Tom Swan and the Keys of Saint Peter

by Christian Cameron

Tom Swan and his friends are trying to save Europe from the Turks, but most of his adversaries seem to be other Europeans. This time, an unnamed cabal is trying to kill him and, incidentally, ruin the banks and trade of England, France, and Italy. . .

Join Tom Swan on his latest adventure as the likes of Cosimo di Medici, Warwick the Kingmaker, Bessarion the cardinal and Aneas Picclomini the Pope show Tom the Renaissance in all its deadly glory!

Genres: Historical Fiction, War

463 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2021

About the author

Aka Miles Cameron. Also publishes as Gordon Kent with his father Kenneth M. Cameron.

Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.

After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.

Reviews

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed seeing a snippet of 15th century England here. As always with the Tom Swan series, another fun Indiana Jones-esque novel, only with more swords and jousting and wool and wine!

[Štěpán · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Adventures of Tom Swan are my favourite things to read. It just feels so refreshing and fun. I love the different escapades and schemes and plots and seeing how Tom falls down and comes up with a new solutions for his problems. But what is probably the key are the characters. Tom and Alessandro's relationship, or Tom and Sophia's are wonderful and their fights and remarks are just fun to experience.

This is the longest book and I think that I enjoyed it when it was a little bit shorter. It felt novel and unique. But at the same time I understand why Cameron wanted to write a longer book. Because this one takes us all over the continent and provides us with a lot of different settings and plots. I hope we get more Tom Swan stories, but if not I will be glad, for what we got.

[Paul Wandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novel and Tom Swan continues to be one of my all time favorite characters. Christian does his ususal fantastic job of keeping you engaged in the story from start to finish. More Tom Swan please!!!

[Nicholas Berndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

and another one

Tom Swan is such a fun read. Cameron takes you all over the continent for another fantastic story. 5 Stars.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most varied geographically in the series and with the greatest similarity to Dorothy Dunnett’s books with a real villain coming to the forefront.

[Matt Heppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book-length Tom Swan! He's all over the place in this one. Italy, Albania, Greece, England, France, and Burgundy. Spying, fighting, and trading everywhere he goes. I love these books. If you haven't started on the series, you have a lot of catching up to do. Can't recommend Cameron's historical fiction enough. He's a master.

[Lon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tom Swan's adventures simply because I lose myself in the richness of the story. The best thing about these stories is the people whom he writes so well; the history is real so the author just weaves his characters into the plots that happened long ago. When I read these stories I can feel and see the action in 15th Century Italy and elsewhere; I am transported. One tip, read the last chapter of The Last of The Spartans as this book picks right up from the last chapter. This is not a stand alone book.
Our hero, Tom Swan is also the author's favorite character so he says the most like him. You can see that in the reading the pure joy of the adventure. This book is very complex in the plot and travels. There are many characters major and minor whom I came to love. The book does not disappoint. In the end, I also realize I have been educated without even knowing it. I ordered the print copy but could not wait and picked up the epub on Kobo. If you wanted an intelligent romp through 15th Century Europe this is your book.

[Michael Lore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Swan and the Keys of Saint Peter is Christian Cameron's first novel-length Tom Swan adventure, the former all being serialized novels realized in parts. It loses nothing as it gains length, in fact, Saint Peter might be the strongest entry yet.
Cameron weaves a fantastic tapestry of 15th century Europe, with Swan going on a whirlwind tour of Venice, Florence, Albania, London, Bruges, and more. The pace moves at breakneck speed, action and plots twist and turn with almost every page.

The writing is sharp and no-nonsense, with an undercurrent of humor beneath the swordplay and intrigue. I admit I got a little lost in the layers of conspiracy on display here; the Italian names and the intricacy of the scheme were tough to decipher, and I'm still not sure I completely understand the plot Swan uncovered. That didn't take away any of my enjoyment of the book, though, and I hope Cameron revisits Swan in the future.

[C Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cameron, as ever, writes a book that I loved. Another great entry into a great series that showcases the character growth and plot progression that has occurred over the course of the series. A slight misstep in my opinion in the final third though - the foray into Greece that led to his really brief capture and torture was covered too fast to have real impact and the long-term implications seem to be nil. That section could have been cut and it would not have impacted the plot at all,

[Michael Rousine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the bedt

Definitely the best Cameron's work of the last few years and Tom Swan has always been his best character.
I loved the economic thriller aspect of the plot.
Having another PoV in a Tom Swan book was somewhat weird but it worked. Mainly because it changed the dynamic within his household and familiar characters had to adjust and change their ways to survive. It was very well done.
In his latest books Christian Cameron have been trying to give more space to "strong female characters"(TM) and here it finally worked.
All in all, easy 5 stars.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Swan is at it again

Christian Cameron is back with another, book length tale of Tom Swan. From Italy to Albania to Italy to England to Flanders to Greece to Italy again, Swan travels,intrigues, fights, and trades, meeting everyone from Skanderberg to Casino Medici to the Duke of Burgundy and helping foil and further plots that involve them all, as well as a couple of popes. This is great historical adventure, and not to be missed.

[Chuck B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my favorite series!

Tom Swan finally returns to England and there is never a dull moment! Although this may not be the last book, many loose ends are tied up.

As Tom mentions at some point, it’s not that much to risk your life when your barely getting by. When you have a life worth living, it’s another thing entirely.

I hope we will be treated to more of Tom’s adventures someday!

[John M. Rench · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding historical fiction!!!

This is one of the best series that I have read in years! The author is in the same league as Cornwall and Dunnett. The brief appearance of Claes and St. Pole in this story was a nod to one of the greatest historical fiction series ever written. Thank you Mr. Cameron!!!

[Jack Rieger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant continuation of the series if you have got to this point you should have read the previous Tom Swan novels and you can have no fear about this full length book of Tom Swan. If you liked the previous novels you’ll love this one.

[Cédric Claerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fighting, plots and shrugging in different languages. Fighting about plots. Shrugging about plots. Shrugs about fighting. Oh and don’t forget the trading.

New tagline: My anaconda don’t want none if you ain’t got plots, hon.

[Mark Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Tom Swan tales.

Another great story of adventure,plots and counter plots. Filled with memorable characters . I only recently found out about this wonderful series and have enjoyed them all.

[Dave Broadbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Swan

Yet another great book from. Christian Cameron I look forward to reading the next installment of this great saga of Tom Swan

[Nathan Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Tom Swan

What a great series. If you love medieval anything give it a read. If you love a well written and researched book, read this series.

[Seamus O'Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full length book

Once again, Christian Cameron proves he is the master of medieval intrigue and battle. Simply put, he is the best in the business.

[Roderick Mackenzie Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and well -written story

This tale of the middle ages is well researched and absorbing because of the characters and their adventures. The plot is very complicated.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Really enjoyed this series.

[Shane Findlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire Cameron’s historical fiction. Especially the Ancient Greek volumes. Even so, I really enjoyed Swan’s (well researched) stories. Sad it’s over. Or is it? 4.5⭐️

[Liz C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

These books are always enjoyable but I felt this one was a bit convoluted and kept losing track of who was doing what to who.

[Greg Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great continuation of the series, with characters who draw you in and a plot that will make it impossible to put the novel down. Truly Cameron is a master craftsman and storyteller.