Review Praise for Steve BerryThe Third Secret“Controversial, shocking, explosive . . . rich in a wealth of Vatican insider knowledge and two thousand years of Virgin Mary visitations. The Third Secret will change our view of the relation between religion and wisdom.”–KATHERINE NEVILLE, author of The EightThe Romanov Prophecy“Perfect for thriller fans and history buffs alike. Fabulous plot twists.”–DAVID MORRELL, author of The Protector“Compelling . . . adventure-filled . . . a fast-moving, globe-hopping tale of long-lost treasure and shadowy bad guys.”–San Francisco ChronicleThe Amber Room“Sexy, illuminating . . . my kind of thriller.”–DAN BROWN, author of The Da Vinci Code“Magnificently engrossing, with wonderful characters and a plot that speeds, twists, and turns. Pure intrigue, pure fun.”–CLIVE CUSSLER, author of Sacred Stone Read more From the Inside Flap Explosive in both its pace and its revelations, The Third Secret is a remarkable international thriller. Bestselling author Steve Berry tackles some of the most controversial ideas of our time in a breakneck journey through the history of the Church and the future of religion. Fatima, Portugal, 1917: The Virgin Mary appears to three peasant children, sharing with them three secrets, two of which are soon revealed to the world. The third secret is sealed away in the Vatican, read only by popes, and not disclosed until the year 2000. When revealed, its quizzical tone and anticlimactic nature leave many faithful wondering if the Church has truly unveiled all of the Virgin Mary's words-or if a message far more important has been left in the shadows. Vatican City, present day: Papal secretary Father Colin Michener is concerned for the Pope. Night after restless night, Pope Clement XV enters the Vatican's Riserva, the special archive open only to popes, where the Church's most clandestine and controversial documents are stored. Though unsure of the details, Michener knows that the Pope's distress stems from the revelations of Fatima. Equally concerned, but not out of any sense of compassion, is Alberto Cardinal Valendrea, the Vatican's Secretary of State, . Valendrea desperately covets the papacy, having narrowly lost out to Clement at the last conclave. Now the Pope's interest in Fatima threatens to uncover a shocking ancient truth that Valendrea has kept to himself for many years. When Pope Clement sends Michener to the Romanian highlands, then to a Bosnian holy site, in search of a priest-possibly one of the last people on Earth who knows Mary's true message-a perilous setof events unfolds. Michener finds himself embroiled in murder, suspicion, suicide, deceit, and his forbidden passion for a beloved woman. In a desperate search for answers, he travels to Pope Clement's birthplace in Germany, where he learns that the third secret of Fatima may dictate the very fate of the Church-a fate now lying in Michener's own hands. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
E**L
This could have been so much better
I began reading the book expecting some exciting twists and turns before arriving at a blockbuster ending. The twists and turns were there, though some really defied credibility.The main characters held my interest, though the villains (Valendrea and Ambrosi) were too unredeemably evil and unsubtle to be believable. As the tension mounted, what I looked forward to was learning what revelations had been hidden for so many years. And then... I found out. What a colossal disappointment! If I were a Roman Catholic, I might have been insulted by the heretical nature of the contents. As a mainstream Protestant, I was insulted by the sheer stupidity -- and the author's laziness in not coming up with something better. Such a let down! I finished the book, hoping that there still might be something worth reading. Sorry I wasted my time. Two points for okay storytelling. Three points lacking for the unbelievable popes, ridiculous plot points, and a message that Mary never would have wasted her time on.
S**R
Master Story Teller
Love the factual history that Steve Berry puts in all his books. Although the plot conclusion makes an impressive reasonable resolution for a fiction story, it surprised me that it would go that direction. This author is a master of weaving a fiction story into the accurate and DETAILED facts of history. I find myself stopping and going to google to learn more about the fascinating places, items and events he is describing. Although in a couple of his books, I distinctly disagree with the fictional way he concluded his subject matter, I accept that that is his writers privilege. Even at that the pieces of his story fit so smoothly and agreeably that it makes an excellent read. Also what an exciting way to learn about so much.
S**O
Terrific Suspense with an Educational Twist
This was one of Berry's first novels. It is an extremely well researched suspense novel similar (but better) than his more recent books. Religious dogma is questioned and related to several philosophical and moral issues. Character development is outstanding as is the introspection involving personal relationships. We won't give away the plot except to say that rarely have we encountered a novel that we couldn't put aside. We burned the midnight oil on this one!
H**D
The secret should have been left alone
Mr Berry claims to be Catholic educated but it is not evident. It is Castel Gondolfo not Castle. The characters would have been at home in the Godfather novels.
N**I
I enjoy a good conspiracy theory suspense and Steve Berry does ...
I enjoy a good conspiracy theory suspense and Steve Berry does a really good job of these fictional stories but following accurately true events in history. I'm glad he adds separating fact from fiction at the end.
J**I
Not Berry's best... save your time
Of all of the Steve Berry novels, this one happens to be the slowest one he's written. It's also, in my opinion, the worst book he's written.While Berry is always detail orientated, here he just gets bogged down in details. Further, he never really seems to get to the point. The "climax" of the book is really more of a stifled yawn.I have a firm policy about reading a book all the way through... however this time, I almost didn't make it. Too few details, too many threats, too many political "intrigues" without the excitement to back them up & not enough of Berry's famous nail biting, adventure with death right on the hero & heroines tale.Avoid this one... it's just not that good.
J**R
Another fun book from Steve Berry
The Third Secret is yet another Steve Berry thriller full of amazingly insightful detail. In this case, Berry weaves a bits of history, politics, and suspense yarn into a rich tapestry. While the characters themselves are forgettable, the story is timely. It gives an amazing view into the world of religion and politics and how those two go hand in hand. Though this is fiction, it benefits from the death of Pope John Paul as a way to hook readers. Some have said this book would offend Christians, but I think Christians with a sense of understanding the difference between fiction and reality are smart enough to know this is fiction. Though well told and fun to read, it's not groundbreaking, and it's certainly not sensational enough to offend the fringe.
X**C
A hero I'd like to know
I love all Berry's books, but this one was better than some, and a little different. The hero was not a trained agent of some kind (those are good too). It's a bit hard to say much without spoiling the plot. I could not put it down and enjoyed the philosophical discussion as much as the action.
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