The two cover jackets are based on the same theme: Dante's "Inferno." Indeed, the novel's title is a direct reference to Dante Aligheri's "Divine Comedy." The first part of this long poem written in the 14th century is entitled "Inferno."
"Although I studied Dante's ‘Inferno' as a student, it wasn't until recently, while researching in Florence, that I came to appreciate the enduring influence of Dante's work on the modern world," explained the novelist via his editor. "With this new novel, I am excited to take readers on a journey deep into this mysterious realm...a landscape of codes, symbols, and more than a few secret passageways."