Rather different from other Allon books. Instead of hunting down a terrorist, Allon is hunting for the lost copy of The Gospel of Pilates. This book is significant because it can overturn centuries of anti-Semitism if it proves that Pilates ordered the crucifixion of Jesus without being pressed by the Jews. Allon got the book ultimately, and this is where the story ends. Prior to this, Allon's friend, Donati was elected the new Pontiff. He was a super black horse, and I find it unconvincing that he was elected. Yes, he made a rousing speech but was that enough to get him an overwhelming victory? Also, who is this Father Joshua who appeared mysteriously at the Secret Archives? ( )

Gabriel is needed once again at the Vatican. Since he's famous for saving the Pope lots of people recognize him and some doors open quickly. Problem is the pope has just died and some suspect foul play. Gabriel is supposed to be on a vacation which Chiara has arranged, cleared with the Prime Minister and has returned to Venice for some family time. But a call from the Vatican can't be ignored. The pope's secretary and good friend to Gabriel suspects the pope's been murdered and wants Gabriel to find if his suspicion of murder is correct and get evidence on the killer(s). He suspects a secretive group, the Order of St Helena. Beyond being rich and powerful they were founded by a priest with strong Nazi connections in the 1930s. The secretary suspects murder because he knew the pope had found a book in the Vatican secret collection and was writing a letter to Gabriel. But the letter has disappeared as well as the Swiss Guard who had been on duty at the pope's apartment the evening the pope died.

Of course the pope's been murdered. And with the help of The Office's techno wizards they locate the once fiancée and home town sweetheart of the missing Swiss Guard only to have him murdered just as they were about to close in on him. Beyond finding missing people the techno wizard hack Vatican systems and determine that forty two of the cardinals about to meet in a conclave to select the new pope have had large deposits made to their accounts by none other than a billionaire industrialist widely known to be a member of the Order of Helena. Membership is normally a secret and many highly placed right wing politicians are members as well as several of the Cardinals.

And there's more. The ancient book that the pope has found seems to contradict the four gospels. Those gospels, recognized by the Catholic church as gospel, absolve the Romans from guilt for killing Christ and blame the Jews. Gabriel recognizes the importance of this as the gospels' blaming Jews for Christ's murder has been the basis for centuries of antisemitism. This Gospel of Pontius Pilot would change everything.

Needless to say Gabriel does get the goods on the Order of St Helena but the book eludes him. There are many more plot twists. It's a quick read. ( )

Another enjoyable bit of escapism. ( )

Worst book in the entire series. Felt like Dan Brown was his ghostwriter. The other 19 books in the series I gave either 4 or mostly 5 stars ratings. I felt like he let his personal leftwing politics ruin what might have been a good book. ( )

Worst book in the entire series. Felt like Dan Brown was his ghostwriter. The other 19 books in the series I gave either 4 or mostly 5 stars ratings. I felt like he let his personal leftwing politics ruin what might have been a good book. ( )