The Magdalene Deception (The Magdalene Chronicles Book 1)

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In the heart of the English countryside, a discovery is made that threatens to overturn centuries of Church history. When Father Michael Dominic uncovers a cryptic diary leading to a lost 1st century Gospel, he is thrust into a labyrinth of deceit, murder, and controversy. Alongside Hana Sinclair, a savvy journalist, Michael sets out to unravel a mystery buried deep within the Church’s past. The Confessions of Pope Joan is a gripping tale of courage and faith, charting their quest against a powerful adversary seeking to keep the truth hidden. Jesuit priest Michael Dominic’s assignment to the Vatican’s legendary Secret Archives results in his discovery of a hidden papyrus: the unpublished writings of Mary Magdalene—a lost record buried in Rome’s deepest recesses. The forgotten relic’s heretical revelation threatens the Vatican’s very legitimacy, and pits Michael against ruthless and powerful enemies. For those of you who are fans of Indiana Jones (Last Crusade and Raiders), Daniel Silva's "A Death in Vienna," or the mystery/thriller genre, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. And the sequel, in my opinion, is just as good if not better! The diary propels them on a whirlwind adventure from Jerusalem, to Rome, to Buenos Aires. But as they unravel an ancient mystery, they run afoul of a nefarious sect determined to use the Magdalene veil for its own ends. Can Michael and Hana outsmart their ruthless adversaries and bring the artifact home to the Church, or will the revival of Aryan ambition destroy the long-lost relic of Christ?

McAvoy has solidified his cast of characters and deepened their relationships in this sequel and it begs the question: Having thus far twice unearthed religious artifacts whose import has threatened the very foundations of Christianity, what will his protagonists next bring to light? McAvoy surely has more up his sleeve and I, for one, can hardly wait to find out what it is. In this gripping conspiracy thriller, McAvoy applies his love of ancient manuscripts and historical documents to weave a story that spans from the early days of the Catholic Church to the present… Welcome historical context is sprinkled throughout the novel, which includes vivid descriptions of real-world celebrations, history-inspired prophecy, ancient texts… epic poems, and newspaper clippings. Every detail has been carefully curated to immerse the reader in the story, and McAvoy makes sure to leave breathing room for readers to absorb each new piece of information. The rich settings, elegantly described through architecture and antiques, anchor the reader in time and place. Consistent pacing complements the narrative… This story brims with intrigue, danger, and the fight for a religion’s soul. Takeaway: Steeped in Vatican and WWII intrigue, this history-rich thriller will appeal to readers eager to unravel conspiracies and explore the past.”

The Magdalene Deception

In the last month, I have read two books by rising star author GARY McAVOY. They are part of a new series called The Magdalen Chronicles. The first was THE MAGDALEN DECEPTION that I previously reviewed. The latest addition to the series is THE MAGDALEN RELIQUARY. Both feature a New York City priest assigned to the Secret Vatican Archives in Vatican City, an independent enclave located in Rome, Italy.

While doing research for his supervisor Father Calvino Mendoza, Dominic discovers a document that will lead him to Rennes-le-Chateau (a very small hilltop village), Paris and the story of Abbe Berenger Sauniere. The latter was a priest in that town late in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He built and rebuilt the local church and a manor house. When he died, he left everything to his friend and housekeeper Marie. Her grandniece is still alive and has some of Sauniere’s papers. One question that has baffled historians for a century is “Where did Sauniere get the money for his building projects?” All of that notwithstanding, I truly enjoyed The Magdalene Reliquary and will definitely read the others in the series. The book will especially appeal to fans of Dan Brown. It's a well-written novel that, despite the grim stakes, is more entertaining than frightening, more James Bond than Philip Marlowe. You get the feeling you're under the spell of a writer too dignified to dwell for long in the dark corners of his antagonists. But he thinks you should know that evil exists.” From Jerusalem to Rennes-le-Château, France, and from Rome to Buenos Aires, Father Michael Dominic and his friends take on a new adventure as they discover clues in old Nazi diaries that lead them to the most sacred artifact imaginable: the legendary Veil of Veronica, the cloth on which Christ cleansed his face on the road to Crucifixion, and which imparted his holy visage, showing what many believe to be the face of the Son of God.Hana is researching an article about the Vatican bank conspiring to hide gold stolen from Jews during WWII, and the two researchers are natural allies.