The Jefferson Key: Book 7 (Cotton Malone Series) by Steve Berry (MOBI)

Description

Cotton Malone has been called on to defend his country’s safety in many exotic locations around the world, often using his knowledge of history to get to the heart of mysteries and conspiracies stretching back for centuries. But never has the danger been quite so close to home.

A stunning opening sets the tone of explosive action and mind-bending intrigue as Cotton battles an extraordinary group of families whose unseen influence dates back to the pages of the U.S. Constitution – and whose thirst for power is about to be satisfied by the cracking of a code devised by Thomas Jefferson himself.

User’s Reviews

Amazon.com Review A Letter from Author Steve Berry Cotton Malone is known for his overseas exploits. A former-Justice Department operative, who can’t stay out of trouble, he’s found adventures in all parts of Europe (The Templar Legacy, The Paris Vendetta), Central Asia (The Venetian Betrayal), Antarctica (The Charlemagne Pursuit), the Middle East (The Alexandria Link), and China (The Emperor’s Tomb). But he’s never had an American adventure. Until now. The Jefferson Key was great fun to research. My wife Elizabeth and I traveled to New York City; Washington, D.C.; Bath, North Carolina; Monticello; and Richmond, Virginia. Monticello was particularly interesting since the terrific novelist, Katherine Neville–author of The Eight and The Fire–played host. Katherine serves on the estate’s board of directors and she led us on a behind-the-scenes tour that helped formulate a number of scenes that would later appear in the book. We spent a wonderful day there, wandering the halls and staircases, snapping pictures, checking out every nook and cranny. In Richmond, we stayed at The Jefferson, a grand hotel that also makes an appearance in the story. Bath, North Carolina was similarly intriguing. Three hundred years ago, Bath was a hotbed for Atlantic pirates, a bustling port and a ship building center. Its location, on a quiet inlet of the Pamlico River, not far from open ocean, made it ideal for both. And though it’s now a sleepy village of about 300 residents, delving into its colonial and pre-colonial past was exciting. After all, pirates are fascinating–but they don’t match the Hollywood stereotype. The real thing is even better, and The Jefferson Key deals with the real thing. The research for this novel spanned 18 months, which is normal for my books. Along the way, we uncovered a secret cipher originally possessed by Thomas Jefferson; concocted a mystery for Andrew Jackson; and created a centuries-old document envisioned by the Founding Fathers themselves. It was fun exploring American history, especially the Constitution, which forms a huge part of this plot. With every book there’s a challenge to describe the story in as few words as possible. For this one, we came up with this: Four United States presidents have been assassinated–in 1865, 1881, 1901, and 1963–each murder seemingly unrelated. But what if those presidents were all killed for the same reason–a clause in the United States Constitution, contained within Article 1, Section 8–that would shock Americans. Got you interested? I hope so. Enjoy The Jefferson Key. –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Review ‘One of the most spellbinding and ingenious openings in all of thrillerdom … your knuckles are turning white and the pages are flying. Easily Cotton Malone’s most epic, swashbuckling adventure’ — David Baldacci ‘The Constitution… secret codes … loads of history… AND pirates! THE JEFFERSON KEY won’t just haunt your nights – it’ll haunt your life. Cotton Malone is coming back to the scariest place of all: Home.’ — Brad Meltzer ‘Fascinating American history, up-to-the-minute politics, pulse-pounding action’ — Vince Flynn Ingeniously plotted … Berry offers plenty of twists and vivid action scenes in a feat of historical imagination’ — Publisher’s Weekly ‘Berry builds on actual historical facts to create a no-holds-barred thriller guaranteed to increase the pulse of the reader’ — The Associated Press You don’t just read a Steve Berry novel. You live it.’ — James Rollins ‘A top-notch, gripping, intelligent thriller in the very finest traditions of the genre’ — Peter James on THE PARIS VENDETTA ‘[a] page turner’ — Los Angeles Times ‘Steve Berry always finds intriguing ways to link the past to the present in his fast-paced thrillers.’ — Harlan Coben on THE PARIS VENDETTA ‘All the Berry hallmarks are here: scale, scope, sweep, history – plus breathless second-by-second suspense. I love this guy.’ — Lee Child on THE PARIS VENDETTA ‘Sexy, illuminating…my kind of thriller’ — Dan Brown on THE AMBER ROOM ‘In Malone, Berry has created a classic, complex hero’ — USA Today on THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT ‘Pure intrigue. Pure fun.’ — Clive Cussler on Steve Berry ‘Action-packed, fast paced and engaging’ — Sunday Express on THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL 20080504 –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. ONE NEW YORK CITY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, THE PRESENT 6:13 pm One mistake was not enough for Cotton Malone.He made two. Error number one was being on the fifteenth floor of the Grand Hyatt hotel. The request had come from his old boss Stephanie Nelle, through an email sent two days ago. She needed to see him, in New York, on Saturday. Apparently, the subject matter was something they could discuss only in person. And apparently, it was important. He’d tried to call anyway, phoning Magellan Billet headquarters in Atlanta, but was told by her assistant, “She’s been out of the office for six days now on DNC.” He knew better than to ask where.DNC. Do Not Contact.That meant don’t call me, I’ll call you.He’d been there before himself the agent in the field, deciding when best to report in. That status, though, was a bit unusual for the head of the Magellan Billet. Stephanie was responsible for all twelve of the department’s covert operatives. Her task was to supervise. For her to be DNC meant that something extraordinary had attracted her attention. He and Cassiopeia Vitt had decided to make a New York weekend of the trip, with dinner and a show after he discovered what Stephanie wanted. They’d flown from Copenhagen yesterday and checked into the St. Regis, a few blocks north of where he now stood. Cassiopeia chose the accommodations and, since she was also paying for them, he hadn’t protested. Plus, it was hard to argue with regal ambience, breathtaking views, and a suite larger than his apartment in Denmark. He’d replied to Stephanie’s email and told her where he was staying. After breakfast this morning, a key card for the Grand Hyatt had been waiting at the St. Regis’ front desk along with a room number and a note. PLEASE MEET ME AT EXACTLY 6:15 THIS EVENING He’d wondered about the word exactly, but realized his former boss suffered from an incurable case of obsessive behavior, which made her both a good administrator and aggravating. But he also knew she would not have contacted him if it wasn’t truly important. He inserted the key card, noting and ignoring the do not disturb sign.The indicator light on the door’s electronic lock switched to green and the latch released. The interior was spacious, with a king- sized bed covered in plush purple pillows. A work area was provided at an oak- top desk with an ergonomic chair. The room occupied a corner, two windows facing East 42nd Street, the other offering views west toward 5th Avenue. The rest of the décor was what would be expected from a high- class, Midtown Manhattan hotel.Except for two things.His gaze locked on the first: some sort of contraption, fashioned of what appeared to be aluminum struts, bolted together like an Erector Set. It stood before one of the front windows, left of the bed, facing outward. Atop the sturdy metal support sat a rectangular box, perhaps two feet by three, it too made of dull aluminum, its sides bolted together and centered on the window. More girders extended to the walls, front and back, one set on the floor, another braced a couple of feet above, seemingly anchoring the unit in place. Was this what Stephanie meant when she’d said important?A short barrel poked from the front of the box. There seemed no way to search its interior, short of unbolting the sides. Sets of gears adorned both the box and the frame. Chains ran the length of the supports, as if the whole thing was designed to move. He reached for the second anomaly.An envelope. Sealed. With his name on it.He glanced at his watch. 6:17 pm.Where was Stephanie?He heard the shrill of sirens from outside. With the envelope in hand, he stepped to one of the room’s windows and glanced down fourteen stories. East 42nd Street was devoid of cars. Traffic had been cordoned off. He’d noticed the police outside when he’d arrived a few minutes ago. Something was happening.He knew the reputation of Cipriani across the street. He’d been inside before and recalled its marble columns, inlaid floors, and crystal chandeliers a former bank, built in Italian Renaissance style, leased out for elite social gatherings. Just such an event seemed to be happening this evening, important enough to stop traffic, clear the sidewalks, and command the presence of half a dozen of New York City’s finest, who stood before the elegant entrance. Two police cars approached from the west, lights flashing, followed by an oversized black Cadillac DTS. Another New York City police car trailed. Two pennants rose from either side of the Cadillac’s hood. One an American flag, the other the presidential standard. Only one person rode in that car.President Danny Daniels. The motorcade wheeled to the curb before Cipriani. Doors opened. Three Secret Service agents sprang from the car, studied the surroundings, then signaled. Danny Daniels emerged, his tall, broad frame sheathed by a dark suit, white shirt, and powder- blue tie. Malone heard whirring.His gaze found the source.The contraption had come to life. Two retorts banged and the window on the other side of the room shattered, glass plunging downward to the sidewalk seventy-five feet below. Cool air rushed inside, as did the sounds of a pulsating city. Gears spun and the device telescoped through the now empty window frame. He glanced down.The window’s shattering had attracted the Secret Service’s attention. Heads were now angled up, toward the Grand Hyatt. Everything happened in a matter of a few seconds. Window gone. Device out. Then—Rat- tat- tat.Shots were fired at the president of the United States. Agents smothered Daniels to the sidewalk.Malone stuffed the envelope into his pocket and raced across the room, grabbing hold of the aluminum frame, trying to dislodge the device. But it would not budge. He searched for and spotted no power cords. The thing, apparently a remote- controlled, high- powered weapon, kept firing. He saw agents trying to maneuver their charge back to the car. He knew that once Daniels was inside, armor plating would provide protection. The device spit out more rounds. He dove out the window, balancing himself on the frame, and grabbed hold of the aluminum box. If he could yank it from side to side, or up and down, at least he could deflect its aim. He managed to force the barrel left, but motors inside quickly compensated. Below, with incoming fire momentarily deflected, agents stuffed Daniels back into the car, which wheeled away. Three men remained, along with the policemen who’d been waiting at Cipriani.Guns were drawn.His second mistake now became evident.They started firing.At him. –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ The Jefferson Key is a quick-paced thriller, filled with short chapters that end with cliffhangers forcing the reader to turn the page. The book is beautifully interwoven with real American history that gives this “Mister Toad’s Wild Ride” intriguing credence and an enjoyable relatability to those of us who love to learn a little something when we read.It’s hard to go wrong with a superman hero, Cotton Malone, his kick-ass love interest, Cassiopeia Vitt who holds her own when trouble comes to call, and a bad guy, Quentin Hale, a pirate/privateer who believes he is morally right and leads a modern swashbuckling team of criminals whose roots go back to the American Revolution, aptly named “The Commonwealth”. Not to mention an ex-CIA agent adversary, Jonathan Wyatt, who is ofttimes appealing and keeps the reader cheering he won’t be done in and make an appearance in a future book.Enjoy this action-packed thriller, I did.

⭐ I’ve read about half of the Cotton Malone series but not in all order. I picked up a later one on the dollar table and enjoyed it, so I’ve started reading them in order. I like that some history is interwoven in the stories and the author tells you at the end what is true and what he fabricated. That said, I found the story line in this book very choppy and actually hard to follow with the constant scene changes after a paragraph or two. For me it didn’t allow the suspense to build but cut it off at the knees. I had to stop at each junction and think about what happened when that particular scene left off. Plus all that creeping around in bird guano was disgusting.

⭐ This was my third book by Steve Berry, whose books were recommended by a friend. I have loved every one of them! I have not read them in order and find that I still understand “who is who” among the core characters. Any curiosity about a character can be satisfied by reading the book which introduced that person. I like the Author’s Notes at the end which describe what is true historical fact and what is literary license that Mr. Barry provides.

⭐ 5 star rating based on it being a good action novel. It’s a solid read, but not to be confused with the greatest fiction in history. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve started reading the short stories first, although I don’t know that the short story here really matters in the timeline of the story. It just happened to be before the novel storyline. I started reading Steve Berry on the suggestion of a friend, and have enjoyed everything I’ve read so far. If you like the suspense/thriller novel, these are definitely worth reading.

⭐ This is the second book I have read. The first was the “Lincoln Myth …” I liked this book in part to get a different perspective and background on Malone and Vitt. It isn’t necessary to read these Malone stories in order although it might help understand relationships between characters. The best thing about Berry books is how he intertwines fact and fiction. It is written seamlessly and that makes for a good read. I do enjoy the Author’s Notes where Berry tells you the fact from the fiction. Sometimes Berry’s fiction is better than the fact. I like that. As far as the story goes, i was interesting. The battles/fights weren’t over-exaggerated where people get pummeled into oblivion and then go dancing with a smile on their face. At times I got tired of the “rapid” flipping back and forth between story lines/scenes. Leave that to screenwriters. Good book.

⭐ I would actually give this book 2 1/2 stars, not three. The writing was extremely choppy, dashing on a single page from one plot line and character to the next. Also, I found the presumably professional agents to be somewhat bumbling and confused, with lots of bullets flying, with little effect, except in a couple of instances. The author seeminly cannot make up his mind as to just what system of measurement he wants to use, using both pounds, kilos – meters, feet, etc. throughout the story. So, which is it? Pick one and stick to it. I finally got tired of all this jumping around and quit reading about 2/3 of the way through. I am pretty good at following diverse plot lines and characters, but this writing was extremely difficult to follow. There are better thriller type books out there. I recommend buying one of those, instead of this one. Also a lot of descriptive redundancy throughout the story, which was annoying, as explanations had already been given earlier in the book.

⭐ I like the premise but had to give up in frustration.I understand that it’s an accepted technique to end a chapter with some dramatic event, a “cliffhanger” so to speak, then switch to some other scene on the very next page to somewhat artificially accentuate the suspense. But really, Berry tends to do this after what seems to be only a page or two of narrative. (I was reading in on the Kindle; hard to tell how many actual pages.) You just start a new chapter, a character gets out of a car, somebody shoots at him and BANG; next chapter in a different locale with different characters. They have an exchange a page of dialogue, and one says something like “I’ve got something to show you.” and BANG; next chapter with entirely different set of characters and scenario. (I’m exaggerating only a little, really!)Too much switching between scenes involving too many different characters. Give me a protagonist to care about, maybe two, and I’m happy. This is precisely why I gave up on Stephen King way back when. After his early successes he started pounding out his 10 lb. epics, with dozens of characters and storylines.This is all subjective, of course. Your mileage may vary.

⭐ This book has a very intriguing plot that focuses on the United States’ past, which is a new topic for Berry to write about. He usually focused on other countries, but this was too intriguing to pass up, I assume. It ties is assassination attempts, as well as successful assassinations, of our U.S. presidents. I currently live in North Carolina, and some of the setting centers around the coastal regions of this state. Berry’s ability to describe scenery is breathtaking, but doesn’t make it so convoluted that it gets in the way of the story. The action isn’t break-neck paced, but the historical background he gives us instead, is why I enjoy Berry so much. He combines action with information and description to help the plot continue along. He does this almost flawlessly at times, and this book is no exception. I feel this is one of the best written Cotton Malone books to date, and always look forward to the next one. The parts of this story I enjoyed the most, were the descriptions of each assassination and how Berry made them all connected, which seemed plausible in the context of the story, though it seems highly unlikely in the grander scheme of things. This is one author I like to recommend to friends and family, and those who have been wise enough to listen to me, have always seemed to enjoy them as well.

⭐ Cotton Malone is AGAIN dragged away from retirement for an important mission. This time he is back on the country he protected for years as a member of the Navy and then an agent in the Magellen Billet. This one was like a Cotton Malone version of a National Treasure movie.

⭐ I am a big Steve Berry fan, having read all of his books. Each one is captivating and educational. I loved this one because it took place in US and told of the ‘legal’ pirates and their history back to Blackbeard himself. Historical references were made to Lincoln’s demise and assassination plots towards any President who went against the fictional Commonwealth of North Carolina. The outer banks, being the sunken ship capital of the world was host to much piracy, simply because they would cause the incoming ships to ground themselves on sandbars. And it’s doubly interesting to learn that the US actually sanctioned these ‘pirates’ to seize and capture loot, to help bring down the enemies during the time of war.Towards the end of the book, there seemed to be a bit too much action and not enough substance, but the story did retain it’s purpose, and kept focusing on the task at hand. Berry’s main characters and players are a unique and interesting lot. I agree it’s not his best book, but non the less a product of his talent and ability to spin a yarn.

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