The Paris Vendetta

This novel was my introduction to Cotton Malone, and Steve Berry. As I began reading the first couple of chapters, I started to get confused about all the characters and the interactions between them. I started taking notes. Within the next couple of chapters, the notes were set aside as I got caught up in a compelling tale of the past (Napoleon and his treasure) and the present (those who were hunting for the missing treasure). The Paris Vendetta covers a lot of ground, from London to Paris, the United States to Copenhagen. The players are serious in their quest to find the treasure and willing to destroy anyone in their way. The U.S. Treasury Department and others are just as adamant about bringing down an international terrorist and stopping further bloodshed. Cotton Malone and his cohorts drive themselves beyond their limit doing whatever they can to stop the catastrophic events that have been set in motion. To say this novel is a page-turner is an understatement. I literally could not put it down after about a third of the way through. I appreciate the way Mr. Berry moved back and forth between scenes portraying the action in real time so that the reader could understand the multiple situations taking place during the same time period. I also enjoy his way with words and the way he turns a phrase. Very enjoyable read! This may have been my first novel by this author, but it is not my last.

Long time fans will be overjoyed to see the return of much-loved Cotton Malone in Steve Berry's newest twist, "The Paris Vendetta". Circling multiple storylines, this is easily the most fast-paced volume in the series as Berry focuses on the long-lost treasure of Napoleon Bonaparte. Cotton is duty-bound to make a choice between helping his closest friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen or taking down a terrorist plot with his former employer Stephanie Nelle. Bringing together the best of both worlds, Berry skillfully weaves his readers between truth and fiction like none other. While reading these treasures, you can't help but to speculate on what might be historically true and what nuggets have spun from the imagination of Berry. Waiting until the end of the book to find out what happens is often too much, and it takes strong willpower to keep from sliding to the final pages where all is revealed. With a keen understanding of his readers and brilliant research skills, "The Paris Vendetta" is an intelligent and exciting escapade.

Steve Berry is only 1 of 3 authors that I will buy hardcover books as soon as they are published and this one was worth the price. It lived up to his standard for great adventure and well researched material. Can't wait for his next book.

I have enjoyed Steve Berry's books since I first picked up "The Amber Room" several years ago. In his latest Cotton Malone thriller Berry has once again hit upon a winning formula that seems to get better with each book that he writes. In The Paris Vendetta Cotton Malone once again finds himself unwillingly entangled is a series of deadly plots and adventures, though he'd rather be back at his rare bookstore in Denmark enjoying a quiet life. The Paris Vendetta weaves a story of intrigue, revenge, terrorism, and financial corruption in a tightly woven novel that hinges on a Napoleonic legend involving treasure that Napoleon looted from countries he invaded, and may or may not have hidden. Several of Cotton's friends and associates are back for another roller-coaster ride, specifically Stephanie Nelle from the Magellan Billet and Cotton's closest friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen. The book takes many twists and turns and will definitely surprise readers new to Steve Berry's books as well as fans who look forward to his newest novel. Once you pick it up you definitely won't want to put it down.

Danish billionaire Henrik Thorvaldsen obsesses over the terrorist incident in Mexico City that left seven dead including his son. He cannot move on as the brain behind the assault has remained free although he now knows who he is. Henrik sends apparently fired Secret Service Agent Sam Collins to break into the Copenhagen bookstore owned by former United States Department of Justice (DOJ) operative Cotton Malone. The grieving Dane hopes to obtain Malone's cooperation to help bring down the killer Lord Ashby who has ties to a financial cartel the Paris Club planning an assault on the global economy for avaricous gains that the DOJ hopes to counter. The starting point in the plan is a plot to destroy a landmark that could kill hundreds; war is usury profitable for the finance community. With terrific ties to Napoleon in Corsica and an exciting action packed story line, the latest Cotton Malone thriller (see The Charlemagne Pursuit) is a fun read. Filled with twists and over the top of the Eiffel Tower villains, fans will enjoy Malone's newest retirement caper mindful of War, Inc and If Looks Could Kill although not a satire. Malone teams up with a grieving angry father and a First Amendment conspiracy buff to thwart the latest capitalist plot to have the masses finance war with money and blood so the affluent can make outrageous profits. Harriet Klausner