The Medici Secret by Michael White

In the crypt of the Medici Chapel in Florence, palaeopathologist, Edie Granger, and her uncle, Carlin Mackenzie, are examining the mummified remains of one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Italy. The embalmers have done their work well in terms of outward appearance. But under the crisp skin, the organs have shrivelled to a fraction of their original size, which means it is difficult to gather a usable DNA sample.Edie and Mackenzie both have serious doubts about the true identity of at least two of the five-hundred-year-old bodies. And no one can explain the presence of an alien object discovered resting against Cosimo de Medici's spine. For Carlin Mackenzie, this is the most fascinating and the most dangerous discovery of his life. For Edie, it is the beginning of an obsessive, life-threatening quest. With all the dramatic twists and turns that made Equinox such a huge international success, The Medici Secret meshes past and present, cryptic clues and constant menace to produce a mystery thriller that does not relax its grip for one single moment.

I read half this book before I went to Cape Town and the other half after ... so a bit disjointed. It was a fine enough book, pretty much standard post-Da Vinci Code fair ... I will say that I didn't especially enjoy the jumping around in time etc. to explain the story. But anyway, definitely a light-entertainment holiday read.