The modern part of the story begins in Hobart, Tasmania through a chance discovery at a home auction. Hidden in a nondescript and decrepit shed are what at first appear to be valuable antiquities but are revealed to be high-end forgeries. In parallel, the ancient part of the story begins with the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii.

Archaeological adventurers Jameson Rowley and Elspeth Poole arrive in Italy, drawn by their passion for history and the hint of mystery surrounding the forged artifacts.

The story brilliantly draws the reader into the lucrative and often criminally-violent trade in black market antiquities.

While modern day Vesuvius threatens Naples, for the first time in 74 years, the investigation takes them from Pompeii to Venice to Poveglia Island—an island once used to quarantine plague victims and the insane—an island where the 'sandhills' are actually powdered human bones—an island where arch-criminal Cambino and his ruthless female accomplice Drishya have established an elaborately-concealed headquarters.

An island many think, with good reason, is haunted.

The different parts of the story are linked by a metaphorical bronze thread. The Lance of Destiny. The lance said to have pierced the side of Jesus of Nazareth—a lance said to have supernatural powers.