The Devil's Bible
A Cotton Malone Novel
-
-
4.5 • 115 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
From celebrated New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry comes the latest Cotton Malone adventure, a tale of mystery and intrigue stretching back over four centuries.
Former Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is called to Sweden when the younger sister of King Wilhelm I is kidnapped. The ransom demand? Hand over an 800-year-old book, the Codex Gigas—the largest illuminated medieval manuscript in the world. Claimed as war loot from Bohemia in 1648, it’s been kept in Stockholm for nearly 400 years. Along the way it also acquired another more mysterious moniker ... The Devil’s Bible.
Now the Czech Republic wants the codex back, and Sweden has agreed to return it, but forces are at work to stop that deal from happening. The likely instigator? Russia. Who is also top of the list for possible kidnappers. It’s up to Cotton and Cassiopeia Vitt to locate the king’s sister, secure the codex, and thwart the Russians. Yet nothing is as it seems.
Trusted allies become hostile enemies. Long-standing enemies suddenly shift into partners. Making matters worse, an array of conflicting personalities re-emerge from Cotton’s past, transforming an already chaotic international situation into something far more personal and deadly.
From the cobbled streets of Stockholm with its placid waterways and picturesque islands, to the hostile skies over the Baltic Sea, and finally onto a fabled 16th century Swedish warship, Cotton and Cassiopeia come face-to-face with the unthinkable—changing both of their lives forever.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
At the outset of Berry's latest fun if far-fetched thriller featuring Cotton Malone (after The Medici Return), the retired U.S. Justice Department operative is happily operating a bookstore in Copenhagen. Soon, however, he's called back to action by his old boss and friend Stephanie Nelle. She tells Cotton that Princess Lysa, the sister of Swedish King Wilhelm I, is being held ransom for the Devil's Bible, a massive 13th-century book said to contain the sum of human knowledge. The Swedes believe that Russian agents are behind the kidnapping and plan to give the book to the Czech Republic in exchange for that country's continued efforts to block Sweden from joining NATO. Russia may have gotten inside information about the captive royal from her husband, John Westlake, a suspected Russian sleeper agent. Malone, along with his love interest and former colleague Cassiopeia Vitt, sets out to thwart the extortion scheme, knocking plenty of heads along the way. Cotton's narrow escapes and larger-than-life heroics are as outlandish and thrilling as ever. Series fans will get just what they came for.
Customer Reviews
The Devil’s Bible. Steve Berry
Another excellent read by Steve Berry. Cassiopeia and Cotton are back out in the field again. Non stop action and suspense on every page !!! Enjoyed immensely !!!
Worst book in the series
Horribly written. A Russian spy who speaks “Me Tarzan. You Jane” English. Every other page has italicized quotes from the Bible and other sources supposedly to explain a motive or situation but failing completely to do so. Various characters tell lengthy convoluted inexplicable folk stories to make a point or teach a some ancient “wisdom.” Useless lengthy historical asides evidently helping the author reach his page count. Lots of macho phrasing and boys with their toys. Truly awful. I will never buy anything by this author again. Earlier volumes in this series were entertaining but not this one.
Doublecross, triplecross, mole, red herrings, action. Great
Plot twists keep you turning the pages.