the Order of St. Epiphanius be able to protect the stones?