Lotsa detail on the Conclave and its history, which I loved; a very quick overview of the Cathars (not, please note, a name any one of them would recognize) that felt satisfactory to me; and overall enough hither, thither, and yon-ing to keep you from realizing you've read this before.

Vatican evildoing is something I really enjoy. This iteration was fun for its timing in a papal election year, but pretty fantastical so you can just ride along.

Lascaux Media asks for $5.99 for an ebook. Seems reasonable if you're into Vatican skulduggery.

Interesting read- obviously heavy on the religious stuff, but timely considering we just had a conclave for a new pope within the last six months. Thought it was a good read, but felt it was a little anti climactic at the end.

The Pope dies unexpectedly in his bed. The second in command is a woman who is not a Cardinal. Many of the Cardinals do not want her in charge of anything. The Conclave to select a new Pope is called. The Cardinals meet in a closed session. They do not emerge with the results of the first vote. No smoke is seen, neither white or black. The meeting room is broken into after a very long period of time, and the Cardinals have vanished. Meanwhile, a disgruntled group of men rise up to challenge the woman for leadership. Did the Pope die of natural causes? Very entertaining mystery. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book.

I loved the premise of this one but ran out of time to get to it as an arc. I'll be watching for this one in the wild.

Absolutely enjoyed this book. I was captured from the get go and could not put it down!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. I can not wait to read his next book.

The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper is a fast-paced thriller blending history, religion, and suspense into a gripping tale. The mystery surrounding the Vatican and secret societies is handled with just the right mix of intrigue and tension. It took a bit of time to get into the story but once the background was set up it moved more quickly, and kept me engaged. The timing of this book was amazing as the movie The Conclave was recently released and the current pope just died.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Book Whisperer for my advanced review copy.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

With a conclave just having occurred to appoint a successor to Pope Francis, this was a timely publication. It provides some very interesting information about the conclave process before spinning off into a mystery when all of the cardinals in this conclave suddenly disappear. And so US historical/religious academic Cal Donovan is called to assist Vatican Secretary of State Elisabetta Celestin and her brother (Vatican police) to discover where the cardinals are, who is holding them and to save their lives. There were a couple of instances where it seemed a bit repetitive (it's guessed what happened to the cardinals/we're told this is what the police think happened and then shortly after we get this all repeated from the cardinals point of view) but apart of from that (and I know it's a picky point) I thought this was a great story, one I was racing through to find out whether they would reach the cardinals in time. A solid 4*

I loved this book! I have always loved novels focused on religion - particularly the Roman Catholic Church and the timing of this book, with the election of a new Pope is just brilliant. You can tell a lot of research went into writing this book and that makes reading it extra gripping and page turning. You do get Dan Brown vibes, which personally I love. The characters are fully formed, the plot is gripping and the book was difficult to put down.

One of my favourites reads of this year - can't wait to read more from this author. Thank you all for his ARC. much much appreciated.

Although I read this while a Conclave was occurring, and had read Conclave previously, The Last Conclave seems to have been written to add additional intrigue into factions within the Catholic Church. I really didn't find it a solid novel, but just following a conspiracy theory which the author wanted to expose.

It was a fast read, just three evenings, but I did finish it, just didn't enjoy it very much.

Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me an advanced copy.

'The Last Conclave' is a fast moving read, set against the backdrop of the Vatican and a gripping historical mystery. When the Pope dies unexpectedly, the cardinals meet and lock themselves away in the Sistine Chapel to choose his successor....then they disappear without a trace. Vatican Secretary Celestino has to break centuries of tradition to investigate, and she gets some help from a savvy religion expert who gets pulled into what ends up to be a global chase.

What makes this book really tick is how Cooper blends the high-stakes drama of a papal election with a centuries-old secret. It’s a mix of modern-day thriller with deep historical roots, and it’s full of twists that keep you on your toes. Sometimes a little far-fetched...but it's a page-turner packed with suspense.

What an Amazing book this was! I loved the story it was full of fun facts, with a fast pace that kept my attention throughout the book! It was very interesting and entertaining! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

I may have to try this one again. I love the Dan Brown novels and was hoping this would be in that realm. It was a little heavy handed.

I haven't read a thriller quite like THE LAST CONCLAVE by Glenn Cooper in the years since I read Dan Brown and other religious/political/current event thrillers. This one did not disappoint with the twists and turns, historical perspectives on the Catholic Church and secretive nature of conclaves and the election of a new Pope. The surprise of an empty room where there should have been dozens of cardinals was only the first of fascinating events in the story -- feeling eerily close to the current events in our real world in the details and issues discussed. I enjoyed it even though I am not typically a thriller reader -- enjoying the history, the different points of view that I have never considered. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. This was the first book I read from Glenn Cooper. But for sure not the last one.

I'm not going into details about the story. My only advice: a must read

As a fan of ‘Conclave’ I was excited to read another book with similar themes.
Some great excitement and unknowns, well written and historically interesting too.
Bit sluggish at times but an enjoyable read.

An intriguing concept, and the plot kept moving forward. I didn't fully buy in to the plausibility, but overall it was a decent read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

The Last Conclave opens with an irresistible hook: a pope dead, a conclave convened—and then, shockingly, the entire Sistine Chapel found empty. Glenn Cooper masterfully blends modern suspense with deep historical intrigue, drawing on the dark legacy of the Cathars and a centuries-old conspiracy.

Fast-paced and cinematic, this is a thriller in the Dan Brown vein, with sharp writing and a compelling lead in Cal Donovan. While some historical sections slow the pace and side characters lack depth, the central mystery is bold, original, and utterly addictive.

Perfect for fans of religious conspiracies, ancient secrets, and high-stakes drama.

After the unexpected death of the current pope, the conclave of cardinals meets to elect the new pope. After a few hours with no indication a vote occurred. The doors are opened, and the room is empty! Thus begins an international investigation full of politics, religious history, and a dash of romance. I enjoyed how well-researched and fast-paced this book was.

The Last Conclave was released on May 19, 2025—just weeks before the historic election of Pope Leo XIV—making its exploration of Vatican intrigue feel remarkably timely.
From the first page, Cooper’s narrative pulls you into the high-stakes world of Vatican power plays. When Pope John XXIV dies unexpectedly, 115 cardinals lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel—only to vanish without a trace. The tension never lets up, and the chase across continents had me racing toward “one more chapter” long past bedtime.
Beyond its thriller elements, the novel delivers a detailed look at how the College of Cardinals elects a pope. Through scenes of secret ballots, ritual prayers, and haggling over theology and leadership qualities, I gained new appreciation for the centuries-old procedures that govern papal elections. Cooper’s backstage access makes the process as fascinating as the mystery itself.
Kidnapping every cardinal might sound over-the-top, but Cooper meticulously maps out how such a coup could succeed. The logistics—from infiltrating the Vatican to maintaining radio silence in a locked chapel—are laid out with forensic precision. His grounded explanations stretch credulity without snapping it, turning suspension of disbelief into outright belief.
Interwoven with modern crisis is a deep dive into the medieval Cathars—a heretical sect nearly wiped out in the 14th century. I was captivated by their story of resilience and spiritual dissent, and the book inspired me to dive into Cathar history on my own. This dual timeline enriches the thriller, linking past and present in a tapestry of faith and fanaticism.
The Last Conclave is a masterclass in pacing, research, and suspense. Whether you crave edge-of-your-seat action or a behind-the-scenes look at Vatican operations, Cooper delivers on all fronts. This novel stands out not just as a timely thriller but also as an invitation to explore broader histories of faith, power, and secrecy.