SOLVED. Mary Magdalene mystery, similar to Da Vinci Code [s]

[Lisa]

I read this mystery book about Mary Magdalene about 5 years ago and I remember very little about it. I would like to read it again (so no spoilers please if possible- ha). I don't even remember if the main character was a male or female. I believe it came out before the Da Vinci code, but it was very a similar mystery/suspense book. I believe the cover had an image of her with red and blue colors.

[Ingo]

Maybe it is something from this list?
Maria Magdalena
"The Expected One", the last in the list came out after the Da Vinci Code, but sounds like it might be your book.
One other "The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail" even has a sticker "As featured in the Da Vinci Code", but it is more of a search for the truth about Maria Magdalena.
Both covers do not fit with your description, even when I looked at all editions for both books.

[Lisa]

Thanks. No, none of those covers looked familiar. I believe one part of the book had a dinner party at a large fancy home. There was also a part where they may have been digging for an artifact.

[Michele]

Was it a new book at the time you read it, or an older one? Definitely fiction?

You might check this GR list.

[Lisa]

After reading more, I believe it was The Expected One, although I know the cover looked different. According to the author's wiki page, she claimed to have started it years before the Da Vinci Code. It is very similar, but I remember I enjoyed it also. Thanks for your help!

[Michele]

The Expected One for the click.

[Lisa]

Thanks Ingo and Michele!