“The result is a thriller that intrigues and provides historical context. Berry is the master scientist with a perfect formula.” — Associated PressOne of USA Today’s “Five Books Not to Miss!”A deadly race for the Vatican’s oldest secret fuels New York Times bestseller Steve Berry’s latest international Cotton Malone thriller. The pope is dead. A conclave to select his replacement is about to … is dead. A conclave to select his replacement is about to begin. Cardinals are beginning to arrive at the Vatican, but one has fled Rome for Malta in search of a document that dates back to the 4th century and Constantine the Great.
Former Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is at Lake Como, Italy, on the trail of legendary letters between Winston Churchill and Benito Mussolini that disappeared in 1945 and could re-write history. But someone else seems to be after the same letters and, when Malone obtains then loses them, he’s plunged into a hunt that draws the attention of the legendary Knights of Malta.
The knights have existed for over nine hundred years, the only warrior-monks to survive into modern times. Now they are a global humanitarian organization, but within their ranks lurks trouble — the Secreti — an ancient sect intent on affecting the coming papal conclave. With the help of Magellan Billet agent Luke Daniels, Malone races the rogue cardinal, the knights, the Secreti, and the clock to find what has been lost for centuries. The final confrontation culminates behind the walls of the Vatican where the election of the next pope hangs in the balance.
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As usual, an intriguing story with lots of wonderful research!
Interesting story. Great action. Lots of historic detail.
in typical Berry manner the weaving of historical facts with mystery is spellbinding
Another great Cotton story!
I’ve read all Steve Berry’s books. I like that they’re packed with historical tidbits. It’s like an entertaining history lesson. He brings the places alive with his descriptions.
There is a lot of religious information in this one about the Knights of Malta, the corruption within the Catholic Church, the Cardinals, world leaders, Alexander’s gift, and secrets. His take on the Catholic Church is a well known belief.
The Cotton Malone and Luke Daniels characters play off each other and enhance the story.
There is plenty of mayhem, action and deaths…A good read.
(Plus, read by Scott Brick!!)
I love how the author mixes historical themes with his modern-day stories.
Whither Steve Berry? His books were once action-packed adventures in foreign lands. Somewhere in the series, the pages became more history lesson and less story. I skipped the last few books and came back to the writer with this tomb. If you want a pedantic history lesson (and many do, including my wife who loved this book), this is a great book. If you want a story about people doing things, making decisions, and saving lives, there are options… lots of options.
I liked it. Yes – there was a lot of history, but there always is with this series. I thought it was interesting because I had visited Malta a while back and was trying to remember if I had been to any of the places described in the book.
Too bad we did not see more of Cassiopeia. Maybe in the next one.
Im traveling to Rome and enjoyed the historical information regarding Malta and Rome while sustaining my interest in murder mysteries.
Steve Berry = History. All of his works provide little known (sometimes little desired facts) This work is not, in my view his best. However, that said, I would read his next
This book offers a history lesson, a few character studies and a wonderful glimpse of the island of Malta. It is a page turner filled with interesting historical and travel facts.
Classic Berry
A thrilling read filled with mystery and suspense.
The pope has died and a conclave in convening. But, one cardinal may change the course of history. An ancient sect, knights and secrets are all it takes to bring in Cotton Malone. Cotton is once again on the trail of a mystery. He is searching for letters written between Churchill and Mussolini during WWII. This opens a can of worms and leads to murder and mayhem.
I have been a fan of Steve Berry for quite a long time. His book The Amber Room still ranks as one of my all time favorites. However, his past couple of books have been lacking for me. As a matter of fact, I could not even finish the last one. This one, however, is a little better. Notice, I said “a little”. This book’s subject matter is much better because it is a religious mystery with a little bit of WWII sprinkled in. Plus, this one takes you all over Italy and that is a great historical setting. No one does historical research like Steve Berry. He has wonderful history in with action and intrigue. However, I am ready for Cotton to retire. Cotton does not have the allure for me as he did in the past. I feel now that all the books read the same.
After that being said….if you have never read Steve Berry, do not let this review stop you. He is a very good writer. I am just ready for something different.
I received this novel from Minotaur Books via Netgalley for a honest review.
It tends to get confusing switching from one plot line to another, but like all his books, it’s a page turner.
This was my first introduction to Cotton Malone (main character) and to Steve Berry’s writing. Berry provides plenty of well-timed backstory to ensure I didn’t ever feel like I missed the first novels in this series. I really enjoyed all the authentic references throughout the novel, and its very obviously well researched. Berry’s writing perfectly blurs the lines between fact and fiction, and I recommend this book at anyone who likes to wonder where reality stops and the writer’s imagination begin.
Steve Berry writes books that you cannot put down, you skip meals if you have to and you keep reading. This is one of those books. Better than “as good as it gets” this book is a sit and read and don’t stop, you can’t stop. It’s that good!
Every Steve Berry book has a fascinating bit of history mixed with unimaginable suspense. Don’t miss his newest.