In 1682, a priest climbs a church tower in Cremona to watch for Halley's comet. 76 years later, a devil's advocate arrives in Cremona to investigate whether the priest is really worthy of canonisation. But just as the comet returns, echoes and ripples from Father Fabrizio's life start to eddy into that of the new arrival, and before long, despite his initial credo that "Mother Church cannot abide ambiguity", the devil's advocate is experiencing confusing thoughts and emotions...

The thing I liked best about this book was the descriptions of rain, from a light drizzle to a fog which is almost a physical presence. Other than that, I found the book fairly insubstantial. I didn't especially believe in the Jesuit's change in character - he steps out of his carriage a cynic and before long is troubled by even the flimsiest stories of miracles. I have nothing against magic in books, but this one didn't really work for me.

Sample sentence: My story pertains to deeply hidden truths that can burst forth, without warning, on a grey spring morning when the fields are heavy with fog. ( )