When medieval scholar Father Michael Dominic is assigned to the Vatican archives, he's plunged into a political jungle. While trying to just do his job protecting and cataloging the treasures of the collections, he discovers a hidden document that sends him off to southern France, shadowed by a very bad actor doing the will of a Vatican rival. A rare and valuable document is at stake, along with the lives of Father Dominic and his journalist companion. Those who enjoy conspiracy adventure fiction such as that of Dan Brown, Paul Christopher, Steve Berry, and Chris Kuzneski will find another favorite with McAvoy. The lost treasure of the Cathars and their tragic demise still spark the imagination of many folks who will enjoy this fast paced adventure. Will Damron provides a fine performance, handling multiple voices and accents to keep the listener focused.

Mary Magdalene.
The Vatican.
An Ancient Manuscript.
Hidden papyrus.
The Ustaša.
Historical Controversies.
Swiss Guards.
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The Magdalene Deception by Gary McAvoy is a book I listened to recently. You could say, I stumbled upon it and luckily so. It is a religious thriller which I must confess I quite enjoyed.
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It all starts when Jesuit priest Michael Dominics finds a hidden papyrus in the Vatican’s Secret Archives which could alter the cornerstone of Christian faith. This curious but important discovery threatens the Vatican’s very legitimacy pitying Dominics against very powerful enemies. Thereby starts an engaging saga of a race to uncover the whole truth of the manuscript while the powers that be do everything possible to stop it from coming out in the open.
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The level of detail in the book, the kind of research that would have gone into this is astonishingly good. The way the other plotlines are tied into it neatly was impressive too. I must confess I was pleasantly surprised by it. The historical information and detail make it so very convincing. Honestly, I cannot wait to read the next in the series now.
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I think this book has potential for a screen adaptation as well, but that is probably me getting carried away. All I have to say is, if you are a sucker for conspiracy theories, then this book is perfect for you.

*Many thanks to gary McAvoy, Literati Editions, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
This is an enjoyable read tackling one of the conspiracy theories that surrounds the Catholic Church. The book is like a crush course for those who want to learn more about the Cathars, the Languedoc region in which their legend still lives, and Mary Magdalene who is given much more important role in some theories that in the Bible.
The narrator does a very good job and overall the novel has a good pace, lots of information on the subject matter, a nice couple who pursue the truth and an assassin who wants to stop them unearthing the truth. There are some other issues mentioned in the book, like for example, the role of banks and the Vatican with regard to the Holocaust.
This is one of those books which while being enteratinment provide insight into some historical events and theories.

The narrator was really good. Great voice I would gladly listen to again.

I really enjoyed the story and would definitely read/listen to more in the series

Book Review: The Magdalene Deception (The Magdalene Chronicles #1) by Gary McAvoy, Will Damron (Narrator)
(Published by Literati Editions, October 29, 2020)

4.25 Stars.

Audiobook narration: Grade A. Narrator Will Damron's voice captures the intensity of the novel's flow, and delivers an impressive portrayal of the linguistic characteristics of the main players comprised of various nationalities.

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American Jesuit priest Fr. Michael Dominic assigned to the Vatican's Secret Archives uncovers an ancient manuscript which controverts the events of the Resurrection of Christ, the heart of the Christianity's message of salvation to mankind. The papyrus is attributed to none other than Saint Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Mary witnessed the Crucifixion and death of Christ and is said to be the first person to see him after his Resurrection.

This revelation, if true, would challenge the very existence of the Vatican.

The novel segues seamlessly into a suspense thriller. Pursued by unknown assassins, Fr. Dominic and his collaborator, Le Monde journalist Hana Sinclair's investigation leads to the origins of the manuscript in southern France where Magdalene purportedly found refuge after the death of Christ; the 20-year crusade against a Christian sect; gold, bribery, and the controversial role of the Catholic Church in War World II vis-à-vis the Holocaust and looted treasures.

Will Fr. Dominic and Hana elude the killers? Can the Catholic Church survive the Magdalene chronicles?

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Much have been written on Mary Magdalene, the Cathars in the Languedoc region of southern France and the 20-year Albigensian Crusade in 1209 launched by Pope Innocent III to annihilate Catharism.

What makes the novel compelling is its twist by author Gary McAvoy on themes circumscribed around mostly accurate historical facts.

The gnostic gospel of Mary Magdalene is said to be a 5th-century papyrus codex written in Sahidic Coptic. But topics of this gospel have nothing to do with the resurrection. But does history have its full text?

Vividly imaginative and compelling. Which whets the reading appetite for Book 2.

Review based on an Audiobook ARC from Literati Editions and NetGalley.

Who doesn't love a Papal conspiracy? Well I certainly do, and I loved this one. I loved the characters and the fast paced exciting plot. It is very much along the lines of the Da Vinci code in it's style, but that doesn't matter, as the novel is a good one.

I loved father Dominic, the suave good looking priest, and I certainly hope that we hear more from him. I could see this book being made into a film or TV series, it would really work well with it adventure and action content, and it's cast of beautifully goodies, brave heroes, and thoroughly bad baddies.!

The narration of the audio book was excellent, with plenty of different character voices deployed to make the listening experience interesting and easy.

All in all a great listen!

I quickly became engrossed in the storyline with the narrator of the audiobook doing an excellent job. Although not ground breaking - there have been multiple books focussing on intrigue within the church - it is well written Characters are well developed and the action moves apace. I shall certainly look for the next instalment in this series.

The Magdalene Deception by Gary McAvoy
Narrated by Will Damron
Publisher: Literati Editions
Genre: Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Religion & Spirituality
Release Date: October 29, 2020

The Magdalene Deception is the first book in the new The Magdalene Chronicles series by Gary McAvoy. The Magdalene Deception is a captivating thriller seeking to uncover a possible conspiracy affecting the Catholic Church and all of Christianity, as we know it.

The narration by Will Damron is engaging and enjoyable.

The Magdalene Deception is written in a style similar to Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. I found The Magdalene Depection as captivating as The Da Vinci Code and would recommend this to fans of Dan Brown.

I am definitely looking forward to the future books in the series! Hopefully, there are many more to come.

Also, props to the author for embracing his love of all things Apple!


I'm so grateful to Gary McAvoy, Literati Editions, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Gary McAvoy's "The Magdalene Deception" is filled with intrigue centered around the Vatican. It offers an alternative take on the history of Christ (which is entirely plausible) and features a handsome priest which adds to the sense of illicit thrill. There are also a couple of subplots in play. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by the gravel-toned Will Damron. I would recommend for fans of "The Da Vinci Code" and similar.

A young American Jesuit priest, Michael Dominick, is assigned to the Vatican’s Secret Archives. While there, quite literally stumbles into one of the church’s greatest secrets. Eager to find out exactly what his discovery means, he turns to Hana Sinclair, a French investigative journalist and member of an extremely wealthy and well connected family. Hana is looking into money that was taken from the Jews During WWII - a topic which may hit close to home. Their investigations lead them to discover a document written by Mary Magdalene. If this document is verified, it would invalidate all of Christianity. But Father Michael and Hana are not the only ones chasing after this secret. Intertwined with historical events, The Magdalene Deception is an engaging read for those who are fans of historical fiction and Vatican intrigue. I can see more adventures for Michael and Hana in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley for the e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed the priest dynamic, and the settings. I thought the chemistry between the characters was great. Sometimes keeping track of which priest was which was a little challenging near the beginning, but it becomes clearer as you go on. It scratches the same itch as The Da Vinci Code and I was really craving that fast-paced ancient mystery vibe. I can't lie, I was slightly disappointed by the ending, but I should have anticipated it. In places the book felt like an American interpretation of Europe, and listening to the audiobook, the accents were fairly off in places, but that felt fairly charming by the end. I gobbled it up - enjoyable.

My though while reading ... the Catholic Church isn't going to like (or endorse) this one!

This was one of the better written and edited books that I've read recently. There wasn't a lot of superfluous information. The plot moved along smoothly and quickly. I really didn't think I would like the book; and then I didn't want it to end. Im

I've never read an Epilogue quite like the one in The Magdalene Deception. I'd add a star for just the Epilogue, but I've already got this rated as 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and the author/Gary McAvoy for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this audiobook. Will Namron did a great job narrating.

Yet another foray down the Vatican conspiracy theory path.
Characters poorly developed, hardly a twist in the plot and full of cliches. A poorly written book which I was very happy to get to the end of.

These types of books are usually very entertaining and The Magdalene Deception did not disappoint, even if the whole mystery is very similar to The DaVinci Code. This time it’s Michael, a Jesuit priest who is also an expert in Medieval History, who chases a secret document that could destroy the Christian world. Hana, a French journalist, helps him along. They get into trouble and get out of it while finding out more about the shocking secret. It’s a pretty quick, intense plot that kept me entertained. The audiobook narration by Will Damron is pretty good, as he navigates foreign accents in a natural way, not making them sound like James Bond villains. There is one thing that bothered me and it’s that Father Michael is so very, irresistibly attractive, that every single character, male or female, young or old, tell him how much they wish he didn’t have a vote of chastity. That felt odd but I’ll roll with it, since the novel is such pure, escapist entertainment.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Hachette Audio!