Javier Sierra, The Secret Supper

The Secret Supper

Javier Sierra

Atria, Mar 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 0743287649

In 1497, the "Soothsayer" warns the Papacy that art is the center of heresy and needs to be carefully monitored, and if necessary censored. Taking the warning seriously with the Renaissance flourishing at the Vatican's doorsteps, the Secretariat of Keys of the Papal States Pope Alexander VI sends Inquisitor Father Agostino Leyre to Milan to investigate the works of the growing popular Da Vinci for any heretic secret missives, and to uncover the identity of the Soothsayer.

Leyre quickly becomes enthralled with Da Vinci's current work in progress, the Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie. The priest sees the beauty in the not finished masterpiece, but also becomes somewhat alarmed, as he also believes the Soothsayer is right that Da Vinci has slipped in some secret codes with what he leaves out as much as he puts in, though the artist claims he had divine inspiration. To reveal what Leyre assumes is treacherous unorthodoxy means death of the artist as a heretic and destruction of the painting, but to not do so will place the Father at risk of abetting dissent towards the Church, especially if the Soothsayer sends messages.

THE SECRET SUPPER is a terrific thriller that uses the famous painting to tell the story behind the so-called Da Vinci code. The tale grips the audience, as the Inquisitor begins to interpret what he assumes are heresies, though he can see the beauty in the masterpiece. Adding depth to the fabulous Papacy vs. Leonardo plot is Javier Sierra's intriguing interpretation of The Last Supper. This novel is a tense historical masterpiece.