The Vivaldi Cipher

Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers

By: Gary McAvoy

Narrated by: Will Damron

During the election of a new Pope in the mid-18th century, famed violinist Antonio Vivaldi learns of a ring of art forgers who are replacing the Vatican’s priceless treasures with expertly-painted fakes. Desperate, the composer hides a message in a special melody, hoping someone, someday, will take down the culprits....

Nearly 300 years later, the confession of a dying Mafia Don alerts a Venetian priest to a wealth of forged paintings in the Vatican Museum, and the key to their identities lies hidden in a puzzling piece of music. Father Michael Dominic, prefect of the Secret Archives, investigates, and is mystified when he finds a cipher in an old composition from Vivaldi. Desperate to stop this centuries-long conspiracy, he calls on fellow sleuth Hana Sinclair and Dr. Livia Gallo, a music cryptologist, to help him crack the code and learn the truth.

But the Camorra, a centuries-old Italian Mafia clan, won’t stand by while some interfering priest ruins their most lucrative operation. Along with a French commando and two valiant Swiss Guards, Dominic explores the dark canals and grand palazzos of Venice to uncover the evidence he needs to stop the sinister plot. Can he unearth it in time, or will the Church’s most valuable artworks fall prey to this massive conspiracy?

If you love James Rollins, Steve Berry, and Lee Child, you may lose sleep over this impossible to put down thriller! Packed with historical events and non-stop action, listeners will be listening late into the night. McAvoy’s fans say his “attention to detail makes the story utterly believable, leaving the reader wondering what is real and what is fiction”.

©2021 Gary McAvoy (P)2021 Gary McAvoy

Very engaging

The next generation of Dan Brown. Or close. Will read more of his books, for sure.

Entertaining and enjoyable

The only regret is that i found this book after I visited Venice, Florence and Vatican last year ! However I am happy to have found another series worthy to follow. Highly recommended if you enjoy Daniel Silva, Dan Brown, Lee Child, John Sandford, Stephen Hunter, Baldacci. Page turning, not too heavy, not too light, just al dente.

Lots of action

Liked all the history included in this book. The reader I was not too fond of that could have changed

It was an interesting intrigue.But I wish there weren't so many unnecessary deaths involved.

The narrators pathetic attempts at accents really was so distracting and annoying. the tone of his voice was very pleasing. If he had just not tried the various accents, none of which sounded authentic.

Terrible, Trite, Cliche

The dialog reads like someone who’s never had a real conversation. Lots of historical, scientific, and culinary detail that are so awkwardly inserted that it’s obvious the author took a trip to Italy did xyz things and decided to write every single unnecessary detail into the story. We don’t need to know the woman’s fish scampi came with puréed this, sautéed that, garnished with this that and the other. It’s infuriating detracts from the story. And a priest questioning his vows of celibacy because of his wealthy, chestnut-haired friend? How devastatingly original. the narrator also reads it like someone who’s so pathologically cheerful it’s almost nauseating.

The editor should be fired.