Scandal and Intrigue among Victorian Archaeologists... The Cornerstone of Deception, author Cheryl Simani's historical mystery novel, weaves an absorbing portrait of status and scandal in the Victorian period. Spanning the Tigris-Euphrates Rivers (Modern Iraq), Paris, London, and Northern Ireland, biblical truths and imperial politics are caught in the whirl of ambition and greed. Rife with intrigue, duplicity, and romance, this spellbinding novel is certain to enthrall anyone interested in issues of the debate between science and religion, or who simply enjoys cracking a confounding case. Kirkus Review (excerpts): A riveting tale of archaeological intrigue. Converting her nonfiction research into historical suspense, novelist Simani introduces real-life archaeologists, Austen Layard, Jules Oppert, Henry Rawlinson, and George Smith, showing how their lives and discoveries were intertwined. The novel's historical elements are well-researched, and Simani displays an additional gift for weaving an engrossing love story. The research that inspired this novel - Reassessing the Cornerstone - is now available on Academia.edu.