07.16.10
THE LAST POPE
THE LAST POPE by LUIS MIGUEL ROCHA
Thrilling Tale
When my wife gave me this book to read and said it was as exciting as Dan Brown’s thrillers, I was doubtful. Dan Brown demonstrated imagination in dealing with semi-historical plots, stretching credibility but telling a good story. Could Luis Miguel Rocha do as well? In my judgment the comparison is valid.
The Last Pope is a very fast paced mystery, with rapidly changing scenes and multiple characters. Prepare yourself for a thrilling suspenseful ride, filled with dangerous enemies lurking in shadows and a heroine facing danger without being able to recognize her enemy.
Beginning the novel we are introduced to Albino Luciani, a healthy sixty six year old man who, against his wishes, was elected Pope. Thirty three days later, as John Paul I, he was dead. Within twenty four hours, Albino Luciani’s body was embalmed and his apartment throughly cleaned. Could this Pope have been assassinated?
Although this novel is not a historical, The Last Pope is an exciting novel. Using a few actual events, the story suggests that the Pope was killed to cover-up financial and possible mafia activities inside the Vatican.
Twenty eight years after the death of John Paul I “evidence” was sent to a journalist who suddenly finds herself running to avoid professional secret agents resolved to destroy the information and to do anything to silence anyone with knowledge of Vatican activities before and since John Paul’s papacy.
The death of the Pope occurs near the beginning of the novel, which keeps the reader in suspense during most of the book. Was the Pope actually killed? Who could avoid security and perform the murder undetected? Why accept the assumption that a healthy man died of a massive coronary without warning? What could be a motive?
Since I was able to suspence credulity, I enjoyed The Last Pope. Many of the characters in the church were based upon actual people. Most of the characters involved in the sinister plot were also based upon actual people. The plot is reasonable and the action entertaining. I highly recommend this book to those who love a good thrilling mystery.