Da Vinci Code Like, But Disappointing in the End

Audiobook Review:
I could tell pretty quickly that the author was trying to create his own version of a Da Vinci Code like book. Since that book came out, many authors have imitated the style and/or plotline, some better than others. This one started out well, though perhaps the author had a bit too much of an explanation about Vatican history that felt a little too much like an info dump. As the book progresses, the author adds various strands that seem unrelated or tangential, though you hope the author will pull it all together in the end. The time the author took to create the separate strands and propel them into motion seemed to take up the bulk of the book, not really leaving enough room for tension to build on all plot and subplot lines. The story seemed disjointed at times and wrapped up too quickly. I didn't think all the storylines truly intersected at the finale when they should have, making the end seem not quite in line with what went before. While it was an interesting listen, in the end, it left me disappointed.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Not bad, but kinda weird and took me a really long time to get into the story

Just getting into Audio books and this was one of my first reqests on Net Galley Audio
I'm not ussually into history or religious books and by the second chapter I was about to give up but I am glad I persevered as ; it just sets the stage for  the story.
The  book focuses on father Michael Dominic, a priest, who is an expert in middle age writings and his nThew posting as an archivist in the Vatican archives

After an introduction by his friend who is a Swiss Guard he teams up with Hana Sinclair, who is a journalist investigating her own, what seems at first quite separate, investigation they visit France and what they discover there puts all faiths religeon in question and also puts Micheal & Hana  in danger 

Well worth a read

People who loved The DaVinci code will really enjoy this. A young priest and a newspaper reporter team up to uncover a centuries old secret that will rock the Church if it comes to light. Fast moving and enjoyable.

Father Michael is new to the Vatican. He comes across an ancient secret that could influence the Christian world. The story is based on some historical facts. There were a few details in the book that I didn't like, but it didn't ruin the story. The pace was just right for me, and it kept me engaged the whole time. The narration was excellent. I enjoyed this audiobook, and I look forward to the next one.

I would recommend it to all who like Vatican mysteries and Dan Brown fans. Thanks to the publisher and author for the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this audio book through net galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is along the same lines to be as DaVinci Code or the Steve Berry or James Rollins novels.  Mind you this was not my favorite, there were many parts in which I rolled my eyes or even just stopped the audio book for a few days in order to clean my mind.  

The story is easy to follow and is fast paced (minus those parts I mentioned earlier), and the characters were relatable.  The author weaves an exciting tale that will leave you wondering what if? At the end.

I still enjoyed this audio book and between the story and the narrator it was an enjoyable listen.  I will and have already recommended it.

Oh my, that gave me flashbacks to Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series!!! It was a slow burner in the beginning unlike Dan Brown's books. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed reading about Father Michael's "journey" to the Vatican. It was definitely a believable storyline and kept me drawn in the entire time. It was a great take on the history of Christianity and the "what ifs" and the consequences of said "what ifs." I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Oh my, that gave me flashback to Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series!!! It was a slow burner in the beginning unlike Dan Brown's books. That is not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoyed reading about Father Michael's "journey" to the Vatican. It was definitely a believable storyline and kept me drawn in the entire time. it was a great take on the history of Christianity and the "what ifs" and the consequences of said "what ifs." I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Conspiracy, thrills, adventure, making you question things you thought you knew? Sign me up. This book was a fantastic read that I did not want to put down. This filled the void I have had while waiting for Dan Brown to write another and now I need to read them all. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read it.

An interesting story, the plot is straight forward, and there is a lot of detail to be patient with. The document itself does create a great dilemma so that has been well designed. Fairly obvious good guys and bad guys and no major surprises, but enjoyable read. Comes together nicely at the end.

I had a difficult time getting into his one.  It had all of the elements that I usually love.  It’s a Dan Brownesque biblical mystery, with puzzles unfolding throughout, but the writing style was very slow, and I struggled to stay with it.

Book was enjoyable but too predictable. Characters were shallow but the plot was good. I enjoyed the pace and would recommend this bool to other people.

A believable thriller with enough real life details that you can easily slip into the story without jarring mistakes that bring you back to reality.  Lots of details which makes for a fascinating plot.

Father Michael Dominic is a recently ordained Catholic priest assigned to work in the Vatican Library's Secret Archives, which aren't so much secret as reserved for elite scholars. Dominic is a classical medievalist whose rapid rise in the church was engineered by his mentor, Cardinal Enrico Petrini, who's known Michael since he was a boy.

One of Dominic's jobs is to help digitalize the Vatican archives, so researchers around the world can have access to the documents housed there. Michael, who's not permitted to be in the archives alone, is supervised by kindly Brother Calvino Mendoza, a portly septuagenarian who wears the brown robe and leather sandals of his Franciscan order. Brother Mendoza is very excited about exhuming documents unseen for centuries, and - instead of asking for assistance - injures himself retrieving a large book from a high shelf.

After helping Mendoza back to his room, Dominic returns to lock the archives and can't help but peek into the book Mendoza retrieved. The tome's handling exposes a secret compartment containing two documents: writings by the ancient seer Nostradamus, and a blackmail letter directed to the Vatican. Dominic photographs the hidden pages and consults Professor Simon Ginsberg, a religious scholar who teaches in Rome.

Dominic and Ginsberg determine that 16th century Nostradamus made predictions relevant to current times, and an early 20th century priest named François Bérenger Saunière, who had a small parish in Rennes-le-Château, France, extorted huge sums from the Holy See. Bérenger Saunière used the funds to purchase an extravagant estate, embellish his church, provide a comfortable home for his housekeeper, and beautify the village of Rennes-le-Château.

Dominic is keen to discover what Saunière used to coerce the Vatican and gets the opportunity to investigate after he makes the acquaintance of Parisian journalist Hana Sinclair, who writes for Le Monde.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.

Michael and Hana end up going to Rennes-le-Château together, where they serendipitously acquire a papyrus document that could undermine the very foundations of the Catholic church.

The priest and reporter aren't the only ones interested in the earth-shaking discovery. The Vatican Secretariat of State, Cardinal Fabrizio Dante - who spies on everyone in the Holy See - has gotten wind that Dominic is on to something. So Dante arranges for a Croatian Europol cop named Petrov Govic - a secret Nazi sympathizer who's been working for Dante for years - to follow Dominic and Hana, intercept their emails, tap their phones, and report back to him.

When Cardinal Dante learns the contents of the papyrus document unearthed in France he means to get it by any means necessary, and things take a dramatic turn from there.

Historical elements of the story include references to the Crusades; the brutal Inquisition; the controversy surrounding Pope Pius XII, who remained silent while Jews were exterminated by the Nazis; and a secret pact connected with WWII French resistance fighters called the Macquis.

The novel is enhanced by engaging secondary characters, picturesque descriptions of the Vatican, and forbidden romantic sparks between Hana and Father Dominic. This connects with my major quibble about the story - almost everyone who meets Michael comments on how handsome he is, and marvels that he became a priest. It's just a bit much. 😏

I enjoyed this exciting thriller, which held my attention from beginning to end.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Gary McAvoy), and the publisher (Literati Editions) for a copy of the book.

The Magdalene Deception by Gary McAvoy was an exciting read along the lines of Dan Brown’s Angels and Demon’s.  A lot of intense build up as the two main characters, priest Michael Dominic and friend, Hanna Sinclair, an investigative reporter, investigate and uncover an old relic long buried and extremely important to the Christian church. This find can change the course of Christianity forever. Set, in part, in the Vatican library, this novel was suspenseful and intriguing as it leads you through various mini-plots as the main one unfolds. McAvoy pulls you in with a lot of history, seems to have done his research and makes you wonder if this is a true story.  An enjoyable read.  I received this novel as an early audio version in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book has it all. A Vatican conspiracy therapy, Jewish gold stolen by the nazi’s, a hunky priest and lots of action. 

Father Michael Dominic discovers some hidden papers which lead him on a path he never expected. Along the way he meets Hana, a journalist who is investigating her own mystery. The two team up and soon they find a manuscript that would send shock waves through out the world. I wish I could tell you more, but revealing too much would spoil the story. 

I received this copy as an audiobook and then narrator was fantastic. This is a book with many different nationalities and he did them all brilliantly. I will be looking out for more books narrated by Will Damron. 

If you are a fan of books like the Da Vinci Code then I would recommend giving this book a go.

When medieval scholar Father Michael Dominic is assigned to the Vatican archives, he's plunged into a political jungle. While trying to just do his job protecting and cataloging the treasures of the collections, he discovers a hidden document that sends him off to southern France, shadowed by a very bad actor doing the will of a Vatican rival. A rare and valuable document is at stake, along with the lives of Father Dominic and his journalist companion. Those who enjoy conspiracy adventure fiction such as that of Dan Brown, Paul Christopher, Steve Berry, and Chris Kuzneski will find another favorite with McAvoy. The lost treasure of the Cathars and their tragic demise still spark the imagination of many folks who will enjoy this fast paced adventure. Will Damron provides a fine performance, handling multiple voices and accents to keep the listener focused.

Mary Magdalene.
The Vatican.
An Ancient Manuscript.
Hidden papyrus.
The Ustaša.
Historical Controversies.
Swiss Guards.
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The Magdalene Deception by Gary McAvoy is a book I listened to recently. You could say, I stumbled upon it and luckily so. It is a religious thriller which I must confess I quite enjoyed. 
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It all starts when Jesuit priest Michael Dominics finds a hidden papyrus in the Vatican’s Secret Archives which could alter the cornerstone of Christian faith. This curious but important discovery threatens the Vatican’s very legitimacy pitying Dominics against very powerful enemies. Thereby starts an engaging saga of a race to uncover the whole truth of the manuscript while the powers that be do everything possible to stop it from coming out in the open.
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The level of detail in the book, the kind of research that would have gone into this is astonishingly good. The way the other plotlines are tied into it neatly was impressive too. I must confess I was pleasantly surprised by it. The historical information and detail make it so very convincing. Honestly, I cannot wait to read the next in the series now. 
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I think this book has potential for a screen adaptation as well, but that is probably me getting carried away. All I have to say is, if you are a sucker for conspiracy theories, then this book is perfect for you.

*Many thanks to gary McAvoy, Literati Editions, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
This is an enjoyable read tackling one of the conspiracy theories that surrounds the Catholic Church. The book is like a crush course for those who want to learn more about the Cathars, the Languedoc region in which their legend still lives, and Mary Magdalene who is given much more important role in some theories that in the Bible.
The narrator does a very good job and overall the novel has a good pace, lots of information on the subject matter, a nice couple who pursue the truth and an assassin who wants to stop them unearthing the truth. There are some other issues mentioned in the book, like for example, the role of banks and the Vatican with regard to the Holocaust.
This is one of those books which while being enteratinment provide insight into some historical events and theories.

The narrator was really good. Great voice I would gladly listen to again.

I really enjoyed the story and would definitely read/listen to more in the series