The ingredients for a satisfying thriller? Combine the young Vatican Archivist Father Michael Dominic, investigative journalist Hana Sinclair and three Vatican Swiss Guards working to protect an ancient religious object, add a ruthless Russian oligarch, an evil Croatian Ustasha agent bent on revenge, and a pinch of gypsy help then stir in some Vatican palace intrigue.Author Gary McAvoy has baked up a gripping sequel to his debut novel, The Magdalene Deception, in this fast-paced roller coaster y...

Nothing so satisfying as stumbling on a book that engages, entertains and educates through accessible characters, compelling plot, and interesting settings. McAvoy's "The Magdalene Deception" hits all of these criteria in a great thriller. Even better, he has given us a second helping to keep our appetite for the characters, plot and settings stimulated. "The Magdalene Reliquary" is a worthy and equally satisfying sequel to this story of intrigue and mystery. Now that these characters have becom...

Gary McAvoy gives the plates he set in motion in his debut novel, “The Magdalene Deception”, another spin and the result is “The Magdalene Reliquary”, a highly satisfying sequel. Once again, the reader is treated to intrigue with high ecclesiastical and political stakes as McAvoy trundles his cast of characters through the nooks and crannies of the Vatican archives and the reader through the labyrinth of past European religious conflict and post WWII political skullduggery. Since significant act...

I have a habit (quite inadvertent) of reading a new author’s book and then finding he is new to me but not a NEW Author. I have done so once again. The good thing in this case is that I can unequivocally state, “This is a stand-alone book even though it is part of a series.” The story has a prologue which I love since it gives you a little of the history with reduced wordiness. We then catch up with Fr Michael Dominic and his cohorts and the story picks up speed.There are quite a few characters

I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!I enjoyed the first book in this series very much, so was excited to read the second to see how the story progresses. It's so great to read a second-in-series that I enjoyed as much as the next one. The characters are familiar with no sudden changes just to suit a story, and they're enjoyable characters to follow along with. It's clear that McAvoy has spent a considerable amount of time on research, and I fou...

I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of this book from the author, Gary McAvoy. Having read and enjoyed the first one in the series, 'The Magdalene Deception', I was enthusiastic to read the further adventures of Father Michael Dominic, his colleague Hana Sinclair an investigative journalist, and his friends in the Swiss Guards. I have learned that the colourful Swiss Guards are well trained in all aspects of warfare, and not merely a tourist attraction in their dazzling uniforms.The book...

Did Jesus and Mary Magdalene have a child?This book deals with the little understood relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Once again Father Michael finds a unique document about Mary Magdalene and engages his friends in an attempt to better understand it. Only to have the documents stolen from an enemy from his past. His friends then travel across Europe in an attempt to get the stole n documents back.I gave this book a 5-star rating because it was well written. I found the the charact...

I was introduced to Gary McAvoy and his writing when I received an ARC of the first book in this series The Magdalene Deception. It was a thrilling, well thought out, well researched story that captured me from beginning to end, so when I heard there would be a second I waited patiently for it's release. Mr. McAvoy was kind enough to send me an ARC of this book The Magdalene Reliquary the sequel to the first book, thus satisfying my impatience for some great Vatican drama and intrigue. Father Mi...

Excellent sequel to the THE MAGDALENE DECEPTIONThis second book in the series of The Magdalene Chronicles is another thoroughly enjoyable thriller. Although the novel stands up well in its own right, I’m glad that I got to know the characters from the previous book in the series, The Magdalene Deception as their already established depth made this novel all the more enjoyable. I’m sure all readers will enjoy both books thoroughly.While I’m moving on now to the third in the series, I only hope th...

The Magdalene Reliquary is the second book in a series, which I read without having read The Magdalene Deception, which precedes it. This didn't pose any problem, however, as all necessary backstory was woven into the narrative, making the book enjoyable as a standalone novel. The story was fast-paced and gripping from the start. After finding what seems to be a unique map in the Vatican Secret Archive, Father Dominic, with a group of friends and colleagues, sets off on a search for a reliquary

Gary McAvoy has crafted an intriguing second book in his Magdalene Chronicles series. The Magdalene Reliquaryis a great read, I didn’t want to put it down. I don’t want to reveal too much about the storyline and plot, as part of the immense pleasure of this book is how McAvoy unveils and divulges this absorbing story with the clues and situations he creates to keep you reading on. As we learned in his first book of the series, The Magdalene Deception, Father Michael Dominic, investigative journa...

WONDERFUL!! WONDERFUL!!When a writer comes along with the ability to capture the attention of his audience in the first few sentences of a story that begins after Pope Innocent III’s massacre of thousands of Cathari men, women, and children at Béziers, in the first major battle of the Albigensian Crusade, readers need to stand up and take hold of his novels with both hands! I wish Gary McAvoy had penned the Magdalene Trilogy years ago when I was still in school learning the history of Pope Innoc...

3.5*I learnt quite a bit in this novel. However, I wish there had been more historical information of events that took place in the 12th century. It's what I enjoyed most about the first book. This book felt more like a race from one location to the next. There were too many coincidences and I felt that things became predictable. Still an enjoyable novel and I will be reading the third book in the series.

First and foremost, a large thank you to Gary McAvoy for providing me with a copy of this novel, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.Having long been a fan of novels with Catholic and/or historical twists, I thoroughly enjoyed Gary McAvoy’s debut book in this series when I read it a few months ago. Now, with the sequel ready for publication, I eagerly accepted a copy to see how the adventure would continue. A new relic is hidden, news of scandalous proportions awaits, and a ma...

In the last month, I have read two books by rising star author GARY McAVOY. They are part of a new series called The Magdalen Chronicles. The first was THE MAGDALEN DECEPTION that I previously reviewed. The latest addition to the series is THE MAGDALEN RELIQUARY. Both feature a New York City priest assigned to the Secret Vatican Archives in Vatican City, an independent enclave located in Rome, Italy.The priest is Father Michael Dominic who specializes in history, computer sciences and mysterious...

A direct sequel to The Magdalene Deception, and it’s a good one, from my namesake (no relation, I promise). One thing I will say from the off is that before you read …Reliquary it would definitely help to have read its predecessor first, because there is great backstory for most of the endearing cast of characters in this book, and there are multiple strands of narrative which stem from the first. While the quest of this book is a new one (these books tend to revolve around archaeological missio...

Great series! The plot is interesting and inventive. The writing writing keeps your attention. Highly recommend.

In the second book of The Magdalene Chronicles,Father Michael Dominic finds a heretofore undiscovered puzzle map from the thirteenth century. He enlists his friend Hana Sinclair to help him decipher the meaning of the puzzle. This effort sets off a fast paced adventure taking them to caves in France in pursuit of an artifact that could change the way the Church’s theodicy is viewed. They enlist a supporting cast of their friends in the Swiss Guards and a renowned scholar to support their quest.

Father Dominic returns with his cadre of friends in book two of the Magdalene Chronicles. Picking up where The Magdalene Deception takes off, McAvoy ably weaves the earlier story line into a fast paced and definitely edge-of-your-seat exciting story line. A cast of great characters makes this a "do not put down" book that will keep you reading well into the night. Father Dominic, in search of a long-lost relic from the 13th century Cathars in southern France, uncovers another find that might roc...

This is the second book in a series and although I did not read the first, that fact in no way prevented me from thoroughly enjoying this story. The story revolves around Fr. Michael Dominic who works in the Vatican archives and discovers some artifacts that bring into question some of the beliefs he has always held regarding Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. The book contains mystery, intrigue, twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Christians, especially Cathol...