Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

I always enjoy a Cotton Malone book. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was the historical focus of this book. I toured Neuschwanstein more than 30 years ago and enjoyed learning more about the King.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review from #NetGalley. I have read pretty much every Cotton Malone book and this one did not disappoint. As per the style of these books, the pace and action drew me in right from the start and kept me hooked all the way through. I will admit that for a Cotton Malone story, I felt like there wasn't as much Cotton as I would have liked, especially with this being his series. There was a fair amount of Luke Daniels and a lot from the perspectives of the other characters involved - which isn't always a bad thing as they add to the history being presented, but I felt that the ratio of their perspectives and Cotton's involvement were skewed. Even with that, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the history it presented. The author's note at the end are always enjoyable as I love learning what was real and what Steve Berry added to liven up the story. I'm already waiting and ready for the next Cotton Malone adventure!

I have read a number of Cotton Malone books but it had been awhile since I picked one up. The subject of this one intrigued me: a Bavarian duke with a tie to a kingdom outside of Europe? How? Cotton Malone has not lost his touch and the action that Berry presents was first rate. The story of Ludwig II of Bavaria and his descendants was fascinating and the story progressed at a fast rate. I will most likely go back and read the Cotton Malone novels I have missed and definitely recommend this one!

This book, the author says, fulfills a dream; but while the plot is certainly intriguing (and timely), it was so complicated and filled with so many characters that I found myself snoring here and there. That said, though, it was engrossing enough that for the most part I didn't want to put it down (I even took it to bed to finish, which normally is a no-no for me).

The setting is Bavaria, many years after King Ludwig II reportedly drowned in 1886, three days after being deposed. But legend has it he took a few secrets with him, including the results of his search for a new "kingdom" (hence the title of the book). Another legend involves the possible existence of a 19th century deed to property that's now extremely valuable; the true owner stands to reap considerable financial benefits if that deed is found.

But therein lies the problem; no one seems to know where it might be. Luke Daniels, who was mentored by former Magellan Billet operative Cotton Malone, is in the German state, managing to infiltrate a somewhat secret group of people who are desperate to gain independence from Germany. Meanwhile, Malone - who retired a dozen years ago as a U.S. Justice Department intelligence officer - now lives in Denmark and operates a store that specializes in rare books. Occasionally, he reverts to his former profession, as he does here when he spots Luke in the middle of a tough situation. Then he meets up with old acquaintance Derrick Kogen, who asks for help on behalf of another former colleague in dealing with Bavarian Prince Stefan von Bayern, who supposedly is intent on bringing down the United States. It is then that Cotton learns about former King Ludwig's new kingdom and all the ramifications thereof.

If all that sounds a bit confusing, it is; scenes shift from one group of characters to another, and while readers can be pretty sure which side Cotton is on, shoring up the others isn't always so clear. There are chases, near misses and hits as various characters, including Cotton and Luke, chase down the truth about the new kingdom and the deed. It all leads up to an action-packed ending with a couple of twists I didn't see coming. The chases and battles are exciting, and overall it's a rousing adventure. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Horray Cotton! Back at it again with another adventure, sans Cassiopeia this time (much to my disappointment, but it didn't detract from the story!). Cotton and Luke Daniels are attempting to stop a world-changing event from occurring in Bavaria. True to Berry's style, there is lots of history, thrills, espionage, and lots of nods to previous installments in this series. I liked seeing more of Luke's perspective, and some of the new(er) characters take on different personalities; and a couple of them, I hope to see stick around for future novels. This was an engaging, well-paced read that already has me impatient for another!

An eccentric 19th century king’s wish. A 21st century global free-for-all.

In a weakened Germany, there are those who want the state of Bavaria to return to being an independent country. One such person is a descendant of King Ludwig II, one of Bavaria’s last kings. in his final days, Ludwig had tired of the politics and responsibilities of being a king at that moment in history, and wished to start another….das letzte Koningreich, the last kingdom. When he died under mysterious circumstances soon after being removed from the throne, there were rumors that he had indeed found and secured that new kingdom, but no proof has ever been found. His descendants, the Nazis, the CIA, and a mysterious group of black-hooded men have all dedicated time and resources to the search to no avail.

Luke Daniels is on loan to another government agency while the future of his own, the Magellan Billet, is in doubt. He calls on his sometimes mentor and fellow renegade, Cotton Malone, to do him a small favor. Luke is undercover, working for the brother of the current Duke of Bavaria who hopes to return his family to the throne. The small favor quickly expands, and Cotton finds himself maneuvering between the many warring factions who have an interest in solving the mystery of the last kingdom, once and for all.

The exploits of Cotton and Luke find geopolitics and the lessons of history intertwined. The last days of the Bavarian royal family, a connection to the overthrow of the kingdom of Hawaii, the music of Wagner, the ambitions of the Chinese government to become the leading superpower, and the ambitions of a noble German family provide a challenging puzzle to solve and all manner of clashes, ambushes, gunfights, and betrayals. Can Cotton and Luke find the truth behind the rumors and, if so, what will they do with the information….because it could dramatically affect the future of the United States.

A plot that moves quickly, a mixture of familiar characters and new faces, and an assortment of interesting tidbits of history from a fascinating period in time make this another enjoyable read from Steve Berry. It isn’t necessary to have read the previous books in the series, the mystery stands on its own….but if you haven’t read the preceding books, you just might want to go back to the beginning once you’ve read this entry. Fans of history, particularly German history, will enjoy this, as will lovers of thrillers set against the backdrop of world intrigue. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy.

The Last Kingdom was an the kind of Cottom Malone adventue Berry readers have come to expect. This explores mystery and intrigue surrounding King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Hawaii and a twisty action filled plot. The one downside is that I miss Cassiopeia and she needs to be featured more prevalently in the next book.

Cotton Malone books are so good and this one did not disappoint! I love the historical aspect and Steve Berry seems to do a lot of research for his books. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

This book continues the Cotton Malone series. Cotton has retired from the Magellan Billet , but continues to be brought into cases as an advisor/mentor who then becomes more involved in most cases. This one takes place primarily in Bavaria and involves Luke Daniels, whom he has/is mentoring, who asks him for some assistance. The plot involves things that happened in the 1880’s that could have a dramatic impact on the Unites States today. As with his other novels, this is a fast paced read.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

The Last Kingdom is the latest (#17) in the series of books by Steve Berry featuring spy-for-hire Cotton Malone. It’s in the same genre as Dan Brown’s books, mixing real history with fictional events, usually requiring ciphers, puzzles and mysteries to be solved. This one revolves around King Ludwig of Bavaria, the so-called “Mad King” who is primarily known today for his unfinished Neuschwanstein Castle, which still attracts more than a million visitors a year and was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland.

I read a couple of the early books in this series, and the subject of this one intrigued me. Unfortunately, it fell, for me, into the easy trap of mixing real history with fiction, and made it difficult for me to figure out what I could learn from and what I should let go as part of the story. I know that may not be important for many, but for me it makes a difference. And, unlike when I read previous books in this genre, I had the uneasy feeling that in these days of conspiracy theories and "fake news" coming to us in real life, it may not be responsible to intermix truth and fiction in a way that is hard for readers to discern. Berry has an afterword which explains everything that is truth and what has bee fictionalized, but is that too little too late?

Also, there was, for me, an excess of violence over mystery-solving in the final chapters. Finally, it was clear that several of the characters had been introduced in previous books. It left me thinking that the book was intended for those who are familiar with the author and genre. Newbies should go back and start at the beginning.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Cotton Malone and Luke Daniels are back in this novel set in Bavaria. I enjoyed the history and the action, my only disappointment was that the story really dragged on for a bit and I almost lost interest because of it.

I stuck it out and as the story came to its conclusion the opportunity to see some new friends is left open for future books.

All in all it was an okay and enjoyable read. I’ll continue to read these novels because they are enjoyable and the historical aspects are fascinating.

The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry takes us to Munich and parts of Bavaria. Full disclosure, I visited there a few years ago so I really enjoys Cotton Malone going to many of the places I recently saw. The personal aside, this is a pretty typical Cotton Malone story with some new players in to help him out.

I can honestly say I don't know if anyone besides Berry could have written this book as well. There are a lot of changing loyalties and lots of players in the book but I didn't have any trouble following them all because it was so well handled by the author. There are the men who dream of becoming King of Bavaria, the current and past CIA, Magellan Billet, the black-hooded Guglmanner (who do exist), the Chinese, and of course, it all started with King Ludwig II.

The book takes us back and forth across southern Germany on a fast-paced quest to save the USA from some pretty big headaches. Berry, as always, does a wonderful job with the history of Bavaria and his Author's Notes are a must read! I don't want to give out spoilers but it all the players makes perfect sense. Malone’s protégé, Luke Daniels, is integral to getting the job done and had me wondering if the reigns will be passed on to him sometime soon.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for this honest review.

King Ludwig II of Bavaria was an enigmatic figure who was deposed in 1886, mysteriously drowning three days later. Eccentric to the point of madness, history tells us that in the years before he died Ludwig engaged in a worldwide search for a new kingdom, one separate, apart, and in lieu of Bavaria. A place he could retreat into and rule as he wished. But a question remains: did he succeed?

Enter Cotton Malone. After many months, Malone’s protégé, Luke Daniels, has managed to infiltrate a renegade group intent on winning Bavarian independence from Germany. Daniels has also managed to gain the trust of the prince of Bavaria, a frustrated second son intent on eliminating his brother, the duke, and restoring the Wittelsbach monarchy, only now with him as king. Everything hinges on a 19th century deed which proves that Ludwig’s long-rumored search bore fruit--legal title to lands that Germany, China, and the United States all now want, only for vastly different reasons.

Steve Berry's passion for history infuses his every novel, and readers who enjoy a good story well told, walk away with a new understanding of a piece of the human story. Highly recommended. #TheLastKingdom #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

As regular as clockwork, we get another Cotton Malone adventure this time of the year. And in “The Last Kingdom”, Steve Berry has given us all of the elements that we have come to expect: breakneck action, evil cabals and societies looking to upend the relative calm of the world by pursuing an ancient document, a lot of politics and maneuvering, and a whole bunch of history in an interesting part of the world and an interesting part of the past.

This time we find ourselves in Bavaria, in the realm of the “mad” King Ludwig II who wanted nothing more than to be left in peace, to which end he sent out his lawyer to find him a kingdom that he could disappear to and leave the political infighting that was Germany in the 1880s. But what if he was successful? Where was this lost kingdom? And would his claim to such still be valid today?

That’s the background, the rest is just the details. Luke Daniels calls on Cotton to help him in his infiltration of a Bavarian independence group, run by a prince of Bavaria who is intent on reclaiming the throne for the Wittelsbach monarchy (and also away from his brother the heir). Of course, things don’t necessarily go as planned, as others also have designs on what the prince is trying to find. We have the elder brother, who is trying to stop the plot before he dies. The German politicians with their own agenda. The Americans, separate CIA and White House factions, who need to destroy the document before it could upset the current world order. A group of renegade CIA agents, out for revenge. An ancient Bavarian order of black-hooded brothers, helping to restore King Ludwig’s reputation. And, of course, the Chinese, who need the document for their own world domination plans.

Quite an eclectic (and explosive) mix. We see the action move all around Bavaria, searching for clues and trying to solve the mystery of where the deed is hidden. Everyone has their own agendas, no one can be trusted, and alliances and double-crosses are the rule of the day. As befits this part of the world, we have the cliffhanger endings at Ludwig’s three castles, including the fairytale Neuschwanstein.

If you have read any of this series, then you know what to expect and will not be surprised at the tone and style – Mr. Berry is remarkably consistent in what these stories deliver: action mixed with history. A little by-the-numbers but a good airplane read. The biggest surprise is that Cassiopeia is completely missing in action, not even a phone call. Also no sign of Stephanie Nelle, but at least they talk about her. And I’m a bit disappointed at the rehabilitated image of Mr. Berry’s fictional president, I hope that this wasn’t due to political pressure.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

As a long time fan of Steve Berry's work, I was delighted when Grand Central Publishing provided me with an ARC of Berry's most recent offering in his Cotton Malone series entitled "The Last Kingdom." For those of you unfamiliar with Berry's canon, it is very similar to the late Clive Cussler's historical adventures. The difference is that while Cussler's work is largely action driven, Berry's action seems more mature and measured. In other words, the tone of Berry's book is notably more serious than Cussler's. The single greatest commonality between these authors is their focus on real historical issues that serve as a springboard for the action that drives their respective narratives. Because of the heavy historical grounding that provides the backdrop to Berry"s narrative, one cannot help but absorb a great deal of factual knowledge relating to the very real historical characters and locales deployed to drive the narrative. In this particular text, the history focuses on the last kings of Bavaria before it was absorbed into the Second Reich, principally Ludwig II.. This is what initially brought this book to my attention. As always, the action packed narrative rooted deeply in the history of the Kingdom of Bavaria is well written, if occasionally needlessly convoluted (a characteristic typical of this genre), but that said, there is much to enjoy and learn from the narrative. The book offers a sort of back door admission into the history of the late nineteenth century as Europe prepared itself for the cataclysmic events surrounding the First World War.

Of all the books on my nightstand, Steve Berry is the author I would choose first, with the anticipation of a child waiting for a story teller to begin a great adventure. His research is phenomenal, I intimately know each character, visualize every scene and learn little known historical facts. All wrapped up in a great story.
Cotton Malone searches for clues in fairy tale castles all across Bavaria, against a diverse and large list of adversaries. The remaining family members of King Ludwig of Bavaria are intent on creating a new monarchy in Bavaria with the help of a renegade group of followers’ intent on restoring the independence of Bavaria from Germany. To complicate matters all are intent on taking possession of a deep-sea cache of rare earth minerals. Certainly, a very real and current problem.
I love the action, the facts, the history, the so true to life characters. I love a story that drives me to Wikipedia to learn more.

Wow what a great and entertaining story. And it seemed so plausible, which made it oh so freakier. Makes you wonder if situations like this (maybe not quite so extreme) happen and the general public don’t know about it.

That being said. I’m a big Cotton Malone fan. I like that he is a somewhat secret agent but doesn’t have stupid catch phrases or always picking up some damsel in distress. He is a good detective, smart individual, and overall skilled person. Which makes him excellent at his work. Makes you pull and feel for him. And also gives some relatability to the character. Can’t wait for next chapter.


Thanks to NetGalley, Steve Berry, and Grand Central Publishing.

This is a book that author Steve Berry has been waiting to write for decades, and while I can understand his passion, for me this was not one of my favorites. Here Cotton Malone is back in action to assist the Magellan Billet as there are some strange things going on in Bavaria that involve the rumor of a deed in which the Kingdom of Hawaii was actually transferred to King Ludwig II of Bavaria prior to his death and the US annexation of Hawaii,
There are way too many characters to follow here, and Malone is not involved in much of the action. Of course when the players are Bavaria, Germany, battling descendants, the CIA, secret organizations, ex-CIA employees and vast rare earth mineral right there is certainly a lot going on and you understand the need for all the extra characters. Berry does a great job with all the Bavarian background and explaining Mad King Ludwig and the book never lags in action or interest. To me this is a step down from his last book featuring Malone, The Omega Factor. When even Berry starts having his characters refer to Cotton Malone as "Pappy" it may show that Cotton's time with Magellan is coming to an end, but he still has a world of intrigue he can be involved with on his own and with his girlfriend Cassiopia. For me a 3.5* book

Action, international espionage, politics, history, shifting allegiances – this book has it all! I had a chance to read Steve Berry’s upcoming release, “The Last Kingdom”, and one of my favorite authors did not disappoint. His mastery of interweaving real historical people and places with imagined encounters and conversations always has me wondering what is real and what is fiction.

In “The Last Kingdom” we see the return of Cotton Malone, a retired U.S. spy now running a bookstore in Denmark. He is called in by an active agent to help with a mission in Germany and gets caught up in an international endeavor that could have significant ramifications for his home country. Cotton will have to work with allies and enemies to solve a puzzle involving deposed Bavarian king Ludwig II and his descendants. The trail leads to a document that could change the face of politics worldwide, and it’s a race to see which country will get its hands on the prize first.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this novel. I also liked learning about some of the history surrounding Bavaria, the Bavarian aristocracy, and the stunning castles “mad” King Ludwig II constructed (seriously, Google these castles and check out the jaw-dropping architecture). I don’t want to give any surprises away, but this book will take you directions you did not see coming and teach you some history you didn’t know you needed.

Thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for this free advance copy in return for my honest review.
This is a book that author Steve Berry has been waiting to write for decades, and while I can understand his passion, for me this was not one of my favorites. Here Cotton Malone is back in action to assist the Magellan Billet as there are some strange things going on in Bavaria that involve the rumor of a deed in which the Kingdom of Hawaii was actually transferred to King Ludwig II of Bavaria prior to his death and the US annexation of Hawaii,
There are way too many characters to follow here, and Malone is not involved in much of the action. Of course when the players are Bavaria, Germany, battling descendants, the CIA, secret organizations, ex-CIA employees and vast rare earth mineral right there is certainly a lot going on and you understand the need for all the extra characters. Berry does a great job with all the Bavarian background and explaining Mad King Ludwig and the book never lags in action or interest. To me this is a step down from his last book featuring Malone, The Omega Factor. When even Berry starts having his characters refer to Cotton Malone as "Pappy" it may show that Cotton's time with Magellan is coming to an end, but he still has a world of intrigue he can be involved with on his own and with his girlfriend Cassiopia. For me a 3.5* book.