The Secret Cardinal

by Tom Grace

Overview

Ex-Navy Seal Nolan Kilkenny is still grieving a personal tragedy when he is unexpectedly called to the Vatican, where the dying Pope Leo XIV has a secret mission for him: rescue Chinese religious prisoner Yin Daoming, who—unbeknownst to the rest of the world—has been a secret cardinal for 20 years. Entrusted with the dangerous truth about an unreported atrocity committed against the underground Church in China and its link to the mysterious Yin Daoming, Kilkenny grimly sets out on a complicated journey that will take him from the Vatican to the U.S., China, and Mongolia, and will ultimately involve the C.I.A., the Mafia, Amercian Special Forces, a conclave of cardinals, and the U.S. President.
"Grace builds a suspenseful head of steam as Kilkenny and friends overcome twists and obstacles in a dangerous race against Liu's forces." —Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621577478
Publisher:	Skyhorse Publishing
Publication date:	09/12/2017
Series:	Nolan Kilkenny , #5
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	300
Sales rank:	1,144,669
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

The list of Regnery authors reads like a "who's who" of conservative thought, action, and history.

Editorial Reviews

Grace's latest featuring series hero ex-navy SEAL Nolan Kilkenny spins a complicated fugue around papal succession. After the tragic loss of his beloved wife and unborn son, Kilkenny arrives at the Vatican and is soon called to the side of the dying pope Leo XIV. The pope discloses that more than 20 years earlier he made Yin Daoming-who has been a religious prisoner in China for longer than that-a secret cardinal. He asks Kilkenny to head up a team to go to China, free Yin and bring him back to the Vatican. Standing in Kilkenny's way is intelligence agent Liu Shing-Li of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, a very serious fellow indeed. Interspersed with rescue mission chapters are detailed descriptions of the Vatican's inner workings and the details of the process of pope selection, which thrills-only readers may find distracting. But Grace (Bird of Prey) builds a suspenseful head of steam as Kilkenny and friends overcome twists and obstacles in a dangerous race against Liu's forces. (Oct.)

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Publishers Weekly

One is the most powerful man in the Catholic Church. The other is a man the Chinese government wants to destroy but fears turning into a martyr. Both are men of peace. Grace's fifth thriller (after Bird of Prey) featuring former Navy SEAL Nolan Kilkenny begins with Kilkenny on assignment in Rome helping an old family friend improve Vatican Library operations. Soon Kilkenny is swept up in Pope Leo's dying wish-to save the long-imprisoned Yin Daoming, the bishop of Shanghai, whose only crime is practicing his faith. As Kilkenny and his elite team plan to rescue Yin and smuggle him out of China, covert forces try to thwart the rescue effort and prevent any chance of the bishop becoming the next pope. Grace's spinning web of international intrigue makes for a gripping read, and the character of Yin provides a look at the power of one man of faith against incredible obstacles. Recommended for all popular fiction collections.
—Susan O. Moritz

Library Journal