‘This 5-star thriller is a non-stop action-packed adventure... Reads like the latest blockbuster film... I was left breathless, my heart pounding as I turned the last page’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You’ve cracked the Da Vinci code, now uncover the Vatican secret...

The enduring heart of Roman Catholicism for over 1500 years, the Vatican is both a physical and a spiritual place. It is also the world’s smallest sovereign state–covering a mere square kilometer of land within Rome. But within that small area is a region rich in secrets, conspiracies, and intrigue. SECRETS OF THE VATICAN flings open the Vatican’s doors to reveal the hub of one of the world’s most powerful organizations. The book profiles the Vatican’s political status as Europe’s last absolute dominion and its unique independence: Vatican City boasts its own citizenship, flap, postage stamp, mercenary security force, diplomatic corps, and cash machines that offer the Vatican Bank’s services–in Latin. The book also reveals how this tiny country runs its business from year to year–and why Vatican City has the highest crime rate per capita of any nation in the world. The Vatican is the spiritual focus for the world’s one billion Catholics; it is also the focus of many less-than-spiritual conspiracy theories, ranging from allegations of press censorship, racketeering, and money-laundering to outright murder. SECRETS OF THE VATICAN examines the evidence behind these allegations and draws its own conclusions as to the Papacy’s continuing influence in the world.

95% Positive rating on Goodreads!The latest novel in Francis Joseph Smith's beloved Amazon bestselling James Dieter series.During the opening months of World War II Vatican agents sought the ultimate revenge against Nazi senior leaders, stealing steal the eighth wonder of the world -- from under the very nose of Adolf Hitler.'Their theft succeeded beyond their wildest expectations -- or so they thought.Now their 80-year-old secret is in danger of unraveling and some very powerful and ruthless people will do whatever it takes to keep their secret buried. Now begins the ultimate game of cat and mouse.In this fast-paced gripping thriller, Hezbollah, Mossad, The Vatican, and MI-6 are all desperately hunting for James Dieter (retired Navy SEAL), and his wife, Nora (investigative journalist), as they race across Europe and the Middle-East seeking to unravel the secrets to find -- The Vatican's Final Secret.This novel is a follow-on to the Amazon best-selling The Vatican's Last Secret (James Dieter Book 1)."Perfect for fans of Baldacci, Clancy, Flynn, Ludlum, Brown, Higgins, Berry, and Cussler." Goodreads.Also, The Devil's Suitcase was released in April 2018.

There is a nuclear weapon in the hands of the Vatican City's deadliest enemy. And time is running out to stop an attack... Marco Venetti, the only man the pope trusts, has tracked down the traitor who nearly succeeded in his mission to kill the pope. But the traitor holds a crucial piece of information: the name of the Russian mafioso in possession of a nuclear bomb. Forced to work with a man he despises to prevent a deadly explosion, Marco sets a trap for the Russians. Inside the stone walls of an ancient castle in Portugal, surrounded by high mountains, he waits to ambush his target. But a double-cross ruins everything and he must flee, alone and without backup, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind. All Marco knows is that the attack is imminent. And that to prevent it, he must enter a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that will take him across the continent, on land and by sea. With time running out, he will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. Because the secrets inside the Vatican may be the deadliest threat of all... The Vatican Secret is an explosive thriller full of treachery, international conspiracy and non-stop action. Fans of Joel C. Rosenberg, Tom Clancy and Steven Konkoly will be completely gripped. Praise for Peter Hogenkamp: "Wow... So many twists and turns that keep you guessing... Captures your attention and doesn't let go till the end." TB Honest, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Grabs you on the first page and is powered by non-stop action and a taut, emotional narrative... A real page-turner!" Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Fast-paced action-packed... Nail-biting tension... I really enjoyed reading and would definitely recommend." NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Vatican's Deadly Secret (James Dieter Book 2)What ties together a future US President, missing rail cars containing $350 million dollars in stolen Nazi gold bullion, and Vatican Bank accounts that contain large sums of money stolen during World War II?In this fast-paced Thriller, Jim Dieter (retired Navy SEAL), his wife, Nora (investigative journalist), and his best friend, Dan Flaherty (ex-IRA) are about to find out as they battle to stay alive in - The Vatican's Deadly Secret.This novel is a follow-on to the Amazon best-selling The Vatican's Last Secret (James Dieter Book 1).

During the closing days of WWII, senior Nazi party and Vatican officials plotted the most brazen robbery of all time. In this fast-paced Thriller, Hans Dieter is a well-known philanthropist with a dark past. From his deathbed, he has one last story to relay to his son, Jim Dieter (retired Navy SEAL) and his best friend, Dan Flaherty, about the role he played in a robbery involving top Nazi and Vatican officials. A robbery that for over 70 years, The Vatican has killed to keep its secret buried. Now a deadly game of cat and mouse quickly ensues across the globe involving The Vatican, MI-6 and Interpol, all hot on the trail of Jim and Dan as they search to discover-The Vatican's Last Secret.