This as a cool read! The summary that was given to readers definitely gives Davinci Code vibes. This was a great thriller that used the tactic of anticedol endings to each chapter that kept the reader moving to the next chapter.

Review: Cotton Malone. What a finely built character riding a very patterned story line. There really is no other reason to read this "made for Hollywood" novel, other than to follow in Cotton's footsteps.

There is nothing new about this story line that mimics Dan Brown in all things. Authors that want to feast on regurgitated plots, know that what sets them apart in each instance, is the readers love and allegiance to one particualr character. I get that Cotton was once a great character. Now, he seems like a tired cliche' wrapped in Catholic secrets.

There is an over-abundance of history purveyed within every chapter coupled to the reiteration of the Medici secret. I do not really care for an in-depth history of Florence or that Catherine buppity bupp donated this or that. It is and was just blah, blah in my ear holes. Perhaps utilizing passing referents to history while in the throes of movement, would have better served this novel.

So get ready to not be surprised by the varietal tropes laced with a thrillers insistence upon your naievety and historical fumblings.

2.3/5

This was another winner in the Cotton Malone series, it had that element that I was looking for from this series and enjoyed the feel of this story-line. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of them in this universe. Steve Berry has a strong concept for the genre and enjoyed the writing style to this book.