Thanks to Minotaur & Netgalley for the eARC to read and review!

Pub: February 23, 2021

This was my first read by Steve Berry and my first in the Cotton Malone series. I was intrigued by the synopsis and decided to give it a try! I enjoyed the overall story line and the historical references that parallels a lot of what's happened in the conservative far right today. Scary, but interesting. but I think this is one that should not be read as a standalone as I struggled with the voice and pacing of the book. The ending was a bit of a shock (not in a good way), however, I don't have enough context on the backstory or character to know if this was intentional. That's completely on me for coming into an established series blind!

I know many others have loved this book and the series. While this was left me confused, I look forward to reading book 1 to truly understand the story and journey from all angles.

Spoiler Alert
I just finished the new book by Mr. Berry. I have read all of his books and usually I like his stories, however this was the exception. It has been 76 years since the end of the second world war. To Try to revive it in such a weak fashion makes me think that he has run out of ideas for new plotlines
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To really enjoy a book, the reader has to be willing to suspend his belief to become involved into the story. This was pretty much impossible with this one. The characters were two dimensional at best and the entire plotline was implausible. After 16 books with the Cotton Malone character. It might be time to kill him off and find a new hero.

When the former US president asks Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt to do research to support his candidate of choice in the German national election, Cotton has no problem diving right in. From Germany to South America to South Africa to Switzerland, Cotton and Cassiopeia chase down the clues that will help the former president’s preferred candidate have the information she needs to defeat her opponent.

Mr. Berry seems fixated on lecturing on the political right vs left in this latest effort. His desire to paint anyone right of centre as some kind of monster and anyone left of centre as a hero takes away from his usual great storytelling. There is no nuance…the characters on each side are just good or bad. It made the story flat in areas and some of the characters one-dimensional. It seemed like Mr. Berry was trying to make a point rather than tell a good tale this time around.

While I’ve been a Cotton Malone fan for many, many years, I have to admit The Kaiser’s Web was a letdown for me in many ways.

Steve Berry never disappoints me! This was a great mystery, as well as a history lesson! He always develops the characters so that I can almost visualize and understand their innermost being. I am so happy that I have Steve Berry’s books to look forward to.

This was my first Steve Berry novel and I enjoyed it, though it did move slow for me in spots. I am intrigued by this author now and can't wait to read more of his backlist!

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read several books by Steve Berry. I am drawn to Mr. Berry’s mix of international suspense plot lines, his excellent use of history to supplement his narratives, and his well-written prose. And since I have read several Cotton Malone stories I was excited that NetGalley made available his latest adventure entitled “The Kaiser’s Web.” The plot of this story follows two candidates vying to become the next Chancellor of Germany. The good news for prospective readers is that Mr. Berry continues to put together his usual solid yarn that I enjoyed as much as always. It’s fun traveling (via the novel) from Europe to South America to Africa all in the comfort of my family room.
Sadly, this effort by Mr. Berry is not one of my favorites. The Kaiser’s Web deals with political conservatives as if they are far right wing scary nuts while juxtaposing the political left as noble and more caring. The comparison of the German politics in the book and the current events of the past four years in the United Stares is obvious in its simplicity and drawn one-dimensionally. Aside from being one of those dastardly right wing folks so described in the story I also found the historical narrative skewed beyond recognition: The Nazis were socialists (a left-wing movement) now ascribed to the nasty conservatives. It just became hard to swallow that all these folks such as myself that may be big fans of Mr. Berry could be so easily tossed aside in favor of a political screed.
So for me it is a fun story spoiled by the grotesque politics. Here is hoping Steve Berry returns to writing interesting stories and leaving most of the politics behind.

Whenever I read a Steve Berry book I always wonder why I haven't read more of his books. As a fan of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, Berry's books are a no-brainer to pick up. The Kaiser's Web is the perfect blend of spy thriller and historical novel.

From the title, I thought that it would have something to do with World War I or perhaps a little before then as Wilhelm (and his grandfather) were ruthless. But it is actually a modern-day story that has ties to World War II and in particular Hitler.

While I don't care much for conspiracy theories in real life, as a plot trope in fiction though I LOVE it. I do find it interesting that even this many years since WWII conspiracies about Hitler can still draw so much interest. Perhaps it is just Berry's powerful storytelling ability.

Rumors of Hitler having a child is not new but Berry weaves a story that has implication on present-day German politics. The story is completely fictional as is denoted in the author's note. It still an interesting thought exercise. What would a child, who never knew that they were the child of Hitler, be like? It is the age-old question of nature vs nurture. And what would be perceived by the public about such a child? If you are in a book club, I think there is plenty in this book that would lend itself to a great discussion.

If you like intricate thrillers, then The Kaiser's Web is not to be missed. It is book 16 in the Cotton Malone series, I don't think you need to have read previous books to enjoy this one. However, I liked the character so much that I would really like to know more about him. Just the little bit of his background we are given in this book shows that he has lived an interesting life (much like Jack Ryan).

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday, March 26 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/03/the-kaisers-web-by-steve-berry-review.html

Let me start out with a WOW O WOW. The Kaiser’s Web by Steve Berry was a twisted, thriller novel! Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt are pulled into a mystery by Danny Daniels, the past president of the United States. They are asked to discover why someone died, only after having to steal a plane and being shot out of the air, they realize the question is greater than only one person’s death.

The story takes us into the bunker with Hitler and Eva Braun at the end of the war, to Chile to South Africa. Each step brings us more questions about what really happened to a lot of the monies from Germany at the end of WWII and opens the questions about what happened to some of their most trusted comrades. At the same time we are presented with a story about an election happening now (in the novel) in Germany. Cotton and Cassiopeia work through the clues as they try to get to the bottom of why all the events are happening. The twists and turns!

As part of that election in the novel, we are introduced to the growing right factions in Germany, while investigating Hitler’s inception and growing power. To me the parallels between the two were quite scary, especially when looked at through the growing nationalism in our own country.

I love the Steve Berry Books. I love the main characters of Cotton and Cassiopeia! The novels start with a small fact and with the judicial addition of fiction, we are brought on a journey of uncovering the truth. This book is a wicked ride! The Kaiser’s Web by Steve Berry is a great read.

The 16th entry in the Cotton Malone series seems to be set not long after the events in the previous volume and here Cotton is asked to help out old friend and former President Daniels and soon finds himself immersed in investigating decades old relationships and intrigue from Nazi Germany WWII that could have a direct bearing on who will be the next German Chancellor. Not as much action and adventure as in previous editions, this is more of a detective type story to try and uncover the truth. Still an easy and enjoyable read.

This was the latest installment of the many adventures of Cotton Malone. I was really intrigued by Malone's character years ago when Berry first started writing him, and he continues to be one of the best characters in an action series. The Kaiser's Web followed the standard formula of Berry's novels. He's definitely not reinventing the wheel, but, nevertheless, it was an enjoyable escapade and a chance to indulge in speculation of outlandish conspiracy theories. This one posits the theory that Eva Braun, wife of Hitler, made it out of the bunker and Germany and went on to have a baby with one of his top aides. This compelling story is set against the backdrop of modern chancellor election in Germany, a country that seems to be going backward into their fascist past.

While I found some of the story line to be somewhat convoluted, this was, overall, a fun, action-packed story perfect for escapism.

Author Steve Berry weaves a web of his own every time in the Cotton Malone series of thriller-adventure-conspiracy-alternate history novels. He usually starts with historical research and then conjures a story with the continuing cast of heroes/heroines, and a new unique cast of villains and supporting characters. Often this approach makes for a fun read but Kaiser’s Web failed to thoroughly capture my interest and hold my attention.

In this story set in a near future Germany, elections for a new chancellor are a short time away. The current centrist chancellor is facing a challenger with far right tendencies and politics. He could be truly evil with a bloodline from a Nazi leader. The novel travels back and forth in time from Hitler’s final days to events in the 50s through the 80s and from Germany to Chile, South Africa, and Switzerland before everyone assembles for the climax in Germany. The novel tends to drag the reader to perhaps too many episodes of time and place.

I have enjoyed past exploits of former agent Cotton Malone and his girlfriend-adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt but for me this one did not match the author’s best in the series.

The latest in the Cotton Malone series is a political thriller with some historical fiction woven in. I'm a fan of all things Cotton Malone and this another that will keep me addicted to the series.

This is book 16 in the Cotton Malone series and can be read as a stand alone. It's been ages since I read a Steve Berry book and I don't know why. This one was a great thriller that covered the world. Cotton is an ex-spy who has just completed his presidency of the United States. He is traveling and has been asked to look into a matter in Germany by their leader, Oma. I learned a lot about the history of Germany and the Nazi party. Action packed and I couldn't lay it down. I'll be back to reading Mr. Berry on a regular basis. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cotton is retired. But he is called upon to uncover the truth about one of the candidates vying for chancellor of Germany. He and his partner, Cassiopeia, uncover more than they bargain for.

This story takes you all over the globe, Chile, Africa, Germany. And, of course, each country has a new piece to the puzzle. Did Eva Braun die in the bunker? Is one of the candidates up for chancellor of Germany her descendant? Leave it to Cotton to find out.

I have been a fan of this author since his very first book. And I have read them all. I have not missed a single one. (The Amber Room is his best!) I love the history and the action which is in every book. And this story is full of all of the above. Steve Berry is one of the best at historical mysteries!

Cotton Malone books are not to be missed! Grab this one today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I have read all of Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone novels. I love the relationship he has with his love interest. I love the fast moving and exciting action. This latest foray was a bit disappointing. Slower moving than usual. However, character development is awesome and leaves nothing the reader very satisfied.

Its a great book that story is like something out of the headlines of tomorrow's news paper . I would like to thank netgalley for letting me review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive the ARC of the latest Cotton Malone book months ago. I tried to read it but after a chapter I gave up and had to wait for the audio book to come out. I have listened to all but one Steve Berry books and it is just not the same without Scott Brick reading to me. (Can we get Peloton to hire Scott Brick to do meditations classes? That would make me so very happy!)

Cotton Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt get involved with German elections for a new chancellor and Hitler/Eva Braun/Martin Bormann intrigue. They travel from Europe to Chile to South Africa and back to Europe to find the questions.

Steve Berry always delivers with interesting historical plots that are complicated and all tie together. I can't quite put my finger on it but I felt this book brushed over developing Cotton and Cassiopeia further as characters with much more focus on all the different people they met. CV was especially flat this book. I was very unhappy with Cotton's role in something at the end of the book.

In The Kaiser’s Web, two people are running for German chancellor: the incumbent, Marie, and her fiery opponent, Pohr. Pohr is a strict nationalist bordering on Nazism. However, when Cotton and Cassiopeia hear his claims that Hitler’s best friend and girlfriend both survived the bunker, they investigate. Can they also find a missing Nazi treasures?

Who knew how much our most recent former president would resemble a fictional German chancellor? Let’s hope The Kaiser’s Web never becomes true in real life. However, here is a head’s up for MAGA people. You may be upset by this characterization. If you can get past that, the plot, pacing and especially the various settings are great. It’s descriptive enough to feel like a vacation on your couch. 4 stars for historic fictional thriller readers!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Steve Berry consistently delivers fantastic, historical thrillers. This book has a fascinating take on some WWII events, and Cotton Malone, as usual, attempts to solve it. Steve Berry has done a great job keep this series fun and interesting.

The Kaiser's Web by Steve Berry is another in the Cotton Malone/Cassiopeia Vitt thriller, this time taking place in the modern country of Germany. As always it is based on an urban legend. This time, the birth of a son to Nazi bug wig Martin Bormann, who is now running to become chancellor of Germany, Theodor Pohl. Ex US President, Danny Daniels has called in a favor from Cotton to chase the veracity of this accusation as he and the US) are supportive of the current chancellor, Marie Eisenhuth. This is sure to be an exciting investigation as one of the first things to happen is that Cotton and Cassiopeia are forced to parachute out of a plane Cotton is piloting, the problem being there is only one parachute. Things get even more exciting from there as they travel to South America and then to Africa to chase the leads on the Nazis who had fled all those years earlier. As always it is dangerous work and many surprises are uncovered.

Berry is so good at this. It is easy to love his work. He is a master at writing a story and embedding in it his own political beliefs, so subtly that many readers probably never notice. It is an entertaining book with an enthralling topic but he interweaves his own political agenda and leads the reader to believe it is all about his fiction, not his politics. Cotton is getting older and these things are not as enjoyable as they once were. In fact, the best thing about this adventure was Cassiopeia, who would have gone home from her long weekend with him, but had stayed to enjoy the adventure. We know these characters so well there is really nothing to say about how well they are written. Cotton, on vacation from his bookstore in Denmark, and Cassiopeia, on break from her multi-national corporation-together again, pushing boundaries and outsmarting the opposition. It is mental exercise for both of them, as well as physical. A terrific adventure.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Kaiser's Web by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thekaisersweb