Yet another Cotton Malone book, this time with an all star cast reunion. Not only do the faithful readers of Steve Berry's books get to see Henrik, Casseiopa and Stephanie again, but even Colin Michener makes a guest appearance.Unfortunately we already know much of the depths of these characters so there was no real character development, hence less emotional involvement for the reader. The book had no surprise twists waiting to catch the reader off guard, just the usual trying to figure out whi...

You're killing me Steve Berry. This book really dragged for me. I found myself zoning out quite a bit which is surprising considering the amount of explosions that occurred. I liked seeing Stephanie and Cassiopeia again but UGH this story seemed to never end... and not in a good way. A problem that I see in many of Steve Berry's novels is that he practically drowns his story in historical facts until it's hard to find the plot. That much info, while informative, makes it feel like you're reading...

This action styled mystery starts out in 323 B.C.E, with Alexander the Great dying from a mysterious fever. Fast forward to present day and the Central Asian Federation, ruled by it's ambitious Supreme Minister, Irina Zovastina. She rules with a totalitarian twist and plans to release a deadly virus in surrounding countries that only she will be able to cure. Cotton Malone, a former U.S. Justice Department agent is contacted by Cassiopeia Vitt and Henrik Thorvaldson, and becomes drawn into the p...

I'd give "The Venetian Betrayal" 2 1/2 stars if it were an option. It's definitely my least favorite of Berry's books that I've read, largely because the plot didn't maintain my interest. The characters lacked human-ness; if I had not read Berry's previous books, I wouldn't have felt I knew them at all. Still, I was pulled into the Alexander the Great storyline, and the imaginative portrayal of the Central Asian Federation, so I'll round this one up to three stars.

Another exciting and enjoyable book in the Cotton Malone series. Keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I really enjoy this series and happy I have more to read(8)!

Basically a Clive Cussler rip off. After the historical fiction about the death of Alexander the Great, we get a rash of arson in European museums to cover up the scheme of a Russian oligarch. She wants to use an ancient healing serum to take over the world. Cotton Malone has to stop them.Not bad, but nothing memorable.

This is the third book in the long-running Cotton Malone series about a former Justice Department agent who has retired to sell old books in Copenhagen but keeps getting dragged into archeological and geopolitical conspiracies. I read the previous one not long ago, but while there are recurring characters, each book seems to be a separate adventure.Cotton’s friend Cassiopeia is investigating a series of arson attacks in small museums across Europe, as someone appears to be collecting rare coins

Well, I can t really explain why but this book didn t make a good impression on me. In comparison with other Berry s books, this is the one which I red just to finish. I didn t enjoy in it. That Irina really pissed me off, she was some kind of super woman, not afraid of anyone, killing whoever she wants. And above everything, she was president of one country...if I would meet her on first occassion, I would put her bullet in a head and hasta la vista baby :D...

I really enjoyed this book. I have become a fan of Steve Berry and the Cotton Mallon series. I really enjoy the mix of History and Fiction and Steve Berry is able seamlessly blend the two together.

Got this one for Christmas. I'd never read Steve Berry before. He is of the Dan Browne-Robert Ludlum ilk -- international thriller. It's good escape and the fact I've been to Venice made it even more enjoyable. High body count, interesting characters,a nasty lesbian villain and short chapters ... what more can you ask? Many of the chapters are subdivided as they change scene from one group of protagonists to the other. As the book nears the end, these changes come quicker and quicker and it all

"Toil and risk are the price of glory, but its is a lovely thing to live with courage and die leaving an everlasting fame."---Alexander The GreatWhat happens when the fate of humanity rests upon the tough-guy skills of a retired spy, one who happens to also possess a deep knowledge of ancient history, including that of Alexander The Great, Saint Mark, Ptolemy, Achilles, Greek Fire and Elephant Medallions? These are the skills and knowledge necessary to track down and stop an evil organization be...

sigma's painter crowe (james rollins) was mentioned, creating a pre-faceoff (2014, david baldacci) linkcolin michener also made a significant appearance, linking the third secret (2005) to this seriescass' pre-existing (view spoiler)[hiv is a bit of a reach (hide spoiler)]p422: he'd been that way every since returning home.p423: "i haven't spoke with cassiopeia much since we left the federation...."

Cotton is pulled into another international conspiracy that has him pitted against an ambitious dictator who plans on taking over the Middle East with germ warfare. He must follow the clues left behind by Alexander the Great to find a cure, but there are so many double and triple agents in the mix, that he cannot trust anyone.Another satisfying thriller by Berry who makes it looks so effortless. Grab your copy and hold on.

The last half of this book was intense, loved it. I also appreciated the historical footnotes at the end, a nice touch.

3 Stars. Good, but can't these modern thrillers be a touch less complicated? One benefit here has to be that those in the less knowledgeable column, that's me, learn a good deal more about Alexander the Great who reigned in Macedonia from 336 to 323 BCE. The conqueror of Asia Minor, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. We open in modern day Copenhagen with Cotton Malone, former US agent reinvented as a book dealer, out for an evening stroll; he investigates a museum after noticing a door open. Wit...

This is my first book by Steve Berry, I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series. I don’t know Cotton Malone beyond this book or any other character. It wasn’t a serious issue, but I couldn’t overlook it totally too. It made more difficult for me to attach to Malone, for example. To those who know him from previous book he already is a three-dimensional, complicated character I’m sure. To me he isn’t that developed as a hero. I still like him but I would like to know him more. Or sp...

This is my fourth Steve Berry book and I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with Cotton Malone and the other characters. While the book was slow at times, I found that I could not put it down. I enjoyed the Alexander the Great story and the fictional Central Asia Federation. Not to give away the plot, but the book definitely makes you consider the potential of certain things happening (e.g. with the former Soviet republics in Central Asia) and of certain things existing. I am looking forward to pic...

A fairly solid entry in the Cotton Malone series although many reviewers consider this their least favorite. Cotton Malone just wants to be a bookseller in Copenhagen but once again gets dragged into another thrilling adventure due to his previous career as an agent for the US Justice Department. This time we find him and his friends on the trail of the leader of the newly formed Central Asian Federation, the lost tomb of Alexander the Great, and a mysterious cure for AIDS.Plots of Cotton Malone...

THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL opens in true Steve Berry fashion with a historical scene that lends to the background of the plot. In this case we find Alexander of Macedonia (the Great) brooding over the loss of Hephaestion, his friend, warrior, and possibly lover who has died. In his grief he blames Glaucias, the physician for his death, and is executed, but not before we learn that Alexander is ill. Berry immediately shifts to Cotton Malone, the main character for the author’s series of historical nov...

Steve Berry may be the best at mixing mystery with history. If you have read "The Amber Room", "The Romanov Prophecy", "The Third Secret", "The Templar Legacy", and "The Alexandria Link" you know what I mean. He is once again in true form with his latest book, "The Venetian Betrayal".This book is based around the life and death of Alexander the Great. A woman despot, Zovastina, has brought together several former Russian territories and formed the Central Asian Foundation. She is infatuated with...