Imprimatur (novel)

An imprimatur is, in the context of the historical thriller novel Imprimatur by Rita Monaldi and Francesco Sorti, a license to publish granted by the Catholic Church. More broadly, it refers to the official license granted by the Catholic Church (or other authority) allowing a book or other publication to be printed.

In Imprimatur, which is set in 17th-century Rome, the search for a hidden, powerful document and conspiracy is intertwined with the political maneuverings of the Church. The title, therefore, hints at the Church's power over information control and the secrets it attempts to protect. The plot revolves around deciphering a cipher and uncovering a plot that could destabilize the papacy. The novel delves into historical details, focusing on censorship and the struggles for power within the Vatican. The existence or absence of an imprimatur, therefore, becomes a key indicator of the authenticity and allowed circulation of certain documents within the story.