"The Relic" is a horror novel written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, first published in 1995. The story follows a team of scientists and museum curators as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to an ancient artifact, known as the Kothoga, displayed in a museum in New York City. As the investigation unfolds, the team discovers that the artifact may be connected to a deadly creature that has escaped from the depths of the Amazon rainforest. The novel combines elements of science fiction and horror, exploring themes of ancient cultures and the consequences of tampering with nature.