This was an excellent story! A mix of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series and Robert Harris' Conclave. As for the timing of this book's release considering the new Pope's just been elected, either the author writes really fast or it was a lucky coincidence! I loved this. Plenty of action and POV's, from the delay of seeing the first smoke after the start of the conclave, the disappearance of the cardinals from the locked Sistine Chapel, the various authorities trying to track where they went, through to the thrilling conclusion. I also enjoyed the bit of history about the Cathars. Well worth reading.
Thanks to Netgalley, Book Whisperer, and Glenn Cooper for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The high-stakes plot, secretive religious orders, and coded mysteries immediately brought Dan Brown to mind—in the best way. The timing of this release couldn’t have been more perfect, especially with a real-life conclave recently taking place. It added an extra layer of intrigue and immediacy to the story.

If you enjoy thrillers that mix history, suspense, and a touch of the arcane, this one’s worth picking up!

Although a work of fiction, The Last Conclave is based on historical facts as the Cathars did exist and they were annihilated by the Crusades and some characters in the story were real. After the Pope's sudden death, the conclave meets to elect the new Pope, however before they can do that they disappear leaving in charge of the Catholic Church, a woman, Elisabetta Celestino, who was the Vatican's Secretary of State. What will follow is a lot of intrigue, factions within the church fighting for power, and one religion expert, Cal Donovan, realizing there was a possibility of the Cathars involvement, although the religion supposedly did not exist anymore. The story is fast-paced and constructed within two different timelines, one explaining the past and the origins of Catharism, and the other following the kidnapping of the conclave. Very interesting, The Last Conclave is one of those books that you'll won't stop reading until the end is reached. Highly recommended!
I thank Mr. Cooper, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

An exciting thriller from start to finish! I read it shortly after an actual Conclave ended and a new Pope was announced. The background information about what actually occurs during this event was told in news reports, which was a smooth way to integrate this material into what was occurring in the story. The politicking of the Cardinals and the romantic tension between Elisabetta and Cal were understated but threaded throughout the story. The Cardinals were authentic as we learn their opinions, biases and infirmities. The antiquated sect introduced some current issues. But central to the story is the hunt to find the missing Cardinals - the kidnapping was creative and complex, and the rescue was fast-paced and exciting. Thanks go to Book Whisperer for granting me an ARC of this riveting story. The story sucked me in like a riptide - I loved it and could not put it down!

Thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Such a great read! Loved this book from start to the very last page.
The characters are well defined and engaging with a storyline that was gripping and well written.
Absolutely 💯 a good read. Would definitely recommend this book and author.

This book is both fascinating and timely, offering a rich history of the Catholic Church and the Cathars that I found thoroughly enjoyable. The narrative is intense and action-packed, spanning two different time periods. While I occasionally found the shifts between past and present confusing, the historical context provided was invaluable. Overall, it's a compelling read that I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the BookWhisperer for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

When I saw the recently released movie Conclave, this story, The Last Conclave, was more of what I was expecting. Murder, revenge, history, deep relationship, multiple perspectives from which the story is told.

The Last Conclave had it all. Captivating, edge-of-your-seat (and stay up too late) reading is on the agenda once you start Cooper's most recent release. Excellent pacing, no gratuitous violence or sex, plus history woven into a realistic, well-told tale.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper has more twisty turns than a piece of fucelli or rotini. Mr. Cooper has written a thriller combined with church history. This book is nonstop action and impossible to put down. The Pope is dead and the entire group of cardinals meeting in conclave to elect a new pope has gone missing. How? Why? This reader appreciated that the author gave perspective from both sides of the main issue. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

This is my first read of Glenn Cooper but plan to add him to my list of preferred authors. The pope has died resulting in the cardinals gathering for the conclave. Oaths are recited and doors are locked as the sacred conclave begins their journey to select a new pope to lead the Catholic Church. Outside the Sistine Chapel the throngs await the white or black smoke relaying the result of the first vote. Two hours pass and no smoke. Then three hours and then four. No smoke. The decision is made to breach the conclave. On entering they find it empty…not a single cardinal in the Sistine Chapel. But how could over 100 cardinals disappear from a locked and heavily guarded room. So the mystery begins.

“The Last Conclave” is an entertaining novel of mystery and suspense set in Italy and France and involving the cardinals of the Catholic Church in a papal conclave. In light of recent events at the Vatican, not to mention the approach of summer when everyone needs a good read to take on vacation, its release is extraordinarily well-timed. According to the promotional materials, it has already “topped the charts” in Italy.

The world mourns the passing of Pope John XXIV, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack only two years into his papacy. All the cardinals eligible to elect his successor are now sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel with no means of communicating with the outside world except for the smoke they send through the stovepipe by burning the ballots after each vote. Black smoke means they’ll have to vote again. White smoke heralds a new Pope.

But as the hours pass, no smoke of any kind issues from the chimney. What could the cardinals be doing? Finally, the Vatican’s first woman secretary of state breaks centuries of precedent and orders the doors unsealed. Inside, the chapel is empty. All the rest of the doors are still locked, but the entire conclave of over 100 cardinals has disappeared.

It’s an original and intriguing concept, and it makes for solid entertainment. What happened to the cardinals? How, exactly, were they made to vanish? Who’s involved, if anyone? What’s their motive? Did John XXIV really die of natural causes? And what will happen to the church, especially since, without the cardinals, there only remains a nun to guide it?

The characters aren’t very deeply drawn. And I would have liked to see more information about the Vatican, St. Peter’s, the papacy, and Catholicism. Nevertheless, author Glenn Cooper writes a taut tale full of suspense.

Fans of other popular novels about the Catholic Church—like Morris L. West’s “The Shoes of the Fisherman” and “The Clowns of God,” or Robert Harris’s “Conclave,” or Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” and “Angels and Demons”—may find much to enjoy.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Glenn Cooper, and publisher Book Whisperer for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.

Read his full review on <a href=?https://rosepointpublishing.com/2025/06/29/the-last-conclave-by-glenn-cooper-bookreview-conspiracythrillers/"<a> Rosepoint Publishing.</a>

The recent conclave of Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV. It was done fairly quickly after the death of John Paul II. All Roman Catholics know that the Pope is elected by a conclave of Cardinals who meet in the Sistine Chapel. This story examines that tradition from a unique perspective.

Why has there never been a female head of the church? Catholic schools teach religion and a majority of the teachers are nuns. Then why are there no female priests?

This book delves into a mythical event in which all of the Cardinals are captured and secreted away. The master minds of this undertaking are a group of very rich people who wish to “right” history.

The fascinating portion of the story to me is the discussion of the Cathars. This was a religious group in the thirteenth century that believed in everything the church in Rome believed but did not believe that the church should be so rich and powerful or that women should be excluded from the priesthood.

This is a very fascinating fiction thriller interwoven with historical events! 5 stars – CE Williams

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. Any opinion expressed here is my own.

The cardinals are in the Sistine during the conclave. Hours and hours pass. No smoke, black nor white. Finally the outsiders enter the Sistine to find it empty.
This was an unusual story, full of suspense .... how did they do it? What happened? I had difficulties with all the different characters and their names ... telling them apart. 4.5 stars rounded up.
This book led me to search out other Glenn Cooper books.

Interesting spin on a conclave. I’m glad I got to read this right after the IRL conclave and the storyline and twists were interesting. This would be a fun read for anyone interested in thrillers or religious/political crime dramas.

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.

When Pope John XXIV is found dead in his bed just two years after his election, the world braces for a new conclave. But as the cardinal electors are sealed inside the Sistine Chapel, something unthinkable happens. Hours pass. No smoke rises. No vote is announced. And when Vatican Secretary of State Elisabetta Celestino breaks protocol to open the doors—she finds the chapel empty. The cardinals have vanished without a trace.

CNN religion expert Cal Donovan is on-site to cover the conclave, but soon finds himself swept into a global investigation. As panic spreads and theories abound, Cal uncovers a chilling trail leading back to a centuries-old order—one that has waited in the shadows to cleanse the sins of the Church... with blood.

Considering recent history, this was a very relevant title. The author is very good at describing his characters, their surroundngs and the long lost religious sect and how it affected history over 800 years later. I sis not know this was part of a series until I looked up the author to see what else he has written. I know I will look into other books that he has written. It is obvious that he did a lot of research into the Roman church, the Conclave, the area in Rome and the Cathars in and where they lived. I was not aware that this sect even existed so it was very interesting to read what they believed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering this book.

Totally gripping
The Pope is dead and a conclave has begun to choose his successor but as the hours tick by and no smoke comes from the chimney, Vatican Secretary of State Elisabetta Celestino is pursuaded by the Vatican police to break in to the Sistine Chapel and the sight shocks everyone, all of the Cardinals are missing. One of her friends, historian Cal Donovan, is in Rome to cover the conclave for CNN and ends up embroiled in the mystery
I really enjoyed this book, it has some very unexpected twists that had me gripped and that had me reading and researching some things further in depth. This may sound a bit vague, and apologies for that, but I’m trying not to give any spoilers!
The characters, especially Cal and Elisabetta, seemed well rounded but some others were missing details that stopped them seeming as human. I think it’s mainly because the focus was on the story and not necessarily on the backgrounds of all of the characters
There has been a lot of focus over the last year or so about Conclaves, from the popular film, to the actual Conclave of 2025, and this book has a place among them. It’s a story that feels like it may happen and has enough realism in to make me as a reader wonder what if
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a mystery novel with a bit of a religious twist that is full of unexpected drama and details that will have you hooked

This is a very interesting and timely story since the Catholic Church just held a conclave to elect a new Pope. I was not familiar with the workings of a conclave so enjoyed a peek behind the closed doors. Thankfully the catastrophe that happened in the book did not happen in the real conclave. But it was definitely an interesting series of events to think about.

A fast paced mystery which had me reading very quickly and enjoying every moment. The Last Conclave was a perfect balance for the immersed Catholic and the religious/church sceptic. Interesting characters that held my curiousity and provided a great deal of historic reference to the actual Catharsis (which I certainly wasn’t taught in the Catholic faith).
Timely in our recent happenings and a nice addition to reading/watching The Conclave. This book went to many details of how a conclave is conducted and I finished it with a more expansive understanding on the Vatican and those involved.
Thank you #NetGalley for this early copy. It was a good one!

I chose to read this book mainly because of the recent election of Pope Leo XIV earlier this year. I was immediately gripped by this intriguing novel which refers to historical facts about the Cathers and the storyline is divided between this and the disappearance of the conclave which results in a woman, the Vatican's Secretary of State, becoming in charge of the Catholic Church. This book is a mix of history, suspense, mystery and a touch of disbelief.
If this sounds like your kind of book then I can recommend it most highly..
I would like to thank Glen Cooper, his publisher, Lascaux Media and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Last Conclave by Glenn Cooper is a story, based on historic events and current time possibilities, that will keep you turning pages well into the night. I found this book to been informative concerning the process of selecting a Pope when the current Pope dies. When the book was written, the author would not have had indication that Pope Francis would die. This made the book interesting and timely in that it explained how the Conclave works. The book also had a historical reference to a period in the 13th century in France where a group of people disagreed with that pope and the consequence they received during that time. I was so intrigued by the historical aspect, that I researched the information from the book and found that it was historically accurate - minus the "poetic license" that the author injected into the story.

It all came together with a story that will stay with you for a long time. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.com and Book Whisperer and I always review every book that I read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend. The plot and characters are well developed and the historical information is accurate. Enjoy.

Glenn Cooper is a new author for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect. At the beginning I thought it was a bit like Dan Brown and the film Conclave, however a massive bombshell turned this book on its head and took it in a direction that was new an exciting. I’ve already recommended this book to others.

Timely, exciting, very well written book. Timely because of the recent election of Pope Leo. Exciting because I couldn't put it down. Educational in it's explanation of the history of the Cathars. Well developed characters. Plot, while a bit out there, was interesting. A little research and I found that the author has used the two main characters before, in his earlier books. I will definitely be adding those to my TBR pile. Well done. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Fantastic! I enjoyed reading this book! The relevance of what has recently happened with the Pope passing away intrigues me. The Cathar religion is interesting too. I admire Sabine and Elisabetta equally. They are both strong women with great leadership qualities. Cal is amazing and I'm glad that he found his love. I liked the author's writing style and I'll be reading more books by him.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I find stories involving the Vatican fascinating. An institution shrouded in history and mystery and this fast paced thriller has everything I hoped for. Mysterious death of Pope ( rings a bell!), secrets and misdirections, it’s a glorious mix of an international thriller along with real life as the story revolves around the conclave, I loved the Robert Harris book and this is just as exciting. I haven’t read Dan Brown, but seen parts of a film which involved a lot of chasing around and there are elements of that here. But Cooper is a better writer than Brown ( I abandoned the first Brown book after very few pages because it’s so badly written). This is gripping and loosely based on known fact. Loved it.

Great mix of genres As the author weaves a great tale which includes a love story (or two), a history lesson, and lots of church politics. When the pope dies, it’s time for a conclave..when the doors close, the cardinal disappear, and the plots begins. Their kidnap was a masterful scheme, the reason is expertly revealed, and the tensions builds until a well-conceived conclusion is achieved..

I absolutely loved this book! It was quite timely reading it soon after the actual conclave was done in Rome and I enjoyed this suspenseful and intense novel!

So much in keeping with the present conclave conducted just weeks ago, this story sounds fantastical but very believable despite the secrecy, the hidden truths, but then that is the Vatican.

Starting with a much loved Pope who dies within two years of being elected, we then go into conclave and this is where the history starts. An entire conclave of cardinals disappears, kidnapped by a group of believers thought to have been erased from eight centuries before, the Cathars, and their demands for female representation as a pope amongst other demands.

The story is riveting, history detailed and very easily understood. The workings of the Vatican, the political wheeling and dealing, the ugly facets of the Church like the paedophile priests being swept under a rug and forgotten but at the same time what the church is trying to do, despite the obstacles it faces within its own community.

I do not know whether the book will appeal to those who do not know much about the catholic faith, but for me personally it was an excellent read.

The Last Conclave delivers exactly what you want from a religious thriller: a compelling mystery, global intrigue, and enough historical shadow-play to keep the pages turning late into the night. The disappearance of an entire group of cardinals from the locked Sistine Chapel is a brilliantly eerie hook, and the tension never lets up from there.

Cal Donovan makes for a strong, grounded lead—equal parts scholar and reluctant hero—as he’s drawn deeper into a centuries-old conspiracy that blends faith, politics, and vengeance. The pacing is quick, the stakes are high, and the atmosphere—especially within the Vatican—is wonderfully tense and cinematic.

Some plot elements do stretch plausibility, especially in the final act, and a few supporting characters feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out people. But the sheer ambition of the story and the well-executed suspense more than make up for it.

If you enjoy books like The Da Vinci Code or The Rule of Four, The Last Conclave will hit all the right notes—a bold, entertaining blend of history, mystery, and modern-day reckoning.

I was eager to read this book after the election of the new Pope and after having seen the movie, Conclave, and I was not disappointed! Lots of action, interesting history, amazing twists and turns, and even a bit of romance made this book almost impossible to put down. I'd highly recommend it to fans of Dan Brown and Robert Harris and those who enjoy a fast paced read without a lot of violence and gore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

When Pope John XXV dies just two years after becoming Pope it is a great shock to everyone. However the Church must go on and after a brief period of mourning the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel for the Conclave to elect the next pope. News channels across the world are focused on the stove pipe chimney will announce with white smoke if they have elected the successor to St Peter or black smoke if they are still working to get a 2/3 majority vote for one of their number. But as time drags on with no smoke the rest of the Vatican begins to be worried Sr Elisabetta Celestino, the Pope's Secretary of State asks for the doors of the chapel to be forced open only to find an empty room. The search for the Cardinals and the reasons behind their kidnap become the business of Security services of many countries. When a communication from the kidnappers comes through, Cal Donovan, a religious expert, spots a tattoo of a yellow cross on the arm of the spokesperson. A yellow cross is the symbol of the Cathars, a religious group stamped out by the Church centuries ago- what is their agenda?

The timing of this book could not have been more topical, with the recent death of Pope Francis and I'm sure that is why many might be drawn to it. However once I started it I was completely captivated and read it at breakneck speed. One of my top reads so far this year. Thanks to Net galley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

With the recent selection of a new pope, I picked up this book with some interest. I was not disappointed. This was a religious thriller with the right blend of religious history and intrigue. Because the story deals with historical religious movement combined with modern intrigue, the comparisons to Dan Brown are natural, but that is unfair to the original storytelling style of Glenn Cooper. His cinematic experience is obvious as you can imagine these scenes on the screen and the conclusion wraps up the story lines in a satisfying manner. This is my first book of his, but not my last.

Great Read!!!
Cooper has a 5 star winner all the way.
When the Conclave is called together in Rome at the pope's death, all seems to
be moving along as per the usual way.
Cal Donovan is sitting in with CNN as an expert guest commentator, when all hell breaks loose
and the conclave disappears from the secure, impenetrable Sistene Chapel.
Great suspense, intrigue and absolutely riveting storyline.
Characters are so well defined they jump right off the pages.
Great timing on the story.
Solid gold all the way.
.

Great mystery–and I don’t usually like mysteries. It hits all the spots—assasinations, Catholicism, women’s rights, history, family conflict, etc. and the timing of the release was accidentally perfect. In addition to an enjoyable mystery, one can learn about a medieval
Christian sect, the Cathars. The novel goes back and forth between the hunters and the hunted, and ends with a bang.

The last book by this author, The Cosmos Key, I wasn’t a fan of, but this is a return to form, being on trend, so topical with a hint of fortune telling, considering we have recently elected an American Pope. The pomp and circumstance of the Papal election is still fresh in the minds of many people, and this was an education in itself, when the novel gave so much historical background about the Cathar religion.
The Cathars were a religious sect, much feared by the Roman Catholic Church for their simplistic approach to prayer and the equality towards females. I learnt more from this novel than the few months of study I did about the exploits of Simon de Montfort, many decades ago.
I liked the central characters very much. Cal is a passionate lecturer and a very loyal and supportive to his friends.
Elisabetta is a wonderfully strong and capable woman, somewhat adrift in a sea of misogyny and other outdated attitudes. Despite many tests, she remains resolute and determined, despite family tragedy. The issue of feminism and how this movement is seen today still shows there is much work to be done. Perhaps the Cathars did have all the answers.
The kidnapping was complex and a real work out for the brain cells, you could feel the tension and dread during the hostage situation, and there were plenty of jaw dropping moments. The challenges and frustration during the attempts to find and rescue them were portrayed very well. The ending was satisfying and almost convincing, there had to be many coincidences to make it all work.
I found this novel to be a real thriller and page turner. Like many others, I have seen the film Conclave and that and this book work perfectly together.
A five star read, most enjoyable.
My thanks to Netgalley and Book Whisperer, the publishers for my copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave this review to Goodreads and Amazon UK today.

This type of fiction is not normally my read. But I became engrossed straight away. It was intriguing and at the same time educational. The times it stepped back to 1200s I struggled a little, but realised this was the historical part of the plot.
It was a great read and for me to enjoy it says a lot.

Rating: 4.5- 5⭐

Review:
✨Thank you to BookWhisperer and #NetGalley for this #ARC! This review was voluntarily written by me.
✨#TheLastConclave is what I expect for a thriller book that is a mix of history and current day adventure, or crime.
✨This is my second book from the author and this book really exceeded my expectations, because I did not really vibing with my first book from the author.
✨This book has detailed flashbacks, creative and daring kidnapping, elaborate crime, compelling protagonists, annoying characters, a tiny bit of romance, antagonists with understandable motives, mini conflicts along with the main issue, and POVs from various sides.
✨Basically, I don’t really have anything to dislike in this book.
✨Then, I just realised that this book is the sixth installment of the series, so that’s why some of the characters are familiar and/or comfortable with each other.
✨I also do think that the author is really comfortable in writing this story, especially in writing Cal Donovan.
✨Now, I’m interested in reading this series from the beginning. Well…
✨In conclusion, I do recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a novel with a vibe like the Robert Langdon’s series. If you pick this book, I hope that you’ll enjoy this story like I do.

I loved this book! It pulled me right in and held me there until the very end. When the pope dies unexpectedly the concave meets to appoint a new pope until the concave goes missing after day 1. What I particularly liked about this book was the pacing and complexity of the storyline. The pacing was impeccable. Not only that, but the way the author seamlessly shifted between the story of the cardinals, the 'villans' and the investigators to give is a 360-degree view of the entire storyline was really fun. I almost preferred it than a quick chapter at the end to fill in the blanks. There was also enough detail and complexity to keep it interesting without going so deep into symbology or down an illuminati like road that it will keep causal readers engaged.

I am excited to have been introduced to a new to me author in such a fabulous way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Book Whisperer for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is not a book that I normally would pick out to read. I did end up really enjoying this book. I loved the storyline! I would definitely recommend this book.

The Vatican, a mysterious death, and a horrific revenge plot 800 years in the making.

This fast paced thriller will have you glued to its pages as the police and foreign agencies try to stop an event that would change the course of history.

Glen Cooper penned a phenomenal story with strong characters, exciting plot and satisfying conclusion. This is my new favourite book of 2025. This will definately be in my reread list.

Thank you to the publisher and neutrally for a free advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

What a great read! I loved the dual storyline regarding the Catholics and the Cathars and the history of the two. This story was well drawn out, it was a fascinating read and I enjoyed every moment. You are drawn into the characters and their individual stories. There was drama and tension keeping you captivated until the end. The characters were well written and completely believable. My first Glenn Cooper book but by no means my last.