The Rome Prophecy by Jon Trace

Title: The Rome Prophecy
Author: Jon Trace
Publisher: Sphere (February 1, 2011)
ISBN: 9780751543018
Pages: 464 

The book opens with  Cassandra – the ancient Greek priestess -- being driven through the streets and accused of treachery and then has her hand cut off in the mouth of truth. As she lies there dying, the book comes back to the present day where a hand is found at the mouth of truth but there is no body to be found. Who does the hand belong to? Where is the body or the person? 

Then a woman is found, covered in blood and roaming the streets with an ancient sword in hand. Italian carabinieri Captain Valentina Morassi is assigned to solve the case. The woman found on the streets  has a multiple personality disorder and Valentina is helped by psychiatrist Louisa Verdetti to unravel the mysterious woman.

Tom is an ex-priest and is involved with Valentina. He helps in solving the mystery using his knowledge of religion. He shares a great chemistry with Valentina.

As the story progresses, we learn about a secret cult that has lived in the catacombs beneath Rome that has gone back for millenniums. It is definitely a fast read if you like books with history, religion and archaeology thrown in a good measure.