The Devil’s Bible: A Cotton Malone Novel

At the outset of Berry’s latest fun if far-fetched thriller featuring Cotton Malone (after The Medici Return), the retired U.S. Justice Department operative is happily operating a bookstore in Copenhagen. Soon, however, he’s called back to action by his old boss and friend Stephanie Nelle. She tells Cotton that Princess Lysa, the sister of Swedish King Wilhelm I, is being held ransom for the Devil’s Bible, a massive 13th-century book said to contain the sum of human knowledge. The Swedes believe that Russian agents are behind the kidnapping and plan to give the book to the Czech Republic in exchange for that country’s continued efforts to block Sweden from joining NATO. Russia may have gotten inside information about the captive royal from her husband, John Westlake, a suspected Russian sleeper agent. Malone, along with his love interest and former colleague Cassiopeia Vitt, sets out to thwart the extortion scheme, knocking plenty of heads along the way. Cotton’s narrow escapes and larger-than-life heroics are as outlandish and thrilling as ever. Series fans will get just what they came for. Agent: Simon Lipskar, Writers House. (Feb.)