High Mass in Naples

Roman and Neapolitan detectives are on the track of an international criminal network that is responsible for deaths in Naples caused by radioactive garbage. In order to conceal these crimes, murders have also been committed in Rome. Behind the crimes lie the Russian oligarch Pudanichev and the Neapolitan Camorra godfather Don Giglio, but since Naples needs the investments of the apparently honorable business people and their associates, the judiciary and the municipal administration protect them. Even some in the higher ranks of the clergy are involved in these shady goings-on, and make a financial profit from them.

However, these clergy have come to the notice of the auxiliary bishop of Naples, Gian Carlo Montebello, while he was investigating an archaeological sensation together with some of his staff. The papers of a former archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Sersale, had long been thought lost. They are now discovered and include a letter with concrete indications that the bones of Alexander the Great are in Naples, and most likely in the cathedral of the city.

No one knows where they are hidden. But finally, two of the clergy on the bishop’s staff interpret the clues correctly, and lead their colleagues into the cathedral crypt, where a large clay vessel contains not only the relics of San Gennaro, the patron of the city, but also—under a false bottom—the remains of Alexander the Great.

It seems that the day is ending on a happy note, since the environmental criminals have been unmasked on the same day, and many criminals have been arrested.

Now they stand before the goal of all their dreams. They are on the point of safely recovering a world-ranking archaeological treasure. Just at this moment, however, a completely unexpected guest appears on the scene: the oligarch Pudanichev. Unknown to them (but as the reader knows by now), he too has been following secretly the search for the Alexander the Great. Now he wants to get hold of his remains.