The Jefferson Key

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Steve Berry (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“One of the most spellbinding and ingenious openings in all of thrillerdom. The cast of characters is huge but every one of them is memorable. The action is intense and masterfully choreographed. As always with Steve Berry, you’re educated about significant things while your knuckles are turning white and the pages are flying. Easily Cotton Malone’s most epic, swashbuckling adventure.” (David Baldacci)

"The Constitution. . . secret codes . . . loads of history. . . AND pirates! What else does anyone need? The Jefferson Key won't just haunt your nights - it'll haunt your life. Cotton Malone is coming back to the scariest place of all: Home." (Brad Meltzer)

" The Jefferson Key starts with a bang and holds the reader in its grip until the last page. Fascinating American history, up-to-the-minute politics, pulse-pounding action. This is a story Mitch Rapp would love." (Vince Flynn)

One of the best Cotton Malone series

Berry's ability to weave historical elements into his storyline is top-notch.The premise of Pirates sanctioned by the US government and authorized by George Washington is fascinating.

Good story, a bit jumpy

I very much enjoyed the Jefferson Key! I wad delightful surprised when Canada and particularly the province I live in were locations in the book. Being a member of the Royal Canadian Navy I enjoyed the many references to the Atlantic Ocean and the nautical references. I'm not a fan of Scott Bricks narration so I don't often listen to Steve Berrys books, I read them instead. I still think this book is an excellent mix of history and action, which is why Berrys books are top of my list!

Not the best story for a Cotton Malone novel

Very convoluted storyline with bizarre executions etc. Narrated well as always. The storyline just dissapointed.

Well worth the time

The book is in keeping with the series and holds your interest. It helps to know the characters and the history. There are many components but the history and the action are consistent with Mr. Berry's tradition of forming an interesting story. My guess is we will see two new characters in future books.

I liked it.

Requires serious suspension of disbelief.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Fiction based so heavily on actual events bears a tremendous storytelling burden in that the reader can't help but allow his own learned views to be placed in juxtaposition with the writer's reality.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The very idea of the Commonwealth's existence alongside the government's tangle of secret agencies created a semi-believable situation, but the action dragged throughout from lack of feasible or resolvable conflict, an absence replaced by an unending series of fantastical feats.

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptions of the Commonwealth's fictional part in every presidential assassination plot was more of a stretch for me than Superman turning time back by flying faster than the speed of light in the opposite direction of the earth's . . .

Could you see The Jefferson Key being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, I think I'd be disappointed in the tedium of the plot, but perhaps the writer added all the James Bondlike action with the movies in mind. It probably would make a much better movie than book, especially with all the sexy female agents.

Needs More Technical Advice

Its a little bit cookie cutter and he makes the occasional technical error. One of his books, may be this one, he puts a suppressor on a revolver. You don't put silencers on revolvers. Doesn't work.

Once More, with feeling, I love all his work.

Would you listen to The Jefferson Key again? Why?

I have listened to it twice-just to make sure I got it all.

What did you like best about this story?

The interesting history (real or fictional) of Jefferson.

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

Have enjoyed almost everything he wrote.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Jefferson and the Pirates.

Other Berry books are stronger

This was a good book for anyone that isn't familiar with Steve Berry, but if you are a fan, this one is just okay. The plot seems a little thinner than other books of his.

Good guy/bad guy action framed in American history

If you are familiar with Steve Berry & Cotton Malone series then this novel is exactly as you might expect--lots of good guy/bad guy action, attractive women with guns, a sprinkling of history. Surprisingly & interestingly the author's note at the end points out fact & fiction of pirates, presidential assassinations, & congressional powers.
Like watching a good action movie, I would definitely listen to another Berry novel (especially bought at a bargain price) if the historical premise or location intrigues me. Like that movie you will need to pause the action to take care of real life but that is ok as you can pick up the action easily. The narrator Scott Brick matches the pace of the action & defines & performs the voices well.

Not his best story

I am a Cotton Malone fan and was looking forward to this book. It had all the makings of an excellent read - a story that ties in all the assassinations of US Presidents in history; pirates, and political rivalries between government intelligence agencies. However, somewhere in the execution the story became bogged down in affairs between secondary characters, frantic jumping from one story line to another. It was also one of those stories like the old James Bond stories where the villain would rig up some elaborate trap or machine to kill Bond rather than just shoot him...in this book, only secondary characters get shot or killed directly - all the main characters escape again and again.

Also we are led to believe that there are shootings from North Carolina to DC to Nova Scotia that doesn't seem to attract anyone's attention...the characters occasionally mention news coverage, but it never comes into play. Private sailing vessels are also blown out of the water by military helicopters without any apparent reperussions.

The book even starts a bit oddly..Cotton gets drawn into the story because of a forged email from a government agent, Stephanie Nell that requests his help. I thought it odd that you can get a super agent to fly across the ocean on a moments notice if you just happen to have his email address...no verification?

Berry spends some time at the end of the book separating fact from fiction. His depiction of pirates is apparently accurate, but he certainly chose the most cruel aspects of their history to present.

I know this review sounds negative, but these are the reasons I didn't give it the 4 or 5 stars I have given to all of the other Berry books I have read. It is worth a read, but you might have to suspend your expectations a bit...