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)

My entry point to a Great series

I had never heard for Steve Berry until I found this book, so I took a chance. It was a good decision as it just what I had hoped. This is a "National Treasure" type of read with just enough fact to make it believable mated with enough fiction to make it entertaining. After this book I when back and found all the others in the Cotton Malone series, enjoying every one. The characters grow in each book, which I like. My only issue is now I've read them all and have to wait on the next book to be released, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Mystery in America??

Once again, Steve Berry has hit the nail on the head with a great adventure through American history. As always, Cotton and Cassiopeia (do I sense a romance in the making??) use their wits and wisdom to journey through a maze of clues and situations to save the day.

I particularly enjoyed this one since I am a big fan of Jefferson and have visited Monticello several times. The descriptions of the architecture are spot on!

Write quickly, Steve, I'm missing Cotton already!!

Slower pace than usual

What did you like best about The Jefferson Key? What did you like least?

I've listened to many of Steve Berry's books and this one was somewhat of a disappointment. Perhaps it was the more mundane setting of the good old USA, but the pace seemed slower and the challenge less of a thrill ride. I also miss some of the old characters that have been lost along the way.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott is a fabulous narrator and I always enjoy his work. I have even been known to hunt for new authors based on his narration - the guy generally has good taste in titles too!

another good Barry

This story was a bit different from other Cotton Malone stories as it was set in the US. The historical perspective is the highlight of the story as it is with most Cotton Malone stories, in my opinion. These aren't riverting thrillers where you can't put the book down but they are entertaining. I'd always thought John WilkesBooth might have been part of a conspiracy........

Another fine story by Steve Berry

Would you listen to The Jefferson Key again? Why?

I would definitely listen to this again. It's a great story and I did enjoy it. A lot of Steve Berry books are great mysteries and fun to follow along with.

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

Steve Berry books always keep me on the edge of my seat - I find that his stories are very gripping!

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

A film would be awesome! Definitely.

Not as good as expected

Good narration, fair story, too many flashbacks, flashforwards and flash sideways to follow

Great listen; great narration, worth the credit

this was my first cotton malone story. I have listened to a number of scott brick narrations, jack reacher, harry bosch, and pedergast thrillers. i think this is the best brick - mostly because his voice does not get in the way. if you know scott brick's melodramatic style, you know he has a great voice, but it does get in the way too often. the story is very clever, has lots of sharp turns on a dime, and the style of back and forth between the story threads worked well. i am glad for the person who could tell what was coming next... but i am quite confident that is not the case. if you are predicting cotton malone survives, that might be a safe bet since the series revolves around him, but the ins and outs that make the story - nope - too many twists and turns. a great listen.

Wow, what a great story

Warning! Do no get this book unless you can afford to get locked into a story that you can't walk away from. The scenes change rapidly through a plot of intrigue. This is super storytelling with just enough history (and some of it true) to make the story spellbinding.

THE JEFFERSON KEY: A NOVEL

THIS IS A FINE MYSTERY AS ALL OF STEVE BERRY'S STORIES ARE. MR. BERRY DOES NEED TO GET SOME ADVICE ON FIREARMS THOUGH. A GOOD CONSULTANT MIGHT BE IN ORDER FOR WRITING ABOUT THE USE OF FIREARMS. BEING A "GUN GUY", I NOTICED A FEW ERRORS IN THE NARRATIVE. REVOLVERS ARE SELDOM USED FOR CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS AS A SOUND SUPRESSED HANDGUN BECAUSE OF THE BARRELL/CYLINDER GAP. THEY ALSO ARE USUALLY LIMITED TO FEWER CARTRIDGES THAN MOST SEMI-AUTOMATICS. MANY TIMES IN THE ACTION SCENES THE NARRATOR REFERS TO THE SOUND MADE BY A FIREARM AS A "RETORT". IT SHOULD BE "REPORT". A RETORT IS A SNAPPY COME BACK, OR A PIECE OF LABRATORY HARDWARE. THE ONE THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD THOUGH, WAS IN THE SCENE AT MRS. KAISER'S HOME. PARAPHRAISING - "JESSICA HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE TRIGGER" WHAT HE REALLY MEANT WAS THAT SHE WAS HOLDING THE WEAPON IN A TWO HANDED GRIP, WITH HER FINGER STILL ON THE TRIGGER. IF NOVELISTS ARE GOING TO WRITE ABOUT GUNFIGHTS, THEY SHOULD LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT THAT REALLY ENTAILS. I WAS IMPRESSED THOUGH, THAT MR. BERRY DID NOT REFER TO MAGAZINES AS "CLIPS" I SALUTE YOU FOR THAT. I REALLY ENJOYED THE NOVEL, GREAT IMAGINATION EVIDENT THERE!

Interesting story, performance made it slow.

This is my first exposure to Cotton Malone and Steve Berry. The story was good, but unfortunately I just don't like Scott Brick's narration style. If you like Scott's narration, then this is a good choice. If you don't like it, I'd still say give it a shot or just read the book.