Twelve sacred stones. Forged in the blood of martyrs. Scattered for two thousand years. Now, someone is gathering them—and their power could reshape the world.
When a nun is murdered on the burning ghats of Varanasi for an ancient stone, and masked gunmen storm Dr. Morgan Sierra's Oxford office demanding hers, she's thrust into a conspiracy that spans continents and centuries.
Morgan Sierra is a psychologist specializing in the intersection of religion and science—a woman caught between faith and reason, haunted by her past in the Israeli Defense Forces. The mysterious stone she wears around her neck was a gift from her father, nothing more than a sentimental keepsake. Or so she thought.
But when two rival factions converge on her quiet Oxford life, both willing to kill for the artifact, Morgan discovers the stone is one of twelve sacred relics dating back to Pentecost—the day fire descended from heaven and the Apostles gained miraculous powers. Scattered across the globe and protected by Keepers for millennia, these stones hold a power that could heal millions—or be weaponized to devastating effect.
With assassins on her trail and her twin sister in danger, Morgan must use every skill from her military past to survive. Racing from the ancient libraries of Oxford to the holy sites of Jerusalem, from the burning ghats of India to hidden vaults across Europe, she's drawn into ARKANE—a secret organization that hunts the supernatural and protects powerful artifacts from those who would misuse them.
But Morgan isn't the only one searching for the stones. A fanatical American with visions of a new Pentecost will stop at nothing to gather all twelve—and the ancient power they unlock could either save humanity or destroy it.
Welcome to the ARKANE Thrillers
Stone of Fire launches the internationally bestselling ARKANE series, blending archaeological mystery, religious history, and pulse-pounding action into an unforgettable adventure. If you love Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, James Rollins' Sigma Force series, or Steve Berry's Cotton Malone novels, you'll be hooked by this explosive thriller.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
- Archaeological thrillers with authentic historical detail
- Religious mysteries exploring early Christianity and sacred artifacts
- Strong female protagonists with military/intelligence backgrounds (think Emily Locke from The Museum of Lost Souls or Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones)
- Globe-trotting adventures from Oxford to Jerusalem to India
- Ancient conspiracies and secret organizations
- Supernatural elements grounded in historical fact
- Fast-paced action with intellectual depth
Series Information: Stone of Fire is Book 1 of the ARKANE thriller series. Each book is a complete adventure, but characters and storylines develop across the series. Originally published as Pentecost, this fourth edition has been revised and expanded.
Themes & Content: Explore the boundaries between faith and science, the power of ancient beliefs in the modern world, and the dangerous intersection of religion and fanaticism. Journey through some of the world's most sacred sites—from the burning ghats of Varanasi to Oxford's hallowed halls, from Jerusalem's contested holy ground to hidden churches across Europe.
About the Author: J.F. Penn is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author. Her background in theology and psychology brings authenticity to stories exploring the dark side of religion and the supernatural. Jo is based in Bath, England.
Series Order (ARKANE Thrillers):
- Stone of Fire
- Crypt of Bone
- Ark of Blood
- One Day in Budapest
- Day of the Vikings
- Gates of Hell
- One Day in New York
- Destroyer of Worlds
- End of Days
- Valley of Dry Bones
- Tree of Life
- Tomb of Relics
- Spear of Destiny
Start the adventure. Discover the power. Join ARKANE.