- Hardcover: 509 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (2 Dec 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345485793
- ISBN-13: 978-0345485793
- Product Dimensions: 16.2 x 4 x 24.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,000,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Charlemagne Pursuit
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Product Description
Review
'Action-packed, fast paced and engaging' (Sunday Express on THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL )
'Sexy, illuminating...my kind of thriller' (Dan Brown on THE AMBER ROOM )
'Pure intrigue. Pure fun.'
(Clive Cussler on Steve Berry )'Sexy, illuminating...my kind of thriller' (Dan Brown on THE AMBER ROOM )
'Complex and fast-moving thriller writing, delivered with a great deal of dash, and shades of The Da Vinci Code'
(Good Book Guide on THE TEMPLAR LEGACY ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Review
'Action-packed, fast paced and engaging' -- Sunday Express on THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL 20080504 'Pure intrigue. Pure fun.' -- Clive Cussler on Steve Berry 20080504 'Sexy, illuminating...my kind of thriller' -- Dan Brown on THE AMBER ROOM 20080504 'Complex and fast-moving thriller writing, delivered with a great deal of dash, and shades of The Da Vinci Code' -- Good Book Guide on THE TEMPLAR LEGACY 20080504
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was my first Cotton Malone novel and I think it shall be my last. The protagonist's previous exploits are amply advertised throughout this novel but I do not care enough to go through another one of these. And I will try to explain this without any spoilers.
The book starts off promising enough, a sub in trouble and probably lost at sea. Cut to the hero about to pick up a package in a clandestine setup, at the high terminal of a ski lift. Of course all hell brakes loose. Of course the hero survives. And the pursuit begins. But it is hardly ...Charlemagne's.
I cannot understand why Charlemagne was dragged into this, besides providing a catchy title in a "Da Vinci Code" fashion. The story could unfold without the dead emperor's item as it holds no crucial hints and it provides no motivation to anyone. The entire "mysterious symbols / ancient writing" gives off a sense of mimetic attempt rather than add anything to the story. Both Cotton and his antagonistic companions already have a strong motivation to go on with their quest (in fact, no imagination was stretched in providing said motivation) and the records of the footsteps that are to be followed already exist.
What is never explained is why the nefarious bad guy is paying an expensive assassin to take out a number of people only to keep a secret that is not exactly...earth-shattering if it came out. The (minor) scandal would have been the covering-up and not the information that was supposedly protected - so why cover it up in the first place?
If you are the airport and are between this one and the latest Kathrine Neville novels, go for this one.
In any other case though, Pass.
The book starts off promising enough, a sub in trouble and probably lost at sea. Cut to the hero about to pick up a package in a clandestine setup, at the high terminal of a ski lift. Of course all hell brakes loose. Of course the hero survives. And the pursuit begins. But it is hardly ...Charlemagne's.
I cannot understand why Charlemagne was dragged into this, besides providing a catchy title in a "Da Vinci Code" fashion. The story could unfold without the dead emperor's item as it holds no crucial hints and it provides no motivation to anyone. The entire "mysterious symbols / ancient writing" gives off a sense of mimetic attempt rather than add anything to the story. Both Cotton and his antagonistic companions already have a strong motivation to go on with their quest (in fact, no imagination was stretched in providing said motivation) and the records of the footsteps that are to be followed already exist.
What is never explained is why the nefarious bad guy is paying an expensive assassin to take out a number of people only to keep a secret that is not exactly...earth-shattering if it came out. The (minor) scandal would have been the covering-up and not the information that was supposedly protected - so why cover it up in the first place?
If you are the airport and are between this one and the latest Kathrine Neville novels, go for this one.
In any other case though, Pass.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book isn't exactly what one would call a page turner. The reading can get quite confusing and the author presents a lot of historical notions which further complicates, and thus repels, the storyline. I am a big thriller fan, a personal favourite authour of mine is the Scott Mariani series, which is a truly gripping read. Comparing The Charlemagne Pursuit to that yields no competition. If you like a slow paced thriller and if you have the ability to patiently comprehend the historical connections which the authour tries to present, then this book is for you. If not, you are better off absorbing with some other book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a huge fan of the Cotton Malone series of books that Steve Berry has given us, however i have to say that this offering was not quite up to the same standard as the other books. Don't get me wrong, i could not put it down when i was reading it, but it seemed to lack a little depth of the other books. Our other favourite characters were also noticed for their absence..... were they on holiday??? This is the first time i have been left thinking that the whole thing was perhaps a little rushed, i still enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next instalment, but please Steve let us have the old gang back together as they make a good team.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
A thoroughly good read!
I enjoyed it immensely and will now buy some more of his books!
Thank you very much!
Patrick Drew
I enjoyed it immensely and will now buy some more of his books!
Thank you very much!
Patrick Drew
Published 16 months ago by Patrick Drew
Steve Berry Books
Cotton Malone series is a good range of gripping stories that you won't be able to put down. A bit like Steve Berry books and Scott Mariani
Published 19 months ago by Scott Wallace
THIS ONE MISSES ITS MARK...
While I have previously enjoyed all of the author's books, this one was definitely not one that I would consider a keeper. While it has its moments, they are few and far between. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Lawyeraau
Struggles to get going or catch your imagination
I am a big fan of Steve Berry, but I found this to be one of his weaker thrillers. As with all of his books, there is plenty of action, pursuits and dead bodies - enough to... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Matthew Turner
TERRIBLE
TERRIBLE CONVOLUTED PLOT. BADLY WRITTEN. AN AWFUL BOOK WRITTEN BY A CONSPIRACY THEORIST. I WILL NOT READ ANY OF HIS STUFF AGAIN.
Published 22 months ago by P. STACE
The Charlemagne Pursuit
The Charlemagne Pursuit is the least successful of Steve Berry's Cotton Malone thrillers. The plots in the book are quite separate and I found them difficult to believe in. Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by CDG Dunblane
Dependable Cotton Malone Romp
Another historical fiction Cotton Malone adventure, this time based around the 8'th Century European Emperor Carolus, better known as Charlemagne. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by Clive
I read it non-stop : again an action packed thriller of first order by...
I bought this book on a business trip to Munich (coming from Boston)and was quite surprised that much is set in Bavaria and partly in Munich. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2008 by Amelrode
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