Miller’s debut, a multi-generational tale centered on the contested history of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, has an intriguing premise hampered by clumsy execution. In 1885, Abbé François Bérenger Saunière is assigned to Rennes-le-Château and discovers that his church is a shelter for secrets that challenge the foundations of the Roman Catholic faith. This knowledge puts him and his comrades in mortal danger. In 2012, biblical scholar Dr. Giselle Gélis, a descendant of one of Saunière’s confidants, finds her quiet world upended when she meets and falls in love with archeologist Dr. David Rettig. While on a romantic sojourn, the two discover the final resting place of Saunière’s treasure: a marriage contract between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Their love and Giselle’s faith are threatened as they struggle to cope with the implications of their find and the endless media hype surrounding an upcoming biopic of Mary Magdalene. The scenic details and paired plotlines are appealing, but stilted, artificial dialogue and a lack of character development keep this novel feeling superficial. (BookLife)