Hello Readers,
This book had been sitting on my TBR pile for a while,
and by coincidence, I found myself halfway through it just as the real-life
papal conclave began. I listened to the audiobook on Spotify, which is just 8
hours and 21 minutes long well within the 15 free listening hours available to
premium users.
I don’t own the rights to the poster image (used here under Fair Use for review purposes, as per sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act).
I went into Conclave a little hesitant. I’m not overly
religious, but I’d heard a lot of praise for the film and figured I’d give the
audiobook a try. Honestly, if you’d told me I’d get hooked on a story about a
group of Catholic cardinals locked in a room, voting to decide who should
become the next Pope, I’d have called you a lunatic. And yet... here we are.
Robert’s Conclave is an utterly absorbing political thriller set within the
Vatican’s most secretive institution.
When the Pope dies suddenly of a heart attack, whispers
of ambiguity around his final moment’s rumours begin to swirl that, if true,
could disqualify one of the key contenders. From the first page, Robert builds
intrigue within the walls of the Sistine Chapel, where the world’s most
exclusive election is about to unfold.
At the heart of Conclave is Jacopo Lomeli, Dean of the
College of Cardinals a man wrestling with faith, duty, and his own moral
compass. Though I’m not religious, his inner conflict felt deeply compelling.
Through Lomeli’s thoughtful eyes, Robert guides us into the hidden world of
papal politics with nuance and empathy.
The election process itself is utterly fascinating.
Rooted in centuries-old rituals from ballots, smoke signals, silent reflection it
carries the weight of two thousand years of tradition. I’d never really
considered how a pope is chosen, but the detail here is both enlightening and
awe-inspiring, adding real gravitas to the story.
But don’t be fooled this is no quiet drama. Conclave has
all the makings of a gripping thriller: political scheming, high-stakes
suspense, betrayal, even a brush with terrorism. The pacing is tight, the
twists genuinely surprising, and the stakes feel incredibly real.
Robert’s characters are sharply drawn. The cardinals,
despite their roles, are fallible men driven by ambition, fear, and conviction.
Even the nuns, often invisible to the powerful men they serve, emerge as quiet
observers with insight and purpose.
Thanks to Robert’s meticulous research including access
to Vatican spaces closed to the public the setting feels rich and authentic.
Roy McMillan’s narration adds to this immersive experience, capturing the
distinct personalities of the cardinals without turning it into a radio play.
You can almost hear the echo of footsteps in the Sistine Chapel.
Conclave is more than a political thriller it’s a
page-turning meditation on power, belief, and human frailty. Whether you’re
devout or sceptical, this novel is a revelation.
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