The “Vatican Deal” is an interesting dive into the power that Vatican City has. As the world’s smallest country, it has tons of artwork and its own bank. Interestingly, in 2012, the U.S. listed Vatican City as a concern for money laundering. The book touches on the the money laundering as well as how the Mafia holds control over Italy. Two conflicting Mafia gangs are at war to establish themselves as leaders. Bo and Marty, the book’s main characters, go to Vatican City and finalize a deal to obtain the Vatican’s foundry. Only they end up finding out it's a bid for control of the Vatican bank. With the Mafia involved, it’s to be expected there will be several murders and a couple of kidnappings. Once you’re sucked in, you won’t be able to stop reading.

Michael Balter's *The Vatican Deal* is a riveting addition to the international crime thriller genre, seamlessly combining deception, betrayal, and high stakes with a backdrop of art and intrigue. Following the misadventures of Marty and Bo, the story unfolds as they embark on what they believe to be a lucrative venture in Italy, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of danger that seems to tighten with each turn of the page.

The book picks up with Marty and Bo in an enviable position, buoyed by their partnership with the enigmatic Natalya and her connections to a powerful Russian oligarch. Balter crafts their initial confidence with a sense of impending doom, hinting that this glamorous deal is anything but straightforward. It's this juxtaposition that makes the narrative so compelling; one moment, the characters are reveling in their success, and the next, they are facing threats from the notorious Naples Mafia, tangled in clandestine Vatican politics, and dealing with the hidden agendas of their business associates.

Balter excels at creating a sense of urgency and danger. As Marty and Bo navigate the treacherous waters of art acquisition and mafia negotiations, the tension escalates to a fever pitch. The writing is sharp, and the pacing is relentless, making it hard to put down. The characters are well-developed, with Marty and Bo’s camaraderie shining through the darkness surrounding them. Their friendship is put to the test in unexpected ways, particularly when they confront their own past complications and face the threat of losing Natalya.

The introduction of the Naples Mafia and the Russian Vory elevates the stakes dramatically, turning their business venture into a personal mission for survival. Balter's portrayal of the criminal underbelly is vivid and authentic, adding depth to the backdrop of corruption and greed. As the plot twists and turns, readers will find themselves questioning the motives of each character, unsure of who can be trusted.

Balter does an admirable job of weaving together various narrative threads, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. Just when it seems like a resolution is within reach, new layers of betrayal reveal themselves, culminating in a climax that is both satisfying and shocking.

In *The Vatican Deal*, Michael Balter offers not just a thrilling ride through the world of art and crime but also a poignant exploration of loyalty and trust under pressure. Fans of *Chasing Money* will find this sequel to be every bit as engaging, while newcomers will be drawn in by its intricate plot and dynamic characters. This is a must-read for those who enjoy fast-paced, suspenseful stories that keep them on the edge of their seat. Balter has once again proven his skill in crafting a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

With a starting premise of the story Godfather 3 should have used in Rome and adding the dynamic of a dangerous love triangle and Russian gangsters. the book ran the risk of being "too busy"

Credit to the author for sticking the landing here. Coming out at the perfect time for a beach read I strongly recommend setting the trend, not waiting for someone else to finish their copy of the book that keeps flying off the shelves

This is the 2nd book in the series but it can be read as standalone.

I enjoyed it because of the plot being in Rome/Vatican, which is a plus points for me.

It is an action packed thriller based in Rome between two Mafia gang's that are fighting to have an art found in Italy. The Church was involved because it was the one who granted the sale due to a license that the Church had to make replica's of it.

The story is very engaging and fast paced. I definitely enjoyed it.

After enjoying the author's debut, Chasing Money, I looked forward to reading The Vatican Deal. It was not the fun novel that the debut was. The author switched much of the focus from Marty and Bo to a nebulous mafia/oligarch cast and I found unraveling that a bit of work. Rest assured, I finished the novel and can say that I enjoyed it, but my guess is that author Michael Balter has lots more to offer. Sophomore efforts are often found wanting, but the good authors move on and up. Let's see what Balter does next.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Vatican Deal is an action/adventure/thriller set in Rome, amongst the world of organized crime. At the heart of the story is a formerly floundering U.S. based company that was saved when taking on a business partner who is backed by an influential Russian oligarch with ties to the Russian mob. This company is offered the chance to purchase a foundry in Naples that reproduces the trove of priceless Italian art as well as the license for the reproductions and a coveted Vatican bank account. The oligarch badly wants this deal. They are hand-picked by the Vatican to be the company to purchase this valuable asset. What they later learn is that another Italian business wants it, too, a Napoli based family who runs the Italian mob in Southern Italy. After murder attempts, kidnappings, and outright deaths, the U.S. company gets the foundry, the license, and the bank account, but this transaction results in a mob war between rival Italian families vying for supremacy in the south.

Other subplots fill out the story, and Rome itself plays a big and beautiful role in the telling.

I love Italy—it’s history, art, architecture, language, and food—and my travels there made me eager to read this book. As one would expect given the setting, it is laden with the references and language of Italian culture, but it felt so heavy with it at times. I was torn over it, realizing that, of course, a book like this would have all of those references, but also feeling that these details bogged down the pacing of the story. I didn’t dislike the book, but felt I should mention how dense I found the text.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mission Point Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.