A püspök embere

Cotton Malone #13

by Steve Berry

Az ádáz ellenségeskedés J. Edgar Hoover és Martin Luther King Jr. között, amelyet illegális megfigyelések és titkos akták jellemeztek, állítólag véget ért 1968. április 4-én, amikor Kinget lelőtte James Earl Ray. De talán nem ez volt az oka.
Ötven évvel később az Igazságügyi Minisztérium egykori ügynöke, Cotton Malone kénytelen szembesülni az igazsággal, hogy valójában mi történt azon a végzetes napon Memphisben.
Egy incidenssel kezdődött tizennyolc évvel korábban, amikor Malone-t, a fiatal tengerészeti ügyvédet Stephanie Nelle, magas beosztású igazságügyi minisztériumi jogász felkéri, hogy segítsen egy vizsgálatnál. Malone rögtön lecsap a lehetőségre. Azonban hamarosan rájön, hogy két ellenérdekű szervezet - az Igazságügyi Minisztérium és az FBI - harcol egymással egy ritka érme és titkos akták megszerzéséért, amelyek olyan információkat tartalmaznak a King-gyilkossággal kapcsolatban, amelyek ártatlan életeket tehetnek tönkre, és fenyegetik a polgárjogi mozgalom legnagyobb mártírjának hagyatékát.
Malone döntése, hogy a végére jár az ügynek - lepusztult mexikói bárokban, a tiszta vizű Dry Tortugasban és végül a hatalom fellegvárában, Washington D. C.-ben, nemcsak az ő életét változtatja meg, hanem a történelmet is.

Steve Berry mindig előbányássza a történelem elveszett kincseit. A püspök embere magával ragadó, provokáló bűnügyi regény egy amerikai ikonról.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

424 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2018

About the author

 

Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood,  The 9th Man  (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose:  The End of Forever,   The House of Long Ago,   The Lake of Learning,  and  The Museum of Mysteries,  all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this story centered around Dr. Martin Luther King during the 50th anniversary of his assassination. F.B. I. Director, J. Edgar Hoover's bigotry and law violations are exposed to further tarnish his history into well-deserved infamy. Steve Berry's author notes are exceptional. Well done, Mr. Berry. 10 of 10 stars

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Steve Berry, Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Steve Berry is back to provide readers with another instalment of the Cotton Malone series. In this piece, things go back to the beginning, before Magellan Billet, when Malone was still a lieutenant in the Navy and working for the JAG. After a failed attempt to help a friend finds Malone tossed in a Florida jail, he’s approached by one Stephanie Nelle from the Justice Department. She can make the arrest and any charges disappear if he will help her with a secretive and very important mission. He must retrieve a rare gold coin and ensure it is returned to her as soon as possible. Having nothing to lose, Malone ambles down to the waterfront, where he finds the item, alongside a number of documents that appear to be highly classified. Etched with ‘Bishop’s Pawn’ on the cover, Malone is curious and soon discovers that these files are highly sought, when an agent of the Cuban Secret Police comes to fetch them in a less than courteous manner. From that point, Malone learns that there are many seeking the documents, including the FBI, who will stop at nothing to ensure they are not seen by anyone else. Malone soon realises that he’s stumbled into the middle of the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination conspiracy and that these documents may reveal a narrative no one expected. Could there be more to the assassination than first thought? Might this ‘Pawn’ document prove that J. Edgar Hoover was behind the entire operation to exterminate King while the race riots and civil rights movement was heating up? As Malone dodges blood-thirsty people on both sides of the equation, he must decide if working for Justice and retuning the documents to Stephanie Nelle is the right move, or whether burying the narrative from the public is the best choice of all. Another brilliant piece by Berry, who digs up loose threads in history and weaves his own narrative in a magical way. A wonderful addition to the Cotton Malone series, it will keep series fans quite content. Those new to Berry and the series need not shy away, as it builds the foundation of a wonderful set of novels and may whet the appetite of those looking to explore this phenomenal collection.

I have read and enjoyed Berry’s work for as long as I can remember, having enveloped myself in the nuances of the Cotton Malone series and the tweaks to history for the entire journey. What sets Berry apart is that his writing and storytelling pits fact against fiction in such a way that it is sometimes indiscernible to the reader, forcing them to refer to the ever-present piece at the end it find out what was based in reality and where Berry sought to bridge things with some of his own creative writing. With this being the dawn of Malone’s appearance with Justice, there are none of the other characters that series fans know so well, allowing a stronger focus on the protagonist. Malone is given some brief backstory at the beginning and it builds throughout. His reckless ways are still fairly new, though his intuition is strong and the reader can see some of the early crumbs of what will become his unique personality in the novels to come. Malone is determined to do what he feels is right, though admits that he does try to follow orders, when they suit him. The narrative hints repeatedly at the issues in his marriage, something that develops in the series. This introduction to such a wonderful character paves the way for some wonderful future revelations by the reader, should they take the time to enjoy the entire collection of novels. Some of the other characters work well to build the dramatic effect within the story, serving as high-ranking members of the government or agencies central to the King assassination at the time. Shedding light on those tumultuous times, Berry utilises these people to expound on an America at the crossroads of internal disaster and race disintegration, with the apparent stop-gap measure before them. Turning to the story itself, Berry imbeds so many interesting pieces as they relate to the King assassination, as well as providing the reader with some interesting insight into what might have happened. While the entire event was seemingly an open and shut case, there were many whispers over the past fifty years that receive their due mention in the narrative. At a time when race relations are again teetering, Berry’s novel opens up the discussion and explores how those days in the 1960s changed the way the world looked at civil rights in America. And with the fiftieth anniversary of the King assassination on the horizon, Berry fuels the fires of discussion and analysis once again. Written from a first-person narrative, Malone’s story receives a much more personal touch, allowing Berry to introduce the man who has been so important over the years. The narrative, mixed with documents and references to flashback moments in King’s life, proves a rich story on which to build this modern piece. Additionally, placing the story in and around 2000 permits both Berry and the reader to look both back and ahead, straddling history and using that unique perspective of hindsight and forethought. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this piece and can only hope that others will also find something worthwhile.

Kudos, Mr. Berry, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what you have in mind as you keep Cotton interesting and ever-evolving, even in his rookie days.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cotton Malone is one of my favorite series protagonists of all time. He's brave, he's honest, he's heroic, he's loyal, and he's got depth of character beyond the likes of many series leads. When we first started with Cotton, way back in The Templar Legacy, he was already retired from the Magellan Billet, and for the first time, we get to see one of his cases from when he was younger. In fact, in this one, we get a glimpse of his very first case working for Stephanie Nelle, an audition if you will, and boy is it a doozy! It revolves around the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and a supposed FBI conspiracy behind it.

I won't drag you down in the details, especially since Berry has produced a fast-paced, unputdownable read about Cotton's first taste of the spy life, and for the first time, the entire book is from just Cotton's perspective.

Plus, we get to go to Walt Disney World, one of my favorite places on the planet. Of course, after Cotton's romp through the lands of the Magic Kingdom, I'll never view it the same way.

Take a trip down memory lane with Cotton Malone, and enjoy.

---
Review to come on release date. Damn what a ride! And I'll never think of WDW the same way :)

[Rubi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You have to learn the rules of the game, then you have to play better than everyone else:"

3.5/5 stars.

I decided starting the series with the thirteenth book because this book is the first chronologically speaking. I wanted to know who Cotton Malone was and what to expect from him.
He was a very nice rookie and for sure had a tremendous first adventure.

Nice plot although some things came to my mind while reading. for example:
How is it possible that people are so willing to talk about what they know and all details? This seems very strange to me.

I really enjoyed Cotton's reflections from the future as he tells us this story full of firsts for him.
I got a pretty nice image of what this series can bring and this makes me want to read all books.

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

“My grandfather taught me that the smartest chickens in the coop, rarely clucked”

“Much later in my career I would learn to embrace the constant fear, unceasing tension, and unrelenting insecurity. That unsettling combination of nerves, alertness, and weariness. At this moment, though, I was only just becoming acquainted with their presence. What I knew for sure, even then, was that I could not afford any rebellion inside myself.”

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The next chapter in the Cotton Malone series actually backtracks to Cotton's first case when Stephanie Nelle recruits him. This story takes us back through time to a period, when racism and inequality were rampant.
I enjoy all of Berry's works thus far, this included, however I wouldn't consider it my favourite. When I read Berry's work, I'm used to the action/adventure/suspense of Cotton's adventures. This book did have its moments of action and were very well written in typical Berry fashion, but it was too few and far between for me. That being said, I think this book was fantastically written and an excellent story!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. AWFUL. Did Berry actually write this? The first person was contrived and bulky- most of the sentences were in basic structure and were stuck in a rut of recounting events. In one paragraph containing seven sentences, five began (and a sixth had in the middle) with the following: I got out of bed...; I took a shower...; I shaved...; I did not have a toothbrush...; I heard a knock...; I opened the door.... It read like an 8th grader wrote it.

On top of the mind-numbing writing style, the whole story was boring. I could not care less about a conspiracy behind the MLK assassination. Don’t run me through south Florida on a predictable (since when does every bad guy sit down and explain his part in everything to Cotton every few chapters?) chase with a flaccid leading female character. Go back to things like discovering the Library at Alexandria! Has Cotton found Atlantis yet? There’s an idea. How about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Some secret hidden at Machu Picchu?

I love Cotton but I did not love this book.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. I was impressed how Berry managed to fit a work of fiction on to an established set of facts. It made the plot plausible. That Martin L King's assassination could have been driven and choreographed by King himself. I enjoyed reading Berry's writers notes; as I followed the story.
Another super effort by Steve Berry.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

On April 4th 1968 as a shot rang out in Memphis Tennessee striking civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., America was forever changed, and King transformed into a symbol of martyrdom for the movement. Fifty years to that day, the United States is still battling those very demons that presented themselves that King fought against in the mid 20th century era Civil Rights movement. Steve Berry's new addition in the Cotton Malone series acts as a timely addition in remembrance of how far we've come with respects towards humanity and equality and how far this country still has to go. This Malone entry has a tone that is incredibly contemporary in the scope of historical and social events that continue to shape America.

The Bishop's Pawn acts as a prequel to Malone's previous adventures taking place roughly in the year 2000. Here he's still acting as a JAG lawyer for the U.S. Navy, itching for greater meaning and adventure in what he considers an otherwise uneventful career. Looking for opportunity, events lead him to meeting his future boss, Stephanie Nelle, and sending him to the Dry Tortugas off the Florida coast to retrieve a lost and very valuable coin. From there, Malone is drawn into events surrounding King's assassination, corrupt FBI agents with connections to the infamous COINTELPRO program under J. Edgar Hoover, a Cuban national and covert agent with ties to Hoover and Castro, and a family those history can be traced to the Civil Rights movement.

Berry's novels have always been fun romps through historical events and exciting locales. This one is similar in that manner, taking place entirely in the state of Florida. However, as stated, The Bishop's Pawn has added weight as it carries underlining struggles and demons America continues to face that people like King dedicated their lives to addressing. Reading this book reminded me of the headlines towards Black Lives Matter or threats of Russian interference and disinformation, the later which COINTELPRO was established to address. Arguably while 1968 remains long in the past, we as Americans haven't made it to a new chapter in our history, merely turned the page in the ongoing history surrounding that eventful year. It's thought provoking and different in ways Berry's other books aren't, and that is very welcome.

The book isn't without it's flaws. The character of Stephanie Nelle is barely in the storyline, which is kind of strange given the long history and friendship her and Cotton begin with this novel. This is also Berry's first try at a first-person narrative, and while alienated by it at first, I later regarded it as appropriate to Cotton's rookie status and analysing how he became the man he was in the other books. This is a great addition and it will be fun to see what Berry comes up with next in the series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bishop's Pawn is the 13th book in the very intriguing and entertaining Cotton Malone series. Cotton is sent by his handler, Stephanie Nelle to retrieve an extremely rare coin from an underwater wreck off the coast of southern Florida. He finds more than he bargained for when in addition to the coin, he discovers a file containing information about "COINTELPRO", a counter-intelligence program that was run by J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. The F.B.I.'s entirely possible involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King now is also on the plate. The story focuses almost entirely on Cotton Malone’s point of view, but also explores his past as a Naval Lieutenant and JAG lawyer as he is now focusing on a new career with the Justice Department. I was totally unprepared for the ending of the novel or how many twists and turns the plot took. While there are parts of the story based on truth and other parts are fictional, it isn’t based on any conspiracy theories. When I finished the book, I did think this an event that changed the face of America, both politics and life.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read and insight into a little of Mr King. The book also has some introduction into the initiation of Cotton into the Magellan Billet. As with all Steve Berry novels, get ready to have a fictional version of facts with the "facts" at the end...
Writers always have that freedom to "fictionalize" but Mr Berry follows up with what real guidelines he uses and why certain cities etc are included.
Thanks Mr Berry, this one was one to make you think and it is relevant in today's society.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel to the Cotton Malone series, harking back to when Stephanie Nelle recruited him to work for the government, plucking him out of jail for a righteous killing. Cotton is asked to retrieve a case, and finds himself in over his head, without a proper understanding of his mission. Steve Berry's initial foray into a first person POV, Cotton's voice seemed authentic. A Cuban gangster and U.S. government source is trading valuable documents about the assassination of Martin Luther King for a Double Eagle gold coin. I have to say that Disneyworld and the Florida Everglades are not the exotic locales we readers have come to expect, and like another GR friend, it is hard to believe that Cotton would destroy documents of major historical importance, rather than simply protect them.

[3 no 7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Bishops Pawn” is Steve Berry’s thirteenth 13th Cotton Malone story. The premise of the book is that the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover were responsible for the assassination Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The action centers on the events leading up to April 4, 1968, and is as especially timely subject on the 50th anniversary of the assassination.

Berry weaves fact and fiction together in this intriguing, suspenseful story. Realistic touches added to the fictional story make this a believable and compelling work of fiction. The characterizations have a ring of truth, and descriptions of public figures seem quite accurate. Much of the information presented in Malone’s first person narrative could be straight out of previously released FBI files.

I received a copy of “The Bishops Pawn” from Steve Berry, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley. I had not read any of Berry’s previous books, and I greatly enjoyed this one, which was unexpected because I do not usually read “history-based” books, and I am not a big fan of first person narratives. It was fast paced with plenty of intrigue, deception, and unexpected revelations. It was especially nice that Berry included endnotes that were just as illuminating as the book itself. He clarified his research and sources and clearly delineated historic fact from his fictional additions.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems that Mr. Berry's books are either hit or miss for me. This one I thought would be a total hit for me. Yet, it was a miss. I found the characters and the story to be lacking drama. The story itself regarding a conspiracy involving Martin Luther King Jr. was in itself intriguing but the end result did not deliver.

I kept reading hoping that the story would pick up speed but it never seemed to. Additionally, I felt like Cotton was not the powerhouse that I had gotten to know and seen in action before. Which, I understand some of this might have had to do with the fact that this story took readers back in the past when Cotton was younger and getting his feet wet. However, I still had expected him to come out swinging. Due to the muted tone, I was only semi interested in the story as a whole.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Berry has been one of my favorite authors for more than 10 years now. I was keeping up with his Cotton Malone series until the 11th one. Maybe I was getting a little tired of Malone? Anyway, I got ahold of the 13th book, skipping the 12th one, and I thoroughly enjoyed this outing of Malone's. This one goes back in time and is actually Malone's first case working for the Justice Dept. Interestingly, unlike the other novels, it's told in the first-person, so we're only getting Malone's viewpoint on what's going on.
In this one, young ( and inexperienced) agent Malone happens upon the secret about really happened on that fateful day in April of 1968, the day when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. He comes into possession of certain documents that others want and the pace never lets up as Malone leads his enemies on a chase that mainly takes place in Florida (the place where anything can and does happen). The high point you might say is when the chase continues on in Disney World. "Gentlemen, there will be no fighting in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction," you might say.
What clinches 4 stars for this book for me is the excellent Writer's Note at the end, in which Berry separates facts (as we know them) from speculation. I wish more novelists added such a note at the end.
"Bishop's Pawn" has certainly revived my interest in the exploits of Cotton Malone and I plan to continue reading the series.

[Milica's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been almost ten years since I last read Berry's book. My reading taste changed greatly during that time, so I didn't know what to expect, or what impressions the story would leave on me.
As for this novel, I'm not thrilled, but I really enjoyed it. Steve Berry has that writing style, which combines historical facts with imagination with such clarity, that you wonder, is it possible that such a thing happened?
If you like Dan Brown's books, Steve Berry is a great author. I love those crazy adventures, full of suspense that keep you on edge until the very end of the story.


Prošlo je skoro deset godina od kada sam poslednji put čitala neku Berijevu knjigu. Moj čitalački ukus se za to vreme dosta promenio, te nisam znala šta da očekujem, ni kakve će utiske ostaviti priča na mene.
Što se ovog romana tiče, nisam oduševljena, ali sam baš uživala. Stiv Beri ima taj stil pisanja, koji sa takvom jednostavnošću kombinuje istorijske činjenice sa maštom, da se prosto pitaš, da li je moguće da se zaista tako nešto desilo?
Ako volite knjige Dena Brauna, Stiv Beri je sjajan autor za vas. Volim te lude avanture, pune neizvesnosti koje te drže na ivici do samog kraja priče.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I have read a Steve Berry mystery. I enjoyed this novel, based on events I personally remember, immensely!

The review written by 3 no 7’s says it better than I can, so I refer you to it!!

[David Eppenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Steve Berry's books for entertainment. They are fun and I enjoy them and he is an author I follow and collect. My interest is based on the fact that while Berry writes thrillers his stories are usually all premised upon some historic myth, legend, mystery, or event. His stories have featured Lincoln, Jefferson, Templar knights, and even Queen Elizabeth I. So in addition to being entertaining you have the opportunity to learn some history and maybe are even moved to be curious enough to do some additional research of your own. Can you ask more of an author? Nevertheless, I am only giving this book three stars. I do this not because the book isn't good or that it fails to demonstrate Berry's talent but because I have serious misgivings about the author's choice of historic subject for this book, the Martin Luther King murder.

All of Berry's other books deal with subjects that exist well in the past. The King murder is one within living memory and it is a memory that is unpleasant for many and tragic for many others. To use this history for a work of fiction is, in my opinion, extremely ill-considered. While the book certainly demonstrates Berry's ability to write an entertaining thriller the manner in which he decides to use the King murder will probably have a very mixed reaction from his loyal readers, myself included. Some will be offended, others uncomfortable, yet more will be disappointed. Those people that relish conspiracies will view this story as manna from heaven because it will fuel more of their idiocy. I attended a Steve Berry book signing some years ago at which he recounted the negative firestorm of reader protests he received when he wrote one of his books based on the prophesies of Fatima. I think Mr. Berry should be prepared for yet another such storm. So what is the book about?

The story is a flashback of Cotton Malone, the hero of Berry's books, in which he relives his first assignment as an agent in the Magellan Billet. The assignment is to recover a stolen $20 Double Eagle gold coin as well as a case that Malone is not to open. The case contains documents delineating secret FBI activities surrounding the murder of Dr. King. A preacher close to King during the civil rights movement and his daughter are involved as well as a Cuban assassin and some retired FBI agents good and bad. It's a good story but for the use of King's murder as the focal point. I think Berry meant well but made an error in judgment with this choice.

[Edee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I start reading a Steve Berry book, I can hardly contain my excitement. I know it will be a page turner and I have to resist the urge to devour it in one sitting. His newest novel The Bishop's Pawn was once again another stellar installment in the Cotton Malone series and it took all my restraint not to read it in one day.

The Bishop's Pawn takes a look at the feud between J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King, Jr., and what influence that might have had on King's assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Cotton Malone is a young Navy lawyer and his commanding officer feels he might be somewhat of a loose cannon. Then Stephanie Nelle enlists Cotton's services for the Justice Department on a mission involving a rare coin and it isn't long before Cotton realizes this assignment isn't exactly what he bargained for. In addition to the coin, Cotton finds a secret stash of files with information on Martin Luther King's assassination. Both the FBI, the Justice Department and other individuals will stop at nothing to secure what Cotton has unearthed while the legacy of the civil rights movement could hang in the balance.

As I have said several times on this blog, Cotton Malone is one of the best literary characters of all time. The Bishop's Pawn offers all of the historical intrigue along with the heart-racing adventures that I have come to expect from a Cotton Malone novel. I did particularly enjoy that it offered a look back into how Cotton became involved with the Magellan Billet and I also appreciated how the narrative was composed. I heard Steve Berry say in an interview that his novels are 90% historical fact and I believe that is one of the reasons I'm so drawn into his stories. I always come away in awe that I never knew this particular pocket of historical information existed or took place.

As always, I cannot more strongly recommend Steve Berry's books. They never disappoint and you always come away wanting to read more. Our book club frequently selects his novels since they always offer up some good discussion points and we enjoy reading about Cotton's latest quests.

I received this book courtesy of Minotaur Books St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, I found this book to be a real snoozer. I had trouble following the action and then it lapsed into boring.i did listen to the book and it might have been better if I had read the book. It just wasn’t up the Cotton Malone standards.

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this character and this writer. Short chapters and lots of action and adventure. This particular book digs up old news inre Martin Luther King. Cotton does the FBI a favor and nearly dies, not to mention those that do die. Shocking ending. Thanks to Mr. Berry and Goodreads.

[Stephen Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Steve Berry's first first person view novel. It is brilliant. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Hard to comment on the story without giving spoilers.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another historical thriller by Berry. Not as thriller-esque as his previous books. But all in all a good read.

[Bill Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bishop’s Pawn is Steve Berry’s 13th Cotton Malone story. He puts out about one book a year. Keeping a storyline fresh, exciting and interesting for that long is a challenge that many thriller authors aren’t up to. Fortunately for us Steve is!
The premise of Bishop’s Pawn is: What if the FBI & J. Edgar Hoover were responsible for the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.? The timing of the book release is perfect as we are coming up on the 50th anniversary of the assassination. Berry is a master of interweaving historical fact and fiction into a fascinating, fast paced thriller. It’s almost, but not quite alternative history. You’ll loose sleep with this one as each chapter leaves you wanting more.
This story is told in the first person – a first for Berry, but he pulls it off. Steve Berry is one of my favorite thriller authors. I have taken one of his History Matters classes on thriller writing, heard several of his lectures at ThrillerFest and learned much from his both as a lecturer and an author.
I always look forward to reading his work. Now it’s time to set my alarm for Spring 2019 and hope that Santa comes a few months late and brings me another Steve Berry story.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cotton Malone was with the US Navy's JAG department before being recruited by Stephanie Nelle to join the Justice Department's new agency, the Magellan Billet. In this book, the reader learns about his first job for Stephanie, and a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights movement at that time. To say more would give away too much of the story.

This is one of my favorite series, by a favorite author, so I was very excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed. Although a first-person narrative is unusual for Mr. Berry and this series, it worked for this particular story. The single-person point of view, different from Berry's usual stance giving readers glimpses into the minds of several different characters, also worked. I was fascinated by the events as they occurred through the book, and devoured the entire book in just one day. I cannot wait to read Cotton's next adventure, and learn whatever history lesson Mr. Berry includes in the telling of that story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Steve Berry's books, especially his Cotton Malone series. I must admit that this particular entry into the series did not impress me as much as the others. It may have to do with Cotton's first foray into life as a secret agent and how he became an employee of the Magellan Billet or a new twist on the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination, but for me it was not his usual fare.

I still recommend it thought and is set to be published in March, 2018.

[Steven Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a retired historian picking up a Steve Berry novel is like revisiting an old friend. Berry’s central character Harold Earl “Cotton” Malone, lawyer, former member of an elite Justice Department group, pilot, and naval officer, leads the reader through interesting plot lines within the context of fascinating historical palates. In his latest iteration of Cotton Malone, Berry returns the reader to Malone’s early career by examining his first mission that dealt with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Era. We are exposed to a great deal of information that is not available in Berry’s other novels, and in THE BISHOP’S PAWN the author fills in the blanks that have existed throughout the series. The subject of Berry’s latest effort is very timely as we approach the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King at the hands of James Earle Ray.

THE BISHOP’S PAWN is different from all other books in the Malone series. Berry presents his story in the first person, something he has never done. Usually Berry narrates his stories through multiple characters and viewpoints, but in this case the single narrator creates an inviting immediacy. Further, it is a much more personal approach as we learn a great deal more about Malone’s background and his relationships, particularly with Stephanie Nelle, who would become his boss at the Magellan Billet, a special investigative unit within the Justice Department. At the outset of the novel Nelle and Malone meet for the first time in a Jacksonville, Florida jail where Lt. Malone is being held as a suspect in a shooting while a member of the US Navy. Nelle offers Malone his first mission as she had pegged him correctly in that he was bored as a JAG officer in the Navy and this afforded him an opportunity to prove himself in a more challenging environment. Malone’s mission was to recover a waterproof box that contained what could be considered important historical files and a gold coin worth approximately $1 million in the area off Key West. This would be a pattern which would mark their relationship for many years to come as Nelle did not present the entire story leaving out details that could place Malone in a very precarious position.

Berry introduces a number of interesting characters from Juan Lopez Valdez, former FBI, CIA and possibly linked to James Earle Ray; the Reverend Benjamin Foster, who was present at the Lorraine Motel, the night Dr. King was assassinated and was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Coleen Perry, Rev. Foster’s daughter who is obsessed with the contents of the waterproof box and her father’s role in the civil rights movement; Tom Oliver, retired Deputy Director of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover who was in charge of COINTELPRO, Hoover’s counter-intelligence program developed to target groups that he believed were threats – especially “Black Nationalist” groups that had to be “neutralized; and Jim Jansen, former FBI who is a major impediment to Malone’s mission. These characters are all intertwined as the plot emerges – what is in the files in the waterproofed box? What role did the FBI possibly play in the assassination of Dr. King? How does the relationship between the FBI and the Justice Department fit? What are the agendas of each major character, particularly, Nelle, Foster, and Oliver?

Berry’s grasp of history is at its usual high level. His description of individuals, i.e., J. Edgar Hoover is quite accurate, especially his obsession with Dr. King and supposed communist influence over the Civil Rights Movement. Further, some of the documents Berry integrates into the dialogue are straight out of FBI files that became available years after Dr. King’s death that lend credence to conspiracy theories that have made the rounds for decades. It is clear that the FBI wants to eradicate any evidence that it was involved in the King assassination. But the problem that emerges is that there are remnants of the FBI of the 1960s that still influence policy, as opposed to the more open new generation of FBI bureaucrats who have a different approach to historical accuracy.

As is the case in all of his novels, Berry offers a writer’s not at the conclusion of the story that highlights what is considered factual history and what the author has made up employing his artistic license. The result is that Berry has created an intricate example of counterfactual history that may not be as farfetched as might appear at first glance.

[Jean-Michel Desire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le début des aventures de Cotton Malone avec la division Magellan… toute une histoire pleine de rebondissements. Steve Berry est fidèle à lui-même, livrant un déroulement à couper le souffle entre la réalité historique et les ajouts qui font de ‘La Conspiration Hoover’ un bouquin essential pour les collections des mordus de l’aventure. J’ai pris mon temps à le lire à cause de mes autres projets en parallèle mais j’ai eu beaucoup de difficultés à poser la livre à chaque reprise. Je le recommande fortement.

The beginning of Cotton Malone’s adventures with the Magellan Division… an entire story of twists and turns. Steve Berry is true to himself, delivering a breathtaking flow between the historical reality and the embellishments that make ‘The Hoover Conspiracy’ and essential book in the collection of adventure buffs. I took my time reading it because of my many side projects but had a lot of trouble putting the book down each time. I highly recommend it.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting tale on how MLK was killed. It held my interest and proved very informative on the illegal and immoral practices of J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. Hoover hated King and wanted him dead. This is a fictional story on how that happened. The prequel to the first Cotton Malone novels.

An editorial comment: Today's FBI although not as outright illegal as in Hoover's day... still goes after the people the ruling establishment wants them to GET. Maybe not by gunning them down--- but going after them doggedly and relentlessly none-the-less. Cold, calculating, and ruthless... the FBI has not changed their stripes. They still do the bidding of the elitist deep staters that hide in the shadows and really run our country.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I read so much about the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King, Jr., when I read the synopsis of this book, I thought I would like it a lot. Alas, in all honesty, the plot was just too convoluted. A rare coin is missing and documents need to be found. I just could not grab hold to any thing that held my interest. There was a lot about the mutual hatred between MLK and snippy, snide J. Edgar Hoover, but nothing that I didn't already know. In the end, I felt there were too many plots and too many characters to make this come together to a cohesive story.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A change of pace in the Cotton Malone series - Berry's newest book is a "flashback" to Malone's first mission for the Justice Department 18 years ago and does a nice job filling in some of the character's backstory. The strength of this series has always been mining the gray areas of history to find a mixture of facts and gaps that can be shaped into a suspense novel. The Bishop's Pawn focuses on the players and conspiracies associated with the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. - timely in light of the 50th anniversary of the event taking place on 4/4/18.

Personally, I enjoy Cotton Malone as an "international man of mystery". The early novels dealt with historical characters such as Charlemagne, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon. Later novels delve into American history with Jefferson and Lincoln. While MLK is a gripping historical figure, this latest sometimes feels like a travelogue through Florida. With no Cassiopeia Vitt found in this flashback, the novel is certainly enjoyable but lacking compared to other series entries.