Four fragments. One ancient map. The location of humanity's greatest mystery—the Garden of Eden. Now, those who would protect it and those who would destroy it race toward the same terrifying truth.
When fire destroys the Ets Haim library in Amsterdam—the oldest functioning Jewish library in the world—ARKANE agent Morgan Sierra discovers the attack wasn't random terrorism. Someone murdered to steal a single artifact: one quarter of an ancient map, hidden for centuries among the scrolls of conversos who fled the Portuguese Inquisition.
The map's destination? The actual location of the Garden of Eden.
Morgan and her agent partner Jake Timber are thrust into a global treasure hunt spanning four continents. From the sacred Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India, to the pirate archives of Port Royal, Jamaica. From the hidden synagogues of Recife, Brazil, to the shadow of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Each fragment brings them closer to a truth that has eluded humanity since Genesis—and closer to those who will kill to reach it first.
But they're not the only ones hunting the map.
A disavowed Catholic Order, the Ignis Flammae—the flaming sword—has kidnapped Professor Camara Mbaye, a brilliant biblical scholar who knows too much. The Order believes Eden must remain hidden, protected by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, eco-terrorist heiress Aurelia dos Santos Fidalgo seeks Eden for her own reasons, and she's brought Jake's most dangerous enemy as her enforcer: South African hitman Frik Versfeld, a man with a brutal past and a personal vendetta.
As the fragments come together, Morgan realizes the Garden of Eden isn't just a metaphor from Genesis. It's real. It's protected by ancient forces. And someone has to decide whether humanity deserves to find it—or whether some knowledge should remain forbidden forever.
The trail leads to the volcanic peaks of Iran's Sahand Mountains, where the final truth waits in a landscape as old as creation itself. But in the race to Eden, Morgan must confront not only external enemies but an impossible question: What happens when paradise is found? Should the Garden remain hidden, or does humanity have a right to reclaim what was lost?
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
- Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series (The Da Vinci Code, Origin)
- James Rollins' Sigma Force adventures (The Bone Labyrinth, The Devil Colony)
- Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child's archaeological thrillers
- Indiana Jones-style globe-trotting adventures with historical depth
- Strong female protagonists
- Biblical archaeology and ancient mysteries
- Religious thrillers that explore faith versus science
- Multi-location international thrillers spanning continents
- The search for legendary lost places (Atlantis, El Dorado, Eden)
Series Information:
Tree of Life is Book 11 in the ARKANE thriller series. While each book features a complete, standalone adventure, characters develop and evolve across the series. Morgan Sierra's journey from skeptical psychologist to believer in the supernatural deepens with each mission. New readers can start here, but the experience is richer when you follow the full ARKANE arc from Book 1 (Stone of Fire).
Themes & Content:
This globe-spanning thriller explores the intersection of faith, science, and environmental ethics. The Portuguese Jewish diaspora and converso history provide the historical foundation, while questions about humanity's relationship with nature drive the philosophical core. Features authentic research on locations from Amsterdam's Portuguese Synagogue to Iran's protected mountain regions.
Story Details:
- Genre: Archaeological thriller, Religious mystery, Action adventure
- Length: Approximately 70,000 words / 320 pages
- Reading time: 6-8 hours
- Mood: Fast-paced, intellectually engaging, atmospheric, globe-trotting
- Setting: Amsterdam (Netherlands), Goa (India), Paris (France), Kingston (Jamaica), Recife & Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Tabriz (Iran)
- Series: ARKANE Book 11 (Can be read as standalone)
- Content note: Action violence, themes of religious extremism, death of secondary characters
What Readers Are Saying:
"Like Indiana Jones meets The Da Vinci Code, but with a brilliant female archaeologist leading the charge."
"Penn's research is impeccable—I felt like I was traveling to each location."
"The best ARKANE thriller yet. The stakes have never been higher."