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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
May 2005, 416 pages
Paperback:
Jan 2006, 400 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse Review Team
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From the book jacket: 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....though unsure of the details, Michener knows
that the Pope's distress stems from the revelations of Fatima. 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 set of
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.
'Berry combines combustive elements in this well-researched
thriller.' - PW
Comment: Berry provides background to his research in his 'Writer's
Note' at the end of the book; in this he clearly distinguishes where
fact ends and his interpretation begins. This does make for
interesting reading - and if you don't mind a few plot spoilers up
front, might be something to consider reading before you start the
book - so that you can put the elements into context as you read.
Next Book: The Templar Legacy will be published on
February 21st.
This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in July 2005, and has been updated for the
February 2006 edition.
Click here to go to this issue.
If you liked The Third Secret, try these:
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