Intrigue, terrorism, history, art, and the secrets of the Church collide in a relentless page-turning thriller. "An elegant, twisty thriller in which a gay couple investigates a mysterious suicide in a scenic Italian hill town. It's not hard to imagine that this book could do for Orvieto what Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil did for Savannah." –Armistead Maupin, author of the internationally acclaimed Tales of the City An American couple in Italy investigate the suicide of a cleric in the picturesque Italian city of Orvieto―and find themselves plunged into a conspiracy that may destroy the Catholic Church. In the stunning thriller Upon This Rock , San Francisco business executive Lee Maury and his husband Adriano come to Orvieto to soak in the city's beauty and rich history, but Lee becomes fascinated with a local tragedy, the suicide one year earlier of Deacon Andrea, a much-loved candidate for the priesthood. Growing obsessed with learning the truth behind Andrea's death, Lee and Adriano stumble upon a conspiracy of terrorism, human trafficking, and a plot to destroy one of the Church's most sacred shrines―all somehow linked across 500 years to Renaissance Pope Clement VII, who escaped to Orvieto after the sack of Rome in 1527. Before they know it, Lee and Adriano's dream vacation becomes a race to save innocent lives―and not get killed in the process. "David Eugene Perry's Upon This Rock is a genre-blending mystery set in the hauntingly picturesque hill town of Orvieto, Italy. The novel follows Lee Maury, a gay American public relations expert, and his tech-savvy husband Adriano, as they embark on a sabbatical-turned-sleuthing adventure after a suspicious suicide shakes their temporary paradise. As their search for truth deepens, they are pulled into a centuries-spanning web of papal politics, religious secrets, and modern-day conspiracies—threads intricately woven through the ancient stones of the city itself. With alternating timelines, a chorus of colorful locals, and a fair amount of ecclesiastical intrigue, Perry's debut is part historical thriller, part romance, and part love letter to Orvieto. What struck me most was Perry's ability to balance wit and weight. The writing is often deliciously sharp, especially in dialogue, with characters like the irrepressible Peg and the mysterious La Donna Volsini stealing every scene they're in. The voice is personal and vivid. Perry writes as if he's chatting with an old friend. But what's impressive is how this breezy tone never undercuts the darker themes—grief, corruption, faith, and betrayal. Lee's mourning over his friend Brian and the ghosts of his Southern heritage give the novel an emotional anchor that elevates it beyond your average thriller. And the twisty plot, full of Vatican secrets and ancient rivalries, had me flipping pages like mad. It's a lot—sometimes almost too much—but the payoff is worth the sprawl. Some scenes felt like extended travel logs or culinary postcards, lovely in themselves but occasionally distracting from the central mystery. There are moments when exposition takes the driver's seat and slows the action. Still, Perry's commitment to craft shows through. This isn't a throwaway beach read. It's thoughtful, layered, and clearly born of deep research and deeper love. Upon This Rock is a satisfying, smart, and soulful read. It's perfect for fans of Dan Brown who wish Robert Langdon had better fashion sense and a husband, or for anyone who loves Italy, history, and a dose of spiritual mystery with their aperitivo. It's for readers who appreciate good writing, complex characters, and stories that unfold like cathedrals—beautiful, intricate, and full of hidden chambers." -- Literary Titan (Five Star Review) ☆☆☆☆☆. Pages: 404
ISBN: 0941936066 David Eugene Perry is the founder and CEO of the public relations firm David Perry & Associates, Inc. Perry is also the host/producer for the weekly LGBT TV show, 10 Percent , and a journalist who has contributed to several national publications. Perry and his husband make their home in San Francisco and Palm Springs. He stood on the cliff and prayed. Useless, he thought, to turn my thoughts to God. Behind him, the lights of Orvieto reflected in a million icy crystals. Snow had come early this year. It wasn't yet December. Below, the road would be deserted. He wondered who would find him. Someone would, of course, and for that he was sorry. What a horrible thing to see, to discover: the body of a reprobate, crushed against the rock and never to see forgiveness. Never to see the face of God. Never to see another sunrise. It should be beautiful, and he smiled. He had often come here to sit near the altar and wait for the dawn. Tomorrow, its rays would reach out to warm the city across a quilt of virginal frost. He had seen it before: prisms of color in the ice. Like a miracle it had seemed to him as a child. No more: no more dawns, no more rainbows, no more miracles.