The Venetian Betrayal

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

After narrowly escaping incineration in a devastating fire that consumes a Danish museum, Cotton Malone - former Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer - learns from his friend, the beguiling adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt, that the blaze was neither an accident nor an isolated incident. As part of a campaign of arson intended to mask a far more diabolical design, buildings across Europe are being devoured by infernos of unnatural strength. Born from the ashes is a new Eastern European nation whose ruthless leader will soon draw Cotton into an intense geopolitical chess game against a shadowy cabal of power brokers. The prize lies buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great - in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 2,000 years. Trekking from Denmark to Venice, to Central Asia, Cotton and Cassiopeia are determined to solve an ancient puzzle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people - depending on who finds the lost tomb first.

©2008 Steve Berry (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[Steve Berry] has a genuine feel for the factual gaps that give history its tantalizing air of the unknown.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“There’s nothing tastier than a globe-spanning mystery...Berry’s books excel at bringing out fascinating tidbits of history.” (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cotton Malone is pulled into another adventure

An entertaining entry in the series. Quite timely as I listened to it during a pandemic lockdown. If only reality could be wrapped up as nicely. I did find Cassiopeia's character was put through a lot more challenges this time. If I were reading/listening to this when it first was released, I would be fearing that the character might not survive. Luckily the author was able to come up with a good resolution for her issues. The action was very cinematic and I was visualizing it as a film throughout. A fair amount of the credit for that goes to Scott Brick who does a great job narrating. There is violence, obviously, but minimal swearing and no sex, if those concern you. Homosexuality is an integral part of a couple characters backstory. Primarily these are discussed as past events, either in the characters life or, more frequently as historical references. All in all an enjoyable read/listen. I recommend this book.

Great History with action story built in

If you could sum up The Venetian Betrayal in three words, what would they be?

Like all the Steve Berry books I have read this one teachs some great history while also telling a great action story.

What did you like best about this story?

Both the history and the action

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to tell

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I like to listen while driving or waiting in lines or Dr. offices

Any additional comments?

No

A search for the tomb of Alexander the great

A woman who is fascinated by Alexander the Great has sized power in a central Asian republic. She is determined to use gem warfare to regain his empire but rule from Asia. Malone is conscripted to try and stop her.

A fun adventure

If you like action movies or dramas with historical underpinnings, you'll enjoy "The Venetian Betrayal". Steve Berry does an excellent job weaving the ancient history of Alexander the Great with the territorial aspirations of Irina Zovastina. Her Stalinesque ruthlessness and planned conquest via biological warfare seems believable. Her shallow disregard for the lives of others reminded me of Saddam Hussein. As always Cotton Malone is there to save the day in his take no prisoners fashion! An enjoyable listen!

Would have been better reading it

I enjoy the historical/thriller aspects of these books which is why I was lured back into getting this audiobook despite seeing Scott Brick as the narrator. I should have stuck to my guns ( which is to never get an audiobook book narrated by Scott Brick) because from the first 5 lines I was cringing. I didn’t love this storyline as much either but it was interesting enough- just the narration was so over the top and painful. I got through it because I hate not finishing something. But I would HIGHLY recommend reading this book vs listening to it. Would have enjoyed it much more.

Another great Cotton Malone Adventure

Another great Cotton Malone adventure with Cassiopeia Vitt. Love the pair of them and their friendship with Henrik Thorvaldsen. Feels like you’re right there with them on the adventure.

Ok, not great

A dictator, obsessed with Alexander the Great wants to find a cure for AIDS to help her dying lover. She also has amassed a sizable collection of viruses which she intends to use to bring the world to its knees.... Can she be stopped?

I found this story to be merely OK. Mostly because I just didn't care about any of the characters. The protagonists were rather bland, and the dictator, though evil, was just someone I felt sorry for. The story switches between various characters and they all were rather cardboard. I liked the backstory of Alexander the Great, but I felt some parts such as the crossbow wielding agent a bit silly and over-the-top.

Nothing that trully excited me. It lacked characters I could really connect with.

Early novel in the wonderful Cotton Malone series

Book 12 in Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series titled The Lost Order will be released in three weeks. Here I go back to Book 3 released in audio in 2007. Cotton Malone is a US agent and rare book dealer in Denmark. The Venetian Betrayal is a solid 4 star espionage/suspense thriller. The story is an intricate and long one, but so are all novels in the series. This series does not get the attention that it deserves, For those listeners that enjoy novels that involve international intrigue, references to historical situations and outstanding character development this series is ideal. Scott Brick's narration of all novels in the series except the first one makes the Cotton Malone series in audio even better than the print versions. More recent novels in the series earn 5 stars.

Didn’t catch my attention at first

I had to restart it but got into it the second time around - good book.

Great story

Very well done. I love the mix of history and fiction in all his books