My thanks to Net Galley, Lascaux media, and Book Whisperer for allowing me to review this arc.

Professor Cal Donovan is back again to assist Pope Celestine about a loan he discovered in the library archives made in the 1800s by Pope Pius to a Jewish Bank. But a deeper conspiracy exists that can destroy the church.

I love this author. This is my 3rd book reviewing of his. Very well written but dragged a bit with the breaks in the story with the 1800s parts

The Debt by Glenn Cooper is exactly the kind of conspiracy thriller I love—fast-paced, tense, and just a little bit audacious. I was immediately hooked by Cal Donovan, a Harvard professor with access to the Vatican Secret Archives, stumbling on a 1848 loan that could change everything. The stakes are enormous, the Vatican politics feel authentic, and Cooper doesn’t shy away from the moral weight of the story.

I found Pope Celestine VI’s idealism refreshing—a character trying to do good in a world full of corruption made me genuinely care about the outcome. The historical threads set in 19th-century Rome added texture without slowing the plot, and the chase through vaults, archives, and hidden deals kept my heart racing.

This isn’t just for religious thriller fans—if you enjoy political conspiracies, morally complex heroes, and historical intrigue, this book will pull you in. It’s entertaining, clever, and made me think about the price of doing what’s right in a world built on secrecy.

Recommended for readers who like Dan Brown, Steve Berry, or any thriller where history, faith, and suspense collide.

This was so well done and had that conspiracy thriller element that I was hoping for and enjoyed from the description and storyline. The use of the Vatican worked overall and had that tension that I expected in the thriller genre. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and was engaged with going on this journey with them. Glenn Cooper wrote this well and enjoyed the overall concept.

The Debt is a gripping, high‑stakes Vatican thriller that blends historical mystery, political tension, and moral complexity into a fast‑paced, utterly absorbing read. Glenn Cooper has a gift for taking a single, explosive “what if” and spinning it into a globe‑spanning conspiracy—and this one feels especially timely and provocative.

Harvard professor Cal Donovan is an engaging lead: sharp, curious, and just stubborn enough to get himself into trouble. His discovery of a forgotten 1848 loan buried deep in the Vatican Secret Archives is the kind of hook that immediately sparks the imagination. Cooper moves seamlessly between past and present, weaving in the revolutionary turmoil of nineteenth‑century Rome with the modern Church’s internal power struggles.

Pope Celestine VI is a standout character—idealistic, compassionate, and determined to use the Church’s wealth for genuine good. His vision for an interfaith humanitarian foundation gives the story real emotional weight, making the opposition he faces from corrupt cardinals and shadowy operatives all the more chilling. The stakes feel enormous, not just politically but morally.

The pacing is brisk without ever feeling rushed. Cooper’s descriptions of the Vatican’s inner chambers, the private vaults of a Jewish banking dynasty, and the labyrinthine world of Church politics create a vivid backdrop for the unfolding conspiracy. As Cal races to uncover the truth, the tension builds beautifully, leading to a finale that is both satisfying and thought‑provoking.

A smart, atmospheric thriller that blends history and suspense with real finesse. Fans of religious intrigue and political conspiracies will find this one impossible to put down.

With thanks to Glenn Cooper, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

I’m a real Cal Donovan “groupie”, so I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the series. The professor, while exercising his Vatican library privileges, discovers a debt the Church owes, which, with interest, has ballooned into a huge balance. The pope wants to “make it right” and, with Cal’s help, develops an ingenious plan to repay. Opponents soon appear and lives are endangered in a thrilling tale.

Interesting story about a two hundred year old debit owed by the Catholic Church to. a Jewish owned bank. The author wove into the story a sub story about the politics of a professor at Harvard. Professors Donovan accidentally finds documents about the loan while researching a different topic. The documents lead to lots of intrigue involving the Papacy.

Cal Donovan #3

Cal is back at the Vatican Library researching is next paper when he comes across an interesting letter. In 1848 when the Papal States were under attack by revolutionaries, the Vatican borrowed a very large sum of money from the Jewish Sassoon Bank.

Curious, Cal continued his research. Not finding any evidence that the loan was ever paid back, he contacted Pope Celestine VI who then asked him to discreetly research further this loan ……that is when trouble started…..

An unexpected discovery rocks the foundations of the Catholic Church. Have fun reading what comes next.

My thoughts:

The first part is laborious I even thought abandoning this story, nevertheless I stuck with it knowing well Mr. Cooper will move on and gives us an exciting journey into the annals of the Vatican. Its starts with an introduction of a large group of Cardinals and their responsibilities then ¼ in the conspiracy begins.

With intermittent flashbacks the story of the ancient loan is revealed …then we are deep into the conspiracy giving us plenty of suspense, globe trotting, blackmail, sabotage to content with.

Although I was captivated by this religious tale, nevertheless its concept failed to be plausible and the drama lacks in believable characters. Having said this,” The Dept” is smoothly said and its style invites us to keep turning the pages till the very surprising ending.

I am a huge fan of religious conspiracies and Glenn Cooper excels on that topic and each one have been captivating and entertaining.

Rating 4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Glenn cooper for this amazing arc.

It was an absolutely good, fast moving thriller.
I totally loved Cal’s character.
What I wouldn’t give to be someone looking through the archives of our history.

Anyone who loves a gripping thriller, read this one!

By chance Cal finds a document that states the Vatican has borrowed money from a Jewish banker in the beginning of the 19th century. This loan has been given under duress and people from the banker's family were murdered when payment was requested. This discovery will put the Pope, Cal and the Jewish Bankers in the eye of a storm as there will be a plot against them, and their lives, to stop their intention of putting together a charity to help people around the world in spite of religion, gender or skin color with the proceeds of the loan repayment. Full of action and fast-paced, this story gives more background on Cal and Pope Celestine and what drives them to be who they are. Intriguing and engaging!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.