Day of Confession

by Allan Folsom

After the phenomenal success of THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, Allan Folsom has created another dazzling thriller of heart-stopping action involving a chillingly credible int'l conspiracy. The Addison brothers, Harry & Danny, have been estranged for many years, but when Danny calls from Rome pleading for Harry to get in touch, his brother doesn't ignore him. Except it seems he is too late, as Danny was on board a tourist bus which was blown apart by a bomb. But when Harry arrives in Italy he is plunged into a Kafka-esque nightmare, discovering that his brother is accused of assassinating the Cardinal Vicar of Rome and when he dares to suggest that Danny is still alive he finds that someone is willing to frame him for murder before he can start to clear Danny's name. Alone and vulnerable in a foreign country, Harry is sucked into the maelstrom of a conspiracy in the heart of the Vatican, where men of God are using the devil's hand to further the influence of the Catholic Church. A tense and absorbing thriller.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure, Crime, Italy

576 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Until the international success of THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, Allan Folsom was a jobbing screen writer, contributing to such series as Hart to Hart. He lived in Santa Barbara with his wife, an artist, and their young daughter. Mr. Folsom died of complications of melanoma.

Reviews

[Bill Thibadeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Allan Folsom so I had no previous exposure to him or reviews by others. When I started to write this review at Amazon, I was very surprised to see that the reviews were almost evenly spaced on each of the five star ratings. I found myself questioning how to write a fair review but here goes.

I found the story to be interesting right from the start but then I enjoy stories about the sins of the Catholic church. I found the book to be a page turner. I really did not want to put it down but its length of 556 interesting pages caused me to read it in four sittings. I think there were a couple of minor items that were weak but they did not adversely affect the intrigue of the book.

There were a great many characters. I thought that I might have a hard time keeping them straight. However, the author did a good job of i9dentifying where the story was happening and did not jump back and forth between characters needlessly. I am rating this book a 4 star read because of the characters. Even though the story was well written, I did not think the characters were well developed. They were just not characters with which I could identify.

I do recommend this book. If you are not liking the book by page 100, you probably try something else.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I've read by this author.

OMG! What a book! Spellbinding, fantastic plot, twists and turns, compassion, love....got it all.
And a twist at the end.

[Alberto Delgado · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bastante flojo, nada que ver con su novela cero absoluto.

[Matt Glady · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I especially enjoyed the action sequences as I felt they were meticulously worded out and allows for great visualization. It’s also clear that the author did a ton of research in to the layout of the Vatican and the surrounding area which added a nice level of depth to the final scene.

That being said, I felt that a lot of the plot was far-fetched. The vast reach of the conspiracy just seemed to be too insane and too sinister. Also the fact that the most wanted man in the world just existed out in the open for so much of the book was pretty mind blowing. I felt like the Italian Police could have just used the fact that Thomas Kind was going to be in the Vatican as a reason to “invade”.

Cardinal Palestrina is easily one of the more evil characters I’ve ever come across in a book. Okaying the poisoning of over 100k people just so the Vatican’s Investment Portfolio performs extremely well in the future? Evil. Having your “equal” murdered just because they disagree with you? Insane. Believing that you are the reincarnation of Alexander the Great? Seek help. He got what he deserved in the end and I was glad Marscianno finally grew some balls.

Thomas Kind was also an interesting character. I think that the author adding the fact that he was basically a professional serial killer for hire who got off on killing was a good touch. To the same extent he still had the soldier mentality of completing a job no matter the cost. These two traits led to his ultimate demise and I thought that that was done well.

Harry was a pretty good character. He was deeply flawed but he really grew a lot throughout the story and he was nice to see him and Danny reconnect.

Overall a decent book. Kind of drawn out, but a ton of stuff does happen. I’d recommend. I’m going to read this author’s other big book but will likely stop there.

[Mister Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where's a good editor when you need one? Because one was really needed.
Days of Confession just lags; the characters are not that well-developed or convincing. On top of that, the inaccuracy about the water being poisoned as an act of sabotage was just plain hilarious. Any idiot whose lived or even visited China knows that the surest way to experience bowel contractions is to drink the water straight from the tap. That's why they boil it if they drink it! But why should that inaccuracy stop you? After all, a 40 year old man who has five orgasms within two hours should be accepted as well. I don't know. The book was way too long. It kept dragging and dragging. How in the world did I finish it? Well, I didn't. I had 50 pages left, and said the hell with it.

[Michael Llewellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Folsom’s short chapters (probably due to his television and screenwriting background) make for an amazingly fast read, fortunate for wrangling this overlong (566pp), overbaked thriller involving another wildly convoluted scramble for world domination. This time the bad guy is the Vatican’s second-in-command, one Cardinal Palestrina, who (get this) believes he’s the reincarnation of Alexander the Great, without the gay aspect of course. If that’s not woo-woo enough, the good cardinal plans to realize his evil dream by polluting China’s rivers and enslaving that nation’s billion plus people to Catholicism. Throw in an oversexed nun, an ex-marine-turned-priest and his Hollywood mogul brother (who's middle-aged but has five orgasms in two hours!)and a professional assassin who makes the Jackal look like Mary Poppins and brace yourself for hours of suspended disbelief.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out twisty with too many points of view from different characters, but ties up into a nice neat plot calculated to keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages to see how they all get out of trouble

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty entertaining, until the last show-down with Kind and the brothers!!! The end was written so clumsily. Hard to believe Kind just stood there, allowing it all to happen. Pretty silly, especially all the OORAH'S!!!

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read but I am getting quite bored with all those Catholic-church conspiracy thrillers...

[Antonis Giannoulis · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5/5 Αλλά καθώς δεν μου προσέφερε τπτ άλλο πέρα από αναγνωστική απόλαυση και φτωχές σκέψεις και ιδέες θα πάρει ένα αστο και θα πω διάβασε κάτι άλλο καλύτερα

[Kally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Държащ в напрежение роман, интересна история с Ватиканско-интригантски привкус.
Малко досадно ми стана по едно време цялото това бягане, можеше да се поограничи малко, но и така става. Идеален роман за лятото.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. Interesting storyline

[Mariana Salazar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 estrellas

Medianamente entretenido para leer y olvidar.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first time reader of Allan Folsom, I found there was much mystery and questions related to the characters. I would have preferred Elena to fall for Daniel instead of Harry, the womanizer. Also, I found that Thomas was way to good at eluding certain security details. But, then again, look at who hired him. Lastly, the rattled truck with the people inside; why were they not detained or arrested. Elena was too good undercover. Perhaps, she could have been "Thomas" instead.
No matter, really, as I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Allan Folsom's work.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cardinal is assassinated in Rome; another priest is
accused. A complicated plot. Foreboding atmosphere.

[Rossrn Nunamaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

While long at 566 pages, it was a fast read with very short chapters and Allan Folsom kept a good pace going throughout Day of Confession.

Kicking off with the assignation of a Cardinal in the Pope's inner circle, within the Vatican in the presence of the Pope, the action continues throughout Italy an excursion in China and ultimately back to the Vatican.

Harry Addison is estranged from his brother, Danny, Father Daniel Addison, who serves Cardinal Marsciano in the Vatican. Danny is accused of the murder of the Cardinal and shortly after is believed to be dead following a bus explosion on his way to Assisi.

Prior to the fatal bus ride, Harry receives a message from his brother, stating he is afraid and fears for his life. Upon learning of his death, Harry arranges to fly to Italy, retrieve the body, and bring him home.

It is at the point when Harry is determined to see the body that he becomes involved in something much more. Cardinal Marsciano has already confirmed the identity and encourages Harry not to do so as he was burned in the bombing and disfigured.

Harry does see the body and declares it is not his brother.

As the story progresses, Harry is also implicated in a murder and is on the run from both the Italian authorities and Vatican. While running he meets Hercules, a dwarf living in hiding in the subway system, accused of murder himself and Adrianna a television correspondent who agrees to help him in exchange for exclusives when the ordeal is over.

The story involves corrupted Vatican officials, hired terrorists, and desperation by the Chinese government following two mass deaths due to polluted water.

To say much more would draw to close to spoilers. Harry and certain parties flee Rome to determine if Danny is alive and if so where is he, while being pursued by both the authorities and the hired terrorist.

This was a fun, quick read for those that enjoy suspense novels.

[Rene Hender · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his debut novel The Day After Tomorrow got me back into reading for the first time in 5-10 years, I felt like reading Allan Folsom‘s other books as well, starting with Day of Confession.

I devoured this book in 5 days. Didn‘t think I would, but I somehow ended up reading the last 150 pages in one sitting.

As with The Day After Tomorrow, the story is of an international intrigue, full of frequent changes of location and a great writing style that makes you feel like you are part of the action.

Overall, this book wasn‘t quite as great from start to finish as the previous one, but I thought the ending was masterfully crafted and made finishing the book feel very rewarding; I even shed a tear.

While I can understand the slightly better rating for The Day After Tomorrow (which was a 10/10 while this was more of an 8-9/10), this is a great book and I can only encourage reading it.

[Kss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se me hizo un buen libro, me atrapó aunque avanzaba lentamente en mi lectura, la historia aunque es ficción y parece increíble, sabemos que muchas veces la realidad supera la ficción por lo que no es tan descabellado. No me gustó que hay mucha tragedia, muchos sacrificados y sí un poco increíble la recuperación del padre Daniel. El final, aunque era de esperarse, no me encantó el hecho de que no saliera la verdad a la luz al 100%.

[Marc Tiefenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

De titel is verkeerd vertaald, het gaat om de dag van de biecht. Deze vertaler kent dan weer wel de zaktelefoon, niet het mobiel. Verzorgde vertaling. Hoewel het boek dateert uit 1998, dus van voor de doorbraak naar boeken vol fouten, slopen hier en daar toch fouten binnen, zoals prister i.p.v. priester. Daardoor verliest het boek een ster.
Het druipt van de spanning, haast meesterlijk gecomponeerd. Niet meteen stijlvol; een aanrader.

[Alejandra Pooler · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, this book was like an action packed movie, very colourful, very fast, but the story line was flawed. Maybe I was expecting a better story, deeper characters, more history and details about the Vatican, for example, or Harry's lawyer experience. But all we got on these aspects were quite superficial, in my opinion.

I thin I prefer slower books but with more of a story.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting, suspenseful, thrilling, chilling international conspiracy (reminiscent of how COVID started) that started in a laboratory somewhere! A lot of drama with some bad and good outcomes. Who’s to blame and who started it (a who done it type of novel)!!! Great read if you are looking for one! Oh, and let us not forget there could be a love connection!!!

[Ruja · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was captivating certainly and I was keen to keep reading it but definitely not a very complicated book, characters were a bit flat and the ending left to be desired but certainly I'd recommend for an easy holiday read etc

[Dreagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second part had a lot more action and was a better read than the first part, which was a bit dull. All characters combined made the entire thing a bit unbelievable, and the romance was way too predictable.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! What a story, loved it.
I have never read a book like this one.... It was as if I was watching an action movie, just in a book. I fell in love with Harry and every other character. I am sad I finished it, but I am happy I got to read this amazing book.

[The Devine Ms Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast easy read. Plot was okay but there are some really weak parts, such as the security in the Vatican.
I liked having a list of characters in the front; it made following the Chinese names easier.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light, fun, fast read. Enjoyable book, but nothing amazing. There were plenty of twists keeping it interesting, but there were also so many little twists at the end that it kinda took away from the book. Still, for a light, easy read, this was a fun book.

[Carol Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-paced. No women except the reporter who has random sex and the nun who decides she wants random sex. One gets killed as the main character thinks about that he wonders whether she would have been happier as a wife and mother.

[K Shirey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a page turner and kept me interested. While there was some sex it wasn’t the focus of the book. There was a lot of suspense. I’d be interested in reading more from this author.

[Weerdski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hartstikke leuke page turner.
Een heel avontuur. Spannend. Mooie setting.

Maar dan het eind… erg Hollywood. Erg wenkbrauwen fronsend…
En een stukje over een stroomversnelling waar ik niet echt achter kan staan. Maar goed, al met al een nette voldoende.

[Wyktor Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and intrigue in the upper echelons of the Holy See in Rome, with international implications and international terrorists.
A thoroughly enjoyable novel that was hard to put down.
Highly recommended.