The Second Sleep: A novel

From the New York Times bestselling author of Conclave, and Dictator: an unexplained death beckons a young priest into a world of forbidden knowledge in this medieval thriller that’s “as rich in ideas as it is in suspense” (The Wall Street Journal).

“One word: wonderful. Two words: compulsive reading.” —Stephen King

1468. When a local parson of a remote village dies under mysterious circumstances, Christopher Fairfax, a young English priest, is dispatched on horseback from the cathedral city to conduct the burial. His orders are to give the sermon and leave as quickly as possible. But when he arrives in this distant hamlet, haunting questions arise. Why did the parson possess heretical texts? How did he come to own banned ancient relics? Did these possessions lead to his death?

Until this moment, Fairfax has never known doubt. His faith in the Church and its teachings has always been unquestioning. But over the next six days, everything he believes—about his faith and the very history of the world—will be tested.