Oddsfish!

Set in the late 1600s, the story follows a well‑educated English gentleman who finds himself torn between the cloister and the world of courtly intrigue. When his abbot summons him to the Vatican, he is thrust into a secret audience with Pope Innocent XI, dressed in his finest secular attire and armed with only his wits. Amid the opulent halls of Rome and the whispered politics of the papal court, he must decide whether to serve the Church in a worldly role or pursue his own ambitions.

The narrative weaves meticulously researched history with a vivid, personal adventure, offering a glimpse of Whitehall, French estates, and the bustling streets of Rome. As the protagonist navigates linguistic barriers and delicate diplomacy, he discovers that appearances can be both armor and trap. The opening act promises a richly textured tale of loyalty, ambition, and the delicate dance between faith and power.