Before we start I should say that I am a massive fan of Robert Harris. In fact, looking at his bibliography on the inside front cover of Conclave I see that I have read all his works of fiction. I think the only other author that I've got that kind of record with is Roger Hargreaves.
Conclave is a book about the voting of a new Pope and it says a lot of Harris's skill that a scene showing a mass made by a senior cardinal has all the tension and drama of anything in Fatherland or Ghost or any of his other thrillers.
The research and detail in the world illuminates the darkness cast by the Catholic church on this most secret of ballots. I fear that I'm not selling the fast-paced action enough because if you love a political thriller then I think you'll really enjoy this. I wasn't crazy about the ending but, you know, what are you gonna do?