The Medici Return
Just finished reading "The Medici Return - A Cotton Malone Novel" by Steve Berry, published by Grand Central.
It's been a little over 20 years years ago since I first discovered Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series with the release of "The Templar Legacy" that was neatly stacked up on the new arrivals table at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore near where I live. Of course, nowadays, I mainly get my books, blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs from either Amazon.com and/or directly from the artist. Let's all admit the dirty little secret we are loathe to admit, but we "do the deed" because Amazon, for the most part is cheaper and offers a better price. Why pay $30.00 or more for a book when you can get it, if not for half price, than at least $10 or more dollars cheaper. Property taxes, utility bills, and groceries are not exactly cheap and I've got nothing against saving money. So stereotype me if you will. I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.
Now I noticed something odd about "The Medici Return." There are some throwaway paragraphs where a Catholic Cardinal wonders if he was targeted for his positive stance on gay marriage. It seemed to come completely out of left field. Okay noted, but it seems deliberately added as if to appease the demands of a so-called sensitivity DEI reader. And rather curiously, the write-up for "The Medici Return" does mention that there is a Cotton Malone series being developed for a streaming service - though which one is not mentioned.
DEI, which to me means, Division, Exclusion, and Intolerance, cancel me if you must, but I am a non-White minority who can think for himself thank you very much, has no place in literature and/or any of arts/creative endeavors.
Berry usually follow the path of historical/religious/mystery thrillers that were pioneered by writer Dan Brown, but Berry's novels are more grounded in plausible realism, though a couple times he did venture onto James Rollins Sigma Force territory with his Malone novels.
Basically, "The Medici Return" centers on the modern day political ambitions of one Italian politician who wants to collect on a centuries old "Pledge of Christ" to guarantee his Right Wing party will raise to power. Yet there is a player in the Catholic Church who will go to any lengths possible to prevent the pledge from becoming known and realized since it would bankrupt the church. Cotton Malone is drawn into the foray when as a favor to his old boss, he goes on what was supposed to be a simple recon mission that quickly goes south and plunges him into a deadly race.
Strongly Recommended, but I'm removing a star for unneeded DEI drivel.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Medici-Return-...
It's been a little over 20 years years ago since I first discovered Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series with the release of "The Templar Legacy" that was neatly stacked up on the new arrivals table at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore near where I live. Of course, nowadays, I mainly get my books, blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs from either Amazon.com and/or directly from the artist. Let's all admit the dirty little secret we are loathe to admit, but we "do the deed" because Amazon, for the most part is cheaper and offers a better price. Why pay $30.00 or more for a book when you can get it, if not for half price, than at least $10 or more dollars cheaper. Property taxes, utility bills, and groceries are not exactly cheap and I've got nothing against saving money. So stereotype me if you will. I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.
Now I noticed something odd about "The Medici Return." There are some throwaway paragraphs where a Catholic Cardinal wonders if he was targeted for his positive stance on gay marriage. It seemed to come completely out of left field. Okay noted, but it seems deliberately added as if to appease the demands of a so-called sensitivity DEI reader. And rather curiously, the write-up for "The Medici Return" does mention that there is a Cotton Malone series being developed for a streaming service - though which one is not mentioned.
DEI, which to me means, Division, Exclusion, and Intolerance, cancel me if you must, but I am a non-White minority who can think for himself thank you very much, has no place in literature and/or any of arts/creative endeavors.
Berry usually follow the path of historical/religious/mystery thrillers that were pioneered by writer Dan Brown, but Berry's novels are more grounded in plausible realism, though a couple times he did venture onto James Rollins Sigma Force territory with his Malone novels.
Basically, "The Medici Return" centers on the modern day political ambitions of one Italian politician who wants to collect on a centuries old "Pledge of Christ" to guarantee his Right Wing party will raise to power. Yet there is a player in the Catholic Church who will go to any lengths possible to prevent the pledge from becoming known and realized since it would bankrupt the church. Cotton Malone is drawn into the foray when as a favor to his old boss, he goes on what was supposed to be a simple recon mission that quickly goes south and plunges him into a deadly race.
Strongly Recommended, but I'm removing a star for unneeded DEI drivel.
Four Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Medici-Return-...
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