Milan, 1497. Leonardo is completing his painting, The Last Supper. Pope Alexander VI is determined to execute him after realizing that the painting contains clues to a baffling and blasphemous message that he is driven to decode. The Holy Grail and the Eucharistic Bread are missing, there is no meat on the table, and the apostles, shockingly, are portraits of well-known heretics—and none of them are depicted with halos. And why has the artist painted himself into the scene with his back turned toward Jesus? The clues to Leonardo's greatest puzzle are right before your eyes.
Full of misleading facts and controversies, The Secret Supper reveals the truth behind Da Vinci's best-known Christian piece. After finishing the novel, you'll never see The Last Supper in the same way again.
Download and start listening now!
"I got really into the whole DaVinci Code thing. This book went in a similar direction, and was really slow. There was actually no real action to speak of in this, no deception or murder really (well, there was, but not on a DaVinci Code level), but it was great, I would recommend it to anyone who is into the whole religious conspiracy/holy grail protector group thing."
— Ross (4 out of 5 stars)
“For fans of religious conspiracy and reinterpretations of religious history.”
— Washington Post“A most satisfying entertainment…The monastic life has not been depicted as vividly by any novelist since Umberto Eco’s bestselling Name of the Rose.”
— Daily News (New York)“Offers a new way of interpreting The Last Supper…[and] a fresh contribution to the da Vinci industry.
— Publishers Weekly“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.”
— AudioFile“No mere Da Vinci Code redux, this Spanish bestseller fuses an ecclesiastical whodunit with an A-Z guide to Neoplatonist philosophy and Renaissance symbology…Sierra is a more sophisticated writer than Dan Brown, and he offers fresh perspective on the Renaissance mind.”
— Kirkus Reviews" This is a real sleeper. The main character seems to ramble in his account, but the twist is fun and the information presented is thought provoking. "
— Cynthia, 2/20/2014" an Italian attempt at the DaVinci Code...weak, but good "
— Jeremy, 2/17/2014" Leonardo Da Vinci paints himself into his latest painting and an inquisitor from Rome must unravel the secret. Complicated story but very interesting and enlightening about the Catholic repressors. "
— Rhodora, 2/17/2014" I love a good conspiracy theory and this novel didn't disappoint! This is a beautifully written and thought provoking novel concerning Da Vinci's Last Supper and it is obvious that the author has done his homework. Is there really a message hidden in the Last Supper? I don't really know, but it is a lot of fun to speculate! "
— Eve, 2/5/2014" This was a different look at the whole DaVinci "The Last Supper" conspiracy. This one takes place at the time DaVinci is painting the fresco and deals with politics and Church of the time. "
— Reena, 2/1/2014" Yet another interpretation of da Vinci's Last Supper. With riddles in Latin! "
— Judith, 1/20/2014" To be honest, I had trouble following what was going on plot-wise at times. I made it through the book so I wouldn't have to pick it up again. "
— Kristi, 1/18/2014" This was an interesting book. It wasn't a huge literary accomplishment, but it was entertaining. Much like DaVinci Code, so if you liked that, you would probably enjoy this. There isn't as much adventure, though. "
— Carolyn, 12/3/2013" Another DaVinci religious mystery. It did hold my interest. "
— WK, 11/15/2013" So far, its hard to get into.... "
— Shilpa, 10/4/2013" Great plot, could have been a super read, a bit of a meander though. "
— Leanne, 9/7/2013" Disappointing, kind of like DiVinci Code but not nearly as good "
— Dick, 9/4/2013" I was hoping for The DaVinci Code....not even close "
— Tanya, 8/31/2013" I really enjoyed this book! As a catholic there was so much religious intrigue that was fascinating to think about, even as a work of fiction! "
— Cathy, 6/9/2013" I was really looking forward to reading this book. But the style of writing, for me, was too choppy and too hard to get into. Sad to say, I didn't finish. "
— Gayle, 9/22/2012" The book was predictable. I liked it, though--easy read. "
— Wendy, 7/3/2012" A fascinating story! "
— Sarahb., 5/3/2012" an interesting and intriguing look at the profiles of the models used in the painting...all alleged to be heretics "
— REDD, 4/29/2012" Maybe it was because the audio book was abridged but I was kind of disappointed. Some parts were really intriguing and made me want to do further research but some parts were deathly boring. "
— Devon, 4/13/2012" I felt this book was very good with a suprising ending I strongly recommend it for someone that likes historical thrillers with a puzzle to figure out. "
— Lisette, 11/9/2011" A very good Da Vinci Code style read. "
— James, 8/4/2011" Great plot, could have been a super read, a bit of a meander though. "
— Leanne, 5/18/2011" Loved this one. Excellent translation and made DaVinci Code look lamely researched. "
— Jacque, 5/17/2011" Strains of Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" are played throughout this book. One could say it is a combination between the thinking man's Dan Brown and the common man's Eco. If you like a more cerebral mystery set against a (fairly accurate) historical backdrop, check this one out. "
— Jennifer, 4/7/2011" The story of Leonardo DaVinci's Last supper as an image of a heretical (to the Vatican) religion based on the Agnostic gospels. Great plot told by a thoughtful, consciencious Inquisitor with character of all things. I learned a lot about this famous painting. "
— Mom, 4/1/2011" entah terjemahannya yang kurang enak, atau gw yg lemot baca ini yah ?? gak terlalu mudeng soalnya. Masih enakan dan brown atau ressurection, misteri kain kafan yesus dll nya... "
— Indira, 3/31/2011" This is a fantastic read! It was hard to set down because it was so intriguing. The storyline is smooth and well-developed! I would recommend this to people who are interested in historical fiction that likes to solve puzzles. "
— Eleanor, 3/21/2011" I listen to this on CD and I think it will be one of the ones I will go back and read because there is so much history that I had a hard time not wanting to look up facts as the story went along. "
— Krista, 3/16/2011" I really enjoy historical fiction because it makes you look at at art or idea's or knowledge from a new angle. It put's history in context. This story was well told and engaging. "
— Liz, 3/3/2011" Ottimo <br/>Non è lo scopiazzamento del Codice da Vinci. Lavora bene Sierra che si rifà molto alla storia. Meno fantasy più realtà , una lettura che appassiona e quindi consiglio di comprarlo o farselo prestare. "
— Nilo, 2/3/2011" I enjoyed this book not what i was expecting or had in mind but it was ok "
— Valerie, 1/30/2011" .. nicely written and easy to follow ... a good read .. and interesting thoughts "
— Dan, 1/8/2011" Strains of Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" are played throughout this book. One could say it is a combination between the thinking man's Dan Brown and the common man's Eco. If you like a more cerebral mystery set against a (fairly accurate) historical backdrop, check this one out. "
— Aaron, 12/26/2010" I liked this book better than the lady in blue. I think it helped that all of the characters were of the same time period so the relationships between the characters were more apparent and more engrossing. It was like reading a Dan Brown book, but this was taking place during the time period. "
— Carina, 12/14/2010Javier Sierra is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Secret Supper and Lady in Blue. He is extremely well known in his native Spain and has contributed frequently to both radio and television broadcasts. A native of Teruel, Spain, Sierra currently lives in Madrid.