The Third Secret

.........reading the author's personal religious beliefs disguisd as a suspense novel, be my guest. Not up to Dan Brown standards. Forgeting that the story line is very unbeleivable, I don't like my suspense novels being op-ed pieces. Sorry, I really was looking for another DaVinci code but got a 12 hour editorial instead and I probably agree wih most of what the author is preaching.

After listening to the other Steve Berry novels, I'd expected more of a proactive protagonist. Colin Michener is a wuss. The author uses Colin's crises of faith to proselytize endlessly and hint shamelessly towards the moral and "the Third Secret" of the book. The antagonists are more fully developed than the 2 primary whiny protagonists. Several times I was tempted to simply turn the book off during the lengthy proselytizing episodes.
The book is supposed to be plotted around the Marian apparitions, particularly those of Fatima and Međugorje, yet the manner of exposition is very clumsy, (and I am familiar with both)! Berry's use of other hooks has always been straight forward, (once one suspends disbelief), allowing the story to do the all the twists. Here the exposition is stretched out and padded with non-essential apparitions, (La Salette), that had nothing to do with the story. Then the extemporaneous proselytizing during those continuous crises of faith kept dragging the plot to a standstill.

I thoroughly enjoyed Berry's previous novel, The Romanov Prophecy, and so was very excited to see this release on Audible. Like his previous work, Berry puts his spin on a classic historical event with intrigue. As such, his work may remind readers of Dan Brown and such, but he truly is a unique author. He develops his character well, and the story is continually moving. My only critique of this novel was that the ending, that is the secret, seemed a bit convenient, and thus not credible. Oh well, the story is still great and definitely a must listen!

Marian visions, apocalyptic prophecies, the politics of the Papacy, and tangible proof for the existence of God all add up to a new summer thriller in the genre of Dan Brown. This is a story that will make red state Christians see red. It will give conservative Catholics and the Christian right something new to scream about and condemn. For the rest of us it is a fast paced, fun and thought provoking read.

The writing was great and the constant interation between the characters was good. I thought the end was a bit of a letdown and Mr Berry was promoting his agenda. It is the book by him that I liked the least. The potenr\tial was great and then it just duds out

He was great

up until the end

The writing was great and the constant interation between the characters was good. I thought the end was a bit of a letdown and Mr Berry was promoting his agenda. It is the book by him that I liked the least. The potenr\tial was great and then it just duds out

He was great

up until the end

Yes, I would highly recommend this read - the narrator was superb in switching between 15 or so characters

I would compare this book to Dan Brown's

Favorite scene was the Vatican intrigue surrounding the conclave for the new pope.

Yes - had to listen to it all day while working,

With the possible exception of the

Do you know what the real third secret is?? Why anyone would waste hours of time listening to this piece of junk!!

This was my first Steve Berry book. I found it very slow to get started, but once it did I really enjoyed it. I am presently listening to another of Steve's books and it seems to be a trend to start out slow. Worth a listen!

Is it really plausible for a vatican based priest to lose faith as fast as the main character in this book? He is sent on a quest by a pope he respects and is his mentor and what does he do? He immediately includes his former lover. If you can set aside all common sense and just sit back and enjoy - it's a great summer read.