THE GLOBAL THRILLER PHENOMENON
White
Smoke
of God.The Heist
of the Century.
A page-turning heist thriller set among a group of duplicitous conmen and thieves who are determined to steal the Vatican’s most remarkable treasures.
Pre-order now Read about the bookSoon to be a major TV show starring Benedict Cumberbatch
Produced by A24 UK. Published in more than thirty languages.
When ageing conman Nikola Camilleri is hired to rob the Vatican, he thinks it’s the perfect final score.
Funded by the mysterious criminal mastermind Dante, Nikola assembles a team of old cons and new, and starts to lay the groundwork for the heist of a lifetime. The plan: break into both the Vatican Secret Archives and the Treasury of St Peter’s Basilica, and walk out with enough priceless items to keep them living in luxury forever. But as the pieces fall into place, Nikola suspects that the elusive Dante might have something more than theft on his mind.
Then the Pope dies.
Suddenly, unexpectedly – and the Catholic world is plunged into mourning. Hundreds of Cardinals, their associated security and staff, and millions of tourists descend on the city-state as the Vatican enters conclave.
Undeterred, the team push ahead, hoping to use the chaos to slip between the gaps. They impersonate clergy, steal ancient keys, and sneak through old smuggling tunnels that haven’t seen human tread since the Renaissance.
But Nikola doesn’t know that Dante has no intention of letting anyone escape.
That the heist is just the beginning.
That the real target isn’t treasure – it’s the very institution of the Papacy itself.
‘One of the most purely pleasurable reading experiences I’ve had for a long time.’
The Telegraph
‘A superb heist thriller that entwines the sacred and the secret to incredible effect.’
David GoodmanMulti-award-winning author of A Reluctant Spy
‘Exquisitely plotted, whip-smart and absolutely satisfying.’
Gareth BrownInternationally bestselling author of The Book of Doors
‘Conclave meets Ocean’s Eleven – White Smoke is a wonderfully tense heist thriller and a propulsive read.’
Tariq AshkananiAward-winning author of The Midnight King
Pre-order White Smoke
UK edition published by Zaffre.
US edition published by Dutton.