RUINS

A biblical historian, reeling from personal tragedy, travels to the Middle East to join an archaeological dig and finds the potential for love and theological discovery. 

In this debut novel, Cassidy Stevens is an associate professor of theology in New York, an expert on New Testament history. The last five years of her life have been stymied by anguish and ennui—her husband and young daughter were both killed in a horrific car accident. Now she languishes in a listless relationship and throws herself into her work; the “only thing that made her feel alive and authentic was her research.” She decides to volunteer for an archaeological dig in Pella, an ancient city in Jordan, desperate for a change of scenery and hopeful it will advance her research. Cass believes that St. James the apostle, the brother of Jesus, was slyly written out of the Bible because his existence undermines the doctrinal immaculateness of Mary, a prospect enticingly described by Gangi. Cass suspects that St. Peter, though, may be “James in disguise,” and the true heir to Jesus’ ministry. While on the dig, Cass becomes romantically enthralled with Jed McIntyre, the project’s co-director and “archaeology’s ‘bad boy,’ ” as ruggedly handsome as he is academically accomplished. But Cass is torn by her attraction to the man—she’s still enmeshed in that serious, if unfulfilling, relationship—and discovers a past connection between her and Jed both peculiarly implausible and emotionally devastating. Meanwhile, Cass unearths an amulet that could unlock the mystery she’s been trying to crack—it points her in the direction of an ancient scroll that could prove her thesis regarding St. James’ true identity. Unfortunately, there are others just as eager to suppress her findings, even if it means resorting to violence. In this gripping novel, Gangi ambitiously combines two genres: romantic drama and theological thriller. Cass carefully studies the amulet for clues, musing: “If this turned out to be a Christian artifact, it would be an extraordinary find.…she could be holding the oldest Christian symbol ever found!” But while the author’s writing is always lucid, if unliterary, it inclines toward formulaic clichés—before Cass is properly introduced to Jed, she endures an acrimonious encounter with him, only to learn later he’s effectively her boss. Still, the plot is fiercely intelligent, skillfully combining intellectual provocation with fast-paced action.

A riveting adventure, both historically astute and emotionally stirring.