He gave everything to God — except the one truth he could never speak.
From international bestseller Glenn Cooper, author of The Library of the Dead and The Last Conclave, comes his most intimate novel yet — a literary Vatican thriller about secrecy, identity, and spiritual burden.
Anthony Budd is a quiet, reform-minded cardinal — young, devout, and untainted by scandal. When deadlock in the papal conclave threatens to fracture the Church, his name emerges as a compromise. He accepts the will of God with humility. But beneath his composure lies a secret he has carried for decades — a truth that could upend everything he believes, and everything the Church demands of him.
As Pope Innocent XIV, Budd must navigate the brutal realities of Vatican politics, the weight of his holy vows, and the quiet threat of blackmail from a voice in the shadows. Someone knows who he is. And they intend to destroy him.
Early Readers Applaud This Masterful Novel of Faith and Identity
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘This gripping drama focuses on the struggles of what makes us who we are... This novel explores how people's perceptions and bias can influence decisions that could change the face of the Catholic faith.’ –—NetGalley Review
★ ★ '' ★ ★ ‘The ending was a complete surprise, but it made sense and kept me thinking for days... The Silence of Flesh is a page-turner that will affect readers in different ways. A must read!’ –—NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘A very thought provoking story... After the election, his papacy takes a nasty turn and he has to deal with intolerance and back stabbing. The story's ending is very emotional.’ —NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘The Silence of Flesh offers a sleek, character-driven narrative about power, faith, and personal truth—it’s a sober, introspective Vatican drama.’ ''NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Another great Glenn Cooper book. The long conclave causes ripples amongst the cardinals, allegiances are made. The new pope has a secret and someone tries to blackmail him.’—NetGalley Review
The Silence of Flesh is a literary Vatican thriller — a story of conscience, secrecy, and spiritual tension for fans of character-driven suspense.
Genre: Literary Fiction
From international bestseller Glenn Cooper, author of The Library of the Dead and The Last Conclave, comes his most intimate novel yet — a literary Vatican thriller about secrecy, identity, and spiritual burden.
Anthony Budd is a quiet, reform-minded cardinal — young, devout, and untainted by scandal. When deadlock in the papal conclave threatens to fracture the Church, his name emerges as a compromise. He accepts the will of God with humility. But beneath his composure lies a secret he has carried for decades — a truth that could upend everything he believes, and everything the Church demands of him.
As Pope Innocent XIV, Budd must navigate the brutal realities of Vatican politics, the weight of his holy vows, and the quiet threat of blackmail from a voice in the shadows. Someone knows who he is. And they intend to destroy him.
Early Readers Applaud This Masterful Novel of Faith and Identity
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘This gripping drama focuses on the struggles of what makes us who we are... This novel explores how people's perceptions and bias can influence decisions that could change the face of the Catholic faith.’ –—NetGalley Review
★ ★ '' ★ ★ ‘The ending was a complete surprise, but it made sense and kept me thinking for days... The Silence of Flesh is a page-turner that will affect readers in different ways. A must read!’ –—NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘A very thought provoking story... After the election, his papacy takes a nasty turn and he has to deal with intolerance and back stabbing. The story's ending is very emotional.’ —NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘The Silence of Flesh offers a sleek, character-driven narrative about power, faith, and personal truth—it’s a sober, introspective Vatican drama.’ ''NetGalley Review
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Another great Glenn Cooper book. The long conclave causes ripples amongst the cardinals, allegiances are made. The new pope has a secret and someone tries to blackmail him.’—NetGalley Review
The Silence of Flesh is a literary Vatican thriller — a story of conscience, secrecy, and spiritual tension for fans of character-driven suspense.
Genre: Literary Fiction
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