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Shadow Tag
From New York Times bestselling authors Raymond Khoury and Steve Berry comes a unique and wildly original short story, published exclusively as a Kindle ebook. It’s been ten years since FBI agent Sean Reilly and retired Justice Department operative Cotton Malone got dragged around the globe on their separate Templar adventures. They’d never worked on a case together—until now. Something bizarre is afoot in London, England. "American specialists" have gone missing, and intel chatter points to a major terrorist plot in the works. And a familiar keyword links to both Reilly and Malone. The two agents are sent to London where they discover a plot that’s more personal, unusual and surprising than they could have possibly imagined (and one that may involve a couple of writerly characters new to fiction whom you might recognise). Fast, furious and funny, Shadow Tag is NOT like the Reilly and Malone thrillers you've grown to love. Instead, it's something a playful, lighthearted read that combines reality and fiction. And we hope it's like nothing you've read before. Includes exclusive sneak peeks at Raymond Khoury’s next Reilly novel, THE END GAME, and Steve Berry’s next Cotton Malone novel, THE 14th COLONY.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2016
192 people are currently reading
1040 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Khoury
54 books1,258 followersRaymond Khoury is the author of five consecutive New York Times and #1 international bestsellers, starting with his debut novel, THE LAST TEMPLAR. His books have been translated into 38 languages, with over 10 million copies in print.
Raymond came to writing thrillers from a career in screenwriting, which including the BAFTA award winning BBC series SPOOKS (aka MI:5 in the US) and Waking The Dead. It partly explains why his novels are often described as cinematic and very visual. As fellow bestselling author Steve Berry puts it: "his expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they're landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own."
THE LAST TEMPLAR began its journey to print as Raymond's third original screenplay, written for film in 1996. At the time, a book agent suggested turning it into a novel, and a major NY publisher, the first to read it, offered Raymond a huge advance for the as-yet-unwritten novel, with one condition: "Lose the religion. It's boring. Change the Templars' secret to gold, diamonds, a physical treasure." After much tortured consideration, Raymond turned the offer down, his first potential check from writing. Almost exactly ten years later, his novel, based on that screenplay--religion included--became a global bestseller, hitting #1 in multiple countries and getting adapted into an NBC miniseries.
Raymond's thrillers are based on big themes that interest him such as international politics and conspiracies, fact vs faith, why we age and die, what do we really know about reincarnation, about mind control. He explores these themes in depth, with heavy emphasis on research, and often combines a historical angle to his stories. As such, some of his novels (THE LAST TEMPLAR, THE SANCTUARY, THE TEMPLAR SALVATION, RASPUTIN'S SHADOW) feature dual timelines: the bulk of the stories are set in the present day, interspersed with chapters that take place in the distant past. As Booklist puts it, "Khoury's thrillers engage the reader's mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace. Readers who like their thrillers to have a solid intellectual component will enjoy Khoury's books very much. Given the high quality of each of his novels, it seems fair to say that he may be around for a while."
Raymond's 8th novel is an epic alternate history and time travel story that Publishers Weekly called "ingeniously inventive" and "a classic of the genre": It is already out in the UK as THE OTTOMAN SECRET, and is out on Oct 1 in the US under a different title, EMPIRE OF LIES.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at raymondkhoury.com or connect with him on his Facebook page or on Instagram (@author.raymond.khoury).
Raymond came to writing thrillers from a career in screenwriting, which including the BAFTA award winning BBC series SPOOKS (aka MI:5 in the US) and Waking The Dead. It partly explains why his novels are often described as cinematic and very visual. As fellow bestselling author Steve Berry puts it: "his expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they're landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own."
THE LAST TEMPLAR began its journey to print as Raymond's third original screenplay, written for film in 1996. At the time, a book agent suggested turning it into a novel, and a major NY publisher, the first to read it, offered Raymond a huge advance for the as-yet-unwritten novel, with one condition: "Lose the religion. It's boring. Change the Templars' secret to gold, diamonds, a physical treasure." After much tortured consideration, Raymond turned the offer down, his first potential check from writing. Almost exactly ten years later, his novel, based on that screenplay--religion included--became a global bestseller, hitting #1 in multiple countries and getting adapted into an NBC miniseries.
Raymond's thrillers are based on big themes that interest him such as international politics and conspiracies, fact vs faith, why we age and die, what do we really know about reincarnation, about mind control. He explores these themes in depth, with heavy emphasis on research, and often combines a historical angle to his stories. As such, some of his novels (THE LAST TEMPLAR, THE SANCTUARY, THE TEMPLAR SALVATION, RASPUTIN'S SHADOW) feature dual timelines: the bulk of the stories are set in the present day, interspersed with chapters that take place in the distant past. As Booklist puts it, "Khoury's thrillers engage the reader's mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace. Readers who like their thrillers to have a solid intellectual component will enjoy Khoury's books very much. Given the high quality of each of his novels, it seems fair to say that he may be around for a while."
Raymond's 8th novel is an epic alternate history and time travel story that Publishers Weekly called "ingeniously inventive" and "a classic of the genre": It is already out in the UK as THE OTTOMAN SECRET, and is out on Oct 1 in the US under a different title, EMPIRE OF LIES.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at raymondkhoury.com or connect with him on his Facebook page or on Instagram (@author.raymond.khoury).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 9, 2016
In this quirky, yet highly entertaining piece, Khoury and Berry tell a story that will keep their fans smiling throughout. While attending the Thrillfest convention in London, Khoury and Berry are kidnapped by a collection of thugs highly interested in their creative ideas. The authors are tasked with creating the most devastating and unique act of terror to be unleashed on the world; one that no one has ever seen and would least expect. Meanwhile, Sean Reilly is contacted and summoned to London, using coded message about something Templar related. After contacting his old friend, Cotton Malone, they meet to track down these two Americans, before being caught in the web of the same thugs and imprisoned. Detained alongside the authors who created them on the written page, Malone and Reilly must determine how to get free before things get completely out of control. Can this foursome escape before a major act of terror comes to pass? In a way only Khoury and Berry could have devised, this short story packs action alongside moments of wonderful humour.
What brilliance, not only starring in their own story, but utilising characters that made them famous to help with the rescue attempt! Told with some background information about how Khoury and Berry developed their friendship, after both writing independently successful novels about the Templars, the reader can bask in this piece and see things come to life. As Malone and Reilly do what they do best, find a way out of any predicament, the story progresses nicely and keeps the reader wondering how it will all work itself out. While the reader must suspend reality a little and not expect too much in the way of character development or significant plot creation, the idea and delivery are wonderful and deserve much praise. If only life mirrored the world of fiction!
Kudos, Messrs. Khoury and Berry for this wonderful little piece of writing. I hope you consider doing a little more of this, as you left quite the cliffhanger for your readers to ponder.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
What brilliance, not only starring in their own story, but utilising characters that made them famous to help with the rescue attempt! Told with some background information about how Khoury and Berry developed their friendship, after both writing independently successful novels about the Templars, the reader can bask in this piece and see things come to life. As Malone and Reilly do what they do best, find a way out of any predicament, the story progresses nicely and keeps the reader wondering how it will all work itself out. While the reader must suspend reality a little and not expect too much in the way of character development or significant plot creation, the idea and delivery are wonderful and deserve much praise. If only life mirrored the world of fiction!
Kudos, Messrs. Khoury and Berry for this wonderful little piece of writing. I hope you consider doing a little more of this, as you left quite the cliffhanger for your readers to ponder.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 19, 2016
This was a fun read, as Steve Berry and Raymond Khoury poke fun at themselves and their characters. They even have some fun with their fellow writers. You don't have to have read any of their books to get a chuckle out of the read. I have read SB in the past and do like Cotton. Never read RK, but he is a huge favorite of my hubbys.
April 4, 2016
a tongue in cheek novella by 2 best selling authors of this genre
February 13, 2016
"Creative and Hilarious"
This is a very entertaining short story written by two successful authors. Here, FBI Agent Sean Reilly and retired Justice Dept. Operative Cotton Malone get linked together for the first time while investigating separate Templar mysteries. They both discover this terrorist plot is more personal and also shocking as they soon arrive in London. While authors Ray Khoury and Steve Berry are attending a ThrillerFest in London, they are abducted and held captive. They think it is just a joke, probably played out by Lee Child or James Roland! Funny ... but this is a great creative story. It's a good way to meet these two outstanding authors and their famous (or notorious) characters. Their writing styles are captivating. Give this a try! You'll laugh out loud!
This is a very entertaining short story written by two successful authors. Here, FBI Agent Sean Reilly and retired Justice Dept. Operative Cotton Malone get linked together for the first time while investigating separate Templar mysteries. They both discover this terrorist plot is more personal and also shocking as they soon arrive in London. While authors Ray Khoury and Steve Berry are attending a ThrillerFest in London, they are abducted and held captive. They think it is just a joke, probably played out by Lee Child or James Roland! Funny ... but this is a great creative story. It's a good way to meet these two outstanding authors and their famous (or notorious) characters. Their writing styles are captivating. Give this a try! You'll laugh out loud!
January 8, 2016
Two of my favorite authors team up for this amazing short story. I must say that it was a completely GENIUS idea that Mr. Berry & Khoury incorporated themselves as fictional characters into the plot. The way that they make fun of their fellow authors like James Rollins and Lee Child was really funny as well. Cool ending too meeting their own created characters Reilly and Malone. Here's hoping to another collaboration between you two phenomenal authors. This was the greatest dollar I've ever spent!
January 6, 2016
I haven't read Khoury, but I worship Steve Berry. I attend his talks at Thrillerfest and have attended his History Matters -all day writing class. He's a master of his art and I have learned much from him. That being said, I was disappointed in this story and just didn't get it. It was a bit too contrived and cute for me.
But I have already pre-ordered Steve's next book!
But I have already pre-ordered Steve's next book!
January 2, 2016
Gotta love your meta reads. Seems two authors and two agents found themselves on the same side of reality... But I won't get too far into it, or spoil it too much, I think, as you'll certainly see once you read past chapter 1. But they did a splendid job; a fun little read for New Years Day.
January 5, 2016
A very fun and funny read! The only problem with it was that it was waaaayyy too short. Hope to see some more of this from these two guys.
January 19, 2016
As a hardened fan of Raymond Khoury for many years, this little short story was right up my alley. A quick read, Khoury teams up with renowned author Steve Berry (an author I've been recommended many times but never actually read). The return of Sean Reilly was a welcomed one I guarantee you.
Although ridiculously short, Shadow Tag was tremendous fun. Light-hearted, humorous at times, and always full of action, it was a pleasure to see the authors be snapped up along with their actual characters. This was an interesting and original take on a story. The baddies forcing the authors to come up with a terrorist plot was just ingenious in fact. I also found the little touches brilliant too - the fact that Reilly and Malone feel something is missing from their usual tactics - but as the reader, we know it is because the authors aren't pulling their strings in the background making them work as they should!
Many will criticise this as overly short and not delivering a powerful enough punch as expected, but I found the subtleties light-hearted and entertaining. It has car chases and kidnap - all in under fifty pages!
Although ridiculously short, Shadow Tag was tremendous fun. Light-hearted, humorous at times, and always full of action, it was a pleasure to see the authors be snapped up along with their actual characters. This was an interesting and original take on a story. The baddies forcing the authors to come up with a terrorist plot was just ingenious in fact. I also found the little touches brilliant too - the fact that Reilly and Malone feel something is missing from their usual tactics - but as the reader, we know it is because the authors aren't pulling their strings in the background making them work as they should!
Many will criticise this as overly short and not delivering a powerful enough punch as expected, but I found the subtleties light-hearted and entertaining. It has car chases and kidnap - all in under fifty pages!
November 28, 2016
The two thriller writers Steve Berry and Raymond Khoury while attending Thrill-fest convention in London are kidnapped. And the secret agents Cotton Malone and Sean Reilly were summoned via a coded message to track down two Americans.
The kidnapper asks Berry and Khoury to create a story of an antagonist who wins in the end using a devastating act of terror, so that he use that plot to have a name alongside Bin Laden. Both the authors brainstorm to create plots which were already in the books of several authors. Same time Cotton and Sean track one thug but they were imprisoned next to the authors.
Did the authors created a unique plot for the act of terror? or Did the authors and agents escape from the clutches of the kidnapper? all these are in the remaining pages of the action packed short story. It is a real life authors meeting their fictional characters in their life.
I liked the way the authors have poked fun on themselves and also they have mentioned many other thriller authors. Like I said before the story has humorous moments and action side by side.
Plus the book also had sneak peak on Raymond Khoury's "The End Game" and Steve Berry's "The 14th Colony".
The kidnapper asks Berry and Khoury to create a story of an antagonist who wins in the end using a devastating act of terror, so that he use that plot to have a name alongside Bin Laden. Both the authors brainstorm to create plots which were already in the books of several authors. Same time Cotton and Sean track one thug but they were imprisoned next to the authors.
Did the authors created a unique plot for the act of terror? or Did the authors and agents escape from the clutches of the kidnapper? all these are in the remaining pages of the action packed short story. It is a real life authors meeting their fictional characters in their life.
I liked the way the authors have poked fun on themselves and also they have mentioned many other thriller authors. Like I said before the story has humorous moments and action side by side.
Plus the book also had sneak peak on Raymond Khoury's "The End Game" and Steve Berry's "The 14th Colony".
May 3, 2016
A quick story that puts Raymond Khoury and Steve Berry inside the story along side their main protagonists: Sean Reilly and Cotton Malone (although the latter gentlemen really don't play that big of a role and instead it is the pair of thriller writers that seem to save the day). The authors are kidnapped by some bad guys looking to do something with impact but not get caught and so they want the authors to come up with a full proof plot. Reilly and Malone are green lit to investigate this group and a mini adventure occurs in London.
It was an interesting concept, a bit quick in the execution, but it allowed the authors to get their hands dirty and it played on some of the irony of the authors occupying the space of their protagonists and some of the smoke and mirrors surrounding how these protagonists in thrillers always seem to know what to do or escape evil in one form or another.
Summary Haiku
Two authors kidnapped
In the dark night of London
A thriller is made
It was an interesting concept, a bit quick in the execution, but it allowed the authors to get their hands dirty and it played on some of the irony of the authors occupying the space of their protagonists and some of the smoke and mirrors surrounding how these protagonists in thrillers always seem to know what to do or escape evil in one form or another.
Summary Haiku
Two authors kidnapped
In the dark night of London
A thriller is made
Read
October 9, 2016It’s been ten years since FBI agent Sean Reilly and retired Justice Department operative Cotton Malone got dragged around the globe on their separate Templar adventures. They’d never worked on a case together—until now.
Something bizarre is afoot in London, England. "American specialists" have gone missing, and intel chatter points to a major terrorist plot in the works. And a familiar keyword links to both Reilly and Malone.
The two agents are sent to London where they discover a plot that’s more personal, unusual and surprising than they could have possibly imagined (and one that may involve a couple of writerly characters new to fiction whom you might recognise).
Fast, furious and funny, Shadow Tag is NOT like the Reilly and Malone thrillers you've grown to love. Instead, it's something different: a playful, lighthearted read that combines reality and fiction. And we hope it's like nothing you've read before.
Silly. The two fictional characters help out and rescue their authors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2017
Quick fun!!
Seventy pages by two of my favorite authors is either torture or teasing. I laughed, shook my head at the plausibility of it all and then sat stunned and depressed at the end. If you want intrigue and high dreams, buy one of Barry's or Knoury's novels. If you want to have fun, read this!
Seventy pages by two of my favorite authors is either torture or teasing. I laughed, shook my head at the plausibility of it all and then sat stunned and depressed at the end. If you want intrigue and high dreams, buy one of Barry's or Knoury's novels. If you want to have fun, read this!
May 31, 2016
This is a novella featuring both authors, Raymond Khoury and Steve Berry as the main characters in an adventure set in London. The authors two main characters, Sean Reilly and Cotton Malone, are also in the adventure as the agents coming to rescue the authors. It was a very fast easy read on the kindle.
January 14, 2016
Not what I expected
That was short and kinda lame. This story was not something I would expect from Steve Berry. It felt like both the authors knew that if they wrote something and slapped their names on it, their fans would buy it.
That was short and kinda lame. This story was not something I would expect from Steve Berry. It felt like both the authors knew that if they wrote something and slapped their names on it, their fans would buy it.
February 18, 2016
Shadow Tag Raymond khoury and steve berry
A hilariously entertaining novella by both authors kidnapped by would be terrorists . There primary characters in there books, Cotton Malone and Sean Reilly are trying to rescue them. One slapstick scenario after another! Entertaining!!!
A hilariously entertaining novella by both authors kidnapped by would be terrorists . There primary characters in there books, Cotton Malone and Sean Reilly are trying to rescue them. One slapstick scenario after another! Entertaining!!!
June 1, 2016
I loved this short story. You could definitely tell it was by both of them. And what I loved the most and am not used to with both authors was ! humor. Actually found myself laughing out loud. What else can I say....loved it!!!
July 11, 2016
Not the best story in the world, although creative. It did induce me to read the original Raymond Khoury book about the Templars. I have been a huge Steve Berry fan and will branch out to Raymond Khoury.
January 3, 2016
This short story is hilarious. It features Steve Berry, Raymond Khoury, Cotten Malone and Sean Reilly.
April 11, 2016
Hilarious twist in this really short collaboration between Mr. Berry and Mr. Khoury. Also includes teasers for their next books, which are available now.
January 10, 2016
Good quick read well written with both authors main protagonists in action with a great perspective looking forward to these authors next instalments
January 17, 2016
Cool
Fun crossover for both authors. The next question is can they make a full novel similar to this, but without them in the plot.
Fun crossover for both authors. The next question is can they make a full novel similar to this, but without them in the plot.
February 23, 2016
Khoury and Berry together at last
What a hoot! Now if they'd just do it for real! It would be a great read. Thank you guys!
What a hoot! Now if they'd just do it for real! It would be a great read. Thank you guys!
March 22, 2016
this was a fun read, adventurous and funny. but what got my attention more than anything else was the description of the food. Next time in London I'll have to look the place up. :) Good Job guys
July 22, 2017
[SPOILERS, AS IF IT MATTERS AT ALL] This was just silly. I read it because I read and greatly enjoy the Cotton Malone series, but if it weren't for my book-related OCD tendencies, I would never have finished even this very short story. The writers not only write themselves (in 3rd person, no less) into a ridiculous thriller plot, they make their primary characters, Reilly and Malone, part of the story happening in the real world. AND THEN THEY MEET THEIR OWN CHARACTERS and "resolve" the thriller plot with them. Absurd.
August 27, 2020
Well that was...interesting
Berry and Khoury definitely had some putting this short story together. It appears to be their attempt to mess with their fans who wanted a Cotton Malone and Sean Reilly crossover.
Berry and Khoury definitely had some putting this short story together. It appears to be their attempt to mess with their fans who wanted a Cotton Malone and Sean Reilly crossover.
December 15, 2017
Quick, fun read.
January 14, 2019
I love these authors and their characters. It was a great story.
Read
July 26, 2019DNF
September 13, 2019
lackluster especially for such accomplished authors. even a short story should be worthwhile reading. maybe they are just poking fun at themselves, or the readers, but this definitely falls short...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews