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The Medici Heresy
When Father Michael Dominic uncovers a sealed Renaissance letter hidden deep within the Vatican Archives, he awakens a five-hundred-year-old secret buried by Pope Clement VII at the height of the Medici dynasty. Joined by investigative journalist Hana Sinclair, Michael follows a trail of clues through forgotten chapels, papal confessions, and ancient astronomical alignments, each step drawing them deeper into a mystery the Church once swore to silence. What begins as a scholarly puzzle quickly becomes a struggle for survival as shadowed forces—both inside and outside the Vatican—move to control or destroy what Clement left behind.
Their search reveals two extraordinary the Gospel of the Beloved, attributed to Mary Magdalene, and the Codex of Voices, a Renaissance record documenting the Church’s attempt to bury it forever. As Michael, Hana, and their Swiss Guard allies navigate the danger closing in around them, they confront a truth that challenges not doctrine but why some voices endure across centuries while others are violently erased. With each revelation, the line between faith and fear grows thinner, and the cost of honesty becomes terrifyingly clear.
Rich in historical detail and steeped in Vatican intrigue, The Medici Heresy weaves a modern thriller through one of the Church’s darkest chapters. From Medici Florence to the underground chambers beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Gary McAvoy delivers a gripping tale of courage, betrayal, and redemption—where the past refuses to stay buried and the future belongs to those brave enough to face it.
While part of the Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers series, The Medici Heresy is a standalone adventure that can be enjoyed by new readers and longtime fans alike.
Their search reveals two extraordinary the Gospel of the Beloved, attributed to Mary Magdalene, and the Codex of Voices, a Renaissance record documenting the Church’s attempt to bury it forever. As Michael, Hana, and their Swiss Guard allies navigate the danger closing in around them, they confront a truth that challenges not doctrine but why some voices endure across centuries while others are violently erased. With each revelation, the line between faith and fear grows thinner, and the cost of honesty becomes terrifyingly clear.
Rich in historical detail and steeped in Vatican intrigue, The Medici Heresy weaves a modern thriller through one of the Church’s darkest chapters. From Medici Florence to the underground chambers beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, Gary McAvoy delivers a gripping tale of courage, betrayal, and redemption—where the past refuses to stay buried and the future belongs to those brave enough to face it.
While part of the Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers series, The Medici Heresy is a standalone adventure that can be enjoyed by new readers and longtime fans alike.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
180 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Gary McAvoy
38 books481 followersGary 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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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 23, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Gary McAvoy for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always a fan of Gary McAvoy and his work, I gladly accepted the latest in the Vatican Secret Archives series. Never one to shy away from history and obscure documents (some of which blur the lines between real and fictionally crafted), McAvoy delivers perhaps his strongest and most comprehensive thriller to date, which I was able to devour in short order. A random delivery to Father Michael Dominic opens up a centuries-long secret. This sealed Renaissance letter is not only the perfect addition to the Vatican Secret Archives, but explores something Pope Clement VII held as his most important secret. A member of the controversial Medici family, Pope Clement VII is known for controversial events, which leads Father Dominic to reach out to his fiancée, journalist Hana Sinclair. Through a series of letters with clues embedded within them, Father Dominic, Hana, and two Swiss Guards begin to reveal the secret Pope Clement VII held close to his heart. It’s soon clear that the secret surrounds a new and highly controversial Gospel, that of the Beloved. Its discovery could completely change the Church’s foundational beliefs and direction for the future.
While the hunt continues, a powerful man with ties to the Medicis seeks to nullify the secret to ensure the Church doesn’t face the embarrassment of the truth. Fuelled by a desire to know what actually happened and a passion to ensure the Church speaks for honest Christian sentiment, Father Dominic and Hana forge onwards, hoping they will not be stymied. Even when the Church is made aware, a distinct crossroads emerged about how the current pontiff ought to steer Church doctrine. A stunning thriller that keeps Gary McAvoy at the centre of the fictional revelations of Church truths and the desire to share it with series fans!
Gary McAvoy has been my go-to author for both entertaining and educational novels related to Church history and secrets. He sharpens my keen interest in religious and secret documents held by the Vatican, which could drastically change the way Church dogma shape the views of the masses. With a strong foundation, McAvoy delivers a stunning exploration of these secrets, wrapped in history and controversy, keeping the reader on the journey with the protagonists. Themes of revelation and reexamination of the truth fuel the momentum of the piece, including a rethinking of how Jesus thought of his ministry and its extension past his own time in this world. Ideas of Church reactions to documents like the Gospel of the Beloved and Codex of Voices send the novel into a second journey that could derail centuries of messaging Vatican officials have made clear to Church followers. McAvoy almost wrote two separate stories here, as he sought not only to create a mystery to solve, but also how the Church’s reaction might take things down a new and awkward path when new revelations are permitted to see the light of day. Chapters push things along and keep the reader needing the flip pages well into the night to get to the heart of the matter.
Series fans will know how important characters are to McAvoy, developing a continuity that spans the entire collection. Father Michael Dominic and Hana Sinclair serve as central characters whose actions help drive the story forward. There is little time to waste as these two reveal truths that many would likely not want shared, but do so with an innocence of truth, rather than a means of trying to tear down Church doctrine. A handful of supporting characters and a key antagonist help contrast throughout the story, while never fully revealing what is happening until the moment arises. McAvoy is able to weave his many characters together to create the largest impact for series fans to enjoy.
McAvoy never shies away from controversy and surprise, which he presents with plot points embedded into the larger story. They are perfectly placed to keep unpredictable moments present and the twists plentiful, which has been a theme of the Vatican Secret Archives series from the start. Gary McAvoy has long wanted this series to thrive on mixing fact and fiction, keeping his reader hooked with questions that cannot easily be answers. I have compared him to a Steve Berry or Dan Brown in the past, which remains a firm belief of mine. While some might say this book could be read as a stand-alone, it would be a great disservice for the reader to miss out on the fruitful developments this entire series has to offer. Beginning with the first novel provides a great foundational genesis and ensures the reader does not miss any of the nuances that emerge with later piece in the collection. I cannot wait to see where things are headed or how Gary McAvoy outdoes himself once again.
Kudos, Mr. McAvoy, for the most intense and controversial story in the series to date.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always a fan of Gary McAvoy and his work, I gladly accepted the latest in the Vatican Secret Archives series. Never one to shy away from history and obscure documents (some of which blur the lines between real and fictionally crafted), McAvoy delivers perhaps his strongest and most comprehensive thriller to date, which I was able to devour in short order. A random delivery to Father Michael Dominic opens up a centuries-long secret. This sealed Renaissance letter is not only the perfect addition to the Vatican Secret Archives, but explores something Pope Clement VII held as his most important secret. A member of the controversial Medici family, Pope Clement VII is known for controversial events, which leads Father Dominic to reach out to his fiancée, journalist Hana Sinclair. Through a series of letters with clues embedded within them, Father Dominic, Hana, and two Swiss Guards begin to reveal the secret Pope Clement VII held close to his heart. It’s soon clear that the secret surrounds a new and highly controversial Gospel, that of the Beloved. Its discovery could completely change the Church’s foundational beliefs and direction for the future.
While the hunt continues, a powerful man with ties to the Medicis seeks to nullify the secret to ensure the Church doesn’t face the embarrassment of the truth. Fuelled by a desire to know what actually happened and a passion to ensure the Church speaks for honest Christian sentiment, Father Dominic and Hana forge onwards, hoping they will not be stymied. Even when the Church is made aware, a distinct crossroads emerged about how the current pontiff ought to steer Church doctrine. A stunning thriller that keeps Gary McAvoy at the centre of the fictional revelations of Church truths and the desire to share it with series fans!
Gary McAvoy has been my go-to author for both entertaining and educational novels related to Church history and secrets. He sharpens my keen interest in religious and secret documents held by the Vatican, which could drastically change the way Church dogma shape the views of the masses. With a strong foundation, McAvoy delivers a stunning exploration of these secrets, wrapped in history and controversy, keeping the reader on the journey with the protagonists. Themes of revelation and reexamination of the truth fuel the momentum of the piece, including a rethinking of how Jesus thought of his ministry and its extension past his own time in this world. Ideas of Church reactions to documents like the Gospel of the Beloved and Codex of Voices send the novel into a second journey that could derail centuries of messaging Vatican officials have made clear to Church followers. McAvoy almost wrote two separate stories here, as he sought not only to create a mystery to solve, but also how the Church’s reaction might take things down a new and awkward path when new revelations are permitted to see the light of day. Chapters push things along and keep the reader needing the flip pages well into the night to get to the heart of the matter.
Series fans will know how important characters are to McAvoy, developing a continuity that spans the entire collection. Father Michael Dominic and Hana Sinclair serve as central characters whose actions help drive the story forward. There is little time to waste as these two reveal truths that many would likely not want shared, but do so with an innocence of truth, rather than a means of trying to tear down Church doctrine. A handful of supporting characters and a key antagonist help contrast throughout the story, while never fully revealing what is happening until the moment arises. McAvoy is able to weave his many characters together to create the largest impact for series fans to enjoy.
McAvoy never shies away from controversy and surprise, which he presents with plot points embedded into the larger story. They are perfectly placed to keep unpredictable moments present and the twists plentiful, which has been a theme of the Vatican Secret Archives series from the start. Gary McAvoy has long wanted this series to thrive on mixing fact and fiction, keeping his reader hooked with questions that cannot easily be answers. I have compared him to a Steve Berry or Dan Brown in the past, which remains a firm belief of mine. While some might say this book could be read as a stand-alone, it would be a great disservice for the reader to miss out on the fruitful developments this entire series has to offer. Beginning with the first novel provides a great foundational genesis and ensures the reader does not miss any of the nuances that emerge with later piece in the collection. I cannot wait to see where things are headed or how Gary McAvoy outdoes himself once again.
Kudos, Mr. McAvoy, for the most intense and controversial story in the series to date.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 20, 2025
Light and the Dark
"He thought of the Codex—fragile, defiant, eternal. And before sleep took him, he whispered into the dark, “Let there be light.”
From the"Codex of The Beloved" ca. 1 CE. Found initially in 1533 AD and again in 2025 AD.
Gary McAvoy writes with gentle persuasion about a startling, yet controversial, faith-shattering subject in The Medici Heresy. As always, he has crafted a story that thunders down the railroad of the plot at 200mph and doesn't stop until the last word.
Digging deeply into the history of the Catholic Church, into the era when the Italian family of the Medici were veritable kings of the Church, McAvoy creates an entirely plausible story about the emergence of a gospel of Mary Magdalene.
Following an anonymous letter sent to him personally, Father Michael Dominic enters the world of the Renaissance and Pope Clement VII in the year 1533 AD. The letter leads him on a path he never thought he'd have to take.
The issues raised in The Medici Heresy are hugely divisive ones for the Catholic Church, issues that threaten the very structure of the Church. McAvoy masterfully weaves a tale through time and tradition examining that structure.
"God hides in the ordinary. That’s why we miss Him so often.”
A quote from the book succinctly sums up what Father Michael Dominic feels he has learned from his journey seeking after the letters that have led him to the Gospel of the Beloved. He believes that God is in every detail of the day, if we were just to keep our eyes and hearts open.
I adored The Medici Heresy. Gary McAvoy isn't afraid to explore any avenue open to the religious seeker. His imagination knows no bounds. I give him 5 stars and 15 kudos for going where few have trod before. Great job Gary.
"He thought of the Codex—fragile, defiant, eternal. And before sleep took him, he whispered into the dark, “Let there be light.”
From the"Codex of The Beloved" ca. 1 CE. Found initially in 1533 AD and again in 2025 AD.
Gary McAvoy writes with gentle persuasion about a startling, yet controversial, faith-shattering subject in The Medici Heresy. As always, he has crafted a story that thunders down the railroad of the plot at 200mph and doesn't stop until the last word.
Digging deeply into the history of the Catholic Church, into the era when the Italian family of the Medici were veritable kings of the Church, McAvoy creates an entirely plausible story about the emergence of a gospel of Mary Magdalene.
Following an anonymous letter sent to him personally, Father Michael Dominic enters the world of the Renaissance and Pope Clement VII in the year 1533 AD. The letter leads him on a path he never thought he'd have to take.
The issues raised in The Medici Heresy are hugely divisive ones for the Catholic Church, issues that threaten the very structure of the Church. McAvoy masterfully weaves a tale through time and tradition examining that structure.
"God hides in the ordinary. That’s why we miss Him so often.”
A quote from the book succinctly sums up what Father Michael Dominic feels he has learned from his journey seeking after the letters that have led him to the Gospel of the Beloved. He believes that God is in every detail of the day, if we were just to keep our eyes and hearts open.
I adored The Medici Heresy. Gary McAvoy isn't afraid to explore any avenue open to the religious seeker. His imagination knows no bounds. I give him 5 stars and 15 kudos for going where few have trod before. Great job Gary.
December 9, 2025
It all started with the three book series, "The Magdalene Chronicles," followed by the "Vatican Secret Archive" books, numbering twelve in all including this latest entry, "The Medici Heresy." Each can be read as a standalone, but after reading this latest and without doubt best of Gary's books, readers new to the series will want to go back for more. To fully appreciate the growth of the main characters and learn about those now gone who add important context, the reader will want to go back to the beginning and come forward, one exciting thriller at a time.
Author, Gary McAvoy, is a recognized authority in the field of Catholic history and renowned for his extensive research. While fiction, each of his books is filled with historical background and genuine geographical locations and venues. As with this latest entry, Gary often begins with a historical person or event and weaves it into a present day adventure.
In this instance the Prologue opens in the study of Clement VII, a Medici Pope, in the spring of 1533, a year before his death. The Protestant Reformation had begun in 1517 and was in full flow, and The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, had sacked Rome in 1527. Clement was embattled on all sides and literally a prisoner in his own palace fighting to save the faith and his Church as he knew them. In this setting a Dominican friar brings Clement an ancient document bound in vellum and written in Greek and Coptic. It had been found in the ruins of an old church near Florence. It spoke with a voice not of a prostitute but that of an intimate companion of Jesus. It was a Gospel of tenderness and spiritual parity and a kingdom ruled not by hierarchy but by love. The words undermined Apostolic Succession and the concept of masculine primacy.
Clement knew at once that the document was genuine and if revealed, would in the current Protestant storm spell the destruction of the Church and its remaining moral authority. But at the same time he could not bring himself to destroy what might be the truest voice of Christ's ministry. So he hid it in the hope that in a future, more enlightened time the faithful might be ready to hear it without destroying the faith or the Church in the process. He also wrote eight coded letters so that a future worthy and faithful reader might unravel the clues in the letters and find the Gospel.
Chapter 1 opens in present day with Father Michael Dominic, Prefect of the Vatican Secret Archive, hard at work. Unexpectedly, he receives a parcel through the Vatican postal service. It contains no clue as to who sent it. Inside is a letter on parchment addressed to a future pontiff who shall not fear the truth. It is signed Clement VII. It speaks of a document that is true but not safe and instructs that the one who reads it must decide what to do with it. It further states that the manuscript is a testimony from one who stood beside Him whom Rome later shrouded in shame. It then reveals that the testimony undoes Church structure and speaks of a communion without hierarchy and ordination. It finishes by stating that it is one of eight letters and then leaves a coded path to the second letter.
Before proceeding, Father Michael decides he must consult the one person on earth he trusts completely, his beloved friend (and fiancé via a papal declaration from the previous Pope) Hana Sinclair. Father Michael and Hana are the consistent leading characters throughout the Vatican Secret Archive series. Hana is the granddaughter and heir of one of the wealthiest Swiss bankers and a highly respected investigative correspondent with Le Monde. She is also an expert at deciphering codes. Michael and Hana waste no time in assembling a team of capable characters from past books to tackle the search. They include Ian Duffy, Michael's able assistant in the Archive, Sister Teri Drinkwater, in charge of the Vatican office off communications and a savant with computers and the internet, and two faithful Swiss Guards, Karl Dengler and Lukas Bischoff.
But, there are powerful forces both inside and outside the Vatican who quickly learn of the team's mission and who will stop at nothing to prevent our heroes from succeeding. The frantic search takes the team from Rome to Florence and back to Rome for the exciting climax. Will Michael succeed in his search for the truth, and will the faith and the Church survive if he is successful?
The Medici Heresy is particularly relevant in these troubled times. Profound are the statements in Clement's letters and the Gospel and those of the principal characters as they wrestle with difficult philosophical and moral issues. The analyses of essential truths and faith wrapped in a fast paced thriller make The Medici Heresy Gary McAvoy's best, most important, and most thought-provoking book.
At the end of the book Gary provides a "Fact or Fiction" section to separate the two, but he emphasizes that this in the end is a work of fiction. He also makes it clear that he respects all religions. As with each of Gary's books, The Medici Heresy is filled with rich descriptions which never interrupt the flow of the story but only serve to enhance it. And absent are the grammatical, syntax, punctuation, and typographical errors found in so many current novels. In summary, Gary is a brilliant writer, and with The Medici Heresy he is at his very best. It is hard to imagine any future book being better, but there are more coming and this reader would never bet against Gary. He is a genuine treasure, and we are lucky to be his readers.
Author, Gary McAvoy, is a recognized authority in the field of Catholic history and renowned for his extensive research. While fiction, each of his books is filled with historical background and genuine geographical locations and venues. As with this latest entry, Gary often begins with a historical person or event and weaves it into a present day adventure.
In this instance the Prologue opens in the study of Clement VII, a Medici Pope, in the spring of 1533, a year before his death. The Protestant Reformation had begun in 1517 and was in full flow, and The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, had sacked Rome in 1527. Clement was embattled on all sides and literally a prisoner in his own palace fighting to save the faith and his Church as he knew them. In this setting a Dominican friar brings Clement an ancient document bound in vellum and written in Greek and Coptic. It had been found in the ruins of an old church near Florence. It spoke with a voice not of a prostitute but that of an intimate companion of Jesus. It was a Gospel of tenderness and spiritual parity and a kingdom ruled not by hierarchy but by love. The words undermined Apostolic Succession and the concept of masculine primacy.
Clement knew at once that the document was genuine and if revealed, would in the current Protestant storm spell the destruction of the Church and its remaining moral authority. But at the same time he could not bring himself to destroy what might be the truest voice of Christ's ministry. So he hid it in the hope that in a future, more enlightened time the faithful might be ready to hear it without destroying the faith or the Church in the process. He also wrote eight coded letters so that a future worthy and faithful reader might unravel the clues in the letters and find the Gospel.
Chapter 1 opens in present day with Father Michael Dominic, Prefect of the Vatican Secret Archive, hard at work. Unexpectedly, he receives a parcel through the Vatican postal service. It contains no clue as to who sent it. Inside is a letter on parchment addressed to a future pontiff who shall not fear the truth. It is signed Clement VII. It speaks of a document that is true but not safe and instructs that the one who reads it must decide what to do with it. It further states that the manuscript is a testimony from one who stood beside Him whom Rome later shrouded in shame. It then reveals that the testimony undoes Church structure and speaks of a communion without hierarchy and ordination. It finishes by stating that it is one of eight letters and then leaves a coded path to the second letter.
Before proceeding, Father Michael decides he must consult the one person on earth he trusts completely, his beloved friend (and fiancé via a papal declaration from the previous Pope) Hana Sinclair. Father Michael and Hana are the consistent leading characters throughout the Vatican Secret Archive series. Hana is the granddaughter and heir of one of the wealthiest Swiss bankers and a highly respected investigative correspondent with Le Monde. She is also an expert at deciphering codes. Michael and Hana waste no time in assembling a team of capable characters from past books to tackle the search. They include Ian Duffy, Michael's able assistant in the Archive, Sister Teri Drinkwater, in charge of the Vatican office off communications and a savant with computers and the internet, and two faithful Swiss Guards, Karl Dengler and Lukas Bischoff.
But, there are powerful forces both inside and outside the Vatican who quickly learn of the team's mission and who will stop at nothing to prevent our heroes from succeeding. The frantic search takes the team from Rome to Florence and back to Rome for the exciting climax. Will Michael succeed in his search for the truth, and will the faith and the Church survive if he is successful?
The Medici Heresy is particularly relevant in these troubled times. Profound are the statements in Clement's letters and the Gospel and those of the principal characters as they wrestle with difficult philosophical and moral issues. The analyses of essential truths and faith wrapped in a fast paced thriller make The Medici Heresy Gary McAvoy's best, most important, and most thought-provoking book.
At the end of the book Gary provides a "Fact or Fiction" section to separate the two, but he emphasizes that this in the end is a work of fiction. He also makes it clear that he respects all religions. As with each of Gary's books, The Medici Heresy is filled with rich descriptions which never interrupt the flow of the story but only serve to enhance it. And absent are the grammatical, syntax, punctuation, and typographical errors found in so many current novels. In summary, Gary is a brilliant writer, and with The Medici Heresy he is at his very best. It is hard to imagine any future book being better, but there are more coming and this reader would never bet against Gary. He is a genuine treasure, and we are lucky to be his readers.
December 24, 2025
Maybe the best one yet?
As a Bible-believing Christian who knows her Bible pretty well, I knew the storyline is fictional, but WOW! What a masterfully created story! The concepts of all of these books are mostly plausible, and the character development is amazing. I love the core characters, as well as those in the periphery. I loved the inclusion of Ian and Sister Terri as integral to the conclusion. Maybe a little too much description of weather (virtually every chapter??) made the progress drag, but I stayed up WAY too late because I couldn't leave the last 9 or 10 chapters for the next day! Bravo, an amazing finale (?)!
As a Bible-believing Christian who knows her Bible pretty well, I knew the storyline is fictional, but WOW! What a masterfully created story! The concepts of all of these books are mostly plausible, and the character development is amazing. I love the core characters, as well as those in the periphery. I loved the inclusion of Ian and Sister Terri as integral to the conclusion. Maybe a little too much description of weather (virtually every chapter??) made the progress drag, but I stayed up WAY too late because I couldn't leave the last 9 or 10 chapters for the next day! Bravo, an amazing finale (?)!
December 5, 2025
Engaging, thoughtful and intelligently written.
Gary McAvoy is a scholar, an author and an entertaining storyteller. I read several of his books and have not been disappointed with their content or message. Religion is difficult to write without sounding prejudice or preaching, but he has mastered the nuance of crafting religious stories with real life drama and interest. In this novel he has brilliantly used the elements of nature, with time, weather and scent to bring a natural dimension to the various locations and situations. I highly recommend this book as well as all his publications.
Gary McAvoy is a scholar, an author and an entertaining storyteller. I read several of his books and have not been disappointed with their content or message. Religion is difficult to write without sounding prejudice or preaching, but he has mastered the nuance of crafting religious stories with real life drama and interest. In this novel he has brilliantly used the elements of nature, with time, weather and scent to bring a natural dimension to the various locations and situations. I highly recommend this book as well as all his publications.
December 21, 2025
Were the Original Apostles Both Males and Females
Over the last fifty years there has been ongoing discussion of the historical Mary Magdelin. The representation of her as a prostitute is considered a legend fabricated by Paul.
Paul lived at a time after all of the original followers of Jesus had died. Why are only the Gospel's of the most obscure Apostles considered to be genuine. There are other gospels that purport to show Mandolin as Jesus' wife and James as his younger brother.
Who knows what could be hidden in the Vatican vaults?
Over the last fifty years there has been ongoing discussion of the historical Mary Magdelin. The representation of her as a prostitute is considered a legend fabricated by Paul.
Paul lived at a time after all of the original followers of Jesus had died. Why are only the Gospel's of the most obscure Apostles considered to be genuine. There are other gospels that purport to show Mandolin as Jesus' wife and James as his younger brother.
Who knows what could be hidden in the Vatican vaults?
December 8, 2025
Very engaging!
This was the best book of the last few in this series. I love the historical content and am happy the author did not stay focused on science and astronomy like the last few books have been.
This was the best book of the last few in this series. I love the historical content and am happy the author did not stay focused on science and astronomy like the last few books have been.
December 10, 2025
Magnificent
Gary movably writes a powerful story that resonates to all that read it. I found adventure, excitement, and love. He says many words that can reveal and feel comfort. He writes a huge story.
Gary movably writes a powerful story that resonates to all that read it. I found adventure, excitement, and love. He says many words that can reveal and feel comfort. He writes a huge story.
December 23, 2025
As always, a really good story, but the frequent descriptions of how Rome streets look after a rain at the start of many chapters were a bit of a drag. Still waiting for Hana and Michael to get married.
December 23, 2025
Engaging fast moving story through history. Maintains interests with believable characters and scenes. McAvoy is a very good storyteller. Highly recommended reading.
November 24, 2025
Thanks to author Gary McAvoy for this much-anticipated book. It is a powerful addition to the Vatican Secret Archives thrillers. I have read the 12 strong, propulsive books and found them compelling and informative. The author combines obscure historical facts within a tension-filled, suspenseful storyline. The plot is fast-paced, meticulously researched, and well-written. There are vivid descriptions of the Vatican and other backgrounds. The story is controversial as it contrasts Church dogma with some historical truths. There is a useful addition at its end that separates facts from fiction.
Father Michael Dominic returns as the prominent character. His role as head of the Vatican Secret Archives, with access to historical Christian documents (some hidden from the public and congregations), makes his position essential to the story. He receives an old letter by Pope Clement VII, written in the 1500s. Pope Clement was a member of the powerful Medici family. A series of eight letters contains hints and confessions pointing to a Gospel of the Beloved, supposedly written by Mary Magdalene. Pope Clement confessed that he had hidden the gospel, as revealing it might harm the Church, and hoped it could be read at a future date without any harm or controversy.
This gospel could elevate women to the same level as men in the Church's hierarchy. In the present time, the previous Pope had the strength to break protocol and allow priests to marry. Will the new pontiff permit the Beloved Gospel to replace Church dogma with historical truths?
Father Dominic, his fiancée Hana, a journalist who helped him with past mysteries, and the two faithful and protective Swiss Guards search for the missing gospel. They follow hints in successive letters written by Pope Clement VII in the 1500s. The group searches in abandoned, crumbling ruins of churches and chapels, the dark tunnels under St. Peter's, and recovers a Renaissance document, the Codex of Voices, a record of the church's attempts to silence the contents of the Beloved. This suggests that we know history from what was permitted to be known, and equally important facts were silenced. The search begins in Medici Florence and moves on to Rome.
A powerful man with ties to the Medicis sets out to ensure that the Church does not face the embarrassment of facts discovered by Father Dominic's group. He plans to control or destroy their findings. He is willing and able to confront Father Dominic's team with violence in an action-packed attack.
The Medici Heresy contains enough heart-pounding tension and suspense to make it a gripping standalone. Those readers new to the series should enjoy its mysteries and history and may want to go back and read some of the previous books. It is highly recommended for those who have learned about the intriguing characters and their activities in earlier books. It is scheduled for publication on December 01/ 2025.
Father Michael Dominic returns as the prominent character. His role as head of the Vatican Secret Archives, with access to historical Christian documents (some hidden from the public and congregations), makes his position essential to the story. He receives an old letter by Pope Clement VII, written in the 1500s. Pope Clement was a member of the powerful Medici family. A series of eight letters contains hints and confessions pointing to a Gospel of the Beloved, supposedly written by Mary Magdalene. Pope Clement confessed that he had hidden the gospel, as revealing it might harm the Church, and hoped it could be read at a future date without any harm or controversy.
This gospel could elevate women to the same level as men in the Church's hierarchy. In the present time, the previous Pope had the strength to break protocol and allow priests to marry. Will the new pontiff permit the Beloved Gospel to replace Church dogma with historical truths?
Father Dominic, his fiancée Hana, a journalist who helped him with past mysteries, and the two faithful and protective Swiss Guards search for the missing gospel. They follow hints in successive letters written by Pope Clement VII in the 1500s. The group searches in abandoned, crumbling ruins of churches and chapels, the dark tunnels under St. Peter's, and recovers a Renaissance document, the Codex of Voices, a record of the church's attempts to silence the contents of the Beloved. This suggests that we know history from what was permitted to be known, and equally important facts were silenced. The search begins in Medici Florence and moves on to Rome.
A powerful man with ties to the Medicis sets out to ensure that the Church does not face the embarrassment of facts discovered by Father Dominic's group. He plans to control or destroy their findings. He is willing and able to confront Father Dominic's team with violence in an action-packed attack.
The Medici Heresy contains enough heart-pounding tension and suspense to make it a gripping standalone. Those readers new to the series should enjoy its mysteries and history and may want to go back and read some of the previous books. It is highly recommended for those who have learned about the intriguing characters and their activities in earlier books. It is scheduled for publication on December 01/ 2025.
December 1, 2025
What happens when a gospel hidden by a previous pope is discovered centuries later? Will the Truth be revealed or remain hidden? Join Father Michael, Hana, Karl, Lukas, Ian, and Sister Teri as they unravel riddles from the past that will lead them to a hidden gospel. How do archaeology and astrology play a role? Who is chasing them and why? Is the Medici lineage current today? McAvoy has written another spiritual journey through archives, discoveries, challenges of trust and doubt. The Church is put on notice to determine if all who serve are equal.
Let’s dig deeper. Enter Mary Magdalene and her importance in Jesus’s ministry. How can knowledge of her ministry shake the foundation of the Church all the way back to St. Peter? You can feel the suppression; however, if you truly listen, every entity talks and whispers. “For when the doors won’t open”. Hmm. What if there is a gospel that is contemporary with Jesus? Would it not be more accurate than the ones written decades after His death. And they also uncover a codex that is older than the gospel. What if the message is about faith and not about fearing God? I believe the newfound truth to be a beatitude that wasn’t included in the Matthew or Luke gospels. The Divine lives in all of us. Our responsibility is to discover, honor, and live it.
In conclusion, there are always enemies to the Truth. Relationships become stronger as does faith. The final papal decree is about as close to a papal bull as one can be. Be advised the novel is hard to put down; just one more chapter… I hope you enjoy McAvoy’s journey of historical fiction as much as I did!
Let’s dig deeper. Enter Mary Magdalene and her importance in Jesus’s ministry. How can knowledge of her ministry shake the foundation of the Church all the way back to St. Peter? You can feel the suppression; however, if you truly listen, every entity talks and whispers. “For when the doors won’t open”. Hmm. What if there is a gospel that is contemporary with Jesus? Would it not be more accurate than the ones written decades after His death. And they also uncover a codex that is older than the gospel. What if the message is about faith and not about fearing God? I believe the newfound truth to be a beatitude that wasn’t included in the Matthew or Luke gospels. The Divine lives in all of us. Our responsibility is to discover, honor, and live it.
In conclusion, there are always enemies to the Truth. Relationships become stronger as does faith. The final papal decree is about as close to a papal bull as one can be. Be advised the novel is hard to put down; just one more chapter… I hope you enjoy McAvoy’s journey of historical fiction as much as I did!
December 18, 2025
The Medici Heresy is a masterfully constructed historical thriller that blends Vatican intrigue, Renaissance scholarship, and modern suspense with remarkable precision. Gary McAvoy delivers a story that feels both intellectually rich and relentlessly propulsive. From the moment Father Michael Dominic uncovers the sealed Renaissance letter, the novel plunges readers into a world where faith, power, and secrecy collide.
What truly sets this book apart is its depth of historical detail and thematic ambition. The interplay between ancient astronomical alignments, buried gospels, and political maneuvering within the Church is handled with intelligence and restraint. The partnership between Michael Dominic and investigative journalist Hana Sinclair adds emotional grounding and narrative balance, while the escalating danger keeps the tension razor-sharp.
At its core, The Medici Heresy is not merely about lost manuscripts or Vatican conspiracies it’s a powerful meditation on truth, silence, and whose voices history allows to survive. Fans of Dan Brown–style thrillers with greater historical rigor and emotional nuance will find this a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking read.
What truly sets this book apart is its depth of historical detail and thematic ambition. The interplay between ancient astronomical alignments, buried gospels, and political maneuvering within the Church is handled with intelligence and restraint. The partnership between Michael Dominic and investigative journalist Hana Sinclair adds emotional grounding and narrative balance, while the escalating danger keeps the tension razor-sharp.
At its core, The Medici Heresy is not merely about lost manuscripts or Vatican conspiracies it’s a powerful meditation on truth, silence, and whose voices history allows to survive. Fans of Dan Brown–style thrillers with greater historical rigor and emotional nuance will find this a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking read.
December 7, 2025
The Medici Heresy is Gary McAvoy at his best—an irresistible blend of history, mystery, and nonstop suspense. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you straight into a world of secret manuscripts, Vatican intrigue, and high-stakes discoveries that feel both cinematic and remarkably plausible.
McAvoy’s strength is in his meticulous research and the way he weaves real historical detail into a gripping modern thriller. The pacing is sharp, the settings feel alive, and the characters—especially Father Michael and the investigative team around him—are instantly engaging. Every chapter ends with just enough tension to keep you reading “one more,” until suddenly you’ve devoured the whole book.
This is McAvoy's best book yet. If you enjoy Dan Brown–style historical thrillers but want tighter plotting, richer characters, and better writing, this book is for you. The Medici Heresy is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it will leave you eager for the next installment.
Highly recommended.
McAvoy’s strength is in his meticulous research and the way he weaves real historical detail into a gripping modern thriller. The pacing is sharp, the settings feel alive, and the characters—especially Father Michael and the investigative team around him—are instantly engaging. Every chapter ends with just enough tension to keep you reading “one more,” until suddenly you’ve devoured the whole book.
This is McAvoy's best book yet. If you enjoy Dan Brown–style historical thrillers but want tighter plotting, richer characters, and better writing, this book is for you. The Medici Heresy is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it will leave you eager for the next installment.
Highly recommended.
December 23, 2025
A Must-read!
This is a must-read for all Gary McAvoy fans- and anyone else interested in the gospels. Though fictional, this book delivers an important message that could well have been written in a book such as the "Gospel of the Beloved". It is extremely well-written and engages the reader from the first page. I have read all of Gary's books, and this one, I think, is my favorite. All of the usual well-defined main characters are there, but there is something more...a presence, that I felt reading this book. Thank you Gary, for another outstanding, wonderful, and hopeful book!!
This is a must-read for all Gary McAvoy fans- and anyone else interested in the gospels. Though fictional, this book delivers an important message that could well have been written in a book such as the "Gospel of the Beloved". It is extremely well-written and engages the reader from the first page. I have read all of Gary's books, and this one, I think, is my favorite. All of the usual well-defined main characters are there, but there is something more...a presence, that I felt reading this book. Thank you Gary, for another outstanding, wonderful, and hopeful book!!
December 1, 2025
I believe, I am not the only one, who could not stop reading. This not an ordinary thriller, it is the best and the fascinating one. The writing is excellent. It takes us through the trials, dangers and Dominic’s spiritual journey, to end with hope and light. I enjoyed the twists, the fanny banter, the quotes greatly affected me. I wish the end was real. But we are almost there. Thank you Gary for the intense thriller and the journey. You are the best.
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