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Gary McAvoy

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

https://www.garymcavoy.com

Twitter

@GaryMcAvoy

Genre

Thriller, Nonfiction, Crime

Member Since

July 2012

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/garymcavoy

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Gary McAvoy is an American novelist known for internationally bestselling thrillers that blend historical intrigue, religious scholarship, and modern suspense. A lifelong researcher of rare manuscripts and Church history, he draws on extensive archival study to craft narratives rooted in authentic detail. His work includes the Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers, the Magdalene Chronicles, and the Vatican Archaeology Thrillers. Before turning to fiction, McAvoy built a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, technology consultant, and collector of historical documents. He now writes full time from the Pacific Northwest, where he continues to explore the shadowed crossroads of faith, power, and history.

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Combine Editions
Gary McAvoy’s books

Average rating: 4.33 · 39,688 ratings · 2,261 reviews · 26 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Magdalene Deception (The Magdalene Chronicles #1) 4.21 avg rating — 6,439 ratings — published 2020 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Vivaldi Cipher (Vatican Secret Archive #1) 4.23 avg rating — 4,671 ratings — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Opus Dictum (Vatican Secret Archive #2) 4.48 avg rating — 3,045 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Magdalene Reliquary (The Magdalene Chronicles #2) 4.43 avg rating — 3,030 ratings — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Magdalene Veil (The Magdalene Chronicles #3) 4.51 avg rating — 2,918 ratings — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Petrus Prophecy (Vatican Secret Archive #3) by Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author), Ronald L. Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2,418 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Avignon Affair (Vatican Secret Archive #4) by Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author), Ronald L. Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.46 avg rating — 2,336 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Jerusalem Scrolls (Vatican Secret Archive #5) 4.41 avg rating — 2,166 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Galileo Gambit (Vatican Secret Archive #6) by Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author), Ronald L. Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.49 avg rating — 1,836 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Confessions of Pope Joan (Vatican Secret Archive #7) 4.36 avg rating — 1,705 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Gary McAvoy

Vatican Secret Archive (9 books)
by

Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author)

4.38 avg rating — 20,543 ratings

The Magdalene Chronicles (3 books)
by

Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author)

4.34 avg rating — 12,935 ratings

Vatican Archaeology Thrillers (2 books)
by

Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author)

4.04 avg rating — 1,411 ratings

Vatican Archaeology Thrillers (1 book)
by

Gary McAvoy (Goodreads Author)

4.09 avg rating — 862 ratings

Gary is Currently Reading

Gary McAvoy is currently reading

What Every Body is Saying: An FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People

by Joe Navarro

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Jan 03, 2019 07:22AM

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The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

by Ben Macintyre

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Dec 29, 2018 10:41PM

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Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

by Carlo Rovelli

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Jun 11, 2017 07:47AM

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Gary’s Recent Updates

Gary McAvoy made a comment on Charles Sexton’s review of The Pompeian Betrayal (Vatican Archaeology Thrillers Book 3) " Thanks, Charles! I loved working on this book, having long been fascinated with Pompeii. "
23 minutes ago · see review
Gary McAvoy liked Charles Sexton's review of The Pompeian Betrayal (Vatican Archaeology Thrillers Book 3): "Super I have read every book Gary movably has written. I love Father Michael, Haha Sinclair, Sister Teri, and all the rest. I finished this lovely book in one day. The story kept me happily in its clutches."
24 minutes ago · see review
Gary McAvoy liked David Fern's review of The Pompeian Betrayal (Vatican Archaeology Thrillers Book 3): "Another Great Read!! Well written in immense detail. Pompeii has more to give up after all these years. Marcus learns that there are people willing to kill to keep a major secret. It's not just one group, or two. More than that and the Vatican wants it" Read more of this review »
Apr 25, 2026 08:56AM · see review
Gary McAvoy liked Ryan Shaw's review of The Pompeian Betrayal (Vatican Archaeology Thrillers Book 3): ""I'll make a bold claim and then defend it: this is Gary McAvoy's masterpiece. Those who've followed his work know that each novel carries something beneath the surface — spiritual, philosophical, and social truths woven quietly into the narrative. Bu" Read more of this review »
Apr 25, 2026 08:56AM · see review
Gary McAvoy and 1 other person liked Maria Fledgling Author Park's review of The Pompeian Betrayal (Vatican Archaeology Thrillers Book 3): "Digging for the Truth Gary McAvoy reaches through the cacophony of our information-overloaded world and delivers a perfect pearl of a novel. Time and time again, he amazes us with his depth of perception of human nature, his deft development of multi" Read more of this review »
Apr 25, 2026 08:56AM · see review
Gary McAvoy made a comment on David Eppenstein’s review of The Avignon Affair " A great review, David, thanks. You've set up the plot perfectly for other readers. ...more "
Feb 10, 2026 10:23AM · see review
Gary McAvoy made a comment on Scott’s review of The Medici Heresy (Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers Book 12) " Sorry about the rain, Scott (and I agree with you...). As for wedding bells? Stay tuned... "
Dec 24, 2025 03:00PM · see review
Gary McAvoy made a comment on Wendy Gordon’s review of The Medici Heresy (Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers Book 12) " Thanks so much, Wendy, for your generous and effusive comments! I have to agree with you about the weather. Sorry, but as I was writing it here in Sea ...more "
Dec 24, 2025 02:58PM · see review
Gary McAvoy made a comment on Ammar Davawala’s review of The Magdalene Deception (The Magdalene Chronicles #1) " Thank you for writing a well-reasoned review, Ammar, and for your kind words. I should point out, though, that the "series" moniker in this case—as is ...more "
Dec 23, 2025 08:23AM · see review
Gary McAvoy is now following Adriana Trigiani Author of The Shoemaker's Wife
Dec 22, 2025 10:53AM · like

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Quotes by Gary McAvoy (?)

“Otto Rahn himself once wrote, ‘Intense faith finds attentive ears in a suggestible people.”
― Gary McAvoy, The Magdalene Deception

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“Well, he may be long in the tooth, but one doesn’t get to be leader of such a nation if he’s mentally confused or doddering in old age.”
― Gary McAvoy, The Magdalene Deception

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“Cathar fortress, perched strategically on”
― Gary McAvoy, The Magdalene Deception

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Polls

October 2019 True Crime Poll

We ask that you only vote if you are planning on participating in our discussion should your choice win.

Which True Crime book would you like to read in October 2019?

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

11 votes, 33.3%

Bitter Harvest by Ann Rule

9 votes, 27.3%

The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple by Jeff Guinn

6 votes, 18.2%

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

4 votes, 12.1%

And Every Word Is True And Every Word Is True by Gary McAvoy

3 votes, 9.1%

33 total votes

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Crime, Mysteries ...: True Crime Nominations - ALWAYS OPEN	83	227	Dec 13, 2019 10:15AM
Crime, Mysteries ...: True Crime Nominations for 2020	6	178	Aug 12, 2020 09:13AM
The Mystery, Crim...: * Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2020	2984	945	Dec 31, 2020 09:26AM
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NetGalley Readers: What NG Books have you just read? Any recommendations?	11585	1735	Jan 18, 2021 05:18PM
THE JAMES MASON C...: * WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!	10668	4166	Feb 12, 2021 11:14AM
THE JAMES MASON C...: * WHAT BOOKS HAVE YOU FINISHED RECENTLY?	1795	221	Sep 10, 2021 10:57AM

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Gary’s Quotes

“In Cold Blood is the story of these six people—the [four] Clutters, who died together November 15, 1959, and Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who were hanged April 14, 1965. And my book is the story of their lives and their deaths. It’s a completely factual account and every word is true.

— Truman Capote, interviewed in A Visit with Truman Capote, Maysles Films, 1966 (alternate title: With Love From Truman).”
― Truman Capote

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“And suppose you don’t like it? Excellent question; and, strangely, one I’d never asked myself, principally because I had chosen the ingredients, and I always have faith in my own judgment.”
― Truman Capote, Portraits and Observations

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