Combining elements of metaphysical intrigue and historical suspense, author Jon Fasman tells an intricately woven tale of a quest to bring together a collection of amazing relics and talismans stolen long ago from The Geographer’s Library. A young reporter named Paul Tomm stumbles upon the mystery of the talismans, now scattered across the face of the earth, while investigating a professor’s murder. Now Paul must put together the pieces of a puzzle that began ages before his birth and prevent the relics from falling into hands that will no doubt misuse them.

These are no ordinary relics. They hold the power of alchemical transmutation, and few on earth know of their value and worth. Those few, though, present the challenges for Paul as he follows clues that lead to a global smuggling ring with shadowy and mysterious figures, including the dead professor himself. No one seems to be trustworthy; everyone seems out for his or her own agenda, including a beautiful woman Paul falls for named Hannah. Paul also learns of the existence of an ancient tablet that those who know of its existence would kill for.

The danger and international intrigue run high in this hard-to-put-down story that is part mystery, part history. Fasman, a journalist by trade, delves deeply into plot and conflict, and his characters have depth, although on occasion it’s hard to keep up with who is working with whom. He jumps between time periods, though, telling the story of the trail of the talismans with effortlessness and seamlessness, and there is a realistic feel to the narrative, especially in the descriptions of the relics themselves. Ultimately, this is a story of transformation, betrayal, greed, power and magic, with a sophistication that will please readers who felt The Da Vinci Code played too much to the mass audience.