THE EIGHT

For centuries a secret has been carefully hidden from those who would abuse its power. One daring and enigmatic woman gives her life to defy the rules and protect history from changing course forever. With France aflame in revolution, and the power of her king checked, the nuns of Montglane Abbey are forced to unearth a secret buried for a thousand years within their fortress walls. As the women scatter across the world they take with them the pieces of a mystical chess set given to Charlemagne by eight mysterious Moors. Embedded in each piece of the chess service is a code. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power - a game that will bring about the end of all kings. Centuries later, another young woman is chosen to join those protecting the missing pieces - will she deduce the answer to the greatest riddle of all time? ''Blends historical fiction and medieval mystery and comes up with gold'' People ''Fascinating…Mind-boggling'' Newsday ''Both vibrant and cerebral…Few will find it resistible'' Los Angeles Times Book Review