The Charlemagne Pursuit (Cotton Malone Series #4)

Non-stop action

In this fourth novel featuring the one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, Cotton Malone, Cotton sets out to discover the full story behind his father¿s death thirty-eight years ago. Cashing in a favor with his ex-boss Stephanie Nelle, Cotton learns a shocking the shocking secret that the Navy covered up. His father died in a top-secret submarine mission beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica. Within minutes of receiving the highly classified file Cotton finds himself in danger. In order to save himself and learn the truth behind the cover-up he teams up with twin sisters Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk whose father also died on the submarine. Filled with unease about working with the twins Cotton cautiously embarks on a perilous journey by solving clues left in a diary found in Charlemagne¿s tomb. Filled with non-stop action, The Charlemagne Pursuit kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book. Berry threw curve balls left and right that kept me second guessing who was a good guy and who was just plain up to no good. I actually cried at the end and even though the book is 528 pages I wished it would have gone on for 500 more. Having read all three of the previous Cotton Malone books I can honestly say that this book is the best one yet but if you¿ve haven¿t read the previous three this one does stand alone. I HIGHLY recommend this book to all thriller and suspense lovers.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Berry's best yet, a new level, more mature.

This is Steve Berry's seventh novel, and the fourth of the Cotton Malone series. I've always enjoyed Berry's novels, grand adventures, thrilling and suspenseful, intriguing and mysterious. If you like Dan Brown and James Rollins, you will like Steve Berry. If I haven't convinced you, just go buy him for yourself and see what I mean.

The Charlemagne Pursuit finds former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone involved in another race for information. It seems he can never stay settled in his Copenhagen bookstore for long, someone always needs his help. This time though, he's brought things upon himself.

Nearly his whole life Cotton believed his father died on a submarine mission in the North Atlantic, that's what his mother was told. But when Cotton wants more information, he discovers not only has he been believing a lie, but someone else wants to know what happened to his father's sub as well, and another someone wants to do anything and everything to keep that information under ice. Literally.

Cotton teams up with an unlikely pair of twin sisters who hate each other, but are also searching for information about their father who happened to be on the same submarine as Cotton's. Back in the United States, Cotton's former boss Stephanie Nelle has teamed up with deputy national security advisor Edwin Davis to search for information on just who is pulling the strings and placing Cotton in danger at every turn.

Filled with ancient artifacts, evidence of a race of humans far older than ourselves, murderous assassins, intriguing riddles, and thrilling non-stop action, Berry once again delivers a wonderfully suspenseful novel in the Cotton Malone series. But this one is more mature than his previous editions; this one is also skillfully researched, but it's more of a serious thriller than an adrenaline-filled sensationalistic work. This one is an entrée ready to be eaten, making his earlier works seem like appetizers. I love appetizers, they're fabulous, but the entrée is where the skill is found, the true talent of the chef is displayed in the entrée. And Steve Berry proves himself a master with The Charlemagne Pursuit.

Certain characters return, and others are only mentioned in passing, never to make themselves visible in this novel. But we learn more about Cotton, about his feelings, and he becomes less of a Terminator and more of an emotional human. The ending makes me happy that I waited to read The Charlemagne Pursuit, since cliffhangers make me anxious for more, and the next Cotton book, The Paris Vendetta, is already in stores.

If you like thrillers and adventures, pick up a Steve Berry novel. I loved his first two, The Amber Room and The Romanov Prophecy, but the Cotton series begins with The Templar Legacy.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great Book

The Charlemagne Pursuit begins with Cotton Malone making a request for a certain U.S. Navy file. His father, Forest Malone, was the captain of a U.S. Navy submarine that had an accident and sank somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Cotton Malone becomes fairly curious about his father's death, so he begins to look into it. He comes across two women, Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk, twins who work against each other but strive to accomplish a similar goal. They each want the information from Malone's Navy file. This is because their father perished in the same exact submarine accident as Forrest Malone. What Cotton Malone finds in the Navy file shocks him. It turns out, the submarine did not disappear in the Atlantic Ocean, but rather beneath the ice shelves in Antarctica. Malone begins to wonder what the sub was actually doing in Antarctica, but more importantly, he wants to know why the Navy had lied to him. Not only is this book about Cotton Malone's quest to find the answers to his father's death, but it also includes several side stories. Steve Berry keeps you on the edge of your seat in this outstanding book! He incorporates history and mystery as well as action in this intense book. The further you get into this book, the less you want to put it down! I really enjoyed reading this book because not only did it have a good amount of history, but it also was packed with action. I think Steve Berry is a great writer because of the fact that he can keep the reader so attached to the book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a mystery mixed with a thriller. Also if you have read other Steve Berry books, this book is definitely his best!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very Enjoyable

Cotton Malone has yet another adventure. This is the 2nd Berry Book I've read and mistakenly have read out of order. I hope it does not matter. I am starting to get a feel for Berry's writting style and like how he takes factual information and events and add little bits to make it his own. This only makes the story more interesting. The one thing I really ejoyed about this book is how Berry brings closure to a desparate ache in Malone's heart. This book series reminds me of a cross between the Dan Brown - Robert Langdon stories and the Jack Ryan stories - by Tom Clancy (Patriot Games).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really dragged

I have read all of Steve Berry's books and like Cotton Malone, but the story really dragged and I just couldn't get into this one. Didn't even finish it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best Berry Yet

You can always count on Steve Berry to deliver exciting, informative, well written thrillers..and this one is no exception. I was late in returning from my lunch break two days in a row while reading this!
I always enjoy Steve because his books are based on interesting, but not over-the-top premises that provoke further reading once the novel has come to a close.
Hopefully holiday elves have brought me gift cards this year so I can purchase The Paris Vendetta!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The fourth Malone ¿Brownian¿ thriller is the best of the exciting saga

Ever since he was a child former espionage agent Cotton Malone believed his father, Captain Forrest Malone died in 1971 in a nuclear submarine accident in the North Atlantic. Now he seeks closure with learning the rest of the story so he asks his former supervisor at DOJ Stephanie Nelle to help him. She obtains the file that states his father was the captain of a nuclear vessel performing a Top Secret mission in Antarctica when he died.

At the same time twins Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk compete for their maternal inheritance promised to whoever uncovers what happened to their father, who served under Forrest¿s command in the Antarctic. They know there is a link to enigmatic findings discovered in Charlemagne¿s tomb and the Nazis late 1930s exploration of the icy continent. Malone, following up on what Nelle provides him, also finds puzzling journal entries. Malone and the sisters meet and agree to team up heading from Europe to Antarctica to learn of their respective deaths of their fathers; while deadly ambitious Admiral Langford Ramsey needs them permanently iced as the revealing of the truth will destroy his career plans of becoming Joint Chief of Staff.

The fourth Malone ¿Brownian¿ thriller (see THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, THE ALEXANDRIA LINK and THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL) is the best of the exciting saga. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Malone learns what he knew about his dad¿s death was false and never slows down especially when he leads the battling sisters to what is under the ice in Antarctica (though that revelation is not a fresh concept). Ramsey is a nasty villain whose pragmatic application of American military politics means blackmailing your rivals and anyone who might harm your career; and if that fails kill them. Steve Berry is at his best with the enigmatic Charlemagne code, the deaths of the dads, and the ancient civilization that tie together through the pursuit of the heroes for the truth and the villain to conceal the truth.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another Great Steve Berry Book

Steve Berry's book THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT once again features Cotton Malone, the intrepid American Magellan Billet (US covert operations) member, who is on a personal mission to discover the truth about his father's fatal mission on the submarine USS Blazak. It seems, however, that Cotton is not alone in his search for answers about the missing sub.

Suddenly, many people share his quest including the competitive, dangerous, twin daughters of a German national who vanished along with Cotton's father and a US admiral with lofty political ambitions and a nasty temper who wants the secrets of the mission to remain buried in Antarctica. With Cotton Malone there is the thrill of the chase, shootings, mass mayhem, and of course the historical links that provide such a fascinating aspect to every Berry novel.

Charlemagne's secrets lead to information that can help Cotton with his search but there are many obstacles along the way and the clues must be followed exactly (which isn't easy if you have killers chasing you and your supposed allies are plotting your demise). The book also touches on Nazi fascination with the Aryan race, and the Reich¿s exploration of Antarctica in the late 1930's, another little footnote in time courtesy of Berry's research.

Journey with Cotton through Germany, France and Antarctica as he battles both the past and present to find the truth amidst government cover-up, unforgiving weather and not so trustworthy partners.

The Charlemagne Pursuit hits bookshelves in early December. Pick it up and enjoy - it's another great read from the master of this genre .

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

this book was all the seller said. great condition, definately a

this book was all the seller said. great condition, definately a 5. I will use this seller again

Fun adventure, not too gory

Characters are interesting and the plot keeps your attention. A little convoluted, but fun.

a good history lesson

I have read several Cotton Malone books, however, I did not think this one was the best. I enjoyed it, but not sa much as some of the others in this series. The history presented was excellent.

Good book... another Cotton Malone hit

Another good Cotton Malone story. Well worth the read. On to #5 in the series! :)

Great read

Way to go Cotton Malone. Another great adventure. Lots of twists and turns and of course, lots of action. How come these series arent put into film? On to the next adventure.

Good read

Starting in the middle of a series is sometimes tough because of referring back to relationships developed in previous books. I was able to overcome that and enjoyed the book. It had a captivating premise and interesting characters. There are multiple elements involved, conflict, subterfuge, greed, sibling rivalry,and policitical intrigue. I enjoyed it but it fell short of being a stay up late page turning epic. I would recommend the book as long as you know you will be able to put it down and go to sleep. That is the only shortcoming of an otherwise good book.

An Ancient Supercivilization Burried Under The Antarctic Icescape,

The Charlemagne Pursuit was a nonstop page turner that delved into the secrets of the ancient past and connected them to the relevant present. From Europe to America to Antarctica. I love the way he perfectly weaves history and conspiracy and story and takes the reader on an exotic and wonderful adventure.

5 Stars

I've read three Steve Berry Novels. This one was just as good as the Alexandria Link, if not better. I give it 5 stars.

If you love Steve Berry, you will love this book.

The familiar characters are developed further and the plot is complicated full of twists and turns. If you loike Steve Berry, he is better than ever.

This is one of the best.

He's my new favorite author

I thought that he was done with Cotton's charachter. Happily no, with another one coming appearently with the way this one ended.

Excellent writing style as always. I have just finished reading all of Steven's books. He is a polished writer. This became even more evident as I started the Dresden Files from James Butcher. The author is a lawyer, so it is no surprise that he is a wordsmith. Also, I think that every one of his main characters have been lawyers as well. This bothered me only slightly as lawyers are not my favorite people, but you get past it because he is talented. I have enjoyed all of his books, but his Cotton Malone books 1) Templar Legacy 2) Alexandria Link 3) Venetian Betrayel, then 4)Charlemagne Pursuit, are my favorite. I would read them in order, but it is not essential. You may miss some character references though. My favorite was the Templar Legacy.

great book

If you enjoy history based fiction you will enjoy Steve Berry. His characters are interesting and he entwines the story with historical facts. Look forward to his next one.