A notable archaeologist, close to finding a priceless artifact, meets his untimely demise-- Matthew Shane vows to find his murderer Matthew Shane is a law professor in Salem, Massachusetts, where he enjoys a rewarding mentorship with Professor Barrington Holmes, a well-known archaeologist. So when Professor Holmes is found dead in his office and the police rule it a suicide, something doesn't sit right with Matthew. He becomes determined to find the true cause of Holmes' death and bring closure to his widow. Matthew soon learns that Professor Holmes belonged to a group of notable archaeologists dubbed " The Monkey's Paw, " who were all entangled in an expedition to find an unknown object of unprecedented historical and financial value. Each member had been given one piece of the instructions to find the object, but some of the men had encountered horrific twists of fate before the group could reunite to continue in their search. Joining forces with the remaining members, Matthew's quest for the cause of the apparent curse of The Monkey's Paw leads him on a global wild goose chase that culminates in a turn of events not even Professor Holmes could have predicted. Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Dan Brown