Inspector Thierry Dulac of Interpol was on vacation in the Canadian Rockies when a helicopter alights nearby; he is needed urgently in Rome. Pope Clement XXI has suffered a heart attack, and while on his way to hospital he is kidnapped along with his personal physician. After some investigating, it is discovered that the Pope's illness was drug-induced; it looks like an inside job as it seems the kidnappers were familiar with the layout and goings- on of the Vatican. The authorities and the Vatican try as long as they can to hide the devastating news, but a newspaper eventually breaks the story. There are attacks against non-Catholic groups who are blamed for the incident. Then the Vatican is asked for a huge ransom or else the Pontiff will be "destroyed"...

THE CHIMERA SANCTION is a race against the clock and around the world in order to find the Pope and avoid a disaster of epic proportion for the Catholic Church. In a game of cat and mouse, where religious resentment that stems from the Middle Ages and secrets dating to WWII resurface, allies cannot always be trusted and help comes from the most unexpected sources. Some might want to compare THE CHIMERA SANCTION to Dan Brown's work, but I disagree, even though the premise revolves around secrets buried by the Catholic Church, the resemblance stops there.

I found Mr. Baby's knowledge of Vatican politics and religious dogma particularly impressive. I also liked the author's attention to detail, whether regarding landscapes or the internal workings of Interpol, and I really felt I was in the Vatican. However I thought it fell a bit short as to Inspector Dulac's character development, whereas it wasn't a problem with the most of the other characters, which were very rich and quite interesting. THE CHIMERA SANCTION is fast-paced, action- packed, and surprisingly not very violent, and until the conclusion I really didn't know how everything would turn out. Well done!