Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Cotton Malone's old boss at the Justice Department asks a favor: go into Sweden and pull out a man, Barry Kirk, who could have key information about the disappearance of an agent. Almost immediately after Cotton gets Kirk out of the country, someone tries to kill them. As it turns out, Kirk is connected to a high-profile international businessman who's the target of a Justice Department investigation (and who might be behind the disappearance of the missing agent). The latest Malone novel sticks closely to the series format: Cotton gets mixed up in a historical mystery that has dire implications in the present day (in this case, a U.S. senator who is a high-ranking Mormon elder has ambitious plans that trace their origins to Abraham Lincoln). Berry keeps the story moving at a steady pace, giving us enough time to get to know the characters but not enough time to pay close attention to the more implausible elements of the plot. Fans of the series and of historically based conspiracies will enjoy the book, even if it breaks no new ground. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Berry has 15 million books in print; he has been translated into 40 languages; and his titles have sold in 51 countries. That's called reach.--Pitt, David Copyright 2014 Booklist

Library Journal
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Having previously plundered the Knights Templar (The Templar Legacy), the Russian Revolution (The Romanov Prophecy), and the Tudor dynasty (The King's Deception) for plotlines, Berry turns his eye to the American Civil War in this latest historical conspiracy thriller featuring retired superagent Cotton Malone. Malone leaves his bookstore day job to rescue a missing agent and finds himself the target of a crazed church elder bent on bringing hidden Civil War documents to light. A long ago secret agreement between Brigham Young and Abraham Lincoln threatens the solvency of the Constitution, and once again Cotton is the only man standing between the United States and disaster. Only this time, his girlfriend is making a play for the enemy. Verdict Cotton Malone may be aging, but his bravado and banter are still kicking, as is his utter bewilderment with women. While he always gets his guy, his difficulty in keeping the girl adds interest to this latest thriller. The intricate historical "what ifs?" will astonish loyal readers and series newcomers. [See Prepub Alert, 11/10/13; library marketing.]-Catherine Lantz, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago Lib. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In Berry's (The King's Deception, 2013, etc.) latest, retired secret agent Cotton Malone is drafted from his Copenhagen bookstore to battle a conspiracy, one threatening the U.S. Constitution.Malone was the go-to guy for tough-minded Stephanie Nelle, chief of the Magellan Billetthe U.S. Justice Department's secret action group. Now she needs his help again: Rescue a man from Sweden who has information about a missing Magellan operative. That ends in gunplay, with Luke Daniels, newbie Magellan agent and the president's estranged nephew, and Cassiopeia Vitt, Malone's current flame, soon involved. The same way Dan Brown's books feature Catholic conspiracies, Berry employs rogue members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsMormonsas foils. The plot pivots on a vitally important historical document, written after the Constitutional Convention and secretly handed down from president to president until Abraham Lincoln loaned it to Brigham Young in a bid to keep the Mormons pro-Union during the Civil War. With Lincoln's assassination, the document was never returned and was eventually lost among Young's personal papers. Now the legendary document is being sought by a U.S. senator from Utah, Thaddeus Rowan, who's also one of 12 LDS apostles. In a speed-chess plot moving from Copenhagen to Salzburgboth described with familiaritythen Washington, Iowa and Salt Lake City, Malone disrupts a prestigious antiques auction, Rowan steals from the Library of Congress, and everyone ends up at Wasatch Mountain cave, where Ute Indians secreted conquistador gold. Berry employs Mormon history while offering Magellan new-guy Luke a chance to meet cute with a beautiful historian and reconcile with his uncle-president while leaving Malone and Cassiopeia to rethink love and loyalties. All action all the time as Malone once again yanks civilization back from the precipice. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In Berry's latest historical thriller (after The King's Deception), Cotton Malone is looking forward to a peaceful retirement as a European bookstore owner. One phone call puts his plans on hold and the fate of the United States in his hands. Malone must unravel a mystery that involves the Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, Brigham Young, the Mormon Church, and a powerful senator with questionable intentions. A secret letter, containing details that would be damaging to the very foundation of the country, has been passed down from president to president-and stopped with Lincoln. Neither Malone nor his enemies know exactly what the letter says or who currently possesses it, but Malone knows he must find it first to save the nation. Matters are complicated by Malone's girlfriend Cassiopeia, who is intimately involved with one of the case's biggest targets. Scott Brick's voice acting adds depth and entertainment to the story. Verdict Cotton Malone fans will not be disappointed, while those unfamiliar with Berry's work will appreciate his depth of research and realism. Great for any thriller fan. ["The intricate historical "what ifs?" will astonish loyal readers and series newcomers," read the review of the Ballantine hc, LJ Xpress Reviews, 5/2/14.]-Sean Kennedy, Cleveland Marshall Coll. Law Lib. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Bestseller Berry's 10th Cotton Malone thriller (after 2013's e-book novella The Tudor Plot) provides startling new perspectives on the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and Abraham Lincoln's decision to fight the Civil War. At play is a secret document passed from George Washington to each new president, until Lincoln used it to seal a bargain with Brigham Young in 1861. Now U.S. Sen. Thaddeus Rowan of Utah, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, and wealthy Spanish businessman Josepe Salazar, also a Mormon, have joined forces to recover that document, which they believe will provide a legal basis for states to secede from the union. Stephanie Nelle, Malone's old boss, enlists retired Justice Department agent Malone in the effort to thwart Rowan and Salazar's scheme. Cassiopeia Vitt, Malone's love interest, plays a surprising role. The action builds to an overly neat resolution in the wilds of Utah, but Berry's skillful blend of history and supposition will intrigue his many fans. Agent: Simon Lipskar, Writers House. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.