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DiscussionsBook Discussion : The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry
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2EadieB
I'm hoping for another great adventure with Cotton, Stephanie, Cassopedia, etc. I just finished the reading of the first part. Looking forward to learning what happened to Cotton's father, Forrest, and crew. The Charlemagne Pursuit looks very interesting too. Love all the great history that we learn from these books. I'll wait for Carol to let us know what has happened so far in the series. She always does a great job with this.
3Carol420
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, and 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…. I can't wait to continue the series."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry
Cotton Malone Book #2
Read: December 17-22, 2916
Back for his third time is Cotton Malone, a spy-turned-bookseller-turned-reluctant-hero. This novel also sees the return of many of Steve Berry's regular cast of characters, including some of our favorites like Cassiopeia Vitt and Henrik Thorvaldsen.
We are taken to the Central Asian Federation, a new mega-state of former Soviet Republics such as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ruled by an interesting new character, ruthless and intelligent, but entirely unlikable, Irina Zovastina. It is her obsession with finding the tomb of Alexander the Great that drives the plot forward, taking us from Denmark to the borders of China.
Zovastina seeks the tomb for the political power associated with a claim on this world conqueror; however, there is another reason to seek the tomb. Apparently, there is a miraculous cure associated with the tomb which brings in the interest of an international pharmaceutical company which also just happens to produce biological weapons.
Of course the good guys are out to stop the bad guys from getting to the tomb and getting the goods to kill the world. It seems everyone is more than a little obsessed with Alexander the Great, his mummy and the draught said to cure anything that ails the person who might drink it. A number of riddles have been distributed throughout history that is supposed to help the searcher. Smarter people than most of us have failed to understand them so none of the discussion group should feel too bad.
Cotton Malone is paired up with Cassiopeia Vitt to solve this world class problem. This time Cassiopeia has another complex problem of her own to work through and takes many unnecessary risks to pull this off.
Malone is more or less pressed into service by his friend and mentor Thorvaldsen, as well as the President of The United States
There were 8 participants in the discussion with one new person joining the group. Most gave the book a 4. There was 1; 4.5 and 1; 3.5 for an overall average of 4.00
Comments:
"I loved learning about Alexander the Great and enjoyed Berry's writing and research. I found Irina Zovastina a fascinating character even though she was so wicked. If you love history with your adventure reads, you will definitely enjoy this series."
"I liked the story. I really want to know more about Alexader. I thought making Irina the bad guy was nice and creative. Usually the bad guy is the same character we've seen in so many books."
"I liked learning about Alexander the Great. Berry's writing and research was amazing. It was different to see a woman as the bad guy."
"I thought the ending was so unbelievable. I had to remember to keep my belief suspended."
"Too long and dragged in places."
"Didn't like Berry's portrayal of Cassiopeia or the boyfriend (gosh, I've already forgotten his name). This Cassiopeia was nothing like the woman we met in the prior book. Some of her behavior could have been explained away by her concern for what's his name, but her total meltdown, loss of common sense and lack critical thinking was too far out of character for me."
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, and 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…. I can't wait to continue the series."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Venetian Betrayal by Steve Berry
Cotton Malone Book #2
Read: December 17-22, 2916
Back for his third time is Cotton Malone, a spy-turned-bookseller-turned-reluctant-hero. This novel also sees the return of many of Steve Berry's regular cast of characters, including some of our favorites like Cassiopeia Vitt and Henrik Thorvaldsen.
We are taken to the Central Asian Federation, a new mega-state of former Soviet Republics such as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ruled by an interesting new character, ruthless and intelligent, but entirely unlikable, Irina Zovastina. It is her obsession with finding the tomb of Alexander the Great that drives the plot forward, taking us from Denmark to the borders of China.
Zovastina seeks the tomb for the political power associated with a claim on this world conqueror; however, there is another reason to seek the tomb. Apparently, there is a miraculous cure associated with the tomb which brings in the interest of an international pharmaceutical company which also just happens to produce biological weapons.
Of course the good guys are out to stop the bad guys from getting to the tomb and getting the goods to kill the world. It seems everyone is more than a little obsessed with Alexander the Great, his mummy and the draught said to cure anything that ails the person who might drink it. A number of riddles have been distributed throughout history that is supposed to help the searcher. Smarter people than most of us have failed to understand them so none of the discussion group should feel too bad.
Cotton Malone is paired up with Cassiopeia Vitt to solve this world class problem. This time Cassiopeia has another complex problem of her own to work through and takes many unnecessary risks to pull this off.
Malone is more or less pressed into service by his friend and mentor Thorvaldsen, as well as the President of The United States
There were 8 participants in the discussion with one new person joining the group. Most gave the book a 4. There was 1; 4.5 and 1; 3.5 for an overall average of 4.00
Comments:
"I loved learning about Alexander the Great and enjoyed Berry's writing and research. I found Irina Zovastina a fascinating character even though she was so wicked. If you love history with your adventure reads, you will definitely enjoy this series."
"I liked the story. I really want to know more about Alexader. I thought making Irina the bad guy was nice and creative. Usually the bad guy is the same character we've seen in so many books."
"I liked learning about Alexander the Great. Berry's writing and research was amazing. It was different to see a woman as the bad guy."
"I thought the ending was so unbelievable. I had to remember to keep my belief suspended."
"Too long and dragged in places."
"Didn't like Berry's portrayal of Cassiopeia or the boyfriend (gosh, I've already forgotten his name). This Cassiopeia was nothing like the woman we met in the prior book. Some of her behavior could have been explained away by her concern for what's his name, but her total meltdown, loss of common sense and lack critical thinking was too far out of character for me."
4Carol420
Hoping to find out more about Cotton's father and exactly what the Charlemagne Pursuit is. Looking forward to another great discussion with my friends. Also hoping that Andrew has freed up his credit card becuse the boat galley is empty:)
5EadieB
>4 Carol420:
I just picked up some Boston Creme Donuts at the store. They are bursting with lots of filling and chocolate covered. They are waiting for us in the boat galley for when we get confused about the story. lol
I just picked up some Boston Creme Donuts at the store. They are bursting with lots of filling and chocolate covered. They are waiting for us in the boat galley for when we get confused about the story. lol
6Sergeirocks
I'm just hoping for an entertaining story, :)
7Andrew-theQM
>3 Carol420: Thanks Carol for thisvgreat job. 😊
>4 Carol420: The credit card is ready to use fir our new Group Read although Eadie seems to have the doughnuts covered!
>4 Carol420: The credit card is ready to use fir our new Group Read although Eadie seems to have the doughnuts covered!
8Andrew-theQM
I hope for a good adventure, with a strong historical connection.
9Olivermagnus
I love the historical aspects of his books and he always has a surprise or two in store.
Great recap >4 Carol420:.
Great recap >4 Carol420:.
11Sergeirocks
Lynda's birthday? Altogether now:
🎵 Happy Birthday to You...
...Happy Birthday, Dear Lynda,
Happy Birthday to You. 🎵
🎵 Happy Birthday to You...
...Happy Birthday, Dear Lynda,
Happy Birthday to You. 🎵
13Olivermagnus
Thank you. I'm having a nice relaxing day, reading out on my back patio. February and March are the most beautiful times in Arizona. I hope you're all having a nice Valentine's Day. Chocolate for everyone!
14Andrew-theQM
>13 Olivermagnus: You know how to appeal to us!
