The box-office success of the Indiana Jones series and the more recent success of Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code" have proved people's fascination with the search for undiscovered treasure or long-hidden secrets.

While the religious theories attracted massive media attention, we tend to overlook that the main reason "The DaVinci Code" remained atop the best-seller list week after week was simply that it was a good old-fashioned page turner driven by characters who were obsessed with following a trail of clues they hoped would lead them -- and the readers -- ultimately to a valuable and satisfying resolution.

In a similar vein, "Gold of Kings" is another tale of a quest for long-lost treasure. This time it is the hunt for lost treasures from the Second Temple of Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Romans as a result of a major Jewish revolt in the first century.

The main protagonist is a determined, courageous young woman named Storm Syrrell, the granddaughter and former employee of Sean Syrrell, a dealer in art and antiquities who has recently died under mysterious circumstances leaving his long-established and reputable firm facing financial ruin. Storm suspects that her grandfather has been murdered and that his business has been undermined by an unknown enemy.

As if to confirm her suspicions, Sean leaves behind some valuable clues for Storm to follow as well as a request for one of his closest friends and associates, Harry Bennett, to protect Storm's life. Harry is a professional treasure hunter and salvager who has recently been released from prison in the Caribbean.

Together they are joined in their search for treasure and answers by Emma Webb, an attractive federal agent with Homeland Security who is on loan to the FBI. Curiously the FBI has undertaken its own investigation into the sudden financial demise of Sean Syrrell's business. As their quest leads them to France, Istanbul and Cyprus, the trio learns through Emma's links with Interpol that other reputable dealerships like Syrrell's have recently suffered similar experiences.

Surprisingly as the story progresses, the mystery of whether or not real treasure will finally surface is supplanted by an even greater one: Who wanted Sean Syrrell dead and why?

Bunn's novel possesses all of the makings of a potentially successful story -- the captivating beginning that lures readers into the plot, fascinating, well-defined characters, and an unexpected tension-filled ending. Unfortunately, the book lags seriously in the middle.

Storm Syrrell almost disappears from the pages as Bunn wastes far too much time on his annoying fixation on the sexual attraction that develops between Harry Bennett and Emma Webb. After all, how many different phrases like "she found herself drawn to his raw strength" or he took "in the flavor of her in one huge draft" must the reader be subjected to before they get the picture?

Overall, however, fans of Dan Brown should find this work equally enjoyable, and its pure sense of escapism makes a nice summer read on hot days by the pool.