THE VIVALDI CIPHER
by Gary McAvoy
May 4 – 29, 2026 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVE THRILLER SERIES
During the election of a new Pope in the mid-18th century, famed violinist Antonio Vivaldi learns of a ring of art forgers who are replacing the Vatican’s priceless treasures with expertly-painted fakes. Desperate, the composer hides a message in a special melody, hoping someone, someday, will take down the culprits . . .
Nearly three hundred years later, the confession of a dying Mafia Don alerts a Venetian priest to a wealth of forged paintings in the Vatican Museum, and the key to their identities lies hidden in a puzzling piece of music. Father Michael Dominic, prefect of the Secret Archives, investigates, and is mystified when he finds a cipher in an old composition from Vivaldi. Desperate to stop this centuries-long conspiracy, he calls on fellow sleuth Hana Sinclair and Dr. Livia Gallo, a music cryptologist, to help him crack the code and learn the truth.
But the Camorra, a centuries-old Italian Mafia clan, won’t stand by while some interfering priest ruins their most lucrative operation. Along with a French commando and two valiant Swiss Guards, Dominic explores the dark canals and grand palazzos of Venice to uncover the evidence he needs to stop the sinister plot. Can he unearth it in time, or will the Church’s most valuable artworks fall prey to this massive conspiracy?
Praise for The Vivaldi Cipher:
“McAvoy’s plot melds art, music, and ciphers into a century-spanning, edge-of-your-seat heist. Historic and modern clues meld together perfectly, and the complex workings of church and mob hierarchies combined with character relationships elevate the story. McAvoy’s prose is both clear and direct, serving the story well. Clever dialogue and unique character voices make the novel shine even brighter.”
~ The BookLife Prize
“…[The Vivaldi Cipher] is gripping and hugely interesting, and the intrigue lies in the intelligent mystery of the cipher hidden in an unusual musical composition by former priest Antonio Vivaldi.”
~ MJV Literary UK
“McAvoy concocts a wonderful thriller with a powerful narrative push that is like few books I have seen before. Short chapters and clipped dialogue keep the reader pushing ahead, fueled by a plot that is full of twists at every turn. I could not stop reading and found myself bingeing just to get through this book, more out of addiction to the story than anything else.”
~ Matt Pechey, Reedsy Discovery
Book Details:
Genre: Suspense, Suspense Thrillers, Historical Thriller
Published by: Literati Editions
Publication Date: August 16, 2021
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 9781954123076 (ISBN10: 1954123078)
Series: Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers, Book 1 | Learn More: Amazon | Goodreads
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Audible
Author Bio:
Gary McAvoy is an American novelist known for internationally bestselling thrillers that blend historical intrigue, religious scholarship, and modern suspense. A lifelong researcher of rare manuscripts and Church history, he draws on extensive archival study to craft narratives rooted in authentic detail. His work includes the Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers, the Magdalene Chronicles, and the Vatican Archaeology Thrillers. Before turning to fiction, McAvoy built a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, technology consultant, and collector of historical documents. He now writes full time from the Pacific Northwest, where he continues to explore the shadowed crossroads of faith, power, and history.
Catch Up With Gary McAvoy:
GaryMcAvoy.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @garymcavoy
BookBub – @garymcavoy
Instagram – @gary_mcavoy
X – @GaryMcAvoy
Facebook – @GaryMcAvoyAuthor
Tour Participants:
Tour Host Info:
Book Formats: ePub, Print, Audiobook
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the author The Vivaldi Cipher is considered to be PG-level content or less. Readers may still encounter potentially sensitive material. If you have specific trigger or content concerns, please contact Partners in Crime Tours directly for more detailed information.
