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ConversazioniBook Discussion : The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry
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2Carol420
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
Cotton Malone series Book #1
June 2016 – Last one read on Leafmarks
Here we are introduced to Cotton Malone, a former covert agent of the U.S. Justice Department.
Malone finds himself drawn into the pursuit of the Templar legacy when what was supposed to be a visit with Stephanie Nelle, his former supervisor at Justice, turns into a purse snatching that ends when the perpetrator, after being cornered, commits suicide.
It develops that the would-be thief is after a notebook of Nelle's late and estranged husband that has passed into her possession under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Nelle's husband had become famous writing a number of speculative works concerning European mysteries of the 14th century, including the disappearance of the Templar fortune. His notebooks and a seemingly innocuous manuscript appear to hold the key to the ultimate location of the treasure trove.
Malone and Nelle are in competition with others in a race to the treasure…a race that includes the modern-day leader of the Templars, an organization that has continued to exist quietly, biding its time.
Malone gets some assistance from unexpected sources, including an exotic and capable Moslem beauty with an agenda of her own and a Templar monk whose destiny appears to be forewritten in prophecy.
Intermixed with the action and adventure is not only a good amount of information on the history of the Knights Templar, but the contradictions amongst the various Gospels in terms of the Resurrection as well.
As they draw closer to unearthing the treasure, however, Malone finds that the number of people whom he can fully trust becomes fewer and fewer, even as the path to the treasure, and the Templar legacy, grows more dangerous.
As a group we found Cotton Malone to be a likable, capable, and ultimately believable character….one who is perhaps more competent cerebrally than physically.
After cashing in his retirement from the Justice Department he owns and operates a bookstore in Denmark…but it seems his criminal hunting days are far from over.
This was the last book we discussed on Leafmarks in June 2016.
I did find a few of our comments:
“There are many twists and turns in the tale, which makes for a fast-paced, exciting story that is sure to grip the reader.”
Comment about the audio version of the story: “There were times when Brian Corrigan's attempts at the French accent of this book's arch-villain, Raymond De Roquefort, that he sounded so much like Peter Sellers's Inspector Clouseau with a bad head cold. In spite of that the story line was absolutely magnificent.”
The clues that Cotton Malone and his band of merry men and women were tasked with finding and interpreting were well over this readers head but I did so enjoy the journey. This is the perfect blend for thriller fans and history buffs alike.”
“The plot of finding the Templar treasure made for a very adventurous tale. I learned a lot about the history of the Templars, the Rennes-le-Chateau, Avignon and Pyrenees areas of France which was very fascinating.”
All I could find were ratings from myself – 3.5; Eadie – 5, Lynda – 4, Andrew – 4.5. Bluebird – 3.5
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry
Cotton Malone Book #2
Read: October 15-20, 2016
Retired US operative Cotton Malone is attempting to live a quiet life and is running a bookshop in Copenhagen.
Retirement comes to an abrupt halt when he escapes the assassins who have burned down his bookshop and tells him they have kidnapped his son…nearly trapping him and his ex-wife, Pam, inside.
Cotton is forced to join forces with Pam when it seems assassins may be on her trail as well.
They get their son back, but then they find themselves caught between ancient organizations: the Guardians of the Library at Alexandria, pledged to keep its secrets safe, and the Order of the Golden Fleece, a ruthless sect of the powerful who meet in secret and who have vowed to claim the Library for themselves.
Accompanying Cotton and Pam is the Order's pet assassin, who has a few plans of his own regarding the library.
At the same time, treachery is afoot in the US government with the president, vice president, secretary of state, and the heads of several security departments all mistrusting each other as a web of secrets and lies is unraveled.
Cotton’s former boss who has always had his back has been fired by the President…but that doesn’t stop her from trying to sort out the mess at home with the help of a friend and super-hero type…Cassiopeia.
The plot is complicated, and intrigue and double-crossing abounds. The reader is kept off balance at every turn as the characters double and triple cross each other. The action is fast-paced, and the clues are intriguing but far above most reader ability to interpret.
At stake is an explosive ancient document with the potential not only to change the destiny of the Middle East but to shake the world’s three major religions to their very foundations.
There were 7 participants in the discussion and all 7 of us rated the book 4.5. In looking at other reviews this rating is much higher than any other sites. Reading together must have some benefit for the outcome.
Participants: Andrew, Carol, Lynda, Eadie, Sergei, Brenda & Bluebird.
Overall rating was 4.5
Comments were also positive.
"Great book with a great ending! Lots of surprises, but none that made the reader feel cheated or left out."
"Great story and plot...fast moving and never a dull moment. Hope we continue to discuss this series. Hope Stevie can write fast enough for us."
"I like books mixed with history, religion and suspense. This book had it all!"
" Excellent story that was really plot filled. Can't wait to continue the series."
Cotton Malone series Book #1
June 2016 – Last one read on Leafmarks
Here we are introduced to Cotton Malone, a former covert agent of the U.S. Justice Department.
Malone finds himself drawn into the pursuit of the Templar legacy when what was supposed to be a visit with Stephanie Nelle, his former supervisor at Justice, turns into a purse snatching that ends when the perpetrator, after being cornered, commits suicide.
It develops that the would-be thief is after a notebook of Nelle's late and estranged husband that has passed into her possession under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Nelle's husband had become famous writing a number of speculative works concerning European mysteries of the 14th century, including the disappearance of the Templar fortune. His notebooks and a seemingly innocuous manuscript appear to hold the key to the ultimate location of the treasure trove.
Malone and Nelle are in competition with others in a race to the treasure…a race that includes the modern-day leader of the Templars, an organization that has continued to exist quietly, biding its time.
Malone gets some assistance from unexpected sources, including an exotic and capable Moslem beauty with an agenda of her own and a Templar monk whose destiny appears to be forewritten in prophecy.
Intermixed with the action and adventure is not only a good amount of information on the history of the Knights Templar, but the contradictions amongst the various Gospels in terms of the Resurrection as well.
As they draw closer to unearthing the treasure, however, Malone finds that the number of people whom he can fully trust becomes fewer and fewer, even as the path to the treasure, and the Templar legacy, grows more dangerous.
As a group we found Cotton Malone to be a likable, capable, and ultimately believable character….one who is perhaps more competent cerebrally than physically.
After cashing in his retirement from the Justice Department he owns and operates a bookstore in Denmark…but it seems his criminal hunting days are far from over.
This was the last book we discussed on Leafmarks in June 2016.
I did find a few of our comments:
“There are many twists and turns in the tale, which makes for a fast-paced, exciting story that is sure to grip the reader.”
Comment about the audio version of the story: “There were times when Brian Corrigan's attempts at the French accent of this book's arch-villain, Raymond De Roquefort, that he sounded so much like Peter Sellers's Inspector Clouseau with a bad head cold. In spite of that the story line was absolutely magnificent.”
The clues that Cotton Malone and his band of merry men and women were tasked with finding and interpreting were well over this readers head but I did so enjoy the journey. This is the perfect blend for thriller fans and history buffs alike.”
“The plot of finding the Templar treasure made for a very adventurous tale. I learned a lot about the history of the Templars, the Rennes-le-Chateau, Avignon and Pyrenees areas of France which was very fascinating.”
All I could find were ratings from myself – 3.5; Eadie – 5, Lynda – 4, Andrew – 4.5. Bluebird – 3.5
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry
Cotton Malone Book #2
Read: October 15-20, 2016
Retired US operative Cotton Malone is attempting to live a quiet life and is running a bookshop in Copenhagen.
Retirement comes to an abrupt halt when he escapes the assassins who have burned down his bookshop and tells him they have kidnapped his son…nearly trapping him and his ex-wife, Pam, inside.
Cotton is forced to join forces with Pam when it seems assassins may be on her trail as well.
They get their son back, but then they find themselves caught between ancient organizations: the Guardians of the Library at Alexandria, pledged to keep its secrets safe, and the Order of the Golden Fleece, a ruthless sect of the powerful who meet in secret and who have vowed to claim the Library for themselves.
Accompanying Cotton and Pam is the Order's pet assassin, who has a few plans of his own regarding the library.
At the same time, treachery is afoot in the US government with the president, vice president, secretary of state, and the heads of several security departments all mistrusting each other as a web of secrets and lies is unraveled.
Cotton’s former boss who has always had his back has been fired by the President…but that doesn’t stop her from trying to sort out the mess at home with the help of a friend and super-hero type…Cassiopeia.
The plot is complicated, and intrigue and double-crossing abounds. The reader is kept off balance at every turn as the characters double and triple cross each other. The action is fast-paced, and the clues are intriguing but far above most reader ability to interpret.
At stake is an explosive ancient document with the potential not only to change the destiny of the Middle East but to shake the world’s three major religions to their very foundations.
There were 7 participants in the discussion and all 7 of us rated the book 4.5. In looking at other reviews this rating is much higher than any other sites. Reading together must have some benefit for the outcome.
Participants: Andrew, Carol, Lynda, Eadie, Sergei, Brenda & Bluebird.
Overall rating was 4.5
Comments were also positive.
"Great book with a great ending! Lots of surprises, but none that made the reader feel cheated or left out."
"Great story and plot...fast moving and never a dull moment. Hope we continue to discuss this series. Hope Stevie can write fast enough for us."
"I like books mixed with history, religion and suspense. This book had it all!"
" Excellent story that was really plot filled. Can't wait to continue the series."
3Carol420
Great to be back with our friend Cotton Malone. i'm not sure how many of the other characters are our "friends" or even Cotton's friends but it will be another interesting one I'm sure.
5Andrew-theQM
>3 Carol420: I love the character of Henrik Thorvaldsen as well as Cotton. Cassiopeia is growning on me but is quite a deep character and I don't feel as if I know her yet. I hope we get to know Gary better in the future and I wonder if Pam will put in a reappearance in some book in the future.
I hope for an adventure rooted in fascinating history and a treasure hunt. Of course we know three elements that will appear shootings, deaths and high adventure. Looking forward to this one!
I hope for an adventure rooted in fascinating history and a treasure hunt. Of course we know three elements that will appear shootings, deaths and high adventure. Looking forward to this one!
6Sergeirocks
I'm going in with an open mind, waiting to be entertained...
7EadieB
Thanks Carol, as always for the updates. I'm looking forward to reading this book. Don't know what to expect but I know it will be adventurous.
I've spent this whole day wrapping presents so now I'm going to relax and read so I can be ready for the questions.
I've spent this whole day wrapping presents so now I'm going to relax and read so I can be ready for the questions.
8Andrew-theQM
>6 Sergeirocks: I imagine Steve Berry will do that!
9Andrew-theQM
>7 EadieB: Think I'd rather be reading. :)
10EadieB
>9 Andrew-theQM:
I know but somebody has to do it and now it's done. I have to decorate tomorrow. I had a sinus infection when I got home from New York Sunday night, so I went to the doctor on Monday and just started feeling better today. Needless to say, I'm a bit behind for Christmas.
I know but somebody has to do it and now it's done. I have to decorate tomorrow. I had a sinus infection when I got home from New York Sunday night, so I went to the doctor on Monday and just started feeling better today. Needless to say, I'm a bit behind for Christmas.
11Andrew-theQM
>9 Andrew-theQM: Very similar had stinker of cold last weekend and still lingering!
12EadieB
>11 Andrew-theQM:
That's what happens when winter comes and everybody is inside spreading all their germs around. At least I was listening to the audio of Live Wire by Harlan Coben while wrapping.
That's what happens when winter comes and everybody is inside spreading all their germs around. At least I was listening to the audio of Live Wire by Harlan Coben while wrapping.
