Ballantine Books

Steve Berry ”The Jefferson Key” (Cotton Malone book 7)

10503124

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Four United States presidents have been assassinated — in 1865, 1881, 1901, and 1963 — each murder seemingly unrelated and separated by time.

But what if those presidents were all killed for the same reason: a clause in the United States Constitution — contained within Article 1, Section 8 — that would shock Americans?

This question is what faces former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone in his latest adventure. When a bold assassination attempt is made against President Danny Daniels in the heart of Manhattan, Malone risks his life to foil the killing — only to find himself at dangerous odds with the Commonwealth, a secret society of pirates first assembled during the American Revolution. In their most perilous exploit yet, Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt race across the nation and take to the high seas. Along the way they break a secret cipher originally possessed by Thomas Jefferson, unravel a mystery concocted by Andrew Jackson, and unearth a centuries-old document forged by the Founding Fathers themselves, one powerful enough — thanks to that clause in the Constitution — to make the Commonwealth unstoppable.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to ‘’Latvijas grāmatu izstādē 2015’’

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Ja nu visas ASV prezidentu slepkavības būtu nevis atsevišķi gadījumi, bet gan saistīti. Tādu iespējamību piedāvā septītā grāmata Cotton Malone sērijā.

Commonwealth organizācija ir agrāko pirātu pēcteči, kuru senči tika nolīgti (palikušas četri kapteiņi), lai uzbruktu un laupītu ienaidniekus, tā lielā mērā palīdzot gan valsts dibināšanā, gan vēlākajos konfliktos. Bet pēc pirmā neveiksmīgā uzbrukuma prezidentam 19.gadsimtā attiecīgais prezidents īpaši pacentās, lai ieraksti par attiecīgu vēstuļu izsniegšanu no kongresa ierakstiem tiktu labi noslēpti. Jau vairāk kā 175 gadus Commonwealth neveiksmīgi mēģinājusi atrisināt šifru, kas slēpj izplēsto lapu atrašanās vietu.

Kopš prīkvela notikumiem ‘’The Devil’s Gold’’ Džonatans Vaiats laikam pazaudēja savu lielo apņemšanos izrēķināties ar Malonu. Tomēr tieši viņam jāpateicas par Malona un savā ziņā arī Kasiopejas iesaistīšanu, kā arī šķiet sapratis savu agrāko lēmumu sekas. Abi vien sāk apjaust, ko nozīmē attiecību aizsākums.

Sava daļa pārsteigumu un intrigu no Baltā nama, kas potenciāli varētu sagraut pašreizējā ASV prezidenta Denija Danielsa prezidentūras reputāciju un piespiest respektēt pirātus.

Kārtējo reizi burvīgi piedzīvojums ar Malonu un tikpat labi vietu apraksti.

Droši vien tie, kas lasījuši Stīvena Kinga grāmatu par 1963.gadu un tajā minēto pēdējo prezidenta slepkavību, varēs apstiprināt manas aizdomas, ka tajā darbā pirātu un tāda Commonwealth nav, ko apliecina autors kā savu izdomājumu.

                                                                                                                                                

What if all assassinations of the USA presidents are linked and not just separated events. The 7th book in Cotton Malone series gives this theory a chance.

Commonwealth is organization where descendants of pirates that once in the past operated as privateers to attack enemies of USA and deserves some gratitude as they helped in countries foundation and also in later military conflicts. But after the first attack to president in 19th century which was unsuccessful the president of that time makes certain that the pages of Congress Journal about passing out letter of marque to the ancestors of remaining four captains of Commonwealth. More than 175 the Jefferson Key has been doing its job to hide those two pages.

Since the events of ‘’The Devil’s Gold’’ it seems that Jonathan Wyatt has lost his resolve to have his revenge to Cotton Malone. Although it’s possible that he understood consequences of his earlier carrier decisions. But because of him Malone and also Cassiopeia is involved into this adventure. Both of them are only starting to comprehend what their relationship really means.

Few surprises and some intrigue comes from White House which could possibly destroy current president’s Danny Daniels reputation and would force him to respect Commonwealth.

Once again amazing journey and adventure with Cotton Malone and just as good descriptions of places.

Probably those who have read Stephen King’s book about 1963 could tell if my suspicions that Commonwealth is fiction which Steve Berry confirms, and that in that story there are no pirates.

Steve Berry ”The Devil’s Gold” (Cotton Malone book 6.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Jefferson Keybrings you a short story that takes readers on a perilous hunt for . . . The Devil’s Gold

Once he was called the Sphinx, a man so inscrutable that neither his adversaries nor fellow intelligence operatives could predict his next move. Now a contract agent with a secret mission, Jonathan Wyatt has gone rogue. For eight years he’s been plotting. Waiting. Scheming to kill Federal agents Christopher Combs and Cotton Malone, whom he blames for the loss of his career. But as Wyatt prepares for a final confrontation in a remote South American village, he makes a discovery that stretches back to the horrors of World War II, to the astounding secret of a child’s birth, to Martin Bormann and Eva Braun—and to a fortune in lost gold.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 3/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Džonatans Vaiats izseko savu bijušo priekšnieku Kristoferu, bijušo, jo pirms astoņiem gadiem pieņēma kļūdainu lēmu, kā rezultātā mira divi kolēģi. Kamēr izseko, ar nolūku atriebties, atklāj arī kaut ko negaidītu saistībā ar Vāciju un Hitleru, un vēl dažiem. Sava vieta īsajā tekstā arī dārgumiem, tai skaitā zeltam.

Bet Kristofers nav vienīgais, kuru Džonatans vaino savās nelaimēs, un tas otrs būtu Malons. Šķiet iznākumu varēs izlasīt septītajā sērijas grāmatā ‘’The Jefferson Key’’.

Kaut arī stāsts nav pārāk garš, Džonatans Vaiats paspēj radīt negatīvu iespaidu par sevi.

                                                                                                                                                

Jonathan Wyatt follows his ex-boss Christopher Combs. Ex because eight years ago he made mistake which led to death of two colleagues. While Jonathan follows with intent to take revenge he discovers something unexpected tied to Germany, Hitler and few others. In the short text there is a place for treasure including gold.

But Christopher isn’t the only one who Jonathan blames for everything bad that happens to him and the other guilty one is Cotton Malone. It seems that the outcome might be in the 7th book of this series – The Jefferson Key.

Although the story isn’t long Jonathan Wyatt manages to create bad impression about him.

Steve Berry ”The Emperor’s Tomb” (Cotton Malone book 6)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The tomb of China’s First Emperor, guarded by an underground army of terra-cotta warriors, has remained sealed for more than 2,000 years. Though it’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, the Chinese government won’t allow anyone to open it. Why? 

That question is at the heart of a dilemma faced by former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone, whose life is shattered when he receives an anonymous note carrying an unfamiliar Web address. Logging on, he sees Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who’s saved his life more than once, being tortured at the hands of a mysterious man who has a single demand: Bring me the artifact she’s asked you to keep safe. The only problem is, Malone doesn’t have a clue what the man is talking about, since Cassiopeia has left nothing with him. So begins Malone’s most harrowing adventure to date — one that offers up astounding historical revelations, pits him against a ruthless ancient brotherhood, and sends him from Denmark to Belgium to Vietnam then on to China, a vast and mysterious land where danger lurks at every turn.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pagājis gandrīz pusgads kopš iepriekšējās grāmatas notikumiem un Henrika nāves, kad Malons atkal tiek izrauts no grāmatu pārdošanas – jāpalīdz briesmās nonākušajai Kasiopejai. Viņas iemesls, kāpēc nonākusi tādā situācija, atrodams prīkvelā ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Levs Sokolovs pats nonācis nepatikšanās plus viņa 4 gadīgais dēls nolaupīts; Kasiopejas iespēja atlīdzināt.

Malona ceļš vedīs uz Ķīnu, bet viss nav tik vienkārši. Tur briest varas maiņa, un par to, kurš par nākamo līderi – Ni Jongs vai Karls Tangs – ieinteresētas tādas lielvaras kā ASV un Krievija. Šajā ziņā darbībā atgriežas trešajā sērijas grāmata esošais Viktors Tomas, kurš joprojām ir tikpat neuzticams un nekādīgi nevar saprast, kurā pusē tad viņš ir.

Ni Jongs un Karls Tangs savos uzskatos un vīzijā par Ķīnas nākotni ir ļoti atšķirīgi. Viens vairāk sliecas uz valsts lielāku demokratizāciju~, bet otrs gatavs izmantot militāru spēku un bailes, lai par katru cenu panāktu savējo.

Bet lielā grāmatas tēma, ja nu nafta, kuru tagad vairumā iegūst ir nevis biotiska, tādējādi izsmeļams un ierobežots resurss, bet gan abiotiska, kuru Zeme pati pastāvīgi ražo un rodas stipri vien dziļāk. Šāda apziņa droši vien mainītu šo to pasaules kārtībā un cenu pavisam noteikti.

Sērijā parādās drusku no romantiskā. Ja līdz šim Malons un Kasiopeja savstarpējas simpātijas situācijas spiesti atlikuši otrajā plānā, tad notikumi liek piespiež ne vien apjaust jūtas, bet arī atklāt tās; sava loma tajā arī nesenajai drauga zaudēšanai.

                                                                                                                                                

It’s been nearly six months since events in the last book and Henrik’s death when Malone again is pulled into new deadly adventure – he has to help Cassiopeia. Reasons why her own life is in danger you can find in the prequel ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Lev Sokolov is in danger, and also his four year old son has been kidnapped. This is a chance for Cassiopeia to repay a favor.

Eventually Malone’s path will lead him to China but not everything is that simple. Soon there will be a change as who will lead the country next and the struggle for that position is between Ni Yong and Karl Tang. Two superpowers of the world USA and Russia are interested in the outcome. In this case I have to mention a recurring character Viktor Tomas from third book of the series. Once again you can’t be 100% sure if you can trust him as he changes sides by the minute.

Ni Yong and Karl Tang are very different in their beliefs and in the vision of China’s future. On tends towards more democratization but the other is willing to use any amount of force and fear to be in the power.

The big theme of this was, what if oil that produced today was not biotic in that way non-renewable resource but abiotic – oil that Earth produces constantly and way deeper than fossil fuel. This kind of knowledge might change world order and definitely the current oil price. But that’s only what if.

In this book the romantic story line appeared a little between Malone and Cassiopeia. If previously events forced them to suppress the feelings they thought they might have then recent events and a recent loss of a mutual friend makes them realize the situation.

Steve Berry ”The Balkan Escape” (Cotton Malone book 5.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Steve Berry’s first ever eBook exclusive short story finds an adventurer in a strange and forbidding land, in search of a long lost treasure, and very much in harm’s way.

As a favor to enigmatic billionaire Henrik Thorvaldsen, Cassiopeia Vitt treks into Bulgaria’s Rila mountains in search of a buried stash of exceedingly rare artifacts from a bygone civilization: the ancient tomb of a Thracian king. But when her presence is discovered by a shadowy group of Russians secretly mining the area, she needs a way out. Who to trust becomes the question, and her life depends on choosing the right option.

Includes a sneak-preview of the Cotton Malone thrillers The Emperor’s Tomb.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Notikums pirms pieciem gadiem dziļi Balkānu kalnos, Bulgārijā. Kārtējo reizi neatklāti dārgumi, šoreiz trāķiešu.

Skatpunkts no Kasiopejas, kura tur devusies pēc Henrika lūguma. Parādītas vēl divas galvenāki personāži – Varga, kurš seko pavēlēm, un arheologs Levs Sokolovs.

Tā kā šis ir prīkvels sestajai sērijas grāmatai ‘’The Emperor’s Tomb’’, tad varbūt vienu no abiem manīsim arī tajā, protams arī Kasiopeju.

                                                                                                                                                

Events from five years ago deep into Balkan mountains, Bulgaria. Once again it’s about treasure, this time Thracians.

The short story is told from POV of Cassiopeia, who went there after Henrik’s request. In the story participates two more characters with names – Petar Varga, someone who follows orders, and archeologist Lev Sokolov.

As this is a prequel for the sixth book in the series The Emperor’s Tomb then we might meet see one of them again, of course not without Cassiopeia.

Steve Berry ”The Paris Vendetta” (Cotton Malone book 5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?

Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone isn’t looking for trouble when it comes knocking at his Copenhagen bookshop. Actually, it breaks and enters in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces him to follow his unexpected new ally.

Their first stop is the secluded estate of Malone’s good friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. Only by matching wits with a terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for Napoleon’s legendary lost treasure can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy.

But Thorvaldsen’s real objective is much more personal: to avenge the murder of his son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Thorvaldsen’s vendetta places Malone in an impossible quandary—one that forces him to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, Malone plays a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.25/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Iemesls, kāpēc Malons aizgāja no dienesta bija pēdējā, šķietami mazsvarīga uzdevuma, traģiska neveiksme, kam par upuri kļuva Henrika Torvaldsena dēls, kas vēlāk rezultējās Malona un Henrika draudzībā. Ja iepriekšējā sērijas grāmatas pamatā Malona interese par tēva likteni, tad šinī Henrika atriebe par nogalināto dēlu (vien par kādu cenu?).

Ar vienu no vainīgajiem Henriks tiek galā jau sākumā, bet, lai tiktu galā ar otru, Greihamu Ašbiju(Graham Ashby), viņš aicina talkā Semu Kolinsu (atlaists no slepenā dienesta savu uzskatu un aktivitāšu dēļ), kā arī Malonu. Bet zinot, ka Kasiopeja visticamāk mēģinātu atrunāt, viņai zvanīts netiek.

Bez atriebes, kā lielais noslēpums izvēlēti iespējamie Napoleona dārgumi, kurus viņš it kā paspējis noslēpt pirms trimdas. Šo dārgumu atrašanā ieinteresēts ir ne vien Ašbijs, bet arī Elīza Larokve. Viņas motivācija vairāk balstās uz ģimeniskām jūtām. Turklāt savākusi kopā pāris bagātu ļaužu ar plānu, kā ar bailēm sabiedrībā, iespējamiem draudiem un aizdevumiem varētu pamatīgi nopelnīt.

Jauniņais galvenākais tēls Sems (juška, ka varētu parādīties tālāk sērijā) likās interesants un labs papildinājums.

Tas, ko Henriks, neparedzēja un neiedomājās, ka arī amerikāņi, un šeit parādās Stefānija, varētu būt ieinteresēti Ašbijā; viņš ir viņu spiegs Elīzas izveidotajā klubiņā.

Diemžēl grāmatas atrisinājums pavisam bēdīgs, un, lai gan maitekļus reizēm neesmu atturējies izpaust, šis tomēr tāds pārāk nozīmīgs, un atliek vienīgi – KĀPĒC?! :/

                                                                                                                                                

The reason why Malone left Magellan Billet was devastating failure of seemingly easy last task which resulted in casualties and one of whom was son of Henrik Thorvaldsen. If the previous books was about Malone and his father than this one is about Henrik’s revenge for murder of his son (but really at what cost?).

One of the perpetrators Henrik kills already at the beginning but to deal with the other one, Graham Ashby, he has to call help – Sam Collins (fired from Justice Department because of his activities and beliefs) and also Cotton Malone. But knowing that Cassiopeia might try to talk him out of it she is left aside.

Without the revenge there are also possible treasure, this time they are treasure that supposedly Napoleon Bonaparte was able to hide away before his exile. In finding them Graham Ashby isn’t the only interested, it’s Eliza Larocque. Hers motivation is based on family-oriented feelings. Furthermore she has gathered together few filthy rich people and she has a plan make them even richer using fear in general public, probable threat and loans.

The new good gut Sam was interesting and a nice addition to the main characters. And I have a feeling that he might show up later in the series.

But what Henrik wasn’t able to anticipate was that Americans (where Stephanie shows up) would be interested in Graham Ashby; he is their spy in Elizas little club.

Unfortunately the book has very sad ending and although from time to time I reveal few spoilers this one is too important. I can just ask WHY?! :/

Pirmdienas teikums #55

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Pirmdienas teikums ir mana versija par Bonespark~ “Sunday Sentence”, kurā tiek izcelts teikums no tā, kas iepriekš izlasīts.

It was familiar territory, expansive and isolated, but its heart remained compact, about two miles long and a mile wide—and had wisely managed for centuries to keep the world at bay.

Steve Berry ‘’The Venetian Betrayal’’ (Cotton Malone book 3)

Steve Berry ”The Charlemagne Pursuit” (Cotton Malone book 4)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

As a child, former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone was told his father died in a submarine disaster in the North Atlantic, but now he wants the full story and asks his ex-boss, Stephanie Nelle, to secure the military files. What he learns stuns him: His father’s sub was a secret nuclear vessel lost on a highly classified mission beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica.

But Malone isn’t the only one after the truth.

Twin sisters Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk are fighting for the fortune their mother has promised to whichever of them discovers what really became of their father–who died on the same submarine that Malone’s father captained.

The sisters know something Malone doesn’t: Inspired by strange clues discovered in Charlemagne’ s tomb, the Nazis explored Antarctica before the Americans, as long ago as 1938. Now Malone discovers that cryptic journals penned in “the language of heaven,” inscrutable conundrums posed by an ancient historian, and the ill-fated voyage of his father are all tied to a revelation of immense consequence for humankind.

In an effort to ensure that this explosive information never rises to the surface, Langford Ramsey, an ambitious navy admiral, has begun a brutal game of treachery, blackmail, and assassination. As Malone embarks on a dangerous quest with the sisters–one that leads them from an ancient German cathedral to a snowy French citadel to the unforgiving ice of Antarctica–he will finally confront the shocking truth of his father’s death and the distinct possibility of his own.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Malonam kopš 10 gadu vecuma nācās uzaugt bez tēvā, jo viņš, būdams jūras kara flotē, mira – pēc oficiālās versijas kopā ar 10 citiem vīriem viņa komandētā zemūdene nogrimusi un nav atrasta. Malons beidzot grib noskaidrot patiesību, nevis samierināties vien ar to, kas atklāts. Tā nu viņš palūdz Stefāniju atgriezt pakalpojumu, un viņa piekrīt nodot viņam vajadzīgo informāciju, bet abi nevar iedomāties, ko tas aizsāks.

Zemūdenes un tēva atrašanā ir ieinteresētas arī māsas Doroteja un Kristla. Lai gan dvīnes, abas ir ļoti atšķirības, turklāt necieš viena otru. Nevarētu teikt, ka māte censtos abas samierināt tieši pretēji. Ne mirkli Malons nevar būt drošs, kam un kurai vairāk var uzticēties.

Tikmēr pāri okeānam Stefānijai iet ne mazāk jautri. Šoreiz kopā ar Edvīnu Grīnu(prezidenta Denija Danielsa tuvs, uzticams padomnieks~) jātiek galā ar Langfordu, admirālis, kurš gatavs radīt(ne personiski) pāris līķu, lai virzītos pa karjeras kāpnēm. Viņa saistība ar kopējo stāstu, ka bijis uz vienīgā kuģa, kas devies meklēt zemūdeni. Atrastais visticamāk šokētu ne vien ASV sabiedrību, bet arī visu pārējo pasauli.

Iemesls, kāpēc bijušas slepenas misijas uz apledojušo Antarktīdu, bijusi kāda varena un ar zināšanām bagāta civilizācija, kas attīstījusies pirms mums un vairākkārt visapkārt pasaulē nodevusi tālāk zināšanas. Tomēr arī pašu viedums šķiet nav bijis neizsmeļams, jo palikuši uz kontinenta pat tad, kad tas pamazām apledojis, pametot vien spiestā kārtā. Prātā nāk dziesma ‘’End of Days’’, kur lirikā vienā minēti vārdi par seno ēģiptiešu piramīdām un elektrību…

To visu varētu, protams, pieskaitīt pie konspirāciju teorijām, bet tik un tā liek aizdomāties.

                                                                                                                                                

Since being 10 Malone was forced to grow up without his father because after the official story his commanded submarine sunk and wasn’t found with ten other in the crew. Malone finally wants to know the truth and not just what has been released. So he asks Stephanie to return a favour and she agrees but neither can imagine what by doing that had started.

Malone isn’t the only one who wants to find father and that sub – sisters Dorothea and Cristl. Despite being twin sister they are very different and resent each other. You couldn’t say that their mother would try to bring them to understanding, just the opposite. Malone can’t be sure for a moment to which he could trust more.

Meanwhile over the ocean Stephanie doesn’t have time to be bored. This time she teams up with Edwin Green (close and reliable adviser for President Danny Daniels). They have to deal with Langford Ramsey, admiral who is willing the create bodies (not himself) so he could move up in his carrier. His connection with the story is that he was on the only ship that went looking for the lost submarine. What was found probably would shock not only Americans but the whole world.

The reason for such secret mission in Antarctica was a mighty civilization, rich with knowledge which developed before us and has travelled all over the planet teaching those societies. Though they may have not been that smart because they left the continent only when forced by the nature (ice). This made me to remember a song ‘’End of Days’’ and words about Egyptians and pyramids – that they had to have electrical power…

This all could be called a conspiracy theory but it makes you think and question things.

Steve Berry ”The Venetian Betrayal” (Cotton Malone book 3)

1178039

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Locating Alexander the Great’s final resting place-unknown to this day-remains a tantalizing goal for both archaeologists and treasure hunters. Now the quest for this coveted prize is about to heat up. After narrowly escaping a fire that consumes a Danish museum, Cotton Malone-former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer-learns from his friend, the beguiling adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt, that the blaze was part of a campaign of arson intended to mask a far more diabolical design.
From the ashes of the U.S.S.R., a new nation has arisen: the Central Asian Federation. At its helm is Supreme Minister Irina Zovastina, a cunning despot with the single-minded desire to surpass Alexander the Great as history’s ultimate conqueror. The Federation has amassed a harrowing arsenal of biological weapons, and only one thing keeps Zovastina from setting in motion her death march of domination: a miraculous healing serum, kept secret by an ancient puzzle and buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great-in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 1,500 years.
Together, Cotton and Cassiopeia must outrun and outthink the forces allied against them in order to unravel a riddle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people-depending on who finds the lost tomb first.

Apraksts: 323. gadā p.m.ē. Aleksandrs Lielais, iekarojis Persiju un gatavodamies doties uz Arābiju, pēkšņi krita par upuri savādam drudzim. Līdz pat mūsdienām nezināmās viņa pēdējās atdusas vietas atrašana ir kārdinošs mērķis gan arheologiem, gan bagātību medniekiem. Tagad sacensība par šo iekārojamo balvu uzliesmojusi ar jaunu spēku. Tikko izglābies no bojāejas postošā ugunsgrēkā, Kotons Malone, bijušais ASV Tieslietu departamenta aģents, no pievilcīgās un drosmīgās Kasiopejas Vitas uzzina, ka šī ugunsnelaime nebija nejaušs gadījums… Kotons un Kasiopeja dodas bīstamās patiesības meklējumos, kas aizvedīs no Dānijas krastiem uz Venēcijas senatnes pieminekļiem…

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Jau trešais piedzīvojums Malonu par spīti tam, ka oficiāli kļuvis par grāmatu tirgotāju. Arī šoreiz viņam neiztikt bez palīdzības no Stefānijas, Henrika un Kasiopejas.

Ja pirmās divas sērijas grāmatas bija par tīri materiālu vērtību un arī svarīgas informācijas meklējumi, tad ‘’Nodevība Venēcijā’’ vēsta par aizraujošu un bez šaubām ļoti bīstamu Aleksandra Lielā jeb Maķedonijas Aleksandra pēdējo atdusas vietu. Bet papildus bez paša Aleksandra pastāv iespēja atrast dabiskas zāles, kas pēc vēsturiskiem avotiem liecina, ka tas spējis dziedēt no dažādām (bīstamām) slimībām.

Bet ir tādi, kas nekautrētos atrasto izmantot savtīgu interešu realizēšanai. Par grāmatas ļaundari varētu dēvēt Centrālās Āzijas Federācijas vadoni Irinu, kura varu notur ar nežēlīgu un dzelžainu spēku. Viņa spējusi ātrā laikā apvienot vairākas teritorijas, bet ar to Irina negrasās apstāties, un, lai sasniegtu plānu realizāciju ir gatava, ka mirst miljoni. Viņas lielākā apsēstība Senā Grieķija un īpaši Aleksandrs Lielais. Kā ļaundaris tiek mēģināts portretēt zāļu kompānijas īpašnieku Enriko Vincenti. Viņa loma saistās tieši ar noslēpumaino zāļu līdzekli, bet patiesībā viņu vada cēli mērķi, pa ceļam vien ar vēlmi vēl vairāk pavairot savu turību. Tas spēj pieveikt pat HIV un AIDS, ņemot vērā šo slimību izplatību nebūtu slikti, ja kas tāds tiešām eksistētu.

Par cik jau šī ir trešā sērijas grāmata, patika, ka autors pievēršas arī galvenāko tēlu personībām, ļaujot viņus iepazīt drusku tuvāk, lai gan ir arī tādi fakti, kas tikuši atkārtoti katrā daļā.

Ja otrās grāmatas faktu skaidrojums bija apbēdinošs, tad šoreiz pretējs efekts. Arī mani fascinējis vēsture par Aleksandru un veiksmīgiem karavadoņiem kā tādiem, piemēram, Atila.

                                                                                                                                                

Despite that Malone has retired from active duty and become a book seller this in a short time is his third adventure. As well as previously also this time he receives help from Stephanie, Henrik and Cassiopeia.

If in the first two books of the series it was about purely material values and also important, valuable information than in ‘’Venetian Betrayal’’ tells about exciting and without doubt very dangerous search for last resting place of Alexandrian the Great. But besides of his body there’s a possibility to find mysterious draught which after historical sources has an ability to cure diseases.

There are parties that would like to use the findings to realize their selfish and vicious plans. Supreme Ministers of Central Asian Federation Irina Zovastina could be villain of this book. She remains in power with cruel strength. In a short time she was able to unite several countries into one but she doesn’t plan to stop with that and she is ready to kill millions. Irina is obsessed with Ancient Greece and especially Alexander the Great. Other character that is portrayed as a villain is Rico Vincenti. His role is connected with the draught but actually he is motivated by noble purpose. Just with innocent want to get even wealthier along the way. The draught (bacteria) is so powerful that it can cure HIV and AIDS; only if that would be true in a real life not just in this book. : )

As this the third in this series then I liked that author allows the reader to get to know the main characters more closely. Although there are facts that are repeated in each book.

If revelation of the real fact were disappointing in the second book then this time it had opposite effect. I’m too fascinated by the history about Alexander and successful military leaders in general like Attila.

Steve Berry – The Columbus Affair (Cotton Malone #12)

17907500

Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

A mysterious and ruthless billionaire, eminent international politicians, and a covert arm of the American government–all are linked by a single puzzling possibility:

“What if everything we’ve been told about the discovery of America is a lie? What if that lie was designed to hide the secret of why Columbus sailed in 1492? And what if that 500-year-old secret could violently reshape the modern political world?”

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Tom Sagan has written hard-hitting articles from hot spots around the world. But when one of his stories from the Middle East is exposed as a fraud, his professional reputation crashes and burns. Now he lives in virtual exile–haunted by bad decisions and a shocking truth he can never prove: that his downfall was a deliberate act of sabotage by an unknown enemy. But before Sagan can end his torment with the squeeze of a trigger, fate intervenes in the form of an enigmatic stranger who forces Sagan to act–and his actions attract the attention of the Magellan Billet, an elite and top-secret corps of the United States Justice Department that deals with America’s most sensitive investigations. Sagan finds himself stuck in the center of an international incident, the repercussions of which will send shudders through not only Washington, D.C., but also Jerusalem. Coaxed into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, unable to distinguish friend from foe, Sagan is forced to Vienna, Prague, then finally into the Blue Mountains of Jamaica–where his survival depends on his rewriting everything we thought we knew about Christopher Columbus.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to ‘’Latvijas grāmatu izstādē 2015’’

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Kolumbs un notikumi pirms vairāk kā 500 gadiem ir saistīti ar grāmatas tagadni visai intriģējošā veidā, uzdodot jautājumus par iespējamiem dārgumiem un leģendām, kā arī par pašu Kolumbu.

Toms, izbijis žurnālists, kurš novests tik tālu, ka ir gatavs sev padarīt galu, neparastā veidā tiek no saviem nodomiem aizkavēts un iesaistīts šajā piedzīvojumā.

No visiem tēliem varētu teikt, ka Toma meita Alle man patika vismazāk. Gan sava naivuma dēļ, uzticēdamās neīstajiem(viegli iespaidojama), gan savu dubulto standartu dēļ. Viņai vieglāk ir izdomāt dažādus iemeslus un dusmoties uz tēvu, nekā mēģināt rast risinājumu. Jāatzīst, ka arī pats Toms nav bez savas vainas.

Par šī stāsta ļaundariem varētu uzskatīt divus bagātus, savā ziņā līdzīgus, bet atšķirīgus vīrus – Zachariah Simon un Bène Rowe. Ja Saimons vēlas atrast zudušos dārgumus un atjaunot Trešo templi(ebreji…), kādēļ gatavs novākt jebko, kas stājas ceļā, tad Benē vairāk motivēts ar leģendu un dārgumu materiālo vērtību kā tādu. Bet kopumā, lai gan abi nekautrējas izmantot kriminālas metodes, Benē šķita labāks.

Pa lielam stāsts labs, netrūkst intrigas, bet būtu paticies, ja beigu notikumu noslēgtos citādāk, bet tāpēc jau esmu lasītājs. : )

                                                                                                                                                

Columbus and the events 500 years ago are linked with the present in a very intriguing way, asking questions about possible treasure and legends, also about Columbus himself.

Tom (ex-journalist) has gone so far that he is ready to take his own life but in an unusual way gets disturbed and included into this adventure.

From all characters I could say that Alle(Tom’s daughter) I liked the least. Trusting the wrong people, being naïve and also because of hers double standards. It was easier for her to blame her father and make up excuses than to search for solution. Of course Tom isn’t without fault himself.

Of this books villains you could consider Zachariah Simon and Bène Rowe, both wealthy and in some ways similar but definitely different. If Simon wants to find treasure and restore the Third temple by all means (Jews…) then Bène is motivated by the material value of treasure and legends surrounding them. I would like to think Bène as the better one of them two.

Overall the story was good with enough mystery but for me the conclusion could have been a bit different. : )

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