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A vanished conclave. An empty Sistine Chapel. And a secret buried for eight centuries.
From internationally bestselling author Glenn Cooper comes a gripping Vatican conspiracy thriller that has already topped the charts in Italy.
When Pope John XXIV is found dead in his bed just two years after his election, the world braces for a new conclave. But as the cardinal electors are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel, something unthinkable happens.
Hours pass. No smoke rises. No vote is announced.
And when Vatican Secretary of State Elisabetta Celestino breaks protocol to open the doors—she finds the chapel empty. The cardinals have vanished without a trace.
CNN religion expert Cal Donovan is on-site to cover the conclave, but soon finds himself swept into a global investigation. As panic spreads and theories abound, Cal uncovers a chilling trail leading back to a centuries-old order—one that has waited in the shadows to cleanse the sins of the Church... with blood.
Ancient secrets. Ruthless power. And a final reckoning that will shake the foundations of faith.
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Book Review: The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper ✝️📚
Rating: 4 Stars
I just finished The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper, and it was quite the thrilling ride! The premise hooked me right away: a mysterious disappearance during a papal conclave that has been shrouded in secrecy for eight centuries. The story kicks off with the sudden death of Pope John XXIV, setting the stage for what should be a routine election. But when the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to choose the next pope, hours go by without any sign of a vote or even the usual smoke signals. Then, in a jaw-dropping moment, the chapel is found completely empty—no cardinals in sight. ⛪❓
The plot quickly escalates as Cal Donovan, a CNN religion correspondent covering the conclave, gets pulled into an intense investigation. What follows is a gripping chase uncovering an ancient secret society that has been lurking in the shadows, poised to "cleanse" the Church’s sins in a chilling way. The blend of Vatican intrigue, historical mystery, and conspiracy kept me turning pages faster than I expected. 🕵️♂️📜🔥
One of my favorite aspects was the historical connection to the Cathars—an intriguing thread that added real depth to the story. The author’s writing style is sharp and fast-paced, which made it easy and enjoyable to read. Also, shoutout to the book’s cover—it’s striking and definitely caught my eye before I even started reading. 📚✨👍
Overall, The Last Conclave was a fun and engaging thriller that felt especially timely given recent the real-world conclave. The characters were well-drawn and believable, and the stakes felt genuinely high throughout. If you’re into Vatican conspiracies mixed with historical secrets and a fast-moving plot, this one’s worth checking out! 🎯🔍📖
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.