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.

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