#1 New York Times Bestseller • #1 Wall Street Journal BestsellerFrom Daniel Silva, the internationally acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author, comes a riveting new thriller featuring art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon.It was nearly one a.m. by the time he crawled into bed. Chiara was reading a novel, oblivious to the television, which was muted. On the screen was a live shot of … into bed. Chiara was reading a novel, oblivious to the television, which was muted. On the screen was a live shot of St. Peter’s Basilica. Gabriel raised the volume and learned that an old friend had died …
Gabriel Allon has slipped quietly into Venice for a much-needed holiday with his wife and two young children. But when Pope Paul VII dies suddenly, Gabriel is summoned to Rome by the Holy Father’s loyal private secretary, Archbishop Luigi Donati. A billion Catholic faithful have been told that the pope died of a heart attack. Donati, however, has two good reasons to suspect his master was murdered. The Swiss Guard who was standing watch outside the papal apartments the night of the pope’s death is missing. So, too, is the letter the Holy Father was writing during the final hours of his life. A letter that was addressed to Gabriel.
While researching in the Vatican Secret Archives, I came upon a most remarkable book …
The book is a long-suppressed gospel that calls into question the accuracy of the New Testament’s depiction of one of the most portentous events in human history. For that reason alone, the Order of St. Helena will stop at nothing to keep it out of Gabriel’s hands. A shadowy Catholic society with ties to the European far right, the Order is plotting to seize control of the papacy. And it is only the beginning.
As the cardinals gather in Rome for the start of the conclave, Gabriel sets out on a desperate search for proof of the Order’s conspiracy, and for a long-lost gospel with the power to put an end to two thousand years of murderous hatred. His quest will take him from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, to a monastery in Assisi, to the hidden depths of the Secret Archives, and finally to the Sistine Chapel, where he will witness an event no outsider has ever before seen—the sacred passing of the Keys of St. Peter to a newly elected pope.
Swiftly paced and elegantly rendered, The Order will hold readers spellbound, from its opening passages to its breathtaking final twist of plot. It is a novel of friendship and faith in a perilous and uncertain world. And it is still more proof that Daniel Silva is his generation’s finest writer of suspense and international intrigue.
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Not nearly up to his usual standard
One of my favorite authors. Albeit like most celebrities, Silva is becoming political. When I read for light entertainment, I really do not care about the authors political views. It is even more so for the Hollywood types whose views and opinions mean even less. Their whole lives are a fraud.
Totally boring, disjointed book. I was very disappointed because I loved all of his other books and gave each of them 5 stars. This one was so bad I couldn’t finish it. I am skeptical that Daniel Silva wrote it. Don’t waste your time.
If you’re not familiar with this series, this may not be the book to start with. Yes, it’s a very capable standalone but there are so much backstory and history with the main character that gives this story so much more depth if you are familiar with it.
It’s a contemporary look at the modern-day Catholic Church and its workings. There is a lot of theology and politics. This book is a good example of an author taking a character and developing them over time, and multiple stories, and bringing new insight and understanding to the overall character/story arc while maintaining known familiarity.
It’s detailed, precise, and political. If you like that sort of thing, this is definitely for you. Did I agree with everything in it? Of course not, but then, I didn’t expect to and that’s what sometimes makes it interesting.
I’ve loved all of this author’s books. This one was a huge disappointment.
Silva is great but this is his weakest effort.
Best yet. Could not put it down:!
Love all books by Daniel Silva.
Not his very best, but good none the less
Not his best book.
This is my favorite one out of very many I’ve read in this series. Not only is it entertaining. it gives the reader a lot of food for thought. I loved it!
Very interesting read.
Love this author
It’s Gabriel Allon in action at his best. And that’s the best.
What a surprise. Hard no idea that this would happen in this series.
Great read.
Too political
Loved this book.
Love Daniel Silva books
Not one of my favorite Allon stories. It seemed a little slower starting and took awhile to pick up. I think Silva wants readers to understand the far right (essentially Nazism) in Europe is gaining steam and I appreciate it’s a small but real threat even in the U.S. But somehow I didn’t feel as engaged as I usually do.