"The Thorn Birds" is a sweeping family saga that spans three generations of the Cleary family, set against the backdrop of the Australian outback. It focuses on the forbidden love between the beautiful Meggie Cleary and the family's priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart. The novel explores themes of love, religion, and ambition, as Meggie and Ralph struggle with their feelings for each other and the choices they must make.

In "The Devil's Advocate," a young priest named Blaise Meredith is tasked with investigating the life of a recently deceased man in order to determine his eligibility for sainthood. As he delves deeper into the man's past, Blaise uncovers a complex web of secrets, scandals, and personal struggles. Wrestling with his own doubts and desires, Blaise must confront the dark side of human nature and grapple with the question of whether true goodness can exist in a world filled with temptation and sin.