Temple is a book by
Australian science fiction author
Matthew Reilly, set in the
South American jungle. The book is split between two different timelines, one following monk Alberto Santiago in 1535 and one Professor William Race in the present. Race has been recruited by
DARPA to read the ancient Spanish manuscript left by Santiago and guide the DARPA team to an Incan idol described within it, made of a rare extraterrestrial element called thyrium that holds incredible power. They meet competition from others wanting the same power for themselves. Twists in one timeline affect the other in a complex web of action with unpredictable twists and turns right until the end.
Reilly is reportedly planning a sequel to Temple following the same two-in-one style and featuring Professor Race again.