• The Magdalene Deception

  • The Magdalene Chronicles, Book 1
  • By: Gary McAvoy
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (262 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Magdalene Deception  By  cover art

The Magdalene Deception

By: Gary McAvoy
Narrated by: Will Damron
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A forbidden secret....

The Church’s fate in the balance....

Will a pair of amateur sleuths expose a truth that could upend the Christian world?

Jesus’ resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian faith. But when a clue surfaces that hints at an alternate account, the ramifications stand to change Christianity forever.

Jesuit Priest Michael Dominic’s assignment to the Vatican’s legendary Secret Archives results in his discovery of a hidden papyrus: the unpublished writings of Mary Magdalene - a lost record buried in Rome’s deepest recesses. The forgotten relic’s heretical revelation threatens the Vatican’s very legitimacy and pits Michael against ruthless and powerful enemies.

Desperate, he reaches out to Hana Sinclair, an investigative reporter with a record of tackling contentious subjects. Together, they defy the Church elite and embark on a search through the shadows of history to unearth the truth. As the pressure builds to silence the pair, will the Vatican resort to the unthinkable in order to safeguard its wealth and power?

Based on historical facts, this international thriller takes listeners on a white-knuckle race through the holy sites of Europe. Get your copy of this award-winning tale and discover why Gary McAvoy’s devoted fans say, “I didn’t want this book to end!”

Editorial reviews:

"A great thriller that weaves numerous storylines together effectively. Recommended to those who love a good thriller with historical implications, as well as the reader who enjoys Vatican and Catholic politics.... McAvoy creates a wonderful story that never stops building throughout.... [He] captures the secrecy and deep-rooted history of the Vatican and its politics throughout this piece, with a strong story and plot that moves in many directions. McAvoy pulls the reader in and keeps them guessing, while also refusing to place a damper on the action. Juggling modern and ancient Church issues, McAvoy does not lose his reader at any point, as his writing is so clear that the attentive reader will likely want more." (Matt Pechey, Reedsy Discovery)

"Exquisitely written and highly entertaining, The Magdalene Deception is an investigative mystery in a very similar vein to The DaVinci Code.... The real quality to this book is the author himself - the writing is superb. There is an outstanding attention to detail in McAvoy, and the setpieces he weaves are vivid, colourful and authentic; this author treats his audience as intelligent and attentive, and this is always hugely beneficial to any writer. As well as being an evidently well-educated historian, McAvoy also knows his stuff in terms of modern-day information networking and the technology in present day use alongside ancient practices and customs...." (Matt Mcavoy, Book Reviews, UK)

©2020 Gary McAvoy (P)2020 Gary McAvoy

What listeners say about The Magdalene Deception

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    171
  • 4 Stars
    52
  • 3 Stars
    24
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    173
  • 4 Stars
    51
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    149
  • 4 Stars
    49
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Vatican Intrigue

I couldn't stop listening to the story, plowing through to the end in just a few days. Excellent author, who must go to great lengths in research or maybe he's a former priest? Either way, I would highly recommend this book to anyone as it is thoroughly entertaining.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sp
  • 06-18-23

As enjoyable as a Dan Brown novel in history and suspense

Though there were gaps, like an outline not flushed out, I admit do lack Judeo Christian knowledge beyond popular culture. Thus I wished more on the Cathars and more knowledge about Judaism and the New Testament. I guess it is not the authors’s responsibility to fill those gaps beyond dates and personalities in history, but it would have greatly enhanced the story beyond the consequences of deceiving the world. Perhaps the next book will explore things in greater depth.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well, I’m Hooked!

Just finished The Magdalen Deception, which I enjoyed both reading on Kindle and listening on Audible simultaneously. I’m so looking forward to it he second in the series.
Though raised in the Catholic Church, as an adult I didn’t practice my religion until the recent five years. My faith is secure; however I love reading the histories of all world religions and the possibilities presented when the work is fiction, but historically accurate.
The Catholic Church, though we believe it was started by Jesus Christ, is a human institution; thus, it suffers human foibles and has been WRONG at several times in the history of the world.
I’m looking forward to book 2 of the 3-book series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Binge worthy book!!!

The story pulls you through it pages just dying to know what happens next! The intelligently written story, seems very well researched. The storyline is riveting.
Gary McAvoy is definitely an Author to watch.
Beautiful story telling that was so descriptive I could see it.
In addition, the narrator William Damron wonderfully conveyed the characters.
You won't want to turn it off.
Binge worthy book!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

not as good as the da vinci code or

the expected one but comparable with mystery and intrigue and fits with my personal spiritual beliefs

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the history

Narration was as times too buoyant, did not always have depth, maturity in some sections.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

even better than DaVinci Code

Well, I zipped through all 10 novels with these characters like they were 1 long Ken Follett novel. Didn’t even stop to record them here. As one reader said, "There’s something about biblical revelations set against a fictional thriller that pulls me in every time." Good narration by Will Damron, except he isn't so skilled at eastern European accents.

Father Michael Dominic arrives at the Vatican in record time for such a young priest, thanks to his long-time mentor, Cardinal Enrico Petrini. He’s assigned to the Secret Archives where he discovers clues leading to a long-hidden papyrus written by Mary Magdalene herself, exposing a secret that would destroy Christendom. He turns to an investigative reporter, Hana Sinclair, for help.

They, in turn, enlist Hana’s cousin in the Swiss Guard and his partner, also in the Swiss Guard.

These characters continue through the Vatican Secret Archives series.

If you liked DaVinci Code, you'll LOVE this series.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

The idea is good nut gar from original and the book lacks credibility in the storyline.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just a little weak on the story line

Need to be fleshed out — a little more depth and details. The narration was great. The story ok.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

lacked suspense

Narrator was good, story lacked suspense and subject matter could have been discussed in greater depth. I'm a big fan of Steve Berry so my expectations we're probably unrealistic as I was told that Mr. McAvoy's books were as in depth as Mr. Berry's. I disagree.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!