The Third Revelation

The Rosary Chronicles #1

by Ralph McInerny

An astounding miracle.

Two vicious murders.

A secret that could change the world.

The Rosary Chronicles begin.

Retired CIA operative Vincent Traeger spent years working undercover in Rome. But when the Vatican’s Secretary of State is brutally murdered along with a prefect of the Vatican Library, Traeger must not only solve the murders, but fight an unseen enemy and navigate a treacherous maze through history, faith, and his own past if he is ever to discover the astonishing truth.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adventure

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Ralph Matthew McInerny was an American Catholic religious scholar and fiction writer, including mysteries and science fiction. Some of his fiction has appeared under the pseudonyms of Harry Austin, Matthew FitzRalph, Ernan Mackey, Edward Mackin, and Monica Quill. As a mystery writer he is best known as the creator of Father Dowling. He was Professor of Philosophy, Director of the Jacques Maritain Center, and Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Notre Dame until his retirement in June 2009. He died of esophageal cancer on January 29, 2010.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dan Brown rip off about solving the murder of the secretary of state for the Vatican.

Made me glad to be a Protestant, for sure.

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was probably one of the last of Rakph McInerny's productions, but unfortunately not one of his best. It's got a great theme, and a story line that kept me reading, even though there were so many characters that I got confused, and there were several instances where there were contradictions in the prose.

That aside, this story of conspiracy stems from the Fatima sightings in the early 20th century, and revolves around the supposed hidden secret. There were parts best understood by someone with knowledge of Catholicism, but overall those were few, and easily incorporated into the story.

The ending was sloppy though - it didn't wrap up any of the stories. This is not McInerny's normal style, so it won't preclude my reading of his other works, but I don't recommend this one, even though as I said it had a good storyline.

One of the irksome things I did note was the oft-repeated phrse "Bea had been with him longer than polite to mention". When the same phrase pops up more than once it is no longer a trick but a bother. It also had several instances of people knowing secrets, which of course does happen, but the discerning reader likes to know where at least some of them got their knowledge.

[Rose Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

gave up 1/2-way though. It wasn't worth the confusion and bad editing and bad copy-editing to keep going -- I wasn't sure the payoff would be worth it in the end.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried. Stopped and started a few times but it never grabbed me. Too many characters and it got confusing.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a cardinal, two priests, and a Swiss guard are murdered in the inter sanctums of the Vatican and Sister Lucia's letter regarding the Third Revelation of Fatima disappears, retired CIA agent Vincent Traeger is called in to him find the document and solve the murders. Several more murders occur as religious factions battle over what the true secret of the Third Revelation is. An engrossing thriller with religious setting just like in the De Vinci Code.

[Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't name this book a detective. It's a novel although the plot had started from four murders. Very good book about the Catholic Church in our times. Dr. McInerny with genuine pain and without false pity writes honestly about wide-spread spiritual problems of the modern Catholics and of the Traditional-minded ones as well. I would advise to read this book to any Catholic over 16 years old. By the way, it's a rare case of a western author who shows a good comprehension of the 'bloody KGB' with neither idealization of the 'new free Russia' nor cartoon-like horrors.

Я бы не назвал эту книгу детективом. Это роман, хотя сюжет и начинается с четырех убийств. Очень хорошая книга о современной Католической Церкви. Д-р МакИнерни с искренней болью и без ложной жалости честно пишет о частых духовных проблемах современных католиков, не исключая и традиционалистов. Я бы посоветовал эту книгу каждому католику старше 16 лет. Кстати, редкий случай, когда западный автор хорошо понимает, что такое "кровавая гэбня", избегая как идеализации "новой свободной России", так и мультяшных ужасов.

Особо хочется сказать о переводе. Перевод был бы хороший, если бы издатель не поскупился заплатить редактору, который хоть что-то понимает в католичестве. А так... "Второй Собор", "мирской священник", "пастор прихода" и "святой отец" раздражают ужасно. Но то, что ни разу на шестистах страницах ни одна шляпа не слетела, проезжая мимо станции, - это, конечно, в плюс.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read and enjoyed anything by Morris West, you will surely find The Third Revelation a wonderfully entertaining novel. Beginning with the first murder of a Cardinal within the Vatican Walls through to the final pages of the book, the reader is taken on an adventure that is both thrilling and more than a bit thought provoking. Ralph McInerny demonstrates his profound sense of good research and ability to weave a story based on solid fact and flights of fanciful conjecture. Taking the controversy surrounding the announcement of the revelation of the Third Secret of Fatima, and using, at times, the words of living personages within the Vatican --- including Benedict XVI himself--- he weaves a tale of ecclesiastical intrigue and mayhem worthy of any good teller of mystery stories. There are a few inconsistencies and errors, but these are left to the reader to determine if he/she is so inclined. One sees also a continuation of the "end times" phenomenon so prevalent in today's conspiracy circles. This is a novel freely recommended as a great read.

[Carmel Chapline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot, with perhaps too many characters to keep straight. Not one that makes the great literary lists, but a good beach read, with murder, international intrigue, right-wing nut cases, and a backdrop of the conflicted Catholic Church, in Rome and the US. One message, perhaps, is to be careful what you wish for....

[Raully · Rating 3 out of 5]

McInenry broadens his satirical mystery skills beyond Notre Dame to take on the entire Catholic Church. Plot centers around a stolen document from the archives (third Fatima secret) and an assassin in the Vatican. Think a Catholic version of the Bourne thrillers. (Read at Disneyworld.)

[Raully · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the one hand, its do Da-Vinci-Code-esque for my taste. On the other, its too apologetic. Seems hastily written and not as grounded in the day-to-day observations and anecdotes that make his Notre Dame series so amusing for me.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

After working several years undercover in Rome, retired CIA agent Vincent Traeger returns to investigate the death the Vatican Secretary of State. The man was brutally murdered in the Vatican Library.

[Shannon T.L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

seriously, if i could take stars away i would. this book sucked so, so badly. terrible story, terribly written. just awful.

[judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoy Father Dowling and the Knight brothers at Notre Dame--don't read this book. Exception--if you're Catholic and don't mind Vatican politics you may be able to stay awake for it.

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is good to read a novel that does not "diss" Roman Catholicism," and it is a good story, but it gets a little "preachy."

[Asma · Rating 2 out of 5]

had some embarrassing mistakes, like stating the facts more than once ... the ending was horrible! pointless! though I really like the story itself ... could've been better ,, MUCH better.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not one to stop reading a book halfway through, but I give up. Too much useless verbiage, extra characters, and I don't feel as though the plot has been adequately developed.

[Devi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had its moments but often strayed outside the realm of believability.

[Jackie Gonzales · Rating 1 out of 5]

very slow at times was lost as to who was where and what was happening - not sure i want the second book in the series

[Bill franks]

So far, so good. Very Good Really!

[Tracy Hubbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takes for granted that the reader knows alot about the Catholic church and faith