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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This sounded like a great novel, but it’s really not much more than a rip off of [b:Angels & Demons|960|Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon, #1)|Dan Brown|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303390735s/960.jpg|3338963] by Daniel Brown. The Pope has died and as the cardinals gather in Vatican City to prepare to elect the successor, some crazed killer begins to kill some of the leading candidates to succeed as Pontiff.
What’s different from A&D? No great secret society is behind anything. The killer is a sociopathic deranged (former) priest who The lead man is also a priest – who was also in the CIA. And, There is no real love interest (although there is some subtle sexual tension
The author’s attempt to include the background of the killer through flashbacks to his time in a psychiatric facility for wayward priests falls short of the mark. He doesn’t really explain anything and leaves way too many questions for the non-psychology major. His introduction of the inexperienced but smart and intuitive Spanish journalist showed promise – but he The story, of course, will never be made known because it is not in the interests of the Holy Mother Church to have the public be aware of these issues/problems. And, of course, the Rome police will go along with this.
It’s a fast read and a decent enough thriller, but he’s no Dan Brown.
As we prepare for our book discussion, the fact that the scandal of sex-abuse by priests supposedly known by and covered up by our current pontiff (Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Ratzinger of Munich) adds an interesting dimension.
What’s different from A&D? No great secret society is behind anything. The killer is a sociopathic deranged (former) priest who
Spoiler
also abused children back in Boston, and who was, himself, abused by his own father.Spoiler
unlike most heroes – he will die in the end.Spoiler
between the woman detective and the CIA priest).The author’s attempt to include the background of the killer through flashbacks to his time in a psychiatric facility for wayward priests falls short of the mark. He doesn’t really explain anything and leaves way too many questions for the non-psychology major. His introduction of the inexperienced but smart and intuitive Spanish journalist showed promise – but he
Spoiler
basically “killed” her off and no more is heard from her.It’s a fast read and a decent enough thriller, but he’s no Dan Brown.
As we prepare for our book discussion, the fact that the scandal of sex-abuse by priests supposedly known by and covered up by our current pontiff (Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Ratzinger of Munich) adds an interesting dimension.
bitterbiscotti's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nuriamonne's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
debs4jc's review against another edition
3.0
The backdrop is the death of the pope. As the conclave assembles to elect the new pontiff, the Italian police discover there is a serial killer in their midst. Paola Dicanti--a profiler--is called in to work the case, and gains some unexpected insight from a priest and former US intelligence officer named Anthony Fowler. [return]I liked this books unusual method of interspersing the main story with bits and pieces of artifacts from the past that gave you insight into the characters. Most of these had to do with the killer and his time receiving "treatment" after he was caught sexually molesting young boys. It creates two suspense stories, one about the past and what happened to drive this man to kill, and one about the present and whether they will be able to catch him. I thought it was well done and would recommend this to anyone who likes a complex suspense story.
guada_lopezcba's review against another edition
No puedo leer sobre abuso infantil. Es un gran NO
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Violence, and Child abuse
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
3.0
A 3 star book because of events towards the end which were unnecessary
coley_w_porter's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book
Truly a great read. Pulls you in and keeps the twists and turns going. Glad o had the chance to read this!
Truly a great read. Pulls you in and keeps the twists and turns going. Glad o had the chance to read this!
pachypedia's review against another edition
4.0
Un thriller que es lo que promete: un asesino interesante, un ritmo ágil y una trama que engancha, con la elección de ub nuevo Papa como marco de fondo. Muy recomendable si te gusta este género.
jorgefernandez's review against another edition
2.0
Más bien sería un 2,5/5*. Debut de Juan Gómez-Jurado, quizá demasiado influido por el fenomeno-Dan-Brown de la época.
No llega al nivel de sus últimas obras, pero da gusto ver como ha ido evolucionando a lo largo de los años.
No llega al nivel de sus últimas obras, pero da gusto ver como ha ido evolucionando a lo largo de los años.