Book Review - The Last Conclave - By Glenn Cooper - Publication Date: 19 May 2025

 Reading this Vatican chronicle held great interest for me and it certainly spiked my adrenaline.  Glenn Cooper, the author, knows how to tell a tale!  How could a conclave of over 100 Cardinals, sealed tightly into the Sistine Chapel, simply vanish! What a mystery!  Oh, and, what does a religious affliation of centuries past, considered 'extinct', have to do with it all?!

As this is a work of historical fiction, I really appreciated learning about the Cathars, what they believed and what happened to them because those beliefs starkly conflicted with the more dominant, at the time, Roman Catholic church.

I enjoyed 'meeting' Elisabetta, Emilio, Cal Dononvan and even Geralda.  They were surely 'put to the test'.  I liked their strength and bravery under duress.  In my opinion, those potential readers who find themselves in exceedingly stressful situations may well be able to relate to these particular protagonists best.

                                       ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                          May 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

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