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Cotton Malone #9
The Lincoln Myth
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Steve Berry returns with his latest thriller, a Cotton Malone adventure involving a flaw in the United States Constitution, a mystery about Abraham Lincoln, and a political issue that’s as explosive as it is timely—not only in Malone’s world, but in ours.
September 1861: All is not as it seems. With these cryptic words, a shocking secret passed down from president to president comes to rest in the hands of Abraham Lincoln. And as the first bloody clashes of the Civil War unfold, Lincoln alone must decide how best to use this volatile knowledge: save thousands of American lives, or keep the young nation from being torn apart forever?
The present: In Utah, the fabled remains of Mormon pioneers whose nineteenth-century expedition across the desert met with a murderous end have been uncovered. In Washington, D.C., the official investigation of an international entrepreneur, an elder in the Mormon church, has sparked a political battle between the White House and a powerful United States senator. In Denmark, a Justice Department agent, missing in action, has fallen into the hands of a dangerous zealot—a man driven by divine visions to make a prophet’s words reality. And in a matter of a few short hours, Cotton Malone has gone from quietly selling books at his shop in Denmark to dodging bullets in a high-speed boat chase.
All it takes is a phone call from his former boss in Washington, and suddenly the ex-agent is racing to rescue an informant carrying critical intelligence. It’s just the kind of perilous business that Malone has been trying to leave behind, ever since he retired from the Justice Department. But once he draws enemy blood, Malone is plunged into a deadly conflict—a constitutional war secretly set in motion more than two hundred years ago by America’s Founding Fathers.
From the streets of Copenhagen to the catacombs of Salzburg to the rugged mountains of Utah, the grim specter of the Civil War looms as a dangerous conspiracy gathers power. Malone risks life, liberty, and his greatest love in a race for the truth about Abraham Lincoln—while the fate of the United States of America hangs in the balance.
Praise for Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series
“In Malone, [Steve] Berry has created a classic, complex hero.”—USA Today
“Malone, a hero with a personal stake in the proceedings, is a welcome respite from the cold, calculating superspies who litter the genre.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Steve Berry gets better and better with each new book.”—The Huffington Post
“Savvy readers . . . cannot go wrong with Cotton Malone.”—Library Journal
“Berry raises this genre’s stakes.”—The New York Times
“I love this guy.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child
From the Hardcover edition.
Steve Berry returns with his latest thriller, a Cotton Malone adventure involving a flaw in the United States Constitution, a mystery about Abraham Lincoln, and a political issue that’s as explosive as it is timely—not only in Malone’s world, but in ours.
September 1861: All is not as it seems. With these cryptic words, a shocking secret passed down from president to president comes to rest in the hands of Abraham Lincoln. And as the first bloody clashes of the Civil War unfold, Lincoln alone must decide how best to use this volatile knowledge: save thousands of American lives, or keep the young nation from being torn apart forever?
The present: In Utah, the fabled remains of Mormon pioneers whose nineteenth-century expedition across the desert met with a murderous end have been uncovered. In Washington, D.C., the official investigation of an international entrepreneur, an elder in the Mormon church, has sparked a political battle between the White House and a powerful United States senator. In Denmark, a Justice Department agent, missing in action, has fallen into the hands of a dangerous zealot—a man driven by divine visions to make a prophet’s words reality. And in a matter of a few short hours, Cotton Malone has gone from quietly selling books at his shop in Denmark to dodging bullets in a high-speed boat chase.
All it takes is a phone call from his former boss in Washington, and suddenly the ex-agent is racing to rescue an informant carrying critical intelligence. It’s just the kind of perilous business that Malone has been trying to leave behind, ever since he retired from the Justice Department. But once he draws enemy blood, Malone is plunged into a deadly conflict—a constitutional war secretly set in motion more than two hundred years ago by America’s Founding Fathers.
From the streets of Copenhagen to the catacombs of Salzburg to the rugged mountains of Utah, the grim specter of the Civil War looms as a dangerous conspiracy gathers power. Malone risks life, liberty, and his greatest love in a race for the truth about Abraham Lincoln—while the fate of the United States of America hangs in the balance.
Praise for Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series
“In Malone, [Steve] Berry has created a classic, complex hero.”—USA Today
“Malone, a hero with a personal stake in the proceedings, is a welcome respite from the cold, calculating superspies who litter the genre.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Steve Berry gets better and better with each new book.”—The Huffington Post
“Savvy readers . . . cannot go wrong with Cotton Malone.”—Library Journal
“Berry raises this genre’s stakes.”—The New York Times
“I love this guy.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child
From the Hardcover edition.
Audio CD
First published May 20, 2014
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About the author
Steve Berry
110 books7,503 followersSteve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood, The 9th Man (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose: The End of Forever, The House of Long Ago, The Lake of Learning, and The Museum of Mysteries, all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,278 reviews
May 26, 2022
It's only fitting that Cotton Malone goes from saving the UK from tearing apart in the last novel to trying to save the USA in this one. Unfortunately, this book isn't as interesting to read as The King's Deception was.
This book was ok to read, not bad just not fantastic to read and the usual flow was missing. I'm not a fan of religious fanatics and making the main bad guy a fanatic Mormon with hallucinations made me groan inside. Also, it didn't help that I have read a kind of similar book The Devil Colony that is utterly engrossing to read.
A big problem with the book was Cassiopeia Vitt's role, she is usually a great character, but in this book, I just wanted to slap her and tell her to wise up. Stephanie Nelle asks her to get close to a childhood friend and the first man she ever loved. But she left him because he was a devout Mormon, and although she had grown up a Mormon she didn’t believe. Now she dupes him to believe that she has found her faith. The problem is that she seems to be incapable of believing that he is bad. She wants to clear his name and is blind to death to everything that happens and everything Cotton Malone, the man she supposes to love, says.
But the book wasn't all bad, a new character Luke Daniels, nephew to the president and an agent for Magellan Billet was introduced and he was a great addition. I hope he will be in the next book. The ending was ok except for the last action of Cassiopeia Vitt which was very immature.
This book was ok to read, not bad just not fantastic to read and the usual flow was missing. I'm not a fan of religious fanatics and making the main bad guy a fanatic Mormon with hallucinations made me groan inside. Also, it didn't help that I have read a kind of similar book The Devil Colony that is utterly engrossing to read.
A big problem with the book was Cassiopeia Vitt's role, she is usually a great character, but in this book, I just wanted to slap her and tell her to wise up. Stephanie Nelle asks her to get close to a childhood friend and the first man she ever loved. But she left him because he was a devout Mormon, and although she had grown up a Mormon she didn’t believe. Now she dupes him to believe that she has found her faith. The problem is that she seems to be incapable of believing that he is bad. She wants to clear his name and is blind to death to everything that happens and everything Cotton Malone, the man she supposes to love, says.
But the book wasn't all bad, a new character Luke Daniels, nephew to the president and an agent for Magellan Billet was introduced and he was a great addition. I hope he will be in the next book. The ending was ok except for the last action of Cassiopeia Vitt which was very immature.
May 11, 2014
I am a huge fan of Steve Berry and have made an effort to keep up with his Cotton Malone series since I got my hands on The Templar Legacy. Once given the opportunity to read the latest Malone adventure, I couldn't resist.
The Lincoln Myth is the 9th novel in the Cotton Malone series. For those who don't know who he is, he's a "retired" Magellan Billet agent who has an eidetic memory. Yes, kinda like that Dan Brown guy what's his name... But that's where the similarities end. Malone is badass, much more interesting, and can hold his own instead of running from one clue to the next while enemies come out guns blazing. So it's no shock to say that Malone is once again forced from the comfort of his rare books to save the world... again.
There is a plot set in motion that threatens the strength of the United States of America. Surprisingly, the threat is coming from a group of Mormons.. albeit a rogue group of Mormons. There is supposedly some evidence floating around in the wild west that threatens our union, and the person to blame for this is Lincoln. Ol' honest Abe.
What makes this latest assignment so difficult for Malone is that the woman he loves, Cassiopeia Vitt is involved. She was asked to go undercover because one of the rogue Mormons just happens to be her first love. Things get a little weird for them both once they realize they've been roped into something that could quite possibly tear them apart.
What was done well this time around is that Steve Berry still manages to maintain propelling the story forward. Although there are a lot less dead bodies and double-crossing than his previous novels, I remained engrossed 'til the end. Berry's world is descriptive, broad, and almost believable. That is what I come to expect from his work.
Although The Lincoln Myth is not my favorite in this series, it still holds his own. Many of the instances in this novel reminded me of the recent secession attempts once our current president was elected. Sorry, but I couldn't shake it from my mind. I just didn't find the Mormon threat as interesting as it was meant to be to warrant bringing Cotton Malone out of "retirement".
Copy provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley
The Lincoln Myth is the 9th novel in the Cotton Malone series. For those who don't know who he is, he's a "retired" Magellan Billet agent who has an eidetic memory. Yes, kinda like that Dan Brown guy what's his name... But that's where the similarities end. Malone is badass, much more interesting, and can hold his own instead of running from one clue to the next while enemies come out guns blazing. So it's no shock to say that Malone is once again forced from the comfort of his rare books to save the world... again.
There is a plot set in motion that threatens the strength of the United States of America. Surprisingly, the threat is coming from a group of Mormons.. albeit a rogue group of Mormons. There is supposedly some evidence floating around in the wild west that threatens our union, and the person to blame for this is Lincoln. Ol' honest Abe.
What makes this latest assignment so difficult for Malone is that the woman he loves, Cassiopeia Vitt is involved. She was asked to go undercover because one of the rogue Mormons just happens to be her first love. Things get a little weird for them both once they realize they've been roped into something that could quite possibly tear them apart.
What was done well this time around is that Steve Berry still manages to maintain propelling the story forward. Although there are a lot less dead bodies and double-crossing than his previous novels, I remained engrossed 'til the end. Berry's world is descriptive, broad, and almost believable. That is what I come to expect from his work.
Although The Lincoln Myth is not my favorite in this series, it still holds his own. Many of the instances in this novel reminded me of the recent secession attempts once our current president was elected. Sorry, but I couldn't shake it from my mind. I just didn't find the Mormon threat as interesting as it was meant to be to warrant bringing Cotton Malone out of "retirement".
Copy provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley
November 19, 2023
Ar avea sau nu un stat american dreptul să părăsească uniunea? O întrebare grea, care are răspunsuri complexe pro și contra. Interesantă intrigă plasată în jurul istoriei mormonilor, a posibilității ca unul dintre state să părăsească uniunea și a ceea ce este dreptul statelor de a fi independente față de aceasta. O carte care merită citită, mai ales pentru realitățile istorice.
April 14, 2014
I have read and enjoyed all the Cotton Malone books. It's not great literature but it is a roller coaster of fun and he has some really ideas on history. Malone is, after all, a modern day Indiana Jones. Although not a professor like Jones, he does run a book store and is well trained as a former government agent. You read him for fun. Unfortunately this book was not fun and not very plausible in both story and characters.
This book deals with a secret pact made with President Lincoln and the head of the Mormon Church during the Civil War. Desperate to preserve the Union, Lincoln shows his good faith with the Church by sharing a secret about the Founding Fathers. That secret is probably true to some extent but I don't think it would start such a fire storm as the book predicts. There's a lot of history about the Mormon Church which was semi-interesting and centered the novel. I found some of the actions attributed to Lincoln wildly unlikely but it is an action thriller not a historical record.
Cassiopeia has a major role and is so different than in any other books that I found her unbelievable. I don't think the Cassiopeia we have come to know would, in any way, acted the way she did. It was a complete 180 for her. Stephanie was also very uncharacteristic and acted in ways that stretched my credulity.
Perhaps this series has run it's course. It was a very tired book and the author seems exhausted in it. Maybe Cotton Malone should hang it up while the reader still has fond memories of him.
This book deals with a secret pact made with President Lincoln and the head of the Mormon Church during the Civil War. Desperate to preserve the Union, Lincoln shows his good faith with the Church by sharing a secret about the Founding Fathers. That secret is probably true to some extent but I don't think it would start such a fire storm as the book predicts. There's a lot of history about the Mormon Church which was semi-interesting and centered the novel. I found some of the actions attributed to Lincoln wildly unlikely but it is an action thriller not a historical record.
Cassiopeia has a major role and is so different than in any other books that I found her unbelievable. I don't think the Cassiopeia we have come to know would, in any way, acted the way she did. It was a complete 180 for her. Stephanie was also very uncharacteristic and acted in ways that stretched my credulity.
Perhaps this series has run it's course. It was a very tired book and the author seems exhausted in it. Maybe Cotton Malone should hang it up while the reader still has fond memories of him.
September 3, 2016
If religion ain’t how you like to swing from the tree branches, then there’s much you won’t like about THE LINCOLN MYTH. If you’re a southern who still refers to the Civil War as The War of Northern Aggression, you may find yourself nodding along at times, and still wishing you had shown those northern bastards a thing or two. The idea of a continuing, perpetual union was fought on the battlefield leading to what has continued to this day. Unless, of course, you’re in Texas, which ends up being its own entity entirely. But that’s a story for another day.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aka Mormons filled more than a few pages of this story, and I couldn’t help but have flashbacks (possibly visions or nightmares) to my Fifty Shades days. The body and soul may have departed, but the stench remains. I guess you could say Mormons aren’t exactly at the top of my Christmas list, so what follows might be slightly tainted by my own beliefs and opinions. Not visions. So if you’re still reading at this point, remember Jesus hasn’t told you to.
Cotton Malone may not sound like much of a man, but don’t let the name fool you, he’s a bonafide killing machine. He’ll rock your world six ways from Sunday, and he won’t even think twice about it, and that swift kick to the nuts you feel all the way in your toes, will drop you faster than a sack of potatoes. He can also be a bit slow to love, but that’s just because he’s seen a side of the world most of us only read about in newspapers and magazines.
I don’t know why, but the name Cassiopeia Vitt rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was just the name, but I wasn’t particularly endeared to her character either. She seemed a tad too manipulative for my tastes. She reminded me of a black widow ready to strike me dead. Had I been fortunate enough to live, I might have wished I hadn’t.
The story felt a bit long and drawn out, even if the plot did move at a somewhat expeditious pace. Even though I’d check off the religion category on the latest Excel spreadsheet iteration, the religious angle was a bit much for me at times. Other than Cotton Malone, the rest of the cast of characters lacked a bit of dimension to truly make them whole. While I prefer not to jump to conclusions without all the available facts, it did feel like Steve Berry had decided to coast a bit through this one, instead of shifting his car out of neutral.
If you’re new to the Steve Berry arena, you may be better served by starting a bit earlier in this series. But if you’re already a fan, and you don’t mind the appearance or reference of a few prophets, you may find yourself right at home between the pages.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aka Mormons filled more than a few pages of this story, and I couldn’t help but have flashbacks (possibly visions or nightmares) to my Fifty Shades days. The body and soul may have departed, but the stench remains. I guess you could say Mormons aren’t exactly at the top of my Christmas list, so what follows might be slightly tainted by my own beliefs and opinions. Not visions. So if you’re still reading at this point, remember Jesus hasn’t told you to.
Cotton Malone may not sound like much of a man, but don’t let the name fool you, he’s a bonafide killing machine. He’ll rock your world six ways from Sunday, and he won’t even think twice about it, and that swift kick to the nuts you feel all the way in your toes, will drop you faster than a sack of potatoes. He can also be a bit slow to love, but that’s just because he’s seen a side of the world most of us only read about in newspapers and magazines.
I don’t know why, but the name Cassiopeia Vitt rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was just the name, but I wasn’t particularly endeared to her character either. She seemed a tad too manipulative for my tastes. She reminded me of a black widow ready to strike me dead. Had I been fortunate enough to live, I might have wished I hadn’t.
The story felt a bit long and drawn out, even if the plot did move at a somewhat expeditious pace. Even though I’d check off the religion category on the latest Excel spreadsheet iteration, the religious angle was a bit much for me at times. Other than Cotton Malone, the rest of the cast of characters lacked a bit of dimension to truly make them whole. While I prefer not to jump to conclusions without all the available facts, it did feel like Steve Berry had decided to coast a bit through this one, instead of shifting his car out of neutral.
If you’re new to the Steve Berry arena, you may be better served by starting a bit earlier in this series. But if you’re already a fan, and you don’t mind the appearance or reference of a few prophets, you may find yourself right at home between the pages.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
June 23, 2014
Maybe I've become less patient as I've grown older. Or perhaps I have seen great thriller/historical fiction and just don't want to settle. Either way, I didn't really enjoy this one. It wasn't the outlandish plot - I'm a champion at suspending disbelief for the purposes of enjoying a thriller - it's more that Berry seems tired. In this continuation of the Cotton Malone series the dialogue feels contrived and the characters shallower. I've enjoyed a number of Berry's books, in fact early on I thought the Malone character was one of the more interesting in the thriller lexicon (what bibliophile wouldn't love a spy who is an antiquarian book dealer on the side?). In this book, however, Berry lapses into use of dialogue to give background information for the reader (e. g. explanations of historical events) and loses the true voice of the character. Cassiopeia Vitt in particular seems to talk only to get other characters to tell stories - a particularly passive role for her given her principal role in past books. At some point "tell me more about the history of the Saints" as a form of meaningful dialogue from a major character just seems lazy. In addition, this book seems designed simply as a vehicle for creating tension in the relationship between Malone and Vitt that does not get resolved. In other words, simply a bridge to the next book to find out how their relationship continues. Seems like a pretty cheap play to me.
I know I sound harsh, but I have been a Berry fan for a long time. This book just doesn't feel like it rises to the level of other books in the series. I am hopeful that he just had an off day, but recent chapters in the Cotton Malone saga have not been as good. Has Berry lost the "mojo" with this character? In any case, this book gets two stars at best. Not a disaster, but I would not put it on top of anyone's reading list.
I know I sound harsh, but I have been a Berry fan for a long time. This book just doesn't feel like it rises to the level of other books in the series. I am hopeful that he just had an off day, but recent chapters in the Cotton Malone saga have not been as good. Has Berry lost the "mojo" with this character? In any case, this book gets two stars at best. Not a disaster, but I would not put it on top of anyone's reading list.
November 26, 2014
Berry's latest political thriller asks the reader to suspend reality just enough to posit, 'could all of this be true?' all while enjoying Cotton Malone in his latest adventure. The day that Lincoln took over the White House, he was passed a letter from his predecessor, James Buchanan, outlining a secret that all presidents before him had held and passed along to their successors. Now, at a time when the country was set to split apart and the Mormon Church was poised to choose to support the South, Lincoln met with Prophet Brigham Young and entrusted him with a document to hold and keep secret, if only for a time. As the Mormon Church continues its rise, some within the US Government begin crafting a plan, based on the White Horse Prophecy, an ancient prediction made by Joseph Smith. In order to bring it to pass, this secret letter and its contents must be made public. While no US Administration has known the content of the letter, musings abound. Enter Cotton Malone and the rest of the Magellan Billet, who are tasked with not only learning about the Prophecy, but ensuring no harm comes to the fifty states as they presently stand. Add to this, Malone's love interest, Cassiopeia Vitt, who has a secret or two she's been keeping from Malone, which will turn the tables on this entire mission. Berry ramps up the interest and may offend some down to their Celestial Robes, but hooks the reader to the core and keeps the action going.
As I read, I could see certain groups flying off the handle with this book, though no foundation for such expressions exist, in my mind. This is the second novel I have read in the last handful of months to put a wary eye on the Mormon Church and its practices, though Berry does so in a much more refined way than Azrieli did in THE MORMON CANDIDATE. Criticism of the Church and its beliefs is not a reason to wail and spin Berry out to be some gentile Satan. Enough of his work (and that of a plethora of other authors) have criticised and analysed the Catholic Church. Do people complain? Surely! Are there inaccuracies? Likely! Does it shed light on number of truths that some within the organisation wish to hide under the Celestial rug? Most definitely, and this is one the best reasons to write such books. It's fiction, and while there is going to be a degree of literary freedom, there is a lot of truth in a great deal of what Berry writes, as he takes precious time to research his work and shows his hand in the author's note, as he does in all his books. I am sure constitutional scholars are also pulling out their proverbial hair for some of the freedoms Berry takes, but we all roll with the punches. It is those who complain the loudest that have the most to hide, I have come to believe.
Whatever your take on the content or premise of the book, there are a number of powerful ideas presented within the plot. Character development, always a forte of Berry's, continues here with more depth and emotion facing some of the recurring characters, as well as newbies on the scene. Berry is also able to capture the political drama and constitutional foundations in order to really force the reader to ask, 'what if?' and 'could it be?'. These are wonderful tools, especially when woven together so effortlessly by so talented an author. Regular series readers will surely enjoy this and newbies can appreciate the talent Berry has, and will likely want to return for many more doses of Cotton Malone, if only to finally learn the history behind the name. And what a great end to the book, how it leaves threads hanging that series regulars will scream until the release of the next novel.
Kudos, Mr. Berry for this wonderful and controversial novel. Keep it up and you're sure to enrage more with the truths you uncover.
As I read, I could see certain groups flying off the handle with this book, though no foundation for such expressions exist, in my mind. This is the second novel I have read in the last handful of months to put a wary eye on the Mormon Church and its practices, though Berry does so in a much more refined way than Azrieli did in THE MORMON CANDIDATE. Criticism of the Church and its beliefs is not a reason to wail and spin Berry out to be some gentile Satan. Enough of his work (and that of a plethora of other authors) have criticised and analysed the Catholic Church. Do people complain? Surely! Are there inaccuracies? Likely! Does it shed light on number of truths that some within the organisation wish to hide under the Celestial rug? Most definitely, and this is one the best reasons to write such books. It's fiction, and while there is going to be a degree of literary freedom, there is a lot of truth in a great deal of what Berry writes, as he takes precious time to research his work and shows his hand in the author's note, as he does in all his books. I am sure constitutional scholars are also pulling out their proverbial hair for some of the freedoms Berry takes, but we all roll with the punches. It is those who complain the loudest that have the most to hide, I have come to believe.
Whatever your take on the content or premise of the book, there are a number of powerful ideas presented within the plot. Character development, always a forte of Berry's, continues here with more depth and emotion facing some of the recurring characters, as well as newbies on the scene. Berry is also able to capture the political drama and constitutional foundations in order to really force the reader to ask, 'what if?' and 'could it be?'. These are wonderful tools, especially when woven together so effortlessly by so talented an author. Regular series readers will surely enjoy this and newbies can appreciate the talent Berry has, and will likely want to return for many more doses of Cotton Malone, if only to finally learn the history behind the name. And what a great end to the book, how it leaves threads hanging that series regulars will scream until the release of the next novel.
Kudos, Mr. Berry for this wonderful and controversial novel. Keep it up and you're sure to enrage more with the truths you uncover.
October 5, 2014
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group and Net Galley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
4 Stars
This is the ninth book in Steve Berry's Cotton Malone Series. Generally, I like to read books that are part of a series in order. I jumped into this series on this book which is the ninth book in the series. There is a part of my brain that screamed "NO" and wanted me to first go back and read the 8 prior books in this series before starting this book but I ignored it and moved ahead. This book reads just fine as a stand alone novel in my opinion. There were a few points in the book that I had wished I knew some of the back story regarding character relationships but it was not necessary to enjoy this book.
This was a very fast paced and exciting book that was focused on a mystery that began early in our nation's history. This book had a large focus on the Mormon church, both past and present. There is a mystery surrounding a document that could endanger the United States as we know it today at the core of this novel. This mystery stretches back to the men involved in writing the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, and Brigham Young to name a few.
Cotton Malone was one of many major characters in this novel. Cotton is a retired Magellan Billet agent who is asked to do a favor for his former boss. He agrees and is pulled into something larger than he expects. His girlfriend, Cassiopeia Vitt, has also been recruited to the cause without Cotton's knowledge. The story plays out in several settings with no shortage of action or suspense.
I found that I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It was fast paced and exciting with tons of action. I also enjoyed the parts of the novel that had a historical setting. Since this book is a work of fiction, I read the book assuming all of the historical parts of the book where nothing but fiction. I did enjoy the author notes at the end of the book that did explain which parts of the book might have a basis in actual history and which parts were fabricated to fit into the story.
Overall, I found this to be a well written book. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a quick moving mystery full of action. This was the first book that I have had the chance to read by Steve Berry and I look forward to reading other works by this author in the future.
The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.
-John F. Kennedy
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group and Net Galley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
4 Stars
This is the ninth book in Steve Berry's Cotton Malone Series. Generally, I like to read books that are part of a series in order. I jumped into this series on this book which is the ninth book in the series. There is a part of my brain that screamed "NO" and wanted me to first go back and read the 8 prior books in this series before starting this book but I ignored it and moved ahead. This book reads just fine as a stand alone novel in my opinion. There were a few points in the book that I had wished I knew some of the back story regarding character relationships but it was not necessary to enjoy this book.
This was a very fast paced and exciting book that was focused on a mystery that began early in our nation's history. This book had a large focus on the Mormon church, both past and present. There is a mystery surrounding a document that could endanger the United States as we know it today at the core of this novel. This mystery stretches back to the men involved in writing the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, and Brigham Young to name a few.
Cotton Malone was one of many major characters in this novel. Cotton is a retired Magellan Billet agent who is asked to do a favor for his former boss. He agrees and is pulled into something larger than he expects. His girlfriend, Cassiopeia Vitt, has also been recruited to the cause without Cotton's knowledge. The story plays out in several settings with no shortage of action or suspense.
I found that I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It was fast paced and exciting with tons of action. I also enjoyed the parts of the novel that had a historical setting. Since this book is a work of fiction, I read the book assuming all of the historical parts of the book where nothing but fiction. I did enjoy the author notes at the end of the book that did explain which parts of the book might have a basis in actual history and which parts were fabricated to fit into the story.
Overall, I found this to be a well written book. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a quick moving mystery full of action. This was the first book that I have had the chance to read by Steve Berry and I look forward to reading other works by this author in the future.
The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.
-John F. Kennedy
September 5, 2014
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! The DANITES! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hahahahahahahahahaha
I'm actually surprised no one has ever included them in a novel before now.
2.49 stars
I'm actually surprised no one has ever included them in a novel before now.
2.49 stars
June 27, 2020
I totally love this book cotton malone is the best and steve berry is an awesome writer
September 8, 2014
Most of you know that I am a Latter-day Saint (Mormon). I say that in the beginning of this review because this book by Steve Berry talks a great deal about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). I thnk Steve Berry is an incredible author. I have never read an author who weaves history into his novels like Steve does. And, he is so incredbly accurate in his historical detail as he weaves really very good stories around the historical facts.
As I read this book and he began to talk about LDS history I was so impressed with the accuracy and the amount of detail he wrote about in this book. For awhile, I thought he had to be a member of the LDS church (which he is not, I don't believe) But, his research is so spot on and he does not color the truth with an internal bias that so many authors who study the LDS church do.
This is an incredible story about both President Abraham Lincoln and his relationship with President Brigham Young and a document that President Lincoln entrusted with President Young. It reverts to modern day and some high leaders in the LDS church who have some ideas of their own about how the government of the United States should be run, or I should say, would they believe should be done to circumvent the US government.
Some member of the LDS church might be offended because Steve has picked two of the leaders in very high quorums of the church who are the "misled" protagonists. Its a great story and I highly recommnend it to anyone who enjoys a great novel with historical implications and facts. AND, maybe you can become Steve Berry fans like I am.
As I read this book and he began to talk about LDS history I was so impressed with the accuracy and the amount of detail he wrote about in this book. For awhile, I thought he had to be a member of the LDS church (which he is not, I don't believe) But, his research is so spot on and he does not color the truth with an internal bias that so many authors who study the LDS church do.
This is an incredible story about both President Abraham Lincoln and his relationship with President Brigham Young and a document that President Lincoln entrusted with President Young. It reverts to modern day and some high leaders in the LDS church who have some ideas of their own about how the government of the United States should be run, or I should say, would they believe should be done to circumvent the US government.
Some member of the LDS church might be offended because Steve has picked two of the leaders in very high quorums of the church who are the "misled" protagonists. Its a great story and I highly recommnend it to anyone who enjoys a great novel with historical implications and facts. AND, maybe you can become Steve Berry fans like I am.
May 14, 2021
This book was another interesting bit of history with some fictional tidbits added. It is always refreshing for me to get someone else's perspective on old time events as what we were taught is school is usually superficial and erroneous. I do have some opinions on using a religious background but will keep them to myself.
September 12, 2016
2.5 out of 5 stars - "The greatest enemy of truth is often not the lie -- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic."
The premise of this ninth Cotton Malone (ostensibly retired Magellan Billet agent working for the US Justice Department) novel was quite enticing: a document was secreted away by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War in order to protect the Union from State secession. Supposedly ignoring the original ideas and beliefs of the Founding Fathers, he and Brigham Young, head of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Utah, made a pact to keep a key challenge to the US Constitution hidden from everyone. This document, signed by framers of the new government, would have allowed individual States to leave the Union if they felt it necessary. Abraham Lincoln, according to this myth, decided that the Union must be preserved at all costs and entered into an exchange of mutual protection with the Mormon leader so this document would never be revealed. The secret was safe until two well-connected "Saints" discover its existence and try to locate the document in order to create their own separate government and rule from Utah.
Cotton is called back to duty and, though the historical information was very interesting, the actual story here was not. The characters go through their usual "get the bad guys" routine and the action is predictable and requires great suspension of disbelief. Cotton's lover, Cassiopeia Vitt, is involved here in a totally ludicrous -- and nicely coincidental -- role since she happens to be the old girlfriend of Josepe Salazar. He is one of the bad guys, along with a US Senator, Thaddeus Rowan, plotting to establish this new Zion for the Saints. Everything about her behavior is ridiculous and that whole plot line was annoying. By the end of the book, I decided I really didn't like ANY of the characters despite what should have been my relief and amazement that they manage to save the USA once again.
Overall, I was disappointed as I've read all of Steve Berry's previous novels and usually enjoy them -- some more than others. Lots of material included herein seems like a history lecture or a religious sermon and was somewhat repetitive. I imagine that fans will want to read this latest in the Cotton Malone adventure series but may not find it as compelling as previous books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-book ARC to review.
The premise of this ninth Cotton Malone (ostensibly retired Magellan Billet agent working for the US Justice Department) novel was quite enticing: a document was secreted away by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War in order to protect the Union from State secession. Supposedly ignoring the original ideas and beliefs of the Founding Fathers, he and Brigham Young, head of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Utah, made a pact to keep a key challenge to the US Constitution hidden from everyone. This document, signed by framers of the new government, would have allowed individual States to leave the Union if they felt it necessary. Abraham Lincoln, according to this myth, decided that the Union must be preserved at all costs and entered into an exchange of mutual protection with the Mormon leader so this document would never be revealed. The secret was safe until two well-connected "Saints" discover its existence and try to locate the document in order to create their own separate government and rule from Utah.
Cotton is called back to duty and, though the historical information was very interesting, the actual story here was not. The characters go through their usual "get the bad guys" routine and the action is predictable and requires great suspension of disbelief. Cotton's lover, Cassiopeia Vitt, is involved here in a totally ludicrous -- and nicely coincidental -- role since she happens to be the old girlfriend of Josepe Salazar. He is one of the bad guys, along with a US Senator, Thaddeus Rowan, plotting to establish this new Zion for the Saints. Everything about her behavior is ridiculous and that whole plot line was annoying. By the end of the book, I decided I really didn't like ANY of the characters despite what should have been my relief and amazement that they manage to save the USA once again.
Overall, I was disappointed as I've read all of Steve Berry's previous novels and usually enjoy them -- some more than others. Lots of material included herein seems like a history lecture or a religious sermon and was somewhat repetitive. I imagine that fans will want to read this latest in the Cotton Malone adventure series but may not find it as compelling as previous books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-book ARC to review.
June 16, 2016
In ‘De Lincoln Mythe’ van Steve Berry beleeft Cotton Malone een nieuw avontuur. Deze voormalig agent van de Magellan Billet (een elite divisie binnen het ministerie van Justitie) wordt in zijn boekwinkel in Denemarken gebeld door Stephanie Nelle, zijn voormalige baas bij het ministerie van Justitie met het verzoek om een gunst.
Hij laat alles vallen en het avontuur begint...
Dat wil zeggen; het avontuur in het heden.
Want in de proloog lezen we al over Abraham Lincoln in 1861, die geconfronteerd wordt met twee brieven; één van zijn voorganger en één van een nog oudere datum. In de brief van de vorige president is het vooral één zin die hem verbaasd achter laat; 'Niet alles is wat het lijkt.'
Dat maakt dat je nieuwsgierig wordt, nietwaar?
De lezer wordt in dit verhaal meegenomen van de straten van Kopenhagen naar de catacomben van Salzburg om via een omweg naar de mormonen in Utah, terecht te komen in een politieke strijd tussen het Witte Huis en de invloedrijke kerk van de mormonen.
Vooral in het eerste deel van dit boek komt er enorm veel informatie op je af in de vorm van geschiedenis of van personages. Hierdoor is er bijna geen vaart in het verhaal.
Na de vele informatie kun je als lezer nu gaan genieten van een heerlijk avontuur. Steve Berry schrijft heerlijk maar ook uitgebreid, zodat je niet het gevoel krijgt iets gemist te hebben. De snelheid wordt nu meer opgebouwd en omdat er minder uit te leggen valt leest het lekker door.
Als lezer ben ik wellicht wat moeilijk, maar ik heb graag dat de feiten die me voorgelegd worden, feiten zijn.
Na afloop ben ik niet met vragen blijven zitten omdat in dit nawoord al mijn vragen beantwoord werden; wat fictie was en wat werkelijkheid is wordt door de auteur netjes onder elkaar gezet.
Het plaatje is compleet. Een spannend boek, lekker rustig van tempo en gebaseerd op historische gebeurtenissen.
Ik heb 'De Lincoln Mythe' van Steve Berry graag gelezen!
Hij laat alles vallen en het avontuur begint...
Dat wil zeggen; het avontuur in het heden.
Want in de proloog lezen we al over Abraham Lincoln in 1861, die geconfronteerd wordt met twee brieven; één van zijn voorganger en één van een nog oudere datum. In de brief van de vorige president is het vooral één zin die hem verbaasd achter laat; 'Niet alles is wat het lijkt.'
Dat maakt dat je nieuwsgierig wordt, nietwaar?
De lezer wordt in dit verhaal meegenomen van de straten van Kopenhagen naar de catacomben van Salzburg om via een omweg naar de mormonen in Utah, terecht te komen in een politieke strijd tussen het Witte Huis en de invloedrijke kerk van de mormonen.
Vooral in het eerste deel van dit boek komt er enorm veel informatie op je af in de vorm van geschiedenis of van personages. Hierdoor is er bijna geen vaart in het verhaal.
Na de vele informatie kun je als lezer nu gaan genieten van een heerlijk avontuur. Steve Berry schrijft heerlijk maar ook uitgebreid, zodat je niet het gevoel krijgt iets gemist te hebben. De snelheid wordt nu meer opgebouwd en omdat er minder uit te leggen valt leest het lekker door.
Als lezer ben ik wellicht wat moeilijk, maar ik heb graag dat de feiten die me voorgelegd worden, feiten zijn.
Na afloop ben ik niet met vragen blijven zitten omdat in dit nawoord al mijn vragen beantwoord werden; wat fictie was en wat werkelijkheid is wordt door de auteur netjes onder elkaar gezet.
Het plaatje is compleet. Een spannend boek, lekker rustig van tempo en gebaseerd op historische gebeurtenissen.
Ik heb 'De Lincoln Mythe' van Steve Berry graag gelezen!
September 27, 2018
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry is the ninth book in the Cotton Malone series. Cotton Malone was an agent for the Magellan Billet, an intelligence agency for the United States. Cotton was recruited to the Billet after going through naval flight school and then becoming a JAG officer. After a botched mission in Mexico City, Malone retired from the agency and moved to Copenhagen Denmark to open a bookstore.
September 1861: President Lincoln is in possession of a shocking secret. This information is so volatile that Lincoln must determine its best use - save thousands of American lives or keep the nation from being torn apart.
The Present: The US intelligence community is investigating an international businessman, an elder in the Mormon church. This sets off of political battle between the White House and a powerful US Senator. During this investigation, an agent for the Magellan Billet has gone missing. Stephanie Nelle, Cotton’s former boss at the Billet calls and asks a favor – an agent is running late getting to a rendezvous and she needs someone she can trust to pick up an informant. Cotton agrees and is soon caught up in gun battles and museum heists.
This story was slow and at times too buried in the history of the Latter Day Saints. Additionally, two main characters acted so out of character from previously books that it was frustrating. Stephanie was her usual “need to know”/"play everything close to the vest" personality but on steroids. It seemed that some of the troubles occurred because of Stephanie holding information back from Malone. This was definitely my least favorite of the series so far.
Rating: 3 stars
September 1861: President Lincoln is in possession of a shocking secret. This information is so volatile that Lincoln must determine its best use - save thousands of American lives or keep the nation from being torn apart.
The Present: The US intelligence community is investigating an international businessman, an elder in the Mormon church. This sets off of political battle between the White House and a powerful US Senator. During this investigation, an agent for the Magellan Billet has gone missing. Stephanie Nelle, Cotton’s former boss at the Billet calls and asks a favor – an agent is running late getting to a rendezvous and she needs someone she can trust to pick up an informant. Cotton agrees and is soon caught up in gun battles and museum heists.
This story was slow and at times too buried in the history of the Latter Day Saints. Additionally, two main characters acted so out of character from previously books that it was frustrating. Stephanie was her usual “need to know”/"play everything close to the vest" personality but on steroids. It seemed that some of the troubles occurred because of Stephanie holding information back from Malone. This was definitely my least favorite of the series so far.
Rating: 3 stars
July 26, 2016
I've never met a Steve Berry novel that was not an absolute marvel. Like Brad Meltzer, Mr. Berry educates as much as thrills and chills. This installment of the Steve Berry "hit parade" revealed aspects of my favorite President, and a closer look at a widespread, but often misinterpreted, religion.
June 24, 2018
„Cel mai mare dușman al adevărului adesea nu este minciuna, deliberată, lipsită de onestitate și ticluită, ci mitul, persistent, convingător și nerealist.”
De ce l-ai alege pe Dan Brown când poți să-l citești pe Steve Berry?
De ce l-ai alege pe Dan Brown când poți să-l citești pe Steve Berry?
June 5, 2014
This is the first of Berry's books featuring the now ex-Justice Department agent Cotton Malone I've read, and, to a certain extent, that put me at a disadvantage: It's pretty clear that some of the characters have a history with Malone to which I didn't feel privy. That said, this book manages to stand on its own fairly well.
After the first few chapters, two thoughts came to mind: First, that this one would be filled with lots of historical information - as was another excellent Berry book, The Columbus Affair; and second, that this would be a sort of Da Vinci Code meets Will Robie (a character in a series by another favorite author, David Baldacci). Nothing I read from that point on changed my mind.
At issue here is the question of whether or not U.S. states have the right to secede from the Union (to which a relatively recent Supreme Court decision answered no). At the center of the controversy is the possibility that the right to do so was, in fact, written as a sort of addendum to the U.S. Constitution by the founding fathers in a long-hidden document - a document known to President Abraham Lincoln, who ignored it in order to preserve the Union and thus allowed the Civil War to begin.
Into the mix early on comes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - more commonly known as Mormons - as remains of an early expedition are uncovered to reveal that those Mormon pioneers were murdered. The ensuing investigation brings Malone into action - he's called by his former boss to locate and bring home a missing agent. This puts him at loggerheads with two formidable enemies: A very powerful U.S. Senator and high-ranking Mormon leader who has an agenda all his own which, not coincidentally, has to do with the issue of secession - as well as a dangerous member of the Danites, a group of radical Mormons who will stop at nothing, including murder, to achieve their goals.
The historical information is well-researched (and at the end, Berry explains which parts are factual and which were concocted by him for the novel). If anything, there's a bit too much of it; I thoroughly enjoyed learning things about Lincoln, the Civil War and the Mormon religion, but it did get to be a bit much throughout the last few chapters. Also, if you don't like books that jump from place to place every chapter or two - the action takes place in at least three locations around the world - you may not care for this one. But the biggest annoyance factor for me is that Berry doesn't always make clear his antecedents; many times I had to reread a paragraph more than once to figure out who was talking or being described.
Overall, though, my nitpicks are minor, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book; although I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've taken a book to bed to finish, that's exactly what I did here. I liked it so much, in fact, that despite my near-insistence on never going back to read earlier books in any series, I just may have to give a few of these a try.
After the first few chapters, two thoughts came to mind: First, that this one would be filled with lots of historical information - as was another excellent Berry book, The Columbus Affair; and second, that this would be a sort of Da Vinci Code meets Will Robie (a character in a series by another favorite author, David Baldacci). Nothing I read from that point on changed my mind.
At issue here is the question of whether or not U.S. states have the right to secede from the Union (to which a relatively recent Supreme Court decision answered no). At the center of the controversy is the possibility that the right to do so was, in fact, written as a sort of addendum to the U.S. Constitution by the founding fathers in a long-hidden document - a document known to President Abraham Lincoln, who ignored it in order to preserve the Union and thus allowed the Civil War to begin.
Into the mix early on comes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - more commonly known as Mormons - as remains of an early expedition are uncovered to reveal that those Mormon pioneers were murdered. The ensuing investigation brings Malone into action - he's called by his former boss to locate and bring home a missing agent. This puts him at loggerheads with two formidable enemies: A very powerful U.S. Senator and high-ranking Mormon leader who has an agenda all his own which, not coincidentally, has to do with the issue of secession - as well as a dangerous member of the Danites, a group of radical Mormons who will stop at nothing, including murder, to achieve their goals.
The historical information is well-researched (and at the end, Berry explains which parts are factual and which were concocted by him for the novel). If anything, there's a bit too much of it; I thoroughly enjoyed learning things about Lincoln, the Civil War and the Mormon religion, but it did get to be a bit much throughout the last few chapters. Also, if you don't like books that jump from place to place every chapter or two - the action takes place in at least three locations around the world - you may not care for this one. But the biggest annoyance factor for me is that Berry doesn't always make clear his antecedents; many times I had to reread a paragraph more than once to figure out who was talking or being described.
Overall, though, my nitpicks are minor, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book; although I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've taken a book to bed to finish, that's exactly what I did here. I liked it so much, in fact, that despite my near-insistence on never going back to read earlier books in any series, I just may have to give a few of these a try.
November 27, 2023
Another thrilling page-turner by Steve Berry featuring Copenhagen bookseller Cotton Malone. He's trying to lead the quiet life of a bookseller in Denmark, but, as a former intelligence agent, he keeps getting pulled back into dangerous assignments. This one concerns a secret that President Abraham Lincoln kept, a secret which if it got out could shake the foundations of the United States. As with other thrillers by Berry, we are taken to various locations around the world. In this one, we go from Washington D.C. to Copenhagen to Salzburg to Salt Lake City and the mountains of Utah....
July 8, 2014
The good about this book surround the facts around Lincoln, instead of the myth cast upon us since grade school. The bad is around the deranged religious faction and those involved. Instead of adding value, I found this highly detrimental. 4 of 10 stars
November 18, 2020
Notes:
- I'm a fan of the amount of research Berry does to create his stories.
- Series has great characters but the rationalization of how the relationships work are flimsy.
- Historical details are great.
- The various plots tend to swing between thin to completely unbelievable.
- I'm a fan of the amount of research Berry does to create his stories.
- Series has great characters but the rationalization of how the relationships work are flimsy.
- Historical details are great.
- The various plots tend to swing between thin to completely unbelievable.
April 5, 2014
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a copy for review! My hardbound copy has been preordered already for my personal library!
THE RECAP:
Cotton Malone's story picks up, finally, from where it left off with the Jefferson Key (the last two books have been a standalone, still good of course, and then a flashback to two years ago for Cotton) and he's yet again thrust into a dangerous situation right from the get-go. A Magellan Billet agent has been taken hostage for information, and Malone's friend and old boss Stephanie Nelle asks for (yet another) favor of her retired agent buddy. He jumps right into danger and meets Luke Daniels, aka "Frat Boy," and they start investigating the man who took the agent. After some twists and turns, we learn that another asset is on this mission, Cotton's girlfriend of sorts, Cassiopeia Vitt, and things get more and more complicated. All roads lead back to the US, where the groups of Mormon extremists (weird thing to say!), Malone's group, and the United States future as a Union all converge into a final explosive ending.
THE REVIEW:
What a fun entry in the Cotton Malone saga! I didn't know too much about the Mormon religion or community, and this book improved that lack of understanding. The plot was fast-paced, with plenty of Berry's twists and turns. It's a solid addition to Cotton's expanding story, and the ending will leave you wanting to know more.
Can't wait for the next entry in the series. Hopefully it's next year, and another standalone doesn't push another Cotton book back a year!!!
THE RECAP:
Cotton Malone's story picks up, finally, from where it left off with the Jefferson Key (the last two books have been a standalone, still good of course, and then a flashback to two years ago for Cotton) and he's yet again thrust into a dangerous situation right from the get-go. A Magellan Billet agent has been taken hostage for information, and Malone's friend and old boss Stephanie Nelle asks for (yet another) favor of her retired agent buddy. He jumps right into danger and meets Luke Daniels, aka "Frat Boy," and they start investigating the man who took the agent. After some twists and turns, we learn that another asset is on this mission, Cotton's girlfriend of sorts, Cassiopeia Vitt, and things get more and more complicated. All roads lead back to the US, where the groups of Mormon extremists (weird thing to say!), Malone's group, and the United States future as a Union all converge into a final explosive ending.
THE REVIEW:
What a fun entry in the Cotton Malone saga! I didn't know too much about the Mormon religion or community, and this book improved that lack of understanding. The plot was fast-paced, with plenty of Berry's twists and turns. It's a solid addition to Cotton's expanding story, and the ending will leave you wanting to know more.
Can't wait for the next entry in the series. Hopefully it's next year, and another standalone doesn't push another Cotton book back a year!!!
September 12, 2014
This is the second Steve Berry book I have read and wow - it packed a punch for me.
First, as a Mormon, it made me feel a little squicky (not a word - but the only way to describe my emotions reading this book) to read about a religious zealot (crazy person) from my own religion. Apparently it isn't such a problem for me when it's the Catholics who are crazy zealots... he he =) or at least it doesn't hit so close to home. Side note: do Catholics feel this way when they read Dan Brown? Just curious... I tried to read it as the fun that it was (and it was) but the groans and the squick prevailed. I was actually really impressed with the research that Berry did into the Mormon religion. His casual references were pretty accurate and it was fun (yet squicky) to see the Mormons possibly have the key to destroy the country.
Second, wow - the political thoughts were really interesting. As someone who loves her country dearly but is totally NOT in love with our politics, it was a really interesting read. I wish there was a way to put the scare into DC and politics in general that things COULD happen if they don't shape up. Ahh... pipe dreams.
Anywho - fun read - just not sure that I am personally ready to see the Mormons center stage in crazy plots to work over the United States. =)
First, as a Mormon, it made me feel a little squicky (not a word - but the only way to describe my emotions reading this book) to read about a religious zealot (crazy person) from my own religion. Apparently it isn't such a problem for me when it's the Catholics who are crazy zealots... he he =) or at least it doesn't hit so close to home. Side note: do Catholics feel this way when they read Dan Brown? Just curious... I tried to read it as the fun that it was (and it was) but the groans and the squick prevailed. I was actually really impressed with the research that Berry did into the Mormon religion. His casual references were pretty accurate and it was fun (yet squicky) to see the Mormons possibly have the key to destroy the country.
Second, wow - the political thoughts were really interesting. As someone who loves her country dearly but is totally NOT in love with our politics, it was a really interesting read. I wish there was a way to put the scare into DC and politics in general that things COULD happen if they don't shape up. Ahh... pipe dreams.
Anywho - fun read - just not sure that I am personally ready to see the Mormons center stage in crazy plots to work over the United States. =)
March 10, 2019
This is another good book by Steve Berry. It combines history, myths, murder, intrigue, a plot that threatens the core of the United States, and much more. I have read several other books by Berry and I think this one will either be loved or hated by its readers. Any time religion and the American Civil War are weaved into a book, there will be controversy.
However, I enjoyed the book. I love how he weaves history with fiction. There were lots of twists and turns as well as some changes in main character relationships and behaviors so I need to get the next book in the series to see how those relationships progress.
This was another great book that was informative, thought provoking and entertaining.
However, I enjoyed the book. I love how he weaves history with fiction. There were lots of twists and turns as well as some changes in main character relationships and behaviors so I need to get the next book in the series to see how those relationships progress.
This was another great book that was informative, thought provoking and entertaining.
March 7, 2024
As a history major, I'm amazed at what I DO NOT know about history - LOL!!!! I loved reading about the Church of Latter Day Saints. I had NO IDEA that they were so persecuted and villainized! The plot twist is entirely believable, and it kept the pages turning. This was a fast-paced plot against the U.S. Government, and the ending was a little heart-breaking! I'll keep reading about Cotton Malone and Luke Daniels for as long as they are being written!
July 7, 2017
While I enjoyed this book relatively well, the character inconsistency with Cassiopeia Witt's backstory was something that distracted me throughout the tale. While I understand the narrative value of romantic tension between her at Cotton Malone, this flaw lowered my appreciation of his work.
September 8, 2023
2.5
I want to be honest about this ninth installment of the Cotton Malone series and say, this was not my favorite. It was still entertaining, thrilling, and informative. I just think this one felt a little more tamed down then the previous installments. I feel as if the plot sort of has a part to play in my critiques, but I did enjoy myself, but the plot did leave me wanting more. The characters felt so off from previous installments. I didn't like their motivations and some scenarios just seemed off. The villains were lackluster at best. All in all this just didn't feel like a Cotton Malone book. A little disappointing.
I want to be honest about this ninth installment of the Cotton Malone series and say, this was not my favorite. It was still entertaining, thrilling, and informative. I just think this one felt a little more tamed down then the previous installments. I feel as if the plot sort of has a part to play in my critiques, but I did enjoy myself, but the plot did leave me wanting more. The characters felt so off from previous installments. I didn't like their motivations and some scenarios just seemed off. The villains were lackluster at best. All in all this just didn't feel like a Cotton Malone book. A little disappointing.
January 17, 2016
I have been a fan of Steve Berry for years. One of my favorite books is The Amber Room. This book is almost as good…almost.
This story was exciting and fast paced that I had a hard time putting it down. There were places that I actually think I was huffing and puffing trying to help Cotton and Cassiopeia.
Religion is a topic I find extremely interesting and this novel delves into some of the myths and beliefs of the Morman religion. I found myself really researching and learning about the White Horse Prophecy. This was a fascinating twist to the story.
Mr. Berry also introduces a new character into this series, Luke Daniels. I hope he continues as an agent for Magellan Billet. I thInk I could fall in love with his sarcastic mouth!
Steve Berry did an excellent job blending the past and the present. The story moves quickly and is extremely stimulating. He also adds a little cliff hanger. I cannot wait for the next book!!
This book is set for release on May 20. Preorder today!!! It’s a must read!!
This story was exciting and fast paced that I had a hard time putting it down. There were places that I actually think I was huffing and puffing trying to help Cotton and Cassiopeia.
Religion is a topic I find extremely interesting and this novel delves into some of the myths and beliefs of the Morman religion. I found myself really researching and learning about the White Horse Prophecy. This was a fascinating twist to the story.
Mr. Berry also introduces a new character into this series, Luke Daniels. I hope he continues as an agent for Magellan Billet. I thInk I could fall in love with his sarcastic mouth!
Steve Berry did an excellent job blending the past and the present. The story moves quickly and is extremely stimulating. He also adds a little cliff hanger. I cannot wait for the next book!!
This book is set for release on May 20. Preorder today!!! It’s a must read!!
June 3, 2017
Cotton Malone can't be allowed to retire and stay retired. And for that, we should all be glad.
In this book, the ninth in the series, he is pulled once again out of his bookstore in Denmark to help rescue an informant carrying critical intelligence. Ad soon he is drawn into a mystery involving Abraham Lincoln, the American Constitution and the Church of Later-Day Saints. For it was back in 1861, that Lincoln made a choice dealing with a secret passed down from the very beginnings of the country.
Soon it is a battle and a race between the White House and a power United States senator and Mormon. The finish could very well change the entire nation. this time its more a mental challenge — although there is plenty of action — as Cotton has to decide who is with him and who is not, who can he trust and will a special relationship of his be forever broken.
In this book, the ninth in the series, he is pulled once again out of his bookstore in Denmark to help rescue an informant carrying critical intelligence. Ad soon he is drawn into a mystery involving Abraham Lincoln, the American Constitution and the Church of Later-Day Saints. For it was back in 1861, that Lincoln made a choice dealing with a secret passed down from the very beginnings of the country.
Soon it is a battle and a race between the White House and a power United States senator and Mormon. The finish could very well change the entire nation. this time its more a mental challenge — although there is plenty of action — as Cotton has to decide who is with him and who is not, who can he trust and will a special relationship of his be forever broken.
June 11, 2014
Steve Berry has done it again. Drawn me in with one small fact in history and pulled me into his story. I know the story is not true. I know his books are fiction. BUT - he makes the books seem so real. The Lincoln Myth is based on the idea that the original composers of the Constitution also wrote another document that was hidden away. Steve Berry makes us believe that all the presidents knew about it and passed down knowledge from one to another. Steve Berry makes us believe that Lincoln was the key to finding the truth. Absolutely amazing story with twists and turns. Action packed, flying between Europe and the United States, chasing good guys and bad guys and no knowing who is on what side.
Enjoy the ride.
Enjoy the ride.
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