The Secret Supper

January 2, 2006
Set in the late 15th century, Sierra's first book translated into English revolves around a papal inquisitor's investigation into Leonardo da Vinci's alleged heresies and offers a new way of interpreting The Last Supper
. After receiving a series of cryptic messages from "the Soothsayer," who warns the 15th century church that "art can be employed as a weapon," the Secretariat of Keys of the Papal States dispatches Father Agostino Leyre on a twofold mission to Milan: identify the Soothsayer and discover what, if any, messages da Vinci is hiding in the painting. Leyre, who narrates, views the in-progress Last Supper
at the Santa Maria delle Grazie and becomes fascinated. He makes a series of sometimes muddled discoveries about the painting, leading up to his interpretation of the painting's true meaning (not revealed until the last line of the last page). Those not well versed in Catholic history may have trouble following the many subplots involving factionalism and dissent within the church. The combination of code breaking, secrecy, chicanery within the Catholic Church and a certain artist is by now a familiar one, but Sierra's book, already a bestseller in Europe, is a fresh contribution to the da Vinci industry.

Is the painting THE LAST SUPPER by Leonardo da Vinci what it appears to be, or is it filled with hidden codes and messages? A fifteenth-century Dominican Inquisitor sets out to learn the truth. Simon Jones's talent for developing clear and nuanced characterizations adds dimension to this complicated plot, wrapped in the history of secular and Church politics. His characters reflect the class and status distinctions that had great import within the Church at the time but which may not be otherwise obvious to listeners unfamiliar with Church hierarchy. Jones sets a strong, steady pace that keeps the plot moving. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine