GARY MCAVOY is author of several books including his bestselling thriller series “The Magdalene Chronicles,” and his newest series, “Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers.” His nonfiction work “And Every Word Is True” has been hailed as a sequel to Truman Capote’s landmark book “In Cold Blood.” Gary is also a professional collector of ancient manuscripts and historical documents, much of which informs his writing projects.

Connect With the Author

★ MEET GARY, THE READER ★

What are your favorite genres to read?
Thrillers and biographies.

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Who are your favorite authors to read?
Ian Caldwell, Ken Follett, Erik Larsen, Daniel Silva

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Do you remember what book initially piqued your interest in reading?
Goldfinger by Ian Fleming

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What is the first book that made you cry?
Shibumi by Trevanian

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What is the first book that made you laugh out loud?
Blue Heaven by Joe Keenan

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If you could go to any place you’ve read about in a book (real or imagined), where would you go?
Venice, Italy

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What book are you currently reading?
The Pillars of the Earth by Ian Caldwell

★ MEET GARY, THE WRITER ★

What’s one behind-the-scenes fact about your latest book that you think readers would love to know?
Regarding "The Confessions of Pope Joan," whether or not Pope Joan was actually a real person and ruled the Catholic Church...

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Without giving us any big spoilers, what was your hardest scene for you to write?
The diary pages of Pope Joan, using ninth-century stylistic Anglo-Saxon Old English.

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Of all your books, who is your favorite character and why?
Father Michael Dominic, the protagonist in all my books. I identify with him on many levels.

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If you weren't writing, what other creative pursuits,
if any, could you see yourself doing?

Collecting ancient manuscripts and historical letters (which I do).

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WIP SNEAK PEEK!

What’s the first sentence of the manuscript you're currently working on?
"As dawn began to break over a labyrinth of winding cobbled streets and rustic, ocher buildings in the vibrant heart of the Italian Renaissance, the first golden rays of the day pierced through the stained glass windows of a particular workshop. In their ethereal glow, Leonardo da Vinci, a genius far ahead of his time, was hunched over a wooden desk of ancient oak, its surface worn down by countless hours of relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation."

★ BOOKSHELF SPOTLIGHT ★

In the heart of the English countryside, a discovery is made that threatens to overturn centuries of Church history. When Father Michael Dominic uncovers a cryptic diary leading to a lost 1st century Gospel, he is thrust into a labyrinth of deceit, murder, and controversy. Alongside Hana Sinclair, a savvy journalist, Michael sets out to unravel a mystery buried deep within the Church's past. The Confessions of Pope Joan is a gripping tale of courage and faith, charting their quest against a powerful adversary seeking to keep the truth hidden.

Their journey reveals the existence of Pope Joan, the first and only female Pope whose reign has been obscured by time and conspiracy. As they traverse the intricate tapestry of deceit and power, they must confront a society unwilling to relinquish its patriarchal hold. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Grace Dempsey, assigned to a seemingly unrelated murder case in England, stumbles upon a thread that binds her to the historic revelation. Their paths converge, creating a thrilling narrative that intertwines past and present, fact and fiction.

As the Vatican's secrets unfold, Pope Ignatius, Michael's ailing father, battles his own legacy. Torn between preserving the Church's past and shaping its future, his decisions become paramount in the struggle for truth. The Pope’s radical stand for change, embodied in two Apostolic Constitutions, sets the stage for a new era in the Church while challenging long-standing beliefs and traditions. 

THE CONFESSIONS OF POPE JOAN, the seventh thriller in the Vatican Secret Archive series.

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