What do you think?
Rate this book
Vatican Knights #18
Original Sins
In a Washington, D.C. suburb, a family is executed by a government assassin.
While flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, an editor of a newspaper is murdered.
In the middle of the night as a bus leaves Washington, D.C., travelers are gunned down in an act of terrorism.
Inside the Vatican, a cardinal receives spiritual insight about a deadly killer.
Before Kimball Hayden became a Vatican Knight, he was the commander of the Pieces of Eight, a kill squad that worked as part of a black-arm force of the CIA. He kills with impunity and acts with the cold fortitude of a machine. But when he begins to question the morality of his actions and the motives of his superiors, he is placed within the crosshairs by high-end principals who want to see him dead. But as Kimball Hayden begins to see the negative cost of his actions, he slowly becomes the prey to a predator with absolute power. Watching from the shadows, however, are the elite commandos of the Vatican Knights.
When Kimball Hayden is deemed expendable by his peers, will the Vatican interfere and offer him a way to the Light? Or will Kimball continue his path to Darkness and fall victim to those who wish him dead?
From the bestselling author of the Vatican Knights series, Rick Jones weaves a tale of one man’s fall from grace, a rise to redemption, and a journey of rediscovery.
While flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet, an editor of a newspaper is murdered.
In the middle of the night as a bus leaves Washington, D.C., travelers are gunned down in an act of terrorism.
Inside the Vatican, a cardinal receives spiritual insight about a deadly killer.
Before Kimball Hayden became a Vatican Knight, he was the commander of the Pieces of Eight, a kill squad that worked as part of a black-arm force of the CIA. He kills with impunity and acts with the cold fortitude of a machine. But when he begins to question the morality of his actions and the motives of his superiors, he is placed within the crosshairs by high-end principals who want to see him dead. But as Kimball Hayden begins to see the negative cost of his actions, he slowly becomes the prey to a predator with absolute power. Watching from the shadows, however, are the elite commandos of the Vatican Knights.
When Kimball Hayden is deemed expendable by his peers, will the Vatican interfere and offer him a way to the Light? Or will Kimball continue his path to Darkness and fall victim to those who wish him dead?
From the bestselling author of the Vatican Knights series, Rick Jones weaves a tale of one man’s fall from grace, a rise to redemption, and a journey of rediscovery.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 16, 2019
40 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Rick Jones
94 books194 followersRick Jones was born and raised in the Boston area and moved to Las Vegas in the early eighties where he graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in English. Currently, he is employed with the state of Nevada in law enforcement, and enjoys traveling, especially to Rome and Vatican City where many of the settings for his novels take place.
Rick Jones is also an avid writer and the creator of the Vatican Knight series (VATICAN KNIGHTS, SHEPHERD ONE and The ISCARIOT AGENDA), and the psychological thriller, THE MAN WHO CAST TWO SHADOWS.
He lives in Las Vegas with his two mini schnauzers, Wrangler and Hobo.
Rick Jones is also an avid writer and the creator of the Vatican Knight series (VATICAN KNIGHTS, SHEPHERD ONE and The ISCARIOT AGENDA), and the psychological thriller, THE MAN WHO CAST TWO SHADOWS.
He lives in Las Vegas with his two mini schnauzers, Wrangler and Hobo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 28, 2025
The book did fill in some details of Kimballs origin story. But still quite a bit of re-hashing of what has been told before. 3.5 stars
January 5, 2020
Another great read from Rick Jones I shall miss the story as I think I have come to the end of the series, I jumped around a bit but I have enjoyed every book that I have read, the main character is a good guy and just needs someone to love him, he has had a rotten life and he has been abused in a sense because of his size and capabilities but there are those who take advantage of such people, but when you read the books you are totally emersed into the story and when it finishes I immediately look for the next book in the series, I hope there will be more like this and that Rick Jones will keep writing such great reads. Recommend to everyone who wants a good book without sex or swearing and just a first-class story and an all-consuming read.
February 23, 2020
Misnamed number 12
This is nothing more than a prequel it should have been his first book. Having read all of his previous books and enjoyed all of them very much. Nevertheless I was extremely disappointed in this one. The author just tells you in perhaps more detail about events you already knew about in previous books. If you are interested in this series start with this number 12 then go back and read 1-11. I hope the aithor gets back on course in book 13. Or maybe he wrote this one because he had run out of ideas
This is nothing more than a prequel it should have been his first book. Having read all of his previous books and enjoyed all of them very much. Nevertheless I was extremely disappointed in this one. The author just tells you in perhaps more detail about events you already knew about in previous books. If you are interested in this series start with this number 12 then go back and read 1-11. I hope the aithor gets back on course in book 13. Or maybe he wrote this one because he had run out of ideas
January 9, 2020
I have enjoyed all the previous Vatican Knights books and rated them 5 star.
However this book was largely a re-run of details covered in previous books and therefore disappointing by Rick's normal standards.
Either bring Kimball back or let him rest and move on.
However this book was largely a re-run of details covered in previous books and therefore disappointing by Rick's normal standards.
Either bring Kimball back or let him rest and move on.
May 14, 2020
Not up to standard
Found the book very disappointing not as good as all the others in the series the story was to drawn out and if I'm not mistaken you get the gist of this book in one of the other books
Found the book very disappointing not as good as all the others in the series the story was to drawn out and if I'm not mistaken you get the gist of this book in one of the other books
January 7, 2020
My Hero
Another success for Rick. I absolutely love these stories and have never been disappointed. Rick is my favourite author of all time. Can't wait for book 19.
Another success for Rick. I absolutely love these stories and have never been disappointed. Rick is my favourite author of all time. Can't wait for book 19.
January 10, 2020
Great Origin Story
I've read every book and this was the story that needed to be told to truly understand Kimball Hayden. Looking forward to book 19!!!
I've read every book and this was the story that needed to be told to truly understand Kimball Hayden. Looking forward to book 19!!!
March 8, 2020
Ricks book rock
Great read fast paced great story would recommend it to my family and friends couldn't put it down looking forward to the next installment thank you
Great read fast paced great story would recommend it to my family and friends couldn't put it down looking forward to the next installment thank you
March 20, 2020
Another excellent Vatican Knights novel
Well written background into how Kimball became a Knight. Loved the book and it was a very fast read - took me about a day to read.
Well written background into how Kimball became a Knight. Loved the book and it was a very fast read - took me about a day to read.
April 30, 2020
Very Exciting,
Give a good insight into our hero and his demons
Plenty of action and a good read
Give a good insight into our hero and his demons
Plenty of action and a good read
May 22, 2020
Hayden Kimball's Revelation
If you have read all of the Vatican Knights books, you are aware of his past. This book gives you his history. An easy read. I enjoyed it.
If you have read all of the Vatican Knights books, you are aware of his past. This book gives you his history. An easy read. I enjoyed it.
October 10, 2021
Good!
Excellent recap and development of many aspects touched upon and frequently repeated throughout the series. At times I felt impatient but this well worth the read!
Excellent recap and development of many aspects touched upon and frequently repeated throughout the series. At times I felt impatient but this well worth the read!
May 16, 2022
Not sure why this book exists
I have enjoyed reading all the other books in the series but this one seems pointless, let's see what happens next
I have enjoyed reading all the other books in the series but this one seems pointless, let's see what happens next
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews