The Lost Order is a very well researched book. As always with his books, Steve Berry separates fact from fiction, as the story progresses. The book itself is about the founding of the Smithsonian and an order of men who were selected to protect the Confederate gold. Our hero Cotton Malone's family is very prominent in the story. The book received four stars in this review and is highly recommended. ( )

First edition signed as new

Cotton's help is requested to seek a huge horde of Confederate gold, when the prior person is scared off by one of the guardians. Meanwhile, ex-President Danny Daniels discovers a parallel plot for the Speaker of the House to become as powerful than the President by changing House Rules, relegating the Senate to the minor role it had following independence from Great Britain. I liked the role played by Cotton's grandfather, Danny finagling himself to become a Senator, and learning about the Smithsonian (and founder James Smithson, who $500,000 gift was made without his ever visiting the U.S.) However, the resolutions of the storylines were both protracted and, in one case, a complete fizzle. Kind of an average book for Steve Berry.

P.S. I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway, but it did not affect my opinion ( )

Another entry to the Cotton Malone series doesn’t disappoint. Cotton is back in action along with girlfriend Cassiopeia Vitt as they explore a mystery set in motion after the Civil War involving secret societies of Southern sympathizers, the Smithsonian Institute, Supreme Court judges, a former president, Senate and Congress.

What we’ve come to love about Steve Berry’s writing is all on display in this installment of the series. The action and intrigue of a special agent on the hunt, the danger of people willing to risk their lives to serve their ideals or country, and a healthy dose of US conspiracy theory.

In this story the action begins straight away and involves the reader in a conspiracy dating back to the end of the Civil War. Most will have only a basic understanding of the political climate of 1865 and will be astounded at some of the information provided by Berry in the story- though make no mistake, there’s a healthy dose of fictionalization (admitted in the afterward) to keep the story interesting.

What’s so great about these novels is that we really don’t care; for a moment, we’re Cotton or Cassiopeia and we’re on the adventure too. We love the fast-paced nature of the story and the death-defying secret agent style the characters have. The characters themselves have been so ingrained as they are, learning anything new about them, as we do in this story, doesn’t come as a startling revelation but rather as more of a ‘yeah, that tracks’ before diving back into the suspense.

Overall, the series is charming and fun, perfect for readers who are looking for something easy to digest at a rapid pace but not get too bogged down in technical speak or over-analysis of history.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.** ( )

I think Steve Berry is by far the best writer of historical fiction out there today in his arena. Dan Brown has fallen by the wayside. Cotton Malone should be in the movies!!! ( )