Conclave: The bestselling Richard and Judy Book Club thriller

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While this book has nothing whatsoever to do with murder and police procedure it is as much of a suspense thriller as I have ever read.

the general themes concerning political machinations and the struggle for power will be familiar to Robert Harris readers. He worries more that the church will fall out of favour with the modern world surrounding it, if those with more traditional notions were to take charge. As a fan of Robert Harris, I was looking forward to reading this but was unfortunately disappointing. Nothing is considered too insignificant for it to be excluded, including the poor quality of the catering that visitors to the Vatican must suffer.In the course of his novel, Robert Harris had the opportunity to discuss the growing number of Catholics located outside of Europe and their underrepresentation with Cardinal hats. He weaves together all the issues confronting the church, and the contrasts between the cardinals – in matters of faith, temperament, politics and geography. Certainly world leaders, regardless of their political or religious affiliations, appreciate the support of the Pope in regards to any changes they are trying to make to the lives of their citizens.

When I think about the Kings/Queens of England and their numerous households scattered about the British Isles, it makes sense that they would spend time at each of these residences to show an interest in their subjects far from London.

It didn’t help that by a third of the way through the story it was inevitable who the successful candidate was going to be, and by half way through the book I had spotted the twist in the tail that was to come. what might otherwise be minor tales and melodramas become bestselling works of political, ethical and social import. It took me a while to realise it was vaguely set in a near future, so most of the current preoccupations of the Church and world events were still current.