“The links to religion in The Da Vinci Code and (Dan Brown’s) previous, Angels and Demons, pale beside those in The Third Secret. Here’s a lurid, churning thriller that centers on the election of a new pope . . . featuring ruthless behind-the-scenes ambition in Vatican City, and apparitions of the Virgin Mary. . . . Berry raises this genre’s stakes . . . ”
—New York Times
“Explosive in both its pace and its revelations, The Third Secret is a remarkable international thriller.”
—paperbackswap.com
“Da Vinci Code fans willflock to this story . . . An excellent, tightly plotted thriller.”
—Roanoake Times
“Rich in a wealth of Vatican insider knowledge and 2000 years of Virgin Mary visitations: Controversial, shocking, explosive! Steve Berry’s The Third Secret will change our view of the relation between religion and wisdom. A must read.”
—Katherine Neville, bestselling author of The Eight
“The Third Secret seamlessly weaves history and fiction. The meticulous research . . . drives Berry’s writing a notch higher. He has crafted an intense, fast-paced thriller that succeeds because of clever plotting and introspective characters . . . a compelling read, a thinking man’s thriller that proves as informative as entertaining. The Third Secret seems poised to become the next word-of-mouth bestseller.”
—Florida Times-Union
“Good God! Steve Berry’s provocative new thriller – a compelling story of Vatican intrigue, Marian apparitions, and church secrets – is nothing short of miraculous! Only a blessed few writers could take so much factual material and spin it into a suspenseful novel with so many theological twists and turns. This is the next great read that fans of The Da Vinci Code have been praying for!”
—Joe Drabyak, Chester County Book & Music Company, West Chester, Pennsylvania
“Perfectly conceived and executed thriller by a new master of the genre. This is a spectacular novel, rich with historical detail, and a hypothesis for the future of the Roman Catholic Church that is staggering. . . . What Berry has done . . . is to take an historical mystery, lay out all the known facts, and then wrap the whole intriguing thing in one of his remarkable theories. . . . For sheer entertainment, it just doesn’t get any better than this. The Third Secret is out of this world.”
—The Kingston Observer
“Berry . . . serves tantalizingly true tidbits about the Church, and his measured, elegant prose is a solid fit with the story.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“If you want a good story, this book offers one.”
—Wisconsin State Journal
“Conspiracies and plots abound . . . Berry handles his thriller tradecraft skillfully, his descriptions are stellar, and of special interest, he offers a vivid re-creation of the majestic conclave, in which the College of Cardinals elects a new pope. . . . the story is its own reward . . . and the surprising ending keeps the tension intense until the last pages. Readers won’t be disappointed.”
—Booklist
“Steve Berry continues his string of entertaining thrillers based on historical facts . . . A fast-paced Vatican thriller.”
—mysterylovers.com
“The Third Secret is poised to be the breakout thriller this summer, a brilliant and provocative novel of international suspense and Vatican intrigue.”
—The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi)
“Wow! I couldn’t put this book down. Gripping novel that couldn’t be more timely.”
—Bob Hegarty, Willow Books, Acton, Massachusetts
“Fast-paced thriller.”
—Sacramento Bee
“Visions of the Virgin Mary, secret documents and politicking in the highest echelons of the Catholic Church-Berry combines combustive elements in this well-researched thriller.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Da Vinci Code fans hungry for more may want a taste of this.”
—The Daily Star (London)
“Steve Berry is quite simply the finest historical suspense author in the game today. His books are fast-paced, relentless thrill rides with so much basis in fact it’s spooky. Move over Dan Brown, because Berry is quickly emerging as THE author to watch.”
—George Scott, Chapter 11 Books, Norcross, Georgia
“The Third Secret skillfully combines Vatican insights, old-fashioned thrills, intrigue, murder, ambition and retribution.”
—Orlando Sentinel
“Explosive in both its pace and its revelations, The Third Secret is a remarkable international thriller. Bestselling author Steve Berry tackles some of the most controversial ideas of our time in a breakneck journey through the history of the Church and the future of religion.”
—bookreporter.com
“Berry builds on meticulous research to spin a web of intrigue in which the fate of the entire Church is at stake.”
—Arizona Republic
“Wow, this is awesome. . . . (Steve Berry) will definitely be giving Dan Brown a run for his money with The Third Secret.”
—Gail Foster, Mysteries & More, Novato, California
“The Da Vinci Code: Move over and make room for this thriller steeped in Vatican secrets.”
—St. Petersburg Times
“Is Berry’s book controversial? Is it exciting? Is it fascinating? Is it surprising? You will not want to miss reading The Third Secret, and you will then know that “Yes!” answers each of these questions.”
—newmysteryreader.com
“Perfect for the car, or the plane, the balcony or the beach. . . Nothing is ever simple in a Berry novel. He takes his research seriously and uses every tidbit he uncovers to infuse his novels with a reality borne of finely tuned political and international suspense. You cannot go wrong . .”
—Jackson Free Press
“The Third Secret is the best book I’ve read in a long time. . . . What a wonderfully written, compelling thriller and this book should catapult Steve to the top of ALL the bestseller lists.”
—Eric Sample, Barnes and Noble, Arlington, Texas
“Berry enriches The Third Secret with glimpses behind the locked doors of a papal selection process and knowledge of centuries-old Catholic prognostications . . . The Third Secret builds to a conclusion that is as suspenseful and stunning, as it is inevitable. Have faith.”
—amazon.com
“(A) stunning new novel . . . The Third Secret is a gripping page-turner with a fascinating plot, and has bestseller written all over it. It should also come with a warning label, ‘Do not start this book late at night; lack of sleep will occur.”
—Times Record News (Witchita Falls, Texas)
“Steve Berry presents readers with a complex and charismatic hero. . . . Berry does an excellent job of keeping the pacing fast and his crisp, detailed descriptions of everything from the Italian countryside to the beauties of the Vatican are mesmerizing. Fans of Dan Brown will enjoy The Third Secret immensely.”
—internetwritingjournal.com
“The Third Secret by Steve Berry held me spell bound and I couldn’t put it down. . . . I compare it to The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons by Dan Brown . . . This will be a best seller, without a doubt . . .”
—Norman Goldman, Barnes & Noble, Granada Hills, California
“If you’ve not already discovered Steve Berry through The Amber Room and The Romanov Prophecy, then you’re two behind. Catch up quickly and (read) The Third Secret . . .a spellbinding mystery.”
—Square Books, Oxford, Mississippi
“The Third Secret is an entertaining mix of historical fact, fast-paced action, some compelling characters–Vatican City is itself a character–and controversial religious subjects. Reminiscent of The Da Vinici Code, it’s a satisfying summer pager-turner.”
—Memphis Commercial-Appeal
“Shocking, explosive and full of unexpected twists and turns. The Da Vinci Code fans will feast on this well-researched tale.”
—Tucson Citizen
“The breathtaking endgame and the Marian revelations are too explosive to even hint at. Suffice it to say that the fast-paced action in this lollapalooza of clerical intrigue comes to an unimaginable climax, with faith in God restored to doubters, and justice doled out to those deserving of it, and, alas, certain secrets maintained.”
—Toledo Blade
“. . . a standout amongst much of the current Da Vinci Code inspired novels.”
—TravelScene.com
FROM THE BLOG WORLD
“It’s plain that a lot of research went into this book, because it is rich with details of Rome, the Vatican, and Church traditions. The depth of detail makes the book quite enjoyable. ….The book is a thriller through and through. It’s got good pacing, easily identifiable stock characters, and a tight plot. … I’d recommend it to anyone looking for some fast-paced, light reading.”
—WillyMammoth on www.librarything.com
“A great read. Berry puts us in the middle of a huge religious controversy simultaneously with the selection of a new pope. Lots of intrigue and mystery along with some pretty good details relative to the Vatican and papal affairs. He really keep us involved waiting for the big relevation – which is a biggie!!”
—jsoos on www.librarything.com
“Religion has always been a sensitive topic to write about and the way this book was written was vivid, excellent, and informative. I also liked the writer’s note where he discusses his research and separates fact and fiction. Characters are human, popes are not perfect, the suspense is always there and the danger is ever-present. All of them have redeeming value, clues about events are there and the part I liked best is I wasn’t able to predict what happens next. Great read!”
—yurioujo on www.librarything.com
“While I have enjoyed all of Steve Berry’s novels weaving history, mystery, and chases, this is my favorite. It may be reminiscent for some of Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons, but I think this is a better book. The plotting is superb and easy to follow, the characterization is solid, and the descriptions of the locales are excellent. Berry is always at his best when evoking a sense of history, and this book does not disappoint in that regard. While reading it I could see it in my mind’s eye. I heartily recommend this book to any who enjoy the genre. If you’re like me, you don’t have a lot of time to read. This novel is an excellent expenditure of your precious time.”
—Sharon Barker on www.bookbrowse.com
“The Third Secret, a stand-alone book, is part fiction and part fact, but even more so…this one contains a wealth of reality. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have come to rely on Berry’s books for the two Es, “education and entertainment.” …. sit back, put your feet up and enjoy this bestseller from a highly knowledgeable author.”
—chooseandbook.blogspot.com