The King's Deception

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Cotton Malone is back! Steve Berry’s new international adventure blends gripping contemporary political intrigue, Tudor treachery, and high-octane thrills into one riveting novel of suspense.

Cotton Malone and his 15-year-old son, Gary, are headed to Europe. As a favor to his former boss at the Justice Department, Malone agrees to escort a teenage fugitive back to England. But after he is greeted at gunpoint in London, both the fugitive and Gary disappear, and Malone learns that he’s stumbled into a high-stakes diplomatic showdown - an international incident fueled by geopolitical gamesmanship and shocking Tudor secrets.

At its heart is the Libyan terrorist convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103, who is set to be released by Scottish authorities for "humanitarian reasons". An outraged American government objects, but nothing can persuade the British to intervene.

Except, perhaps, Operation King’s Deception.

Run by the CIA, the operation aims to solve a centuries-old mystery, one that could rock Great Britain to its royal foundations.

Blake Antrim, the CIA operative in charge of King’s Deception, is hunting for the spark that could rekindle a most dangerous fire, the one thing that every Irish national has sought for generations: a legal reason why the English must leave Northern Ireland. The answer is a long-buried secret that calls into question the legitimacy of the entire 45-year reign of Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, who completed the conquest of Ireland and seized much of its land. But Antrim also has a more personal agenda, a twisted game of revenge in which Gary is a pawn. With assassins, traitors, spies, and dangerous disciples of a secret society closing in, Malone is caught in a lethal bind. To save Gary he must play one treacherous player against another - and only by uncovering the incredible truth can he hope to prevent the shattering consequences of the King’s Deception.

©2013 Steve Berry (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

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

"I love this guy." (number-one New York Times best-selling author Lee Child)

"Forget Clancy and Cussler. When it comes to this genre, there is simply no one better." ( The Providence Journal)

Another wonderfully researched thriller

Would you consider the audio edition of The King's Deception to be better than the print version?

I typically don't read a title if I'm going to listen to it. The reader, Scott Brick, is excellent.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The King's Deception?

I'd really hate to give anything away! The whole premise of the story is very plausible.

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

Brick is a good reader for Cotton Malone, he does Malone's sarcasm very well

Any additional comments?

I really like the author's notes at the end which tell what parts of the book are accurate to history and what was made up. It really adds to the historical aspect.

Another great Cotton Malone book

Any additional comments?

I love this series and this book did not disappoint. I love the way Steve Berry weaves historical facts with his own ideas. It gives his books a great twist. I appreciate how Mr. Berry explains the places he visited for his research at the end of his book and separates the fact from fiction. I highly disagree with other reviewers regarding Scott Brick's narration. I think Mr. Brick is one of the best narrators and cannot imagine Cotton Malone with any other voice.

Mr. Brick always makes the story great!

It seems that we look at the narrator first when looking for a book. We love Scott Brick.

Another history and Cotton Malone great!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes and I've been recommending these Steve Berry novels for years.

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

How could it not? All of the good/bad guys plus the subject matter truly makes one wonder.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott has a wonderful speaking voice which has become "Cotton Malone" to my ears.

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

Is truth worth the consequences?

Two Thumbs UP!!!!

I simply love it and enjoy the thrill that arouse in me while listening the audio. I even consider to have it in movie version (if available). This is my first with the author, I love to venture another of his work.

Great Adventure

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The book was well written and the story was cohesive. It didn't go off on tangents.

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

There were constant twists with the cohesive story line that made you think and made sure that you had to remain engrossed and pay attention.

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

Cotton Malone was my favorite character

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

It was

Any additional comments?

Steve Berry is an author that knows how to keep readers entertained and coming back for more.

Steve Berry rewrites history. Aagain!

I listen to Steve Berry's novels because of his fascinating reinterpretations of history, and because Scott Brick, the master of the narrating art, preforms them.

This is a difficult book to describe. Was Queen Elisabeth I really a man? Is there a Tudor secret that when discovered would negate Great Britain's claim to Northern Ireland. Was the Libyan terrorist who took down Pan Am 103 really released for "humanitarian reasons" or something more sinister? Cotton Malone and a CIA agent are on the case as it gets more and more weird and dangerous. Malone's 15 year old son is also in this book.

Berry misses the mark

I have listened to the entire Cotton Malone series from Steve Berry and looked forward to the next installment. I enjoy the interweaving of a historical narrative with a modern adventure. However, this book is simply ponderous. Though I normally enjoy Scott Brick, in this reading he sounds like a bored history professor. Overall, I would recommend the other books in the series and skip this one.

Oh Yes !! If you like London !!!

I just got back from 2 weeks in London as I began listening to this book. Perfect timing, Berry incorporates so many places I saw into this book. Its worth the read. One of the castles in the book I did not see, but looked up in my London book and am now upset I didnt get there. It's an interesting tail that I understand after 2 weeks in London. Truth is the mystery could be told in 3 chapters but the sights and scenes of London make the unabridged version worth it.

First Book Mr Berry fell flat on.

What disappointed you about The King's Deception?

The story line was OK but for a Cotton Malone series it was slow.

Would you recommend The King's Deception to your friends? Why or why not?

No. To slow and disjointed. Difficult to get into any flow.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Life. I always search for books read by Scott first, author second

Any additional comments?

First book I have ever returned.