This was an excellent story! A mix of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series and Robert Harris' Conclave. As for the timing of this book's release considering the new Pope's just been elected, either the author writes really fast or it was a lucky coincidence! I loved this. Plenty of action and POV's, from the delay of seeing the first smoke after the start of the conclave, the disappearance of the cardinals from the locked Sistine Chapel, the various authorities trying to track where they went, through to the thrilling conclusion. I also enjoyed the bit of history about the Cathars. Well worth reading.
Thanks to Netgalley, Book Whisperer, and Glenn Cooper for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The high-stakes plot, secretive religious orders, and coded mysteries immediately brought Dan Brown to mind—in the best way. The timing of this release couldn’t have been more perfect, especially with a real-life conclave recently taking place. It added an extra layer of intrigue and immediacy to the story.

If you enjoy thrillers that mix history, suspense, and a touch of the arcane, this one’s worth picking up!

Although a work of fiction, The Last Conclave is based on historical facts as the Cathars did exist and they were annihilated by the Crusades and some characters in the story were real. After the Pope's sudden death, the conclave meets to elect the new Pope, however before they can do that they disappear leaving in charge of the Catholic Church, a woman, Elisabetta Celestino, who was the Vatican's Secretary of State. What will follow is a lot of intrigue, factions within the church fighting for power, and one religion expert, Cal Donovan, realizing there was a possibility of the Cathars involvement, although the religion supposedly did not exist anymore. The story is fast-paced and constructed within two different timelines, one explaining the past and the origins of Catharism, and the other following the kidnapping of the conclave. Very interesting, The Last Conclave is one of those books that you'll won't stop reading until the end is reached. Highly recommended!
I thank Mr. Cooper, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

An exciting thriller from start to finish! I read it shortly after an actual Conclave ended and a new Pope was announced. The background information about what actually occurs during this event was told in news reports, which was a smooth way to integrate this material into what was occurring in the story. The politicking of the Cardinals and the romantic tension between Elisabetta and Cal were understated but threaded throughout the story. The Cardinals were authentic as we learn their opinions, biases and infirmities. The antiquated sect introduced some current issues. But central to the story is the hunt to find the missing Cardinals - the kidnapping was creative and complex, and the rescue was fast-paced and exciting. Thanks go to Book Whisperer for granting me an ARC of this riveting story. The story sucked me in like a riptide - I loved it and could not put it down!

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Such a great read! Loved this book from start to the very last page.
The characters are well defined and engaging with a storyline that was gripping and well written.
Absolutely 💯 a good read. Would definitely recommend this book and author.

This book is both fascinating and timely, offering a rich history of the Catholic Church and the Cathars that I found thoroughly enjoyable. The narrative is intense and action-packed, spanning two different time periods. While I occasionally found the shifts between past and present confusing, the historical context provided was invaluable. Overall, it's a compelling read that I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the BookWhisperer for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

When I saw the recently released movie Conclave, this story, The Last Conclave, was more of what I was expecting. Murder, revenge, history, deep relationship, multiple perspectives from which the story is told.

The Last Conclave had it all. Captivating, edge-of-your-seat (and stay up too late) reading is on the agenda once you start Cooper's most recent release. Excellent pacing, no gratuitous violence or sex, plus history woven into a realistic, well-told tale.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper has more twisty turns than a piece of fucelli or rotini. Mr. Cooper has written a thriller combined with church history. This book is nonstop action and impossible to put down. The Pope is dead and the entire group of cardinals meeting in conclave to elect a new pope has gone missing. How? Why? This reader appreciated that the author gave perspective from both sides of the main issue. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

This is my first read of Glenn Cooper but plan to add him to my list of preferred authors. The pope has died resulting in the cardinals gathering for the conclave. Oaths are recited and doors are locked as the sacred conclave begins their journey to select a new pope to lead the Catholic Church. Outside the Sistine Chapel the throngs await the white or black smoke relaying the result of the first vote. Two hours pass and no smoke. Then three hours and then four. No smoke. The decision is made to breach the conclave. On entering they find it empty…not a single cardinal in the Sistine Chapel. But how could over 100 cardinals disappear from a locked and heavily guarded room. So the mystery begins.

“The Last Conclave” is an entertaining novel of mystery and suspense set in Italy and France and involving the cardinals of the Catholic Church in a papal conclave. In light of recent events at the Vatican, not to mention the approach of summer when everyone needs a good read to take on vacation, its release is extraordinarily well-timed. According to the promotional materials, it has already “topped the charts” in Italy.

The world mourns the passing of Pope John XXIV, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack only two years into his papacy. All the cardinals eligible to elect his successor are now sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel with no means of communicating with the outside world except for the smoke they send through the stovepipe by burning the ballots after each vote. Black smoke means they’ll have to vote again. White smoke heralds a new Pope.

But as the hours pass, no smoke of any kind issues from the chimney. What could the cardinals be doing? Finally, the Vatican’s first woman secretary of state breaks centuries of precedent and orders the doors unsealed. Inside, the chapel is empty. All the rest of the doors are still locked, but the entire conclave of over 100 cardinals has disappeared.

It’s an original and intriguing concept, and it makes for solid entertainment. What happened to the cardinals? How, exactly, were they made to vanish? Who’s involved, if anyone? What’s their motive? Did John XXIV really die of natural causes? And what will happen to the church, especially since, without the cardinals, there only remains a nun to guide it?

The characters aren’t very deeply drawn. And I would have liked to see more information about the Vatican, St. Peter’s, the papacy, and Catholicism. Nevertheless, author Glenn Cooper writes a taut tale full of suspense.

Fans of other popular novels about the Catholic Church—like Morris L. West’s “The Shoes of the Fisherman” and “The Clowns of God,” or Robert Harris’s “Conclave,” or Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” and “Angels and Demons”—may find much to enjoy.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Glenn Cooper, and publisher Book Whisperer for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.