The Third Revelation: The Rosary Chronicles

This is a well-researched book, much in the style of a Morris West novel. If you liked "The salamander", you'll enjoy this book. The topic will appeal mostly to Catholics who know the story of the Fatima apparitions. The book is very up to date, with references to very recent events; it is definitely politically incorrect in its treatment of the issue of Muslim imigration to Europe and the author often mentions Oriana Fallaci and her last three books. The first section of the book is gripping and well written; the book sags a bit in the middle and picks up a bit in the final chapters. Overall, it makes for an entertaining read and the author clearly knows his way around Rome and its restaurants! He only makes one factual error, when he attributes the design of the Swiss Guards' uniform to Leonardo da Vinci (it was designed by Michelangelo). While this book is no masterpiece, it is entertaining and worth a read.

This book is much better than the reviews it has garnered to date. Some criticism is valid but nonetheless it is an interesting blend of the factual and fanciful. Many references are to real people (some not well known outside Church circles) but some are also in the world of fiction. This will probably appeal most to a Catholic audience that takes seriously the travails of modern times, including inside the Church, but is still appreciative of exciting fiction and its ability to illuminate shadows of truth often slightly veiled. If that description fits you, read the book.

At St. Peter's Basilica, Anatoly kills a guard with a knife and uses his uniform to gain entrance to the Apostlytic Palace. There he kills Secretary of State Rampolla by tossing him out the window and does likewise with the Cardinal's assistant. Finally he goes on a rooftop where he stabs to death Cardinal Maguire, head of the archives. As he leaves, Anatoly is noticed by both Russian Ambossid Chekvosky and archivist Father Brendan Crowe. The Russian asks for the files related to the Ali Agia assassination attempt of Pope John Paul II, but is stonewalled again. The Vatican does a great job hiding the four murders. However, they make little progress on solving the mass killings and what the motive was. Retired CIA operative Vincent Traeger, who worked mostly in Rome, is sent to investigate. Along with his Vatican contact Rodriguez, they decide the most likely motive is the Russian interest in the Agia assassination attempt or the so-called third secret of Fatima already revealed by the Vatican, but many believe is a cover-up; however the document is missing. The first Rosary Chronicles is an exciting investigative thriller that focuses on Christian extremism. The story line is entertaining from the moment Anatoly commits his mass killing and filled with some nice twists such as Traeger and Anatoly meeting up early into the plot, the deep belief that there is more to the third secret than officially revealed and to the Agia assassination attempt. Though it take perhaps too long for the myriad of subplots to begin to cohesively merge as there are more than just the above, fans will relish THE THIRD REVELATION. Harriet Klausner