Secrets, Frescoes, and a Thriller Built on Stone: Upon This Rock and the Legacy of Michelangelo
Secrets, Frescoes, and a Thriller Built on Stone: Upon This Rock and the Legacy of Michelangelo
What connects a mysterious death in modern-day Orvieto with a 16th-century papal conspiracy? In David Eugene Perry’s novel Upon This Rock, the answer lies buried beneath cathedrals, frescoes, and centuries of spiritual intrigue — the same artistic and religious legacy now on full display in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, in San Francisco through September 14.
Upon This Rock has been described by Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin as “an elegant twisty thriller about a couple who investigate a mysterious suicide.” Lambda Literary Award–winner Fenton Johnson calls it “the gay Da Vinci Code but a lot better.”
Now in a newly released second edition, the novel includes a map of Orvieto, a cast of characters, and updates. It’s also the subject of a screenplay adaptation currently being shopped.
Set in the stunning hilltop town of Orvieto, the story weaves together real history and fictional mystery, much of it inspired by the same forces that shaped the Sistine Chapel. The cover image comes from frescoes by Luca Signorelli in Orvieto’s Duomo — dramatic depictions of the Resurrection and Last Judgment that Michelangelo personally studied before beginning his own Last Judgment in the Vatican.
One of the novel’s most moving scenes — and one grounded in documented fact — takes place on the deathbed of Pope Clement VII. In Upon This Rock, Clement, a central figure, summons his childhood friend Michelangelo, whom he had grown up with in the house of Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence. There, in a deeply emotional moment, Clement commissions Michelangelo to paint a Resurrection scene for the Sistine Chapel — a final act of faith and artistry as the Church reels from the aftermath of the Sack of Rome. Tragically, Clement dies in 1534 before the work begins. His successor, Pope Paul III, honoring the commission but altering its meaning, changes the subject to The Last Judgment — the massive and iconic fresco that still dominates the Sistine Chapel’s altar wall.
“A richly atmospheric, genre-blending mystery that balances historical depth with modern intrigue… relatable humanity in a plot dense with papal history, ecclesiastical politics, and esoteric symbols. Perry deftly intertwines timelines (alternating between present-day Orvieto and the post–Sack of Rome papacy of Clement VII), offering readers a blend of rich history and contemporary suspense.”
— Kirkus Reviews, June 2025
“Upon This Rock is a satisfying, smart, and soulful read. It’s perfect for fans of Dan Brown who wish Robert Langdon had better fashion sense and a husband, or for anyone who loves Italy, history, and a dose of spiritual mystery with their aperitivo. It’s for readers who appreciate good writing, complex characters, and stories that unfold like cathedrals—beautiful, intricate, and full of hidden chambers.”
— Literary Titan, May 2025
Just as Upon This Rock uncovers the hidden politics behind religious art, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition invites you to experience that very art — at eye level. No crowds, no time limits, no neck strain. This powerful installation, produced by SEE™ Global Entertainment and Martin Biallas, presents full-scale reproductions of Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment frescoes, allowing visitors to appreciate every detail in a way the Vatican itself never could.
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Plan Your Visit:
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Free on-site parking (first come, first served)
June 21 – September 14, 2025
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:30am – 5:00pm
(Last entry at 3:30pm)
Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
Tickets start at:
$26 adults | $16 children
$18 students & military | Kids 4 and under: FREE
Wheelchair accessible | All ages welcome
Get tickets: chapelsistine.com/exhibits/san-francisco
This summer, walk among Michelangelo’s masterpieces in San Francisco — then follow the trail they inspire in Upon This Rock. Whether you start with the frescoes or the fiction, one thing is certain: the writing’s on the wall.