The Lincoln Myth

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry returns with his latest thriller, a Cotton Malone adventure involving a flaw in the United States Constitution, a mystery about Abraham Lincoln, and a political issue that’s as explosive as it is timely - not only in Malone’s world, but in ours.

September 1861: All is not as it seems. With these cryptic words, a shocking secret passed down from president to president comes to rest in the hands of Abraham Lincoln. And as the first bloody clashes of the Civil War unfold, Lincoln alone must decide how best to use this volatile knowledge: Save thousands of American lives, or keep the young nation from being torn apart forever?

The present: In Utah, the fabled remains of Mormon pioneers whose 19th-century expedition across the desert met with a murderous end have been uncovered. In Washington, D.C., the official investigation of an international entrepreneur, an elder in the Mormon church, has sparked a political battle between the White House and a powerful United States senator. In Denmark, a Justice Department agent, missing in action, has fallen into the hands of a dangerous zealot - a man driven by divine visions to make a prophet’s words reality. And in a matter of a few short hours, Cotton Malone has gone from quietly selling books at his shop in Denmark to dodging bullets in a high-speed boat chase.

All it takes is a phone call from his former boss in Washington, and suddenly the ex-agent is racing to rescue an informant carrying critical intelligence. It’s just the kind of perilous business that Malone has been trying to leave behind, ever since he retired from the Justice Department. But once he draws enemy blood, Malone is plunged into a deadly conflict - a constitutional war secretly set in motion more than 200 years ago by America’s Founding Fathers.

©2014 Steve Berry (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"In Malone, [Steve] Berry has created a classic, complex hero." ( USA Today)

"Malone, a hero with a personal stake in the proceedings, is a welcome respite from the cold, calculating superspies who litter the genre." ( Entertainment Weekly)

"Steve Berry gets better and better with each new book." ( The Huffington Post)

"Savvy readers…cannot go wrong with Cotton Malone." ( Library Journal)

"Berry raises this genre's stakes." ( The New York Times)

"I love this guy." (#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child)

Excellent storyline accurately modified

Quite enjoyed this book. Most engaging and informative. Resolution of fictional aspects at the end of the book was most informative. Will read others by this author

Cotton Malone vs the Mormons...kind of

This installment of the Cotton Malone series finds him caught up in a conspiracy to break up the United States of America by the use of a secret document that Abraham Lincoln and Brigham Young shared, dating back to the founding of the union.

Personally, I have never been a huge fan of the civil war period stories, and this spends a fair amount of time there. Is it interesting? yes. Is it somewhat plausible? yes. Did it work for me as a great story? Good yes, great not for me. Your milage may vary.

What I did find interesting is that this story achieved one particular thing that should resonate through the following novels...a rift, at least for a time, between Cotton and Cassiopeia.

This is a good story and a decent chapter in the series. I recommend it as such.

A trip down early LDS history skeletons and all.

Minor correction Copenhagen did not become a stake until 1975 until then it was a mission field with branches.
On the map of early places Kirkland Ohio should have been mentioned. when the Mormons were driven from Independence Missouri they settled north in Gallatin. The Danites lived slightly to the west at Hawns Mill and did their raids against Independence from there. That's why Missourians went there to kill every man woman and child and drop them into a well. otherwise awesome job skeletons and all. Brigham Young's avenging army were assisting in performing blood atonements on apostates, infidelity and marrying blacks.

Historical Twist

Great weaving of historical fact with believable fiction - with splendid twists and turns - engaging and entertaining!

Patriotic exploration of our more perfect union

If you could sum up The Lincoln Myth in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating historical journey,

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lincoln Myth?

The opening presentation of President Abraham Lincoln receiving a disturbing message from his predecessor, James Buchanan.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Same excellent quality.

If you could rename The Lincoln Myth, what would you call it?

Our More Perfect Perpetual Union

Any additional comments?

The 1781 Articles of Confederation between the 13 states aimed to establish a perpetual union. But that union proved to be weak and dysfunctional, leading to the 1787 Constitutional Convention which aimed to establish a more perfect union, to quote the Preamble. What the Preamble did not say was a more perfect *perpetual* union. This is the genesis of Mr. Berry's fascinating narrative which revolves around the constitutional legality - or lack thereof - of secession from the Union. This is high-minded, serious stuff, steeped in American history, especially that of the Civil War. Throw in the Mormon Church and its checkered history in this nation and you have the ingredients of a fascinating tale. Now the plot itself, and the characters, yes they are all a bit wooden. But I enjoy the elements of both invention and non-invention in the author's injection of American history into the present. I feel his purpose in presenting such a tale is noble and patriotic, and I really appreciate this, and forgive all the narrative and character flaws. I enjoy his books a lot for the visits to American history, something which those of us who are privileged to live here as citizens should truly cherish. Thanks again, Mr. Berry, for a splendid journey through our present as shaped by our past.

not my favorite

this was a really interesting story but the portrayal of Cassiopeia was strained and dissapointing

Just okay

I was recommended this book by a friend, I went in really wanting to like it but found the story very mediocre at best. I found myself losing interest at time and all together didn’t enjoy it as much as I would like to have.

Ending dragged on and on

Over the years I have enjoyed the Cotton Malone series. I especially appreciate the very end when Steve Berry explains which parts are real and which are made up. That said the emotional roller coaster between Cotton and Cassiopeia is getting to be a nuisance. In addition the resolution with the final antagonist was just way, way to drawn out.

This was a very interesting premise but I struggled with the end of this.

Not my favorite

I have read several Steve Berry books and have enjoyed them. However this one seemed to drag on a bit and I had some issues with Stephanie's character in this book.

For fellow Mormons

I picked this book out of the blue. I didn't know anything about the author or the story. I like historical fiction and that's why I chose it. I had no idea that the LDS Church/Church members would play a major role in the story. Being a Mormon I listened with apprehension as the story unfolded. Most reporters and authors usually only get a bit of the story and doctrine right about the Mormons and mess up the rest but in my opinion Berry nailed it 99% of the time. I was impressed with his research and telling. I was nervous about how the book would end, but I was satisfied with it. Listen to the epilogue. It's informative. As for the reader, I didn't care much for the style. I would call it sultry but I'm not sure that's the word I want.