Deadline Rome: The Vatican Kylix by Sari Gilbert is an interesting tale with a fascinating setting, a twisty plot, and believable characters. Clare Phillips is a freelance journalist whose career is not moving in the direction she wants. She has a background in archaeology, and when she visits an Etruscan tomb with Daniel, a young American priest, friend, and heartthrob, they discover a severed body part, indicating something foul: a kidnapping, probably. Clare sees an opportunity to take a break in her career, and using the clues left behind, she follows the trail directly to the people responsible for the crime. But it puts her life in danger, and soon, she finds herself embroiled in a deadly plot with greedy and unscrupulous characters like the Christian Democratic politician and the Argentinian archbishop with ties to the mafia. Can she unravel the mystery while staying safe?

A beguiling tale with a well-drawn setting in the 1980s, Deadline Rome: The Vatican Kylix features multidimensional characters, and readers will adore the way the author writes about them. Clare is a beautiful young woman, strong-willed, and determined. It is interesting how she coerces the priest to follow her on her quest. Her intimate life is intelligently written, and it enriches characterization, giving her a deeper layer of appreciation as a flawed character. The kylix becomes a core element in the narrative: a symbol of power that is coveted by many. Sari Gilbert is a great storyteller who grabs readers' attention through the beautiful prose and a premise that is compelling and keeps them turning the pages, thanks to the creative plot points, the fascinating setting with well-written locales, and suspense that permeates the entire narrative.

Deadline Rome: The Vatican Kylix by Sari Gilbert is a mystery/thriller novel with a fantastic protagonist and a kick-ass plotline. When Clare and her priest friend come across severed body parts in an Etruscan tomb, they know they have bitten off more than they can chew. Clare, who is a freelance journalist, goes to attend a press conference held by the Vatican’s Etruscan Museum for their newly purchased antique Greek wine cup (kylix) painted by Euphronius. However, Clare finds out that the purchase might be a hoax, and she takes that as her cue to investigate the authenticity of the kylix. The deeper she digs, the more intrigued she becomes. Clare has no idea she is about to sink knee-deep into a dangerous money laundering scheme that may be above her pay grade. But Clare is not a quitter, and she is not going to run. She will get to the bottom of this, even if it puts her life in danger.

Readers, get ready to be transported to Italy. The descriptions and imagery are mesmerizing, they are so realistic that I could taste the food Clare was eating and experience what she was experiencing. Clare and Daniel have a strange yet very endearing relationship. Clare is borderline flirting with the poor priest at times, and he has no idea what he should do. The element of mystery is perfection! The author brings a sense of foreboding to the plot with the narrative and keeps the attention of readers bound to the story. I am surprised by how well-connected all the plot points are. Clare is a smart protagonist, but Sari Gilbert is a smarter writer. Sari is a magician with words, and she knows just how to bend and mold Deadline Rome to make it even more fabulous.