Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 431
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 1451694148
ISBN-13: 9781451694147
Simon & Schuster: eBook | Hardcover | Audiobook
In 2004, as Pope John Paul’s reign enters its twilight, a mysterious exhibit is under construction at the Vatican Museums. A week before it is scheduled to open, its curator is murdered at a meeting on the outskirts of Rome. The same night, a violent break-in rocks the home of the curator’s research partner, Father Alex Andreou, a married Greek Catholic priest who lives inside the Vatican with his five-year-old son.
This book has clear ups and downs. The story is interesting most of the part. Exciting mysteries and conspiracies in the Vatican always make for some extra atmosphere. Still at times the author gets lost in explaining gospels and the religious meaning of things. It broke the flow of the story for me. On the other hand it was clear what amount of research was done to create this book which added something to the experience again. The book works very much on the feeling that there is a lot of corruption and stuff going on in Vatican city so if you find that topic hard to deal with do not read this book. I really enjoyed the position the author chose with the combination of the orthodox Christian church inside the Vatican. I was not much aware of the politics concerning their status.
The most important character is Alex Andreou. Left by his wife and taking care of his young son it is easy the sympathize with him and hope for the best. Living inside his head I connected to the other characters as much as Alex wanted me to. Peter, his son, is the most important person in his life so he does come to life. Other characters a bit less as you only get to know them how Alex wants you to know them.
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