Based on actual history, Anderson’s engrossing tale follows a secluded monk and a relic hunter who are compelled to collaborate in a daring heist of St. Nicholas’ bones. In the year 1087, a devastating illness ravages the streets of Bari, Italy. When a humble monk is visited by Saint Nicholas in a dream, he interprets it as a divine calling to tend to the sick.
However, his superiors have other plans for him, involving a cunning treasure hunter named Tyun. Promising miraculous healing and the restoration of their city’s former glory, Tyun persuades Nicephorus to help him steal the seven-hundred-year-old bones of Saint Nicholas, which are said to weep tears with mystical healing powers. What ensues is an epic tale of heists, unexpected alliances, and sacrilegious deceit as Nicephorus is swept into a world far beyond his dreams.
Anderson delves into the medieval setting with genuine curiosity and empathy. The prose is richly descriptive, capturing the nuances of the story. The characterization is equally compelling. Nicephorus is observant, honest, and kind-hearted, though he has a knack for bending the truth without outright lying. Tyun, the saint-hunter, is amoral, driven by money, and a storyteller whose tales of a troubled childhood may hide some truth. Anderson skillfully depicts their evolving relationship without directly narrating their emotions. An essential read for fans of both heist stories and historical fiction.
Published July 23, 2024
Pantheon
ISBN 9780593701607
Language English
Buy the Book
Interesting