Introduction

While concluding a European vacation with his girlfriend, Kathleen, Jake Travis is given an assignment. Kill an international assassin who targets the loved ones of Special Ops personnel. The assassin is known to dress as a cardinal and take contemplative strolls in Kensington Gardens. Jake completes his task and he and Kathleen return to Florida where she learns that he "clipped the wrong bird." Jake had murdered a popular and progressive cardinal. Jake must now track down a woman who can lead him to the real killer before he strikes again. Kathleen recoils from their relationship upon Jake's confession of his fateful act, leaving him to agonize whether or not he's lost her for good. Meanwhile, Jake is obsessed with his stuggle to answer the central question he desperately needs to resolve; why did the cardinal use Jake to end his life? "A cinematic tale…the prose is confident and clear, and the pacing smooth and compelling…another entertaining mystery from Lane--possibly his best yet." Kirkus Reviews

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Excerpt

Chapter 8

Jake tells Kathleen that he has killed a real cardinal.


“Where would you like to go?” Kathleen called out from her bedroom.
She was in the final stages of prepping herself—as was I. I was into my second straight up Irish whiskey—Jameson Black Barrel. We’d adopted the drink in London. Even took a bottle in a cab and…had a jolly good time. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

How much blame for Elizabeth Masterson's suicide do you attribute to Elizabeth versus Cardinal Giovanni Antinori?

Jake sensed something wasn't right before pulling the trigger;what do you think of his decision?

"The Cardinal's Sin" deals with the impact of words; discuss the effect words had on Kathleen, Elizabeth, and Rondo Vizcarrondo. What effect do you think Jake's words had on Cynthia Richardson in the last chapter?

What scene serves as the comic relief for the novel and how does it advance the plot?

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