Map of Bones: A Sigma Force Novel (Sigma Force, 2)

The bones lead to ancient mysteries and present-day terror . . . To follow them means death. During a crowded service at a cathedral in Germany, armed intruders in monks' robes unleash a nightmare of blood and destruction. But the killers have not come for gold; they seek a more valuable prize: the bones of the Magi who once paid homage to a newborn savior . . . a treasure that could reshape the world. With the Vatican in turmoil, Sigma Force under the command of Grayson Pierce leaps into action, pursuing a deadly mystery that weaves through sites of the Seven Wonders of the World and ends at the doorstep of an ancient, mystical, and terrifying secret order. For there are those with dark plans for the stolen sacred remains that will alter the future of humankind . . . when science and religion unite to unleash a horror not seen since the beginning of time.

From the Inside Flap

The bestselling master of astonishing adventure James Rollins delivers his most relentlessly exciting page-turner to date-a gripping and explosive novel of an ancient conspiracy to create a terrifying new world order out of the ashes of modern civilization. MAP OF BONES The crime is inhumanity cruel with horrific consequences both unthinkable and inevitable. During a service at a cathedral in Cologne, Germany, a band of armed intruders dressed in monks' robes unleash a nightmare of blood and terror, ruthlessly gunning down worshippers and clergy alike. The killers haven't come for the church's gold and valuable artwork, but for a priceless treasure secreted within: the preserved bones of the Three Magi who once came to pay homage to a new born savior. As they flee the carnage they have wrought, they carry a price that could reshape the world. The Vatican is in turmoil, and Lieutenant Rachel Verona of Rome's carabinieri is assigned to lead the investigation. But no ordinary police organization alone can deal with the bizarre theft and massacre, and SIGMA Force-an elite covert arm of the U.S. Defence Department-is called in under the command of Grayson Pierce. New to SIGMA, Pierce assembles a crack team of scientific and Special Forces operatives to unravel the mystery of the stolen bones, and together they set out on a twisting trail through a labyrinth of clues and dark revelations that carry them to the sites of the Seven Wonders of the World-and to the door step of the mystical and terrifying Dragon Court. An Ancient, secret fraternity of alchemists and assassins, the master-adepts of the Dragon Court have plans for the sacred remains that will alter the future of humankind in devastating ways that only the maddest of zealots could desire-and they will let nothing and no one stand in their way. Suddenly Pierce, Verona and the SIGMA team are the hunted as well as the hunters, forced to use every skill they possess to survive as they follow the bones to the ultimate confrontation between darkness and light-in a lost place of history where science and religion will unite to unleash a horror not seen since the beginning of time. A masterful novel that combines the exhilarating mysticism of The Da Vinci Code with the pulse-pounding action of Tom Clancy thriller, James Rollins's Map of Bones is destined to be a modern classic that will stand among the very best adventure tales every written.

From the Back Cover

ADVANCED PRAISE FOR MAP OF BONES "Rollins combines the mystery and research of Dan Brown with the adrenaline-charged action of Clive Cussler into a slick thriller that you can't put down -- Jack Du Brul, nationally bestselling author of Deep Fire Rising "A spiralling, high-octane adventure, loaded with cutting-edge technology and jam-packed with action and mayhem. This pulse-pounding thriller moves at mach speed. James Rollins is clearly at the top of his game." -- Steve Berry, nationally bestselling author of The Third Secret and The Romanov Prophecy PRAISE FOR JAMES ROLLINS Rollins is one of the most inventive storytellers writing today." -- Lincoln Child, coauthor of Brimstone "While Clive Cussler maintains the gold standard in action lit, Rollins has a firm grasp on the silver." -- Publishers Weekly "Rollins writes with intelligence, clarity, and a refreshing sense of humor." -- Kirkus Reviews "[His] fans have come to expect a fun and fast-paced story that is full of suspense...Rollins delivers Fantastic tales of action and adventure -- Booklist

About the Author

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, " Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together." NPR calls his work, " Adventurous and enormously engrossing." Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with his two golden retrievers, Echo and Duncan. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.

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