The Seventh Seal

Justin Scott #1

by Ian A. O'Connor

What dread secret is The Vatican protecting at all costs? Which lives will be sacrificed to keep an awful truth buried behind a code of silence?

“My name is Monsignor Capelletti,” the voice replied. “I’m the chief of staff for the papal nuncio to the United States, Francis Cardinal Kettering. Your name was given to me as someone to be trusted, someone who can help. And I very much need your help.”

“Why, has your cardinal murdered somebody?” Justin asked with a deliberate lightheartedness meant to convey to Capelletti that his use of dramatics was not necessary.

“That’s exactly what’s happened, Mr. Scott,” the priest said, his words barely audible.

After hearing that utterance from a terrified priest, ex-FBI agent Justin Scott soon finds himself in the fight of his life. Hired by the Vatican to ferret out the truth – or so it says, Justin uncovers a hair-raising conspiracy involving powerful Vatican prelates and Italian and Russian crime syndicates, all racing against the clock and each other to take possession of the richest prize in Christendom. With time fast running out, Justin’s high-stakes quest leads him to the very steps of the Throne of Peter, then back to Washington DC where he confronts a psychopathic murderer in a cat-and-mouse stalking that plays out to its deadly finish on the mean streets of the nation’s capital.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

244 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

MEET THE AUTHOR

Ian A. O’Connor is a retired Air Force colonel who has held several senior military leadership positions in the field of national security management. His novel, The Twilight of the Day, was a military-themed thriller which received high praise in the Military Times Newspaper for its realism, and chilling story line. The book won a coveted Bronze Medal in 2018, awarded him by the Military Writers Society of America. In 2022 Ian was the Silver Falchion Award winner in the "Best Thriller" category at the Killer Nashville Writers Conference for his latest thriller, Point Option.

He is the co-author of SCRAPPY: A Memoir of a U.S. Fighter Pilot, published by McFarland & Company in April 2008 to rave reviews by the international aviation community .

Colonel O’Connor holds an FAA commercial pilot’s certificate with single engine and multi-engine ratings.

He is a member of the Air Commando Association, an associate member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, and Mystery Writers of America. Ian lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast with his wife, Candice.

Reviews

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book. The reader is introduced to Justin Scott as a retired FBI agent who now has become a private investigator. He is hired by the Vatican to investigate and possibly act as an attorney for a Cardinal accused of murder. A good read!

[Jim Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book. The reader is introduced to Justin Scott as a retired FBI agent who now has become a private investigator. He is hired by the Vatican to investigate and possibly act as an attorney for a Cardinal accused of murder. A good read!

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a little more. A fine, action-packed mystery, involving the Roman Catholic Church without dissing RCs. There was one possible deus ex machina area, but it mostly fit. This is a fun read.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good