The legend: The Ark of the Covenant, an ancient and powerful Jewish religious relic, disappeared more than 25 centuries ago when it was to be moved into the temple of Solomon... In the fifth exciting novel of this treasure-hunting series, Thalia Phoenix's vacation is cut short when Simon Kessler hires her to authenticate the purported Ark of the Covenant. But is the Ark in Ethiopia the real thing or a replica? Either way, Thalia is in big trouble. If it's the authentic Ark, opening the lid to check for the original Ten Commandments, a jar of manna and Aaron's staff could cause instantaneous death and bring down the wrath of God upon others, too. However, if the Ark is a fake, will an international incident erupt among the throngs of the faithful who are waiting to know the truth? Other people-dangerous people-also want the Ark of the Covenant. Thalia and Charlotte are followed by a gang of ruthless international thugs whom they can't seem to shake. Their pursuers will stop at nothing to obtain the real Ark. But who is even worthy to touch it? Will Thalia be able to find and authenticate the true Ark before it's too late to save the people she cares about? Or will her test of the Ark of the Covenant be the death of her?