Not an unpleasant read and there were parts that were thrilling, in a television thriller sort of way. I am new to Steve Berry's Cotton Malone and I would not recommend this as a way to get into it. It would have been easier to follow and I would have cared more about what was happening to the characters if I had already been through more adventures with them.

This is a lot of talking, posturing, plotting, threatening, and double-crossing, with just a touch of evil doing. There was a little jet-setting up and down the East Coast, but with little sense of adventure. The pirate lore was interesting, including the ties to the founding fathers. But I never quite bought into the modern pirates Commonwealth scheme.

I was glad to see from other reviewers, and even the cover blurb, that this is not a typical Cotton Malone adventure. I'll give him another try one of these days. ( )

The Jefferson Key is a very well researched book about U.S. history and privateering. There is a lot to be learned. The characters are all possessed with super powers both good and annoying. The scenes are all well described in order to keep the book flowing. That poor Oak Island is of course a key destination. The book received four stars in this review due to the creative story using American history as a basis. ( )

First edition as new

A group of four families (dubbed the Commonwealth) are fighting to protect their standing as defenders of the U.S. when they are essentially pirates. Cotton Malone is drawn into a conspiracy to kill the President, and then is dragged into finding the Congressional authority that was hidden by Andrew Jackson along with the assistance of the ever capable Cassiopedia Vitt. ( )

Take deep historical research, genius imagination, a twist of conspiracy, and adventurous characters and you have The Jefferson Key. Though there are many characters in play, the reader comes to distinguish the noble from the evil ones as the story progresses. Connecting presidential assassination attempts with a shadowy group of modern-day pirates, author Steve Berry weaves a fascinating tale and makes it believable. His hero, Cotton Malone, appears in many other stories that I feel compelled to hunt down to read. Thrilling! ( )