A Thief in the Night: Life and Death in the Vatican

by John Cornwell

Book Overview

"A model of investigatory journalism and a small masterpiece of the genre."--Anthony Burgess On the eve of September 28, 1978, John Paul I died unexpectedly--apparently of a heart attack--after a reign of only 33 days. But within the Vatican there were serious disagreements about the time of death, who found the body, and the true state of the Pope's health prior to his death. These arguments led to rumors of foul play and conspiracy--variously involving...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141001836
• ISBN13: 9780141001838
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Read!

Being a Cathoic and paying particular attention to the short papacy of John Paul I, I was skeptical that there was more to be said. However Cornwell goes into great investigative depth, separating the theory from fact - and explaining each in extraordinarily interesting detail. His journalistic and religious backgrounds serve him well, but above all he's an excellent writer who knows how to make the details interesting.This book will give you tremendous insight into centuries old traditions blended with modern politics. It will strip away the "intrique" of John Paul's death and short papacy. Above all, it will be a very interesting and enjoyable read - highly recommended.

Great detective work

Cornwell does a superb job of cutting through the highly-charged murder theories to get to the bottom of this tragedy. This is a balanced, truthful view of the sometimes ridiculous paranoia that runs rampant in the Vatican. This is perhaps one of the best books on showing the inner workings of the Vatican, as well as being a definitive book on the short papacy of John Paul I. If you are a progressive Catholic, or one who is comfortable with the human foibles of the clergy, you'll really enjoy this book. Some Catholic reviewers have screamed "blashphemy" in the past, but truly there is nothing in this book that is sacriligeous.

Riveting real life murder mystery

This a true story investigating the death of Pope John Paul 1 who died, amidst a maze of contradictory reports about time and circumstances of death a mere 33 days after becoming pope. This is one of the most compelling mysteries I have ever read. I simply couldn't put it down. Along the way you receive a glimpse into the, to me, mysterious and unknown world of papal politics and diplomacy. How fortunate, that someone who can write so clearly and invitingly obtained access to the papal archives.For anyone with an interest in history, mystery, or the papacy, I cannot recommend this more strongly.

based on a true

this book is based on true history. john cornwell, david yallop, morgan witt-gordon went to the vatican to investigate the MURDER of John Paul I and the vatican mafia. Read history of the wordl PLease and do not be blind about the blood history of the catholic church. The blood can not be erased from the aplology of the church. What about the victims. Say sorry is not enough.

Investigative Journalism at its best - Highly recommended!

"A Thief in the Night" is the report by John Cornwell on his investigation of the sudden and unexpected death of Pope John Paul I, the "smiling Pope", in September 1978, only thirty-three days after his election, which shocked the world. In 1987, the author was invited by the Vatican to investigate and refute the allegations that the Pope had been assassinated by the Vatican establishment, which was said to be envious of his charisma and popularity. Embarking on his journey through the Vatican City to uncover the truth, the author encounters a highly secretive, closed society of men caracterized by greed, fear and negligence of the Pope's needs. As he digs deaper and deaper into this antique world of intrigue, misinformation and struggle for power, the author does not find proof for an assassination complott, but unearthes the tragedy of a sick and lonely man, who, left alone by the Vatican bureaucracy and with the unbearable burden of the leadership of an ancient institution with hundreds of millions of followers, dies a death caused by negligence and the lack of proper medical care. This masterpiece of investigative journalism reads like a criminal thriller and at the same time conveys deep insights into the inner workings of the secretive world of the Vatican. It is a book I would recommend warmly to all enthusiasts of great non-fiction.