The Chimera Sanction, by Andre K. Baby, is a wild, haphazard ride through papal politics and international intrigue. Central to the story is, of course, the historical backdrop (inquisitory tactics of a by-gone era and the revenge mentality that’s been passed down through so many generations).There’s already so much mystery surrounding Vatican goings-on, but the topic returns because there’s so much we don’t know (or understand).
Thierry Dulac is the James-Bond agent who’s called in to save the day, negotiating the pitfalls of the internationally devastating situation. He’s also the fallguy, the genius negotiator, the boyfriend (Karen is the convenient lover, with whom he shares all those madcap musings), and the unlikely hero. We follow him on his madcap adventures,  always wondering where his machinations will take him.
It would be easy to compare this book with Dan Brown’s now-famous collection of books. The novel held my attention, and I’m curious to read more about Thierry. With the intriguing series of plot twists to spark your interest, the book leaves you wanting more.
It’s also a book about…
- Faith. It involves some of the most important characters in the Catholic church, but religious fervor is not a main topic here.
- Revenge. The book speaks to the power of revenge to overcome the ravages of time and space–with single-minded purpose.
- History. It’s ever-present (of course), but here, it takes on a title role. Historical event are the catalyst for the entire scope of the current terror attack, but other aspects of history are blackmail material.
- Betrayal. Mistaken/mis-represented identity and betrayal are core plot elements in this tale of mystery and intrigue.
- Hope. While it feels a little too clean in the way the story coalesces to a mutually beneficial conclusion, the book offers an ending much more positive than one could imagine.
And, then, there’s the rest of the story… What future adventures will we experience by following Thierry?
Note: Special thanks to Netgalley and Trafalgar Square Publishing.
