The Columbus Affair

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 16 hrs

Publisher's summary

He was called by many names - Columb, Colom, Col - but we know him as Christopher Columbus. Many questions about him exist: Where was he born, raised, and educated? Where did he die? How did he discover the New World? None have ever been properly answered. And then there is the greatest secret of all....

From Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author, comes an exciting new adventure - one that challenges everything we thought we knew about the discovery of America.

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Tom Sagan has written hard-hitting articles from hot spots around the world. But when a controversial report from a war-torn region is exposed as a fraud, his professional reputation crashes and burns. Now he lives in virtual exile - haunted by bad decisions and the 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 with a request that cannot be ignored.

Zachariah Simon has the look of a scholar, the soul of a scoundrel, and the zeal of a fanatic. He also has Tom Sagan's estranged daughter at his mercy. Simon desperately wants something only Sagan can supply: the key to a 500-year-old mystery, a treasure with explosive political significance in the modern world.

For both Simon and Sagan the stakes are high, the goal intensely personal, and the consequences of opposing either man potentially catastrophic. On a perilous quest from Florida to Vienna to Prague and finally to the mountains of Jamaica, the two men square off in a dangerous game. Along the way, both of their lives will be altered - and everything we know about Christopher Columbus will change.

As a special bonus, this audiobook download also includes a recording of the short story "The Admiral's Mark," read by Scott Brick.

©2012 Steve Berry (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"An engrossing stand-alone thriller from bestseller Berry.” (Publishers Weekly)

“This being a Berry production, every alliance is of course fragile, and the bonds among even the heartiest teammates are up for grabs. So is the ultimate goal, for the author gradually reveals that Columbus’ lost gold mine is only chicken feed compared to the real bonanza at stake. Less The Da Vinci Code than American Treasure. Think of Nicolas Cage, tearing up the scenery as Tom Sagan, to the background beat of popping corn and you’re halfway there.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Berry raises this genre’s stakes.” (The New York Times)

Scott Brick is Amazing!

And so is Steve Berry! This story however leaves a bit to be desired. While I am always up for a good treasure hunt with a thriller attached I got lost with the characters. But overall it was a fun read.

Good Adventure Story

I really enjoy reading Steve Barry's books because they get the listener so involved with the initial plot and the complex characters, backed by a terrific story line throughout the book. Scott Brick is an excellent narrator, and I have read almost everything he has performed as well. Can't go wrong with this winning combination. Keep up the good work!

Well worth a credit!

Good yarn nicely delivered

What made the experience of listening to The Columbus Affair the most enjoyable?

I like novels based on plausible theories drawn from both fact and myth. This one did a good job developing the possibility that Columbus might have been a Jew escaping the Inquisition raging in Europe at the time. Steve Berry crafted the tale in a way that reminded me of Dan Brown at his best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Columbus Affair?

I felt that the plot reached its peak when the main characters traveled to Prague to find the missing clues in the old synagogue. There were some nice plot twists involved.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I like Scott Brick's reading when he gets into the characters. I've heard some of his other readings and, at first, I am a little put off by his sing-song cadence. (Reminds me of a preacher) But either I get used to it or he drops it by mid-book. He does very good character voices. And overall, the reading enhances the experience.

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

Yes...I generally listen in the car, and there were definite driveway moments!

Another Solid One

I LOVE the historical fiction put out by Steve Berry. The separation of fact and fiction at the end always ties things up nicely.

Another great read.

Not a Cotton Malone story really but some connections to the series. Very intriguing twists and an enjoyable listen thanks to Scott Brick.

I second the 'Meh" - disappointing and boring.

What did you like best about The Columbus Affair? What did you like least?

Before reading I had high hopes based on the authors prior books and the good narator. The story and the characters were just washed out versions of Berry's other books and characters. You couldn't like or really dislike any of them, they all lacked enough substance to generate any feeling. Weak plot, weak characters, I feel like I a wasted a credit because I expected much better. I get the whole flawed hero as a main character but these charaters were just boring, and the daughter as described by her backstory was educated, religious, divorced, a grown women but came across in the rest of the book as a contradication behaving more like a college student, immature, naive, whiny. I'd give this book a pass unless it was on sale.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

it lacked the thriller aspect, it just felt like a watered down version of the other (Malone) novels

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Scoot Brick is usally very good, but he sounded very monotone and unenthusiastic, it only added to the lack interest of the story

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope

Narration was disappointing

What three words best describe Scott Brick’s voice?

disappointingly forced dramatization

Any additional comments?

I have always liked Steve Berry's stories-- this one, too. But Scott Brick's narration style has changed and I do not enjoy listening to him.

Meh

Just couldn't get into it maybe you can. Very disappointed with Berry's latest effort.

Needs a new narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story's pretty good -- usual Steve Berry stuff. But the narrator's voice is too calm, quiet, and measured for the level of violence in this novel. Sounds like he's reading the phone book.

Would you be willing to try another one of Scott Brick’s performances?

No.

Good, but not great

What did you love best about The Columbus Affair?

In typical Berry fashion, a good historical / archeological fictional yarn

Would you recommend The Columbus Affair to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes - if you like fiction stories that weave fiction and non-fiction (like from Dan Brown) you'll like this.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Tom Sagan

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes - this is not a Cotton Malone book, but it does reference The Magellan Billet and it's leader, Stephanie Nell. In this story, I found her brief appearance completely unecessary and to be honest, she was quite annoying (not a spoiler)

Any additional comments?

Book was OK, but not great. Berry has written far better books. But if you're a Berry fan, you should definitely not skip this.