When an Orthodox Jew is shot in the head, Tempe Brennan is called to the scene. But while she tries to make sense of the fracture patterning, an unknown man slips her a photograph of a skeleton, telling her it holds the answer to the victim"s death. Detective Andrew Ryan is also on the case and, as his relationship with Tempe heats up, they try to discover the identity of the victim and the significance of the photo. Tempe follows the trail of clues all the way to Israel where she learns of a shroud and a tomb that may have held the remains of Jesus"s family. But the further she probes into the identity of the ancient skeleton, the more she seems to be putting herself in danger...