With the exception of the final 50 pages, this book was tedious to read. But I had to finish it, as family members loved it and love Dr. Maier and have been asking me to read it forever. 
 So, what is wrong here? The writing is absolutely atrocious. Let me count the ways: 
 * The narration constantly engages in the flaw of telling instead of showing. 
 * Dialogue is wooden and sprinkled with dull humor that annoys rather than amuses. 
 * Character development is weak, forced and, in the case of our hero, even distasteful. Given the fact that Dr. Maier is a well known Bible scholar and leader in the conservative Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, his choice of a middle age male protagonist lusting after a much younger woman, with whom he eventually engages in a relationship that is not clearly chaste, is surprising, not to mention a bit disgusting. One has to wonder what this character reveals about it's author. Is he simply bowing to the societal norm to spice up the story or engaging in a bit of voyeurism? Either thought is disturbing. As a woman, I also found the "modern woman" character of whats-her-name annoying. 
 * The plot is painfully slow. The ordering is good, but it takes laboriously long to get to what we know is coming (Jesus' bones discovered!) and the climax comes too late in the book. 
 * The narration is full of self-important hubris. If someone even mentions in conversation over the next year that the world would radically, seismically, unalterably, change! if Jesus' bones were found, I think I might... I don't know... but it would be bad. 
 * The book has not aged well. Written prior to 9/11/2001, I found some of the passages referencing terrorists or extremists down right angering. I think world events have caused most readers, and I would say probably even Dr. Maier himself, to view many of these concepts differently. 
 Why even 2 stars? I know, I was surprised myself! Here is what I came up with after some time to think about it: 
 * The idea of a discovery of Jesus' bones is unique. 
 * The science of archeology is intriguingly presented and explained. I cannot say I understand it, but I liked learning about it - also something not commonly found. 
 * The press conferences (which appear regularly) were well-written. The protagonist shined and the writing seemed tighter. 
 * The final showdown between the books opponents was compelling. While still suffering from Maier's trademark verbosity, it addressed many of the thorny issues of both the merits of Christianity and why people reject it. 
 * I'm always a fan of MacGyver (google it if you're too young for this reference) plot twists. 
 If you love someone who loves this book, or are interested in archeology, or love Christian fiction, this book will fill your need to read. Ultimately, I wish Dr. Maier would have worked with a writer, like Jerry Jenkins (I know, not a literary pinnacle, but someone with more fiction experience), to develop the book. Pity really, it could have been amazing.