The Dark Society

The Dark Society is the third book in the series Father Damien’s War. It follows, in order, Sanctuary and  Restitution.  This book continues the life of Father Damien in Florence, Italy after the conclusion of World War II. Father Damien resigns his position with the church after learning the Vatican’s involvement in the escape of war criminals through the rat lines established by Bishop Alois Hudal. Hudal had aided these war refugees in the acquisition of Red Cross Passports to foreign countries including Argentina. John Damien moves from Bergamo, Italy to join forces with Rodolfo Siviero, secret agent of the Servizio Informazioni Militare headquartered in Florence, Italy. Alcide De Gasperi, President of the Council of Ministers expands Rodolfo’s post war involvement in the government by appointing him as Minister Plenipotentiary.

Rodolfo accepts his appointment as an endorsement to his calling and immediately seeks to add his American allies to his list of associates which includes Sergeant Wayne Fritzmeyer and Corporal Glen Rothgeb. Rodolfo invites Sergeant Derrick Hodge and Corporal Charles Walker to join him in his newly endorsed mission as Minister Plenipotentiary to locate and acquire stolen art. Both Derrick Hodge and Charles Walker accept their appointments to the Ministry and arrive in Florence to begin their involvement in the hunt for plundered treasures across the globe.

John Damien as a member of the Ministry Plenipotentiary desires to expand their role of recovering looted art and artifacts to bringing war criminals to justice. His associates proclaim his intentions as “Father Damien’s War.”