Donna Woolfolk Cross has written an enjoyable novel around the disputed historical character Pope Joan, who was known in life as Pope John, and before that as a priest named John Anglicus. Though I did enjoy this story, I felt that the author invoked too many coincidences that made the story seem very unlikely. One of these coincidences occurs as the ending. Though it might have been a handy way to arrive at the inevitable denouement, it bothered me because this amazing sequence of events is too easy a conclusion for such a strong character as the Joan who was portrayed in these pages. I would also add that most of the characters were depicted in a black and white fashion--as evil as Anastasius, or as perfect as Gerod.

The author provides historical information as an afterward that I found quite interesting, and did much to promote the evidence of Pope Joan's existence. This was a very interesting read.

**I wish I still had my copy of The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, by Louise Erdich.