The Amalfi Secret by Dean and Catherine Reineking
What if a personal tragedy led you to unravel a world-altering conspiracy?
Debut novel The Amalfi Secret by Dean and Catherine Reineking takes readers on a pulse-pounding chase through sun-drenched Italian locales and shadowy halls of power.
This mystery thriller opens on the picturesque Amalfi Coast, where Gabe Roslo meets up with his grandparents for a family vacation. It’s a heartfelt reunion after a year or so apart. Almost immediately, Gabe’s joy turns to grief and confusion as his beloved grandfather, John, dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances.
A set of initials left behind on a steamy mirror and a cryptic diary with missing pages — the first clues in a dangerous puzzle — suggest that John’s death was no accident. In fact, it soon becomes clear that John Roslo’s “vacation” in Italy was anything but leisurely — it was the beginning of a mission that now falls on Gabe’s shoulders.
Determined to seek the truth, Gabe teams up with Anna Castriotti, a resourceful young local from Rome. Together they follow a trail of coded messages and biblical references that stretches from tranquil Amalfi to the very heart of the Vatican. Secret codes, powerful enemies and long-buried deceptions pull them into a world where nothing is as it seems, and the stakes could not be higher.
History and Conspiracy Intertwined
The Reinekings waste no time immersing us in the intrigue. After the shock of his grandfather’s death, Gabe discovers clues pointing to an ancient rivalry between forces of good and evil operating in modern times. Why was his grandfather researching a forbidden 19th-century diary? Who wrote the letters “S.A.” in the mirror on the night of his death?
As Gabe and Anna dig deeper, they encounter a secret society entrenched in the highest echelons of power — a secretive faction operating in the shadows of the Vatican and bent on exploiting faith for a nefarious agenda.
The authors skillfully interweave real historical and religious context: for instance, Pope Leo XIII’s 1884 encyclical against Freemasonry is folded into the narrative, lending an air of authenticity to the conspiracy they unveil. Each clue Gabe deciphers leads to another, from hidden messages in scripture to fragments of his grandfather’s research.
The story strikes a fine balance between cerebral puzzle-solving and physical danger. One moment, they’re unraveling centuries-old prophecy in historic churches; the next, they’re dodging danger in the shadows of Rome’s ancient streets.
The pacing is brisk yet measured — the book doesn’t rush through its revelations, allowing the reader to piece together the mystery alongside the protagonists. And with each step forward, the scope of The Amalfi Secret broadens: what begins as one family’s loss soon unfolds into a threat with global repercussions.
Thematically, The Amalfi Secret explores the age-old battle between truth and deception. The novel has a clear moral compass rooted in faith: it delves into biblical prophecy and church history, yet it remains accessible to any reader who enjoys thought-provoking suspense. The Reinekings handle the religious elements with care — informative but not preachy.
As Gabe learns about Revelation’s symbolism and the disturbing ways a modern cult is misusing it, we too get a crash course in some eye-opening theology and conspiracy lore. The tone is one of urgent suspense mixed with a hopeful undercurrent; like a Robert Ludlum thriller blended with The Da Vinci Code, the story suggests that even in darkness, light persists. It’s a message likely to resonate with readers who crave meaning in their page-turners.
Characters with Chemistry, Richly Drawn Settings
Gabe is an immediately sympathetic protagonist — an everyman with unique skills (he’s an avid mountain climber and outdoorsman) but no super-spy training. That makes his evolution over the course of the novel both believable and gratifying. He starts off simply as a dutiful grandson navigating Italian customs and funeral arrangements, but as clues emerge, Gabe rises to the occasion with courage and heart.
Anna shines as Gabe’s quick-thinking partner. A native Roman familiar with the city’s secrets, she is fearless and knowledgeable, often one step ahead in decoding religious symbolism.
The partnership between Gabe and Anna is one of the book’s delights — there’s a spark of chemistry and mutual respect that never distracts from the mission at hand. Their banter and camaraderie provide glimmers of hope and even humor in an otherwise intense narrative.
If you love books that transport you to new places, The Amalfi Secret delivers a feast for the senses. The authors bring the Amalfi Coast and Rome vividly to life.
From scenic overlooks nestled in the cliffs of Amalfi to the labyrinthine alleys of the Eternal City, the setting is rendered in immersive imagery. You can almost taste the olive oil and hear the church bells. This rich sense of place serves as more than just a backdrop; the history and beauty of Italy mirror the novel’s themes of timeless truth versus hidden corruption.
A Spiritual Mystery
The authors’ background research shines through in the authenticity of detail, from papal history to the inner workings of Freemasonry. The narrative occasionally pauses to delve into theological discussion or historical exposition, but these moments enrich the story, providing context that makes the payoff more satisfying.
And rest assured, the payoff is big: the finale ties together the clues in a clever way that should surprise even veteran thriller readers. The tone is consistently suspenseful, with a sincere spiritual heartbeat that sets The Amalfi Secret apart from more cynical thrillers. You get the sense that the authors truly care about the values of family, faith and truth — and that gives the book an uplifting quality even as dark secrets unfold.
The Amalfi Secret is a fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller that will appeal to fans of Dan Brown or Joel Rosenberg, or anyone who enjoys a mix of history, mystery and faith in their fiction. It offers the armchair adventure of exploring Italy’s most beautiful vistas while also challenging the reader with big ideas about power and belief.
Without ever going negative or preachy, the Reinekings have crafted a story that celebrates the “light” fighting against the “darkness” — a theme as old as time, yet delivered here with fresh urgency and heart. The Amalfi Secret is intellectually engaging, spiritually resonant and above all, a whole lot of fun to read. It’s an exciting debut that proves one truth emphatically: a great story, well told, is its own kind of revelation.
About the Author:
Dean and his wife, Catherine, authored their debut suspense thriller, The Amalfi Secret. They love to travel and toured Italy’s Amalfi Coast while writing the story.
They are avid bicycle riders. In 2019, they rode 1000 miles around Lake Michigan in 16 days, including a stop on bike-friendly Mackinac Island. Dean previously did a 1725-mile solo journey from Mexico to Canada over 22 days.
Dean loves history, particularly 20th-century history. He’s also studied ancient biblical prophecies extensively. These interests converge in the story along with their implications for the modern world.
He and his family own a small resort near Glacier National Park, Montana, where they host guests throughout the summer months. The Ridge at Glacier is located in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Dean has retired from a finance career. Catherine is a retired teacher who taught creative writing. They now spend their time writing, traveling, bike riding and enjoying family.
Publish Date: 10/7/2025
Genre: Fiction, Thrillers
Author: Dean and Catherine Reineking
Page Count: 334 pages
Publisher: Stonebrook Publishing
ISBN: 9781955711371