THE MEDICI RETURN Cotton Malone, Book 19

Scott Brick's pacing and level of intensity are perfect for Steve Berry's latest (Number 19) Cotton Malone novel. His baritone pitch reflects the gravitas of the unusual situation the former Justice Department operative finds himself in. In the 16th century, the Medicis loaned a large sum of money to the Vatican. A written papal promise to repay the loan, never honored, is now worth trillions of Euros. A right-wing politician, Eric Casaburi, claims to be a Medici and heir to the promissory note. Does a copy still exist? Can DNA prove Casaburi is a Medici? How will the church pay such a huge sum? Brick handles it all with seeming ease. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2025]