Seorang Paus meninggalkan wasiat sebelum wafat. Kardinal Kamerlengo, pemimpin sementara ketika tahta Vatikan lowong, berkewajiban melaksanakan wasi...
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reviews
Jun 28, 2011
Annette
rated it: 
Plot in a nutshell: an aged pope authorizes a risky mission to free a Chinese bishop from the prison in which he has languished for 30 years. Everything's going just great until The Vatican springs a leak.
This is the first Tom Grace book I've picked up, and - fair warning - I did so because I heard the guy call in on Limbaugh's show. I enjoyed it: I found the Catholic characters very sympathetic, and the general theme about the underground church in China compelling. The action was More...
This is the first Tom Grace book I've picked up, and - fair warning - I did so because I heard the guy call in on Limbaugh's show. I enjoyed it: I found the Catholic characters very sympathetic, and the general theme about the underground church in China compelling. The action was More...
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Mar 04, 2011
Deb
rated it:
The ailing and beloved Pope Leo meets with ex-Navy Seal Nolan Kilkenny to share his concerns about a imprisoned catholic priest in China. This priest is one the Pope has named a cardinal in his heart (not publically) but who he would like to have rescued. Soon after this meeting the pope dies and the cardinals meet to elect his successor--but the secret mission to extract the Chinese cardinal Yin Daoming continues. Will they be able to rescue Yin? And if they do and deliver him back to the c
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Oct 12, 2009
Read It Again Books
rated it: 
Absolutely top-notch, fast-paced thriller set in Rome and China. I always watch for Tom Grace's books, they never disappoint. I admit that some of the earlier books made my eyes cross with the technical detail; not so with THE SECRET CARDINAL. I particularly enjoyed a thriller that showed reverence and respect for the Catholic church, in view of some of the garbage that's been published in the last several years. (Dan Brown, anyone?) **One cautionary note -there are a couple very tough scene
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Jun 16, 2011
Michelle
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I loved the story of this book. It kept me engaged and wanting to read "just one more chapter" through most of the book. BUT, it is an action-type/military suspense story, and while the descriptions of the weapons, technology and such didn't really interest me, they were sort of necessary. If you're not familiar with Catholic lingo -- which I'm not -- that can get tedious as well. But there were some interesting things I learned about the Catholic church. The book's ending was very pre
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Oct 05, 2009
Diane
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Fascinating adventure thriller. I couldn't put it down! The plot revolves around a dying Pope who enlists an ex-Navy SEAL to lead a team into China to free a Chinese bishop who has been in prison for 30 years. The book features appealing, and very human, characters. It also has a fast-paced plot that jumps back and forth between China and Rome. I learned a lot about Catholicism in China, and the author concludes the book (which is a work of fiction) with a helpful afterward describing the f
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Sep 11, 2010
Nick
rated it:
For its genre, The Secret Cardinal is top notch. It's more of an action/espionage story than a thriller, but it does its job well: lots of explosions, gadgetry and testosterone. What separates this book from others, however, is its respectful portrayal of the Catholic Church and the inner workings of the Vatican. Rough language and a scene of intense torture make this book questionable for anyone under high school age.
Mar 13, 2009
Corky
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I listened to this book on my MP-3 player and really enjoyed it. Of course, I have always liked Nolan Kilkenny! While held captive in a Chinese prison, Yin Daoming, has been granted the status of Cardinal. When the current Pope dies, it becomes necessary for Yin to get to Rome. Nolan and his team infiltrate China and exit with Yin Daoming. Fast paced with plenty of intrigue.
May 15, 2011
Dave
rated it:
While I thought the ending was telegraphed from practically page one and I found some aspects of the workings of the Vatican unbelievable, all in all it was an enable thriller and the ending was satisfying, even if it didn't come as a surprise. It made me want to read this other novels and I hope to read another one sometime this year.
May 24, 2010
Chuck
rated it:
This is a new author for me. He has a recurring protagonist, Nolan
Kilkenney, who is an ex-CIA operative, ex SEAL, etc. He is tasked by an
old friend of the family to rescue a Catholic bishop from a Chinese prison. Pretty good story.
Kilkenney, who is an ex-CIA operative, ex SEAL, etc. He is tasked by an
old friend of the family to rescue a Catholic bishop from a Chinese prison. Pretty good story.
Jan 17, 2009
TurtleneckGirl
rated it: 
I read this title for my parish book club. Our group is made up of guys and gals, so it's only fair that we slip in a solid ASH every once in a while:) In The Secret Cardinal, ex-Navy SEAL Nolan Kilkenny is on a mission to rescue the long-imprisoned Bishop of Shanghai from a Chinese laogai. Based on the very real conflict between China and the Vatican, this jail-break thriller ultimately involves China, the Mafia, and the conclave of cardinals that will elect the next pope. Much of the techie st
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Jun 01, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Sadly, I've read the books in this series out of order (first #1 - Spyder Web, then this one... #5) which means certain secrets have been spilled. Sigh.
OTOH, the writing & plotting here are much tighter... which gives me hope for the other books in the series. I also like how the Roman Catholic church is not filled w/bad guys & secret cabals - a refreshing change from many novels of this type.
OTOH, the writing & plotting here are much tighter... which gives me hope for the other books in the series. I also like how the Roman Catholic church is not filled w/bad guys & secret cabals - a refreshing change from many novels of this type.
Feb 22, 2010
Darlene
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Sinister, exciting and nail biting are a few of the words that describe this book. Catholics and those interested in the Chinese people will easily relate to this story.
May 30, 2011
Ron
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This is another in a series with Nolan Kilkenny. It is exciting with lots of twists and turns as the story is woven. The book is a good read and enjoyable.
Dec 10, 2010
Summer
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I thought this was a good story, kept you on your toes wondering how it was all going to work out. Pretty good, not amazing but a good read
Jan 25, 2012
Rick
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A truly wonderful and informative thriller- masterly written. A very engaging lead character and a facinating look inside the choosing of a new Pope- great read!!
Mar 11, 2010
Nicole
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cried at the end of this one. interesting about the underground Catholic Church in China.
Mar 24, 2010
Leslie
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It wasn't the greatest book I've ever read. It did have a great ending though. For me, the book focused too much on details that were really irrelevant. I felt like much of the details could have been condensed and the book would have been better.
Nov 25, 2011
Frank
rated it:
This is a serious book on those who serve people in areas that are apposed to God and the Church. The Pope makes a Cardinal in secret because to release such information would probably cost the new Cardinal his life. Why and how do such people survive to help their people behind the the walls of hate and greed? That's what this is all about.
Feb 01, 2008
Joe
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Easy and enjoyable read. The story and many of the things in it are somewhat far-fetched. It's not hard to predict what's going to happen next, but still worth reading if you have nothing else to read.
Nov 20, 2007
Melissa
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Gave up after 80 pages. Stereotypical characters: a folksy US president from Texas (gag me!), a Polish pope, etc.
Nov 08, 2008
Michelle
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I likes this. Mystery/thriller. Story about the vatican and the election process of the Pope. Interesting.
Feb 10, 2012
Lynn
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l thoroughly enjoyed the way tom grace wrote this book.
l couldnt put it down.
l couldnt put it down.
Jul 02, 2009
Javier
rated it:
Its inspiration from true events made it hard for me to put down. Read it in 2 days. Action packed spy-type thriller. Very Tom Clancy like.
Jan 31, 2012
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