The Secret Cardinal

Tom Grace's The Secret Cardinal is simply a very good story. Tightly written with an excellent multifaceted plot. His review of the inner workings of the Catholic Church and how new Popes are elected was interesting and informative. Although superficial, it gives the layman a better understanding of the intricate complexities inherent to religious governance in the Catholic Church, especially when a new Pope is to be elected. To those gathered in St Peter's Square outside the Sistine Chapel while the Cardinals are in conclave, all eyes are focused on the chimney and whether the smoke is black or white. Unbeknownst to the gathered faithful, intrigue, political infighting, and religious dogma roil the conclave as they seek to elect a new pontiff. Into this high charged religious political mix is the fate of a Chinese bishop. Help in captivity for almost 30 years, the Chinese bishop has been secretly, in pectore, made a cardinal by the Pope who before he dies puts together a rescue mission to free the Chinese bishop. The story centers on both the conclave and the rescue mission and Mr. Grace does a very good job of weaving the two stories as one with a terrific ending. Fast paced, historically accurate, and technically charged, The Secret Cardinal is a worthy read. Of particular note is the Author's Note at the story's conclusion. Here Mr. Grace brings salient historical facts to the reader's attention for analysis. An excellent device to add credence to this wonderful tale. Overall simply a well written suspenseful novel. Warning: Some extremely graphic and very violent torture scenes. Although germane to the story could make some readers queasy. No gratuitous sex or language. A solid recommend. A good story and learning experience.

When Nolan Kilkenny's father asks him to travel to Rome to work as a consultant for Malachy Donaher, his dad's oldest and dearest friend, Nolan suspects that the request is actually an attempt to help him snap out of his grief. Over the past two months Kilkenny has suffered great losses --- his wife, his unborn child --- and his faith. Since the deaths of his wife and son, he has buried himself with work, so he welcomes the change of scenery from his lonely house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the vibrant city of Rome, Italy. Malachy Donaher is more than Kilkenny's godfather and his father's best friend; Donaher is the Cardinal Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, and he holds another secret and critical position inside the Vatican. And Donaher's request for Kilkenny's help is for more than Kilkenny's technical expertise in information management. When Cardinal Donaher takes Kilkenny to meet with Pope Leo, the real purpose of his visit is revealed. The ailing Pope is disheartened over the persecution and deaths of Roman Catholics in China, especially after a deliberately set fire in a theater that killed more than 500 Chinese Catholics. The Pope is also deeply concerned about the fate of Yin Daoming, an underground priest who was instrumental in holding the Catholic community together during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Yin, a devout and humble Jesuit and the Bishop of Shanghai, has been imprisoned for decades for refusing to denounce the Roman Catholic Church. During Kilkenny's meeting, Pope Leo confides that he has made Yin Daoming a cardinal "in pectore" (in his heart) over 20 years earlier. The Pope enlists Kilkenny's assistance as an ex-Navy Seal to rescue Yin from the heavily-guarded Chinese prison so the Pope can publicly announce Yin's elevation to Cardinal within the Roman Catholic Church. With covert assistance from the President of the United States, the CIA and volunteer members of the Special Forces, Kilkenny assembles a courageous and committed team that uses the latest high-tech equipment to execute their mission, which is put at risk after the death of Pope Leo. The stakes are raised as the Congress of Cardinals assembles in conclave to elect the next Pope, and time becomes a critical factor. The lives of Kilkenny's team, as well as the secret cardinal and faithful Roman Catholics in China, are jeopardized after the Chinese receive detailed information about the rescue attempt from someone on the inside. Tom Grace has written an intelligent and intriguing thriller with characters worth rooting for and a welcome twist --- no gratuitous sex or over-the-top violence. The deftly plotted novel gives a close-up view of the inner workings of the Vatican in electing a Pope, along with a dazzling display of the latest high-tech military hardware and software. THE SECRET CARDINAL is a suspense-filled work of fiction about faith, hope, sacrifice and forgiveness, and a story that shows what precious gifts faith and freedom really are.

Great book - nice build-up to the action, and it isn't wrought with cheesy gratuitous love scenes like so many other books. Would make a great movie as well.

This book is so true to life regarding everything I've read about the persecution of Catholics in China. Each plot line was so exciting, I never even minded it when one chapter ended with a cliff hanger and the next chapter picked up a different thread. I'm not much attracted to this type of story--I'm the squeamish type who closes my eyes during scenes of movie violence--but this story was so good I just had to read it. As another reviewer pointed out, there were thankfully no gratuitous sex scenes, as the ex-Navy SEAL in charge of rescuing Cardinal Yin had been recently widowed and was still grieving. Now, as a caution to those who don't like such things,and/or might give this book to a teen reader, there is a brutal torture scene that include rape and dismemberment. It is hard to read. On the other hand, the author didn't belabor the gory details. The characters in question died with great courage, so even this section had a certain beauty to it. But parents should read the book before giving it to a young person. The details of how a papal conclave works, various Catholic ceremonies, etc., were also well researched. Obviously, some of the details that moved the story along--like the head cardinal sneaking out during the conclave to a secret intelligence room in the catacombs to learn how the rescue mission in China was going--are pure fantasy. But Oh! The climax and final outcome are so wonderful that any Catholic reading this book will close its covers just wishing that such a thing could actually happen someday.

Best book I have read in awhile. It took me 2 days to read it. It is a thriller from the second I picked it up. A MUST READ. If you or anyone you know it interested in Vatican politics, international relations, religious freedom or human rights abuses in China this is a must read.