"Another Kienzle top seller. Excellent in style and story. Original and timely." —Lucy Freeman, Mystery Writers of America

From William X. Kienzle, author of the classic mystery, The Rosary Murders.

A bizarre plot to destroy the papacy seems to be the motive for murder in this fifth thriller from best-selling mystery writer William X. Kienzle. One cardinal is brutally murdered in his own church. Another is slain in the Vatican. A clue is left at the scene of each crime. What is the connection? Who is behind these sinister attacks? When Kienzle's crime-solving hero, Father Robert Koesler, and his friends intervene to catch the criminals, they find themselves targets for assassination. And the plot takes an unexpected twist toward an ending that brings Koesler's past back to haunt him.

Kienzle's fans will cheer the return of all their favorite characters as they make a treacherous journey to Rome, London, and Ireland, where this series of murders and attempted murders threatens the lives of the Catholic hierarchy. Father Koesler, the priest with a talent for detective work, is joined by his old friend Inspector Walter Koznicki in the search for a solution to these puzzling crimes as they accompany Detroit's archbishop to Rome for his induction into the church's College of Cardinals.

Along to report the action for their rival Detroit newspapers are reporters Joe Cox and Pat Lennon, who continue to share everything but their leads. Kienzle completes his cast of characters with a rich array of expertly drawn personalities so human they seem like old friends.