But what if those presidents were all killed for the same reason: a clause in the United States Constitution—contained within Article 1, Section 8—that would shock Americans?
This question is what faces former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone in his latest adventure. When a bold assassination attempt is made against President Danny Daniels in the heart of Manhattan, Malone risks his life to foil the killing—only to find himself at dangerous odds with the Commonwealth, a secret society of pirates first assembled during the American Revolution. In their most perilous exploit yet, Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt race across the nation and take to the high seas. Along the way they break a secret cipher originally possessed by Thomas Jefferson, unravel a mystery concocted by Andrew Jackson, and unearth a centuries-old document forged by the Founding Fathers themselves, one powerful enough—thanks to that clause in the Constitution—to make the Commonwealth unstoppable.
The Jefferson Key is the first book I've read by Steve Berry, although my husband has picked up a few of them in the past. It is the 7th adventure of former operative, Cotton Malone, and I enjoyed it a lot. Part National Treasure, part Pirates of the Caribbean, and with a hint of Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy's hero...oh, and throw in a little Lara Croft in the guise of Malone's lady friend, Cassiopeia Vitt. There's your story. National secrets, conspiracies, agents of several governmental varieties, hidden treasure, modern day pirates, and enough historical facts to keep me turning the pages. Steve Berry writes a good yarn and it is my understanding that the location of US soil is a first for him. His people usually have their adventures in other far flung regions. The end of the book contains an author's note where we are privy to what is actually true and what is not. I'll be on the lookout for more books by this author in the future. As I've said before, I like spies, secret conspiracies, and heroes. Plus, Cotton Malone's retirement profession is the owner of a bookstore. What's not to like?
The first thing I thought of as I read your review, Kay, is the Da Vinci Code. I'm quite intrigued. I can't get enough of the past presidents whether in fiction or nonfiction, although I don't like pirate stuff. :<) Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting! And you're right - when a character is a bookstore owner, that makes it all the more compelling!
ReplyDeleteI suggest starting from the beginning. TBG and I love this series and have read all of them. Cotton has an antique bookstore owner as friend in Denmark who features in several of the books but is no longer a character. I think you would enjoy him.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a Jack Reacher book right now about someone trying to assasinate the VP. I love political intrigue so I'll have to look for this series.
ReplyDeleteThis is uncanny. I just recently looked up the info on our four assassinated Presidents, and today here is the review of this book.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like an interesting book...
It sounds rather exciting, I might try the series and definitely rec them to my husband.
ReplyDeleteNan, I thought about the Da Vinci Code too. I didn't read that one for a long time after it came out. I finally did and enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
ReplyDeleteJill, yes, I always love a book that includes a bookstore.
Kaye, thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to reading further adventures of Cotton's.
Stacy, I haven't read the Reacher books, but my husband loves them.
Kay, we have been on the same wavelength a lot lately. LOL
Cath, yes, I think you might like them if you're in the mood for something like that and your husband would probably like them as well.