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Cathedral
St Patrick's Day, New York City. Everyone is celebrating but everyone is in for the shock of his life. Born into the heat and hatred of the Northern Ireland conflict, IRA man Brian Flynn has masterminded a brilliant terrorist act - the seizure of Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Among his hostages: the woman Brian Flynn once loved, a former terrorist turned peace activist. Among his enemies: an Irish-American police lieutenant fighting against a traitor inside his own ranks and a shadowy British intelligence officer pursuing his own cynical, bloody plan. The cops face a booby-trapped, perfectly laid out killing zone inside the church. The hostages face death. Flynn faces his own demons, in an electrifying duel of nerves, honor and betrayal...
640 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1981
1857 people are currently reading
3367 people want to read
About the author
Nelson DeMille
260 books7,361 followersNelson Richard DeMille was an American author of action adventure and suspense novels. His novels include Plum Island, The Charm School, and The General's Daughter. DeMille also wrote under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt Ladner, Ellen Kay and Brad Matthews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
September 22, 2014
In the early ‘80s a group of Irish terrorists seize St. Patrick’s Cathedral and take hostages during New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. It’s hard to believe that this never got adapted into a movie starring Bruce Willis.
Maybe it’s because this isn’t the story of a single action hero trapped with a group of bad guys. In fact, this is more like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three than Die Hard with its depiction of how political agendas and public relations creep into a hostage situation. It seems like this early novel of DeMille’s was influenced by the gritty ‘70s New York crime films as well as the terrorist attacks of the time, and so it plays out differently than you’d expect in this era where we expect these stories to center on the lone bad ass stuck in a situation with a group of enemies.
Reading a book about terrorism in America written before 9/11 also makes you realize how the times have changed. It’s kind of hard to believe these days, but there was a time when many Americans had a certain amount of sympathy for the IRA and were one of the chief sources of their funding. While the book does feature the idea the terrorists are unknowingly playing into the hands of a British intelligence officer who is trying to discredit the IRA with America (Which makes this yet another fictional story about a terrorist plot that is some type of false flag operation.), it’s somewhat eerily prophetic in that it was a large scale terrorist attack in the US that generally did sour the public on supporting the IRA.
DeMille fans should recognize some early versions of characters. Patrick Burke is the NYPD intelligence cop with enough common sense and decency to be the hero of the story, and you can see the DNA of other DeMille main characters like John Corey and Paul Brenner in him. The slimy Major Martin is the kind of arrogant double-dealing prick that DeMille usually creates as spies in his books.
Probably the best character is IRA veteran John Hickey who uses Irish charm and bullshit to cover a nature of pure evil. Hickey is a devil delighting in the desecration of a holy place even as plays the good Catholic. He likes to crack jokes and sing Irish folk songs while quietly doing everything he can to make sure that things end with the maximum body count.
Unfortunately one of the weaker characters is Brian Flynn, the leader of the terrorists. Flynn is conflicted because the woman he loves, Maureen, left the IRA to try for a diplomatic peace with the British, and she’s one of the hostages he’s taken. However, while trying to make him somewhat sympathetic, DeMille creates a muddle around the character in which his true motivations get lost throughout the story. You can’t really tell what he actually wants by the end, and there’s no correlation between what he does and what he says.
There are also some real story issues.
Still, this is an above average thriller in which DeMille actually took the time to lay out the underlying issues of the larger problems rather than just painting most of the terrorists as generic bad guys, but he still keeps to a larger perspective that these are still criminals and murderers despite any claims of noble causes. While creating a believable scenario in which politics play a large part, he also delivers some great action although it does seem to take too long to finally get to the final showdown. It’s not his best work, but it’s an early indicator of what he’d do later when he was really on his game.
Maybe it’s because this isn’t the story of a single action hero trapped with a group of bad guys. In fact, this is more like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three than Die Hard with its depiction of how political agendas and public relations creep into a hostage situation. It seems like this early novel of DeMille’s was influenced by the gritty ‘70s New York crime films as well as the terrorist attacks of the time, and so it plays out differently than you’d expect in this era where we expect these stories to center on the lone bad ass stuck in a situation with a group of enemies.
Reading a book about terrorism in America written before 9/11 also makes you realize how the times have changed. It’s kind of hard to believe these days, but there was a time when many Americans had a certain amount of sympathy for the IRA and were one of the chief sources of their funding. While the book does feature the idea the terrorists are unknowingly playing into the hands of a British intelligence officer who is trying to discredit the IRA with America (Which makes this yet another fictional story about a terrorist plot that is some type of false flag operation.), it’s somewhat eerily prophetic in that it was a large scale terrorist attack in the US that generally did sour the public on supporting the IRA.
DeMille fans should recognize some early versions of characters. Patrick Burke is the NYPD intelligence cop with enough common sense and decency to be the hero of the story, and you can see the DNA of other DeMille main characters like John Corey and Paul Brenner in him. The slimy Major Martin is the kind of arrogant double-dealing prick that DeMille usually creates as spies in his books.
Probably the best character is IRA veteran John Hickey who uses Irish charm and bullshit to cover a nature of pure evil. Hickey is a devil delighting in the desecration of a holy place even as plays the good Catholic. He likes to crack jokes and sing Irish folk songs while quietly doing everything he can to make sure that things end with the maximum body count.
Unfortunately one of the weaker characters is Brian Flynn, the leader of the terrorists. Flynn is conflicted because the woman he loves, Maureen, left the IRA to try for a diplomatic peace with the British, and she’s one of the hostages he’s taken. However, while trying to make him somewhat sympathetic, DeMille creates a muddle around the character in which his true motivations get lost throughout the story. You can’t really tell what he actually wants by the end, and there’s no correlation between what he does and what he says.
There are also some real story issues.
Still, this is an above average thriller in which DeMille actually took the time to lay out the underlying issues of the larger problems rather than just painting most of the terrorists as generic bad guys, but he still keeps to a larger perspective that these are still criminals and murderers despite any claims of noble causes. While creating a believable scenario in which politics play a large part, he also delivers some great action although it does seem to take too long to finally get to the final showdown. It’s not his best work, but it’s an early indicator of what he’d do later when he was really on his game.
August 27, 2019
Since I've enjoyed a number of author Demille's stories, I was disappointed to find no connection with this one. Brutality and butchery in the name of religion does nothing for me. 0 of 10 stars
April 20, 2024
I am back to read another of the early Nelson DeMille novels, in which the plot and storytelling supersede dry wit and humour. DeMille showcases a great attention to detail and touches on the decades-old struggle for Irish control of the entire Emerald Isle, while setting the story in New York City. A brilliant piece that keeps the reader engaged and gasping throughout. DeMille shows his strong writing abilities with a story that will grip the reader from the outset.
More intense and celebrated than the Fourth of July, St Patrick's Day in New York City is the height of party season. Everyone is ready for the parades, the drinking, and the celebratory nature this day brings, when everyone adopts a temporary Irish heritage. While this seems like the most joyous occasion, others have something in mind to mark St. Patrick’s Day for an entirely different reason.
With Irish blood rushing through his veins, Brian Flynn has ideas about how to celebrate the day. Raised in the violent, Irish-Protestant conflicts that have subsumed Northern Ireland for decades, Flynn has a plan to make his mark and ensure that the Irish struggle is not soon forgotten. With his eyes on the great St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC, Flynn and his handful of new Fenians will storm the building and demand change. Keeping four hostages and the image of all things Catholic in America under their control, Flynn and his men are ready to destroy it all if IRA prisoners who fought to free the Northern counties are not not freed by dawn on March 18th.
Leading the cause to protect the cathedral and save the hostages is an Irish-American police lieutenant who understands the struggle, but is not set on allowing violence to move the yardstick, and an NYPD hostage negotiator whose training could not have prepared him for this night. With pressure from the American, British, Irish, and Vatican leadership, this hostage taking will have to turn swiftly or there will be blood shed and a building destroyed. As the cathedral remains booby-trapped, there is little change for storming the building for success, though something has to be done on this day of days. A tense story that pushes a political agenda and social struggle that has roots over the last century, though its intensity is just as fresh today. DeMille pens a stunning story that kept me flipping pages well into the night and has me wanting more!
I have been reading some of the older Nelson DeMille novels of late, in hopes of getting a better perspective on the man whose acerbic wit has always attracted me in my reading adventures. DeMille has wonderful elements in this early novel, pushing an agenda that is clearly demonstrated in a powerful narrative. The story moves slowly, though gains momentum throughout as the intense nature of the tale becomes clear. The political and social implications are dripping from each chapter, which helps tell a story the reader may not properly understand. Characters pepper the piece effectively and offer up an all-around point of view that will help the reader see what is to come and how it all fits together.
Plot points are key to this story’s intensity, which DeMille effectively presents for the reader to devour. DeMille uses his writing skills to surprise the reader with each passing moment, while also pushing a strong agenda that cannot be lost on the attentive reader. Political events that may not be currently savvy become highly intriguing once more with DeMille’s stellar book and strong themes. I will keep reading some of the earlier novels, which exemplify great writing above sharp wit.
Kudos Mr. DeMille, for this wonderful piece that left me so impressed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
More intense and celebrated than the Fourth of July, St Patrick's Day in New York City is the height of party season. Everyone is ready for the parades, the drinking, and the celebratory nature this day brings, when everyone adopts a temporary Irish heritage. While this seems like the most joyous occasion, others have something in mind to mark St. Patrick’s Day for an entirely different reason.
With Irish blood rushing through his veins, Brian Flynn has ideas about how to celebrate the day. Raised in the violent, Irish-Protestant conflicts that have subsumed Northern Ireland for decades, Flynn has a plan to make his mark and ensure that the Irish struggle is not soon forgotten. With his eyes on the great St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC, Flynn and his handful of new Fenians will storm the building and demand change. Keeping four hostages and the image of all things Catholic in America under their control, Flynn and his men are ready to destroy it all if IRA prisoners who fought to free the Northern counties are not not freed by dawn on March 18th.
Leading the cause to protect the cathedral and save the hostages is an Irish-American police lieutenant who understands the struggle, but is not set on allowing violence to move the yardstick, and an NYPD hostage negotiator whose training could not have prepared him for this night. With pressure from the American, British, Irish, and Vatican leadership, this hostage taking will have to turn swiftly or there will be blood shed and a building destroyed. As the cathedral remains booby-trapped, there is little change for storming the building for success, though something has to be done on this day of days. A tense story that pushes a political agenda and social struggle that has roots over the last century, though its intensity is just as fresh today. DeMille pens a stunning story that kept me flipping pages well into the night and has me wanting more!
I have been reading some of the older Nelson DeMille novels of late, in hopes of getting a better perspective on the man whose acerbic wit has always attracted me in my reading adventures. DeMille has wonderful elements in this early novel, pushing an agenda that is clearly demonstrated in a powerful narrative. The story moves slowly, though gains momentum throughout as the intense nature of the tale becomes clear. The political and social implications are dripping from each chapter, which helps tell a story the reader may not properly understand. Characters pepper the piece effectively and offer up an all-around point of view that will help the reader see what is to come and how it all fits together.
Plot points are key to this story’s intensity, which DeMille effectively presents for the reader to devour. DeMille uses his writing skills to surprise the reader with each passing moment, while also pushing a strong agenda that cannot be lost on the attentive reader. Political events that may not be currently savvy become highly intriguing once more with DeMille’s stellar book and strong themes. I will keep reading some of the earlier novels, which exemplify great writing above sharp wit.
Kudos Mr. DeMille, for this wonderful piece that left me so impressed.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 10, 2021
A book about Ireland and a group of IRA who took to hostage taking on a St.Patrick day to negotiate the release of their various relations languishing in various jails in Ireland and Britain.
Though there was no dull moment with this book but however I found some areas not too realistic.
Though there was no dull moment with this book but however I found some areas not too realistic.
November 24, 2024
It seems like DeMille (one of my favorite writers) has not any novel under five, or even six, hundred pages. Some of them are totally worth, some not. In my vision "Cathedral" looks like a sandwich: take away the first one hundred pages, somehow dull and boring, with unnecessary pieces of history, arhitectonics and mystics; take away the last hundred pages (excepting the last ten...) full of blood, violence and too many casualties and you remain with a FINE book about love, sense of duty, loyalty and twists of fate.
and one single question: why the terrorists have not tied their hostages from the first time?
and one single question: why the terrorists have not tied their hostages from the first time?
May 27, 2019
Gut gemachter Thriller mit zahlreichen überraschenden Wendungen, von daher gehe ich auch nicht weiter ins Detail. Der Roman wird in der deutschen Wikipedia sogar ausführlicher behandelt als in der englischen Version und ist auch mit dem Artikel über St. Patrick verlinkt. Allerdings spoilert das Lob ein wenig und enttarnt damit einen vermeintlich Guten als finsteren Drahtzieher, im Roman gibt es ab Seite 200 erste Hinweise auf die hinterlistigen Motive des Betreffenden.
May 10, 2018
In the early 1980’s during the annual St Patrick’s Day parade, a group or IRA terrorists take over Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan and proceed to demand that a list of jailed IRA members be released before several bombs are detonated at dawn the next day. There are four hostages including high ranking clergy as well as the former girlfriend of the terrorist mastermind. It’s a nice set-up for a major action movie of the 1980’s and for me it was a welcome change from the post 9/11 middle eastern brand of terrorism.
I’ve been a fan of Nelson DeMille’s work for a number of years now and purposely sought out this one which I had just not quite gotten around to yet. It’s an older DeMille novel, first published in 1981 and not as humorous as his later works. There are no wise-ass characters like John Corey or Daniel “Mac” MacCormick from DeMille’s latest novel, The Cuban Affair, but one can see some of their traits in several characters here. I found the most intriguing character to be John Hickey, a long-time IRA activist who gets to act as a long-winded snarky spokesperson with the media.
DeMille does a great job with depicting the vastness of the cathedral itself and the action that takes place within this complex space. He has obviously done his homework and this reflects in the intricate plan developed by the IRA terrorists as well as the police response to the situation. Subplots keep this from being just a straight hostage negotiation story, especially one involving a British intelligence officer with his own agenda.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, however it does suffer a little bit from its length. Parts of the action were just too detailed and spread over too many characters. This led to some drag. I feel the novel would have been improved somewhat if it were about 100 pages shorter. Nevertheless, it was nice to read this one, another solid novel by Nelson DeMille.
I’ve been a fan of Nelson DeMille’s work for a number of years now and purposely sought out this one which I had just not quite gotten around to yet. It’s an older DeMille novel, first published in 1981 and not as humorous as his later works. There are no wise-ass characters like John Corey or Daniel “Mac” MacCormick from DeMille’s latest novel, The Cuban Affair, but one can see some of their traits in several characters here. I found the most intriguing character to be John Hickey, a long-time IRA activist who gets to act as a long-winded snarky spokesperson with the media.
DeMille does a great job with depicting the vastness of the cathedral itself and the action that takes place within this complex space. He has obviously done his homework and this reflects in the intricate plan developed by the IRA terrorists as well as the police response to the situation. Subplots keep this from being just a straight hostage negotiation story, especially one involving a British intelligence officer with his own agenda.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel, however it does suffer a little bit from its length. Parts of the action were just too detailed and spread over too many characters. This led to some drag. I feel the novel would have been improved somewhat if it were about 100 pages shorter. Nevertheless, it was nice to read this one, another solid novel by Nelson DeMille.
August 5, 2019
And to think I almost didn't read this book after reading what it was about. That would have been a BIG mistake! In this book DeMille has fully developed an extremely interesting cast of characters and a great tragic tale of how they intermingle with each other. Some you love, some you hate...
September 13, 2021
A taut, pulse pounding thriller that had both sides itching to fire the first volley. Throw in a historic church, a love story and enough double crossing to keep you guessing to the end in the first rate novel.
December 21, 2016
The paranormal aspect was completely unnecessary, preventing me from giving it 5 stars.
September 17, 2022
A splinter IRA group takes over St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City during the St Patrick's Day Parade. They booby trap all the entrances, and take The Cardinal hostage.
This is a 70's novel, so there's all kinds of writing about how the struggle in North Ireland is intractable. This isn't Die Hard in a church.
It's more a disaster movie soap opera type of thing.
This is a 70's novel, so there's all kinds of writing about how the struggle in North Ireland is intractable. This isn't Die Hard in a church.
It's more a disaster movie soap opera type of thing.
June 22, 2011
Cathedral was one of DeMille's early books. It was first published in 1981. As I read the book, I continued to note how different the story is, pre-9-11, from more current writings.
I also compared this book to The Marching Season by Daniel Silva, another story about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
A former member of the Provisional IRA, turned reformer and member of Amnesty International Maureen is in New York to speak upon the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. On the day itself, she is standing in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York along with the British Counsel General, reviewing the parade up Fifth Avenue, when a struggle breaks out among the parade participants, distracting viewers and police alike. A small band of Provisionals take the parade reviewers captive in St Patrick's, including the archbishop and the local priest, Maureen, and Sir Harold Baxter, the Counsel General. The cathedral doors are slammed shut and the band of Provisionals set bombs at the doors, and at key structural support positions in the cathedral. They demand the release of Northern Irish prisoners from Northern Irish and British prisons. If the releases are not made by 6:00 am the following morning, the cathedral and all who are in it will be destroyed.
I also compared this book to The Marching Season by Daniel Silva, another story about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
A former member of the Provisional IRA, turned reformer and member of Amnesty International Maureen is in New York to speak upon the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. On the day itself, she is standing in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York along with the British Counsel General, reviewing the parade up Fifth Avenue, when a struggle breaks out among the parade participants, distracting viewers and police alike. A small band of Provisionals take the parade reviewers captive in St Patrick's, including the archbishop and the local priest, Maureen, and Sir Harold Baxter, the Counsel General. The cathedral doors are slammed shut and the band of Provisionals set bombs at the doors, and at key structural support positions in the cathedral. They demand the release of Northern Irish prisoners from Northern Irish and British prisons. If the releases are not made by 6:00 am the following morning, the cathedral and all who are in it will be destroyed.
May 1, 2016
This was my least favorite Nelson DeMille book. It started out well; DeMille was able to romanticize the IRA and their cause to hook the reader before it moved to "present day" NYC. From here, things started to unravel.
First, the names. Way too many characters. And they all have Irish names...Fitzgerald, Finnegan, Flynn...it was near impossible to keep up with them and try to remember which one was the IRA terrorist and which was the NYC investigator. Top that off with a few of the characters also having Irish aliases, and it was beyond frustrating.
Next, the deadline of 6:03 am seemed so close...and yet those few hours dragged on for about 70% of the book. I found myself skimming the last few chapters to just get it over with already. It reminded me very much of some of the current action movies where the climax of the film lasts for about 20 minutes with guns blazing and not much happening except a lot of gunfire and explosions. Yawn. Very few surprise like I usually expect with a juicy DeMille novel.
First, the names. Way too many characters. And they all have Irish names...Fitzgerald, Finnegan, Flynn...it was near impossible to keep up with them and try to remember which one was the IRA terrorist and which was the NYC investigator. Top that off with a few of the characters also having Irish aliases, and it was beyond frustrating.
Next, the deadline of 6:03 am seemed so close...and yet those few hours dragged on for about 70% of the book. I found myself skimming the last few chapters to just get it over with already. It reminded me very much of some of the current action movies where the climax of the film lasts for about 20 minutes with guns blazing and not much happening except a lot of gunfire and explosions. Yawn. Very few surprise like I usually expect with a juicy DeMille novel.
August 24, 2009
I wanted to like this book -- because DeMille is my leading guilty pleasure these days.
But I couldn't finish it. The droning, consistently overwrought roll in the hay he has with being Irish and the Irish mentality ... I never want to read about the color green again.
Take your leprechauns, your "Saint Paddy's" day, and your IRA with guns ... and go home.
It was also very difficult to take to bed because the names all wash together in a great potato and beer sea of Irishness.
Jean O'Sullivan, Paddy O'Shea, Brian Sulley, etc etc --- (those aren't even the names -- I just can't remember them because there are about 20 ... on each side of the argument -- Irish cops, IRA, Irish spies, Irish people, Irish standers-by ...
and it's all set in NYC during the St. Patrick's Day parade -- and (no spoiler, it's obvious) they seize St. Patrick's Cathedral -- I mean, COME ON already.
So it's on my "didn't finish it" shelf.
But I couldn't finish it. The droning, consistently overwrought roll in the hay he has with being Irish and the Irish mentality ... I never want to read about the color green again.
Take your leprechauns, your "Saint Paddy's" day, and your IRA with guns ... and go home.
It was also very difficult to take to bed because the names all wash together in a great potato and beer sea of Irishness.
Jean O'Sullivan, Paddy O'Shea, Brian Sulley, etc etc --- (those aren't even the names -- I just can't remember them because there are about 20 ... on each side of the argument -- Irish cops, IRA, Irish spies, Irish people, Irish standers-by ...
and it's all set in NYC during the St. Patrick's Day parade -- and (no spoiler, it's obvious) they seize St. Patrick's Cathedral -- I mean, COME ON already.
So it's on my "didn't finish it" shelf.
July 9, 2021
I like this writer & this is one of my faves by him. Because I'm very familiar with NYC, I'd been to St. Pat's Cathedral but didn't know much about it.
I loved learning about the architecture behind the church. Now when I go back, I always think of this book when I see the church.
The story had lots of suspense & action which kept me on the edge for the entire book.
I loved learning about the architecture behind the church. Now when I go back, I always think of this book when I see the church.
The story had lots of suspense & action which kept me on the edge for the entire book.
February 28, 2019
Another oldie, but a goodie by one of my top 10 authors!
Cathedral takes place partly in Ireland, for the first few chapters, then for the rest of the story, at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on St. Patrick's Day. During the St. Patrick's Day Parade, IRA member Brian Flynn has devised a diabolical terrorist act, will the help of his Irish Comrades, Flynn has taken over the Cathedral, taking hostages inside, one of the hostages being the former love of his life, Maureen Malone. Flynn's demands, the release of his IRA comrades in Northern Ireland.
The NYPD is up against the IRA, who has booby-trapped the Cathedral with hidden bombs, and Lieutenant Patrick Burke is in charge of the situation, while hunting for a traitor within the Police Department, and shadowy British Intelligence officer Bartholomew Martin with his own hidden agenda, it's a night of terror and suspense!
I enjoyed the Irish setting (I'm part-Irish, not that that matters, HAHA), and the Cathedral setting! The only thing preventing me from giving the story 5 stars is the ending, I just felt it was rushed, there were a lot of holes, and unanswered questions, but other than that, a great read!
Cathedral takes place partly in Ireland, for the first few chapters, then for the rest of the story, at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on St. Patrick's Day. During the St. Patrick's Day Parade, IRA member Brian Flynn has devised a diabolical terrorist act, will the help of his Irish Comrades, Flynn has taken over the Cathedral, taking hostages inside, one of the hostages being the former love of his life, Maureen Malone. Flynn's demands, the release of his IRA comrades in Northern Ireland.
The NYPD is up against the IRA, who has booby-trapped the Cathedral with hidden bombs, and Lieutenant Patrick Burke is in charge of the situation, while hunting for a traitor within the Police Department, and shadowy British Intelligence officer Bartholomew Martin with his own hidden agenda, it's a night of terror and suspense!
I enjoyed the Irish setting (I'm part-Irish, not that that matters, HAHA), and the Cathedral setting! The only thing preventing me from giving the story 5 stars is the ending, I just felt it was rushed, there were a lot of holes, and unanswered questions, but other than that, a great read!
September 2, 2013
4.5 stars. A great read... but, what else would you expect from Nelson DeMille? I loved it!
April 25, 2025
It's St. Patrick's Day in New York City, marked by a parade and plenty of drinking.
The NYPD is managing crowds and monitoring potential threats during the festivities, particularly with a former IRA member, now turned peace activist, Maureen Malone, and a British official, Sir Harold Baxter, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Detective Lieutenant Patrick Burke is on high alert after receiving a warning about an impending incident.
A group of Fenians, led by Maureen Malone's ex-lover Brian Flynn, takes control of the Cathedral, holding hostages including Malone, Sir Harold Baxter, the Cardinal, and a priest, Father Murphy., They are demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades or harming the hostages and destroying the cathedral.
DeMille blends fact with fiction, creating an authentic atmosphere through thorough research on the IRA and the Cathedral’s architecture. The plot builds tension as Burke navigates local government officials and the FBI and CIA, who are more focused on political fallout than on saving lives. While Major Bartholomew Martin, a British intelligence officer, lurks in the background with his plans.
While it is evident that DeMille was writing with a clear "political agenda" in mind, I found that this aspect was at times overly emphasized and ultimately disrupted the overall rhythm of the novel. At times, the constant references to political issues felt more like a historical lecture than a subtle layer within the narrative. This detracted from the storytelling, as the flow of the plot was interrupted by the political commentary, detracting from the experience that a well-balanced narrative can provide.
The characters are complex and flawed, with Burke being the only one who sees the situation clearly, pushing for a resolution that considers all parties. DeMille’s storytelling revives historical political themes, making for an exciting read. The novel's finale masterfully showcases the thrilling twists and excitement that DeMille is renowned for, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. DeMille’s signature storytelling style is evident even in this early piece, and that is why it is a memorable and exhilarating reading experience.
The NYPD is managing crowds and monitoring potential threats during the festivities, particularly with a former IRA member, now turned peace activist, Maureen Malone, and a British official, Sir Harold Baxter, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Detective Lieutenant Patrick Burke is on high alert after receiving a warning about an impending incident.
A group of Fenians, led by Maureen Malone's ex-lover Brian Flynn, takes control of the Cathedral, holding hostages including Malone, Sir Harold Baxter, the Cardinal, and a priest, Father Murphy., They are demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades or harming the hostages and destroying the cathedral.
DeMille blends fact with fiction, creating an authentic atmosphere through thorough research on the IRA and the Cathedral’s architecture. The plot builds tension as Burke navigates local government officials and the FBI and CIA, who are more focused on political fallout than on saving lives. While Major Bartholomew Martin, a British intelligence officer, lurks in the background with his plans.
While it is evident that DeMille was writing with a clear "political agenda" in mind, I found that this aspect was at times overly emphasized and ultimately disrupted the overall rhythm of the novel. At times, the constant references to political issues felt more like a historical lecture than a subtle layer within the narrative. This detracted from the storytelling, as the flow of the plot was interrupted by the political commentary, detracting from the experience that a well-balanced narrative can provide.
The characters are complex and flawed, with Burke being the only one who sees the situation clearly, pushing for a resolution that considers all parties. DeMille’s storytelling revives historical political themes, making for an exciting read. The novel's finale masterfully showcases the thrilling twists and excitement that DeMille is renowned for, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. DeMille’s signature storytelling style is evident even in this early piece, and that is why it is a memorable and exhilarating reading experience.
August 13, 2021
"We started this, you know."
"No. The other side started it. The other side always starts it."
"What difference does it make? Long after this is over, our country will be left with the legacy of children turned into murderers and children who tremble in dark corners. We're perpetuating it, and it will take a generation to forget it."
He shook his head. "Longer, I'm afraid. The Irish don't forget things in a generation. They write it all down and read it again, and tell it round the peat fires. And in truth you, I, and Megan are products of what came long before the recent troubles. Cromwell's massacres happened only last week, the famine happened yesterday, the uprising and civil war this morning. Ask John Hickey. He'll tell you."
She took a long breath. "I wish you weren't so damned right about these things."
Nelson DeMille, Cathedral
"No. The other side started it. The other side always starts it."
"What difference does it make? Long after this is over, our country will be left with the legacy of children turned into murderers and children who tremble in dark corners. We're perpetuating it, and it will take a generation to forget it."
He shook his head. "Longer, I'm afraid. The Irish don't forget things in a generation. They write it all down and read it again, and tell it round the peat fires. And in truth you, I, and Megan are products of what came long before the recent troubles. Cromwell's massacres happened only last week, the famine happened yesterday, the uprising and civil war this morning. Ask John Hickey. He'll tell you."
She took a long breath. "I wish you weren't so damned right about these things."
Nelson DeMille, Cathedral
November 28, 2020
Bilge. Badly written thriller where Irish terrorists, a mixture of The Pogues and The Corrs, take over a New York Cathedral and wait 500 pages to have a fight. No understanding of the Irish situation at the time, pantomime characters and appalling death count. Garbage.
.
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June 26, 2008
Not as good as By the Rivers of Babylon (it's one of those compilation books). Actually Cathedral is not very good at all. It's a story that you know how it's going to end, but you think the ride there is going to be full of fun and Irish bullshit and typical DeMille biting wit. And it's just not. Wow, this man gets so much better as he gets older, thank God. I have a whole shelf of DeMilles to attest that.
Nobody writes male/female back-and-forth better than DeMille...later in his career. But I guess he and we readers have to suffer through the sappy crap first, like Spencerville and this Cathedral. Fascinating to witness the development of an author...this is the same man who later writes, and really gets cookin' with Charm School, General's Daughter, and Plum Island.
If I had a drink in my hand right now, I would toast men who are so DAMN male and women who are so gloriously female. What the hell does that mean exactly? Well, a hint is that DeMille's female characters often turn out to be the vicious warriors, after scolding the men who have been amusing us with their vicious war talk. Cathedral features neither, unfortunately. The men are watered down, the women are revved up. Characters fall in two categories: insane or conflicted. Pretty flat.
Nobody writes male/female back-and-forth better than DeMille...later in his career. But I guess he and we readers have to suffer through the sappy crap first, like Spencerville and this Cathedral. Fascinating to witness the development of an author...this is the same man who later writes, and really gets cookin' with Charm School, General's Daughter, and Plum Island.
If I had a drink in my hand right now, I would toast men who are so DAMN male and women who are so gloriously female. What the hell does that mean exactly? Well, a hint is that DeMille's female characters often turn out to be the vicious warriors, after scolding the men who have been amusing us with their vicious war talk. Cathedral features neither, unfortunately. The men are watered down, the women are revved up. Characters fall in two categories: insane or conflicted. Pretty flat.
July 27, 2025
Probably about 40 years since I first read this book. I very seldom read books more than once but since this is my all-time favorite Nelson DeMille book (I recommended it to my husband’s book club just a few months ago), I decided I would. I remembered so much and had forgotten so much. So little of this story has aged poorly—maybe a rewrite would be a different place and the bad guys would talk differently. That’s all. I don’t remember if I reacted the same way to the ending back then as I did this time. Those last 50 pages of the penultimate chapter are gut-wrenching.
October 2, 2019
Nelson DeMille is one of my favorite writers. This is one of his early books. Although I loved the plot--A faction of the IRA takes over St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York on St. Patrick's Day, I found the character development a little weak. I found the plot drug a little during the middle, but I loved about the last 100 pages or so. Some twists and turns, and an enjoyable read overall.
July 21, 2008
This was a good but not great thriller. As usual, the crux is not whther the terrorists would be caught and hostages freed but how. What I liked was the attempt to show the abductors as human, with their reasons, something this author always attempts. A balanced book but not one of his best.
July 13, 2017
I didn't think I was going to like this based on the subject matter, but another excellent book by DeMille. An oldie, but a definite must read!
June 26, 2021
Closer to a 3.5 as this was a compelling read about an IRA plot in NY in the early eighties, but it was way too long and got ridiculous at the end with the way the final action sequence finished up - somewhat ruined the rest of things that tried to play a somewhat fantastical plot as real as possible. I did enjoy the descriptions of the everlasting issues with the Troubles and how DeMille showed that even the most hardened patriot is also human, but I think cutting off a couple hundred of the near 600 pages would have paid a lot of dividends. Still worth the read for the suspense/thriller fans especially if have an interest in the Irish-English issues of the 80's.
April 16, 2024
I enjoyed it. Learned a lot about the Irish "troubles" with England.
September 30, 2024
A nail biter.
Wow, couldn’t put it down. Terrific plot and great characters. But too many bodies. Nelson is always a great tale spinner.
Wow, couldn’t put it down. Terrific plot and great characters. But too many bodies. Nelson is always a great tale spinner.
November 2, 2022
From my list of Stephen King recommendations. Apologies, but halfway through the 500 pages all I wanted was for the Cathedral to blow up.
June 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It's really the first book I've read that confronted the issues between England and Northern Ireland. I'm sure the issues weren't presented in all their complexities, but it seemed a lot like any other long-standing conflict. One group does something to the other, that may be well within the common practices of the day--Just or unjust as that may be--and then the other group retaliates, and the cycle continues destroying the lives of everyone it touches. No one is willing to compromise and each group ups the level of conflict by escalating their response. It was also interesting to see the varying responses of the police and politicians, and to follow the process of conflict resolution that followed a course more j tended to make the participants look good than actually honestly address the issues in the most appropriate, logical way. I thought the author did a good job of thinking through all of the potential complicating factors, and continually introduced them as new twists and turns. Ultimately, I think the message of the book was that there are no real winners in these types of idealogical battles of will and politics, only losers. But it an interesting way to come to that conclusion.
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