400 pages

4 and 1 / 2 stars

What if one of the states of the United States really belonged to some else? The latest adventure in the Cotton Malone series posits just that question.

In 1886, King Ludwig (Wittlesbach) II of Bavaria was deposed and died only three days later. Was it an accident? Murder? He was an eccentric man who spent his fortune on lavish building projects. He also longed for a place where he would be left alone to ponder and rule as he wished. He was an escapist at heart.

Now three hundred years later in present day Germany and Bavaria, Ludwig’s descendants are on a mission to solve the mystery of whether Ludwig actually found a location for his new Bavaria. They are not the only ones searching for an explosive document. A document that could alter the geographic confirmation of the United States.

Cotton Malone, a semi-retired member of the Magellan Project, meets his protege Luke Daniels. Luke has managed to infiltrate a group which supports Bavarian independence from Germany. He has also fostered a relationship with one of the Wittlesbach heirs who fancies himself as the next King of Bavaria.

Steve Berry has a talent for creating interesting characters. They are well fleshed out. The reader of his fiction is treated not only to a rollicking adventure, but also to interesting and informative history lessons. I truly enjoy the parts of his books in which he explains what is true history (as we can know it.) I have read the entire Cotton Malone series and have never been let down.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

In my mind, Steve Berry can do no wrong. I have read all of the Cotton Malone books. This is consistent within the franchise and Berry's writing.

I had to stop in the middle of reading to research Bavaria and look up the castles and places they visited. I always do this. I like the picture in my head. I also love reading the end notes as to what is real and what is fiction.

The Last Kingdom takes place in Germany centering around Bavaria. Cotton Malone finds himself out at the CIA but that doesn't keep him from becoming involved in a spy adventure. There are many characters in this story and the reader may have to keep a running tab to remember who is who. the author jumps from character to character as the action develops. Who will survive? Will a missing deed change the layout of the United States? There are a double agents, hooded patriots looking for validation from the past and much more in this story. Cotton Malone succeeds ! There will be another book! Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. This was a fast moving story and another eye opener to history and the world of the spy.

How I love this series. Interesting plots and characters. Plus I learn history. I really enjoy the authors comments explaining what is real and what is fiction.

The next installment of the Cotton Malone series is as always, part thriller, part historical hunt. Berry does a good job of keeping the reader on their toes while weaving in all the different agendas and political factions. As with all the books in this series, it's interesting to look up the historical people and places while reading to see which parts were fact and which were artistic license. Overall a great fast-paced read.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The beginning is a bit disjointed and it’s a bit confusing with all the people in it, hard to keep straight. It has plenty of action but the ending is a bit disappointing as nothing is really resolved. Everyone just kind of goes their own way. No one is punished. #TheLastKingdom #NetGalley