The Medici Return

De: Steve Berry

Narrado por: Scott Brick

From celebrated New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry comes the latest installment in his wildly popular Cotton Malone series—an adventure that takes Cotton to Italy to solve a five hundred year-old mystery.

Cotton Malone is on the hunt for a forgotten 16th century Pledge of Christ—a sworn promise made by Pope Julius II that evidences a monetary debt owed by the Vatican, still valid after five centuries—now worth in the trillions of dollars. But collecting that debt centers around what happened to the famed Medici of Florence—a family that history says died out, without heirs, centuries ago.

Who will become the next prime minister of Italy, and who will be the next pope? Finding answers proves difficult until Cotton realizes that everything hinges on when, and if, the Medici return.

©2025 Steve Berry (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing

outstanding

plot, characters, story, complexity, color, research, history, quality. Steve Perry delivers every time, every time

Knowledge of the country and history.

Not my favorite and I have read every book Steve Berry has written. The plots are similar, but way too much Medici! Will look forward to next book for sure. Glad he is still writing!

A bit complicated

Historical basis is cleaver and the recap of what is true and what is false is always a favor of mine.

Mixed Feelings

I usually fully love a Cotton Malone novel but this one was half-baked for me. I was okay with all of the history and lore involving the Catholic Church. They have enough terrible history to result in good storytelling. For the most part I was okay with the mystery elements. I was not okay with how the narration flowed. The transition from person to person was not great at all. Most characters sounded the same and it took a few seconds to realize who was talking. I found that most annoying. Honestly my three stars are generous. I absolutely. hated the ending. I think it was a terrible way to so called resolve things. I can’t say more than that without giving away too much . This is not how you resolve a mystery. Darnit.

Outstanding

Great storyline with intriguing characters and dangerous plots all leading back to the church which kept my interest very high!

Good story line

Know the time period well. Seeing all the places that I have been many times.

Sparks more learning

I love Steve Berry’s books; some more than others (the bitcoin one wasn’t my fave). This book is spectacular and now I want to dig back into my European history studies. I majored in history in college but I’ve always had an England and Scotland focus. The story, much of it created by the author, fit into the facts disclosed at the end.

Terrific narration. Vivid imagery. Excellent story.

Cotton Malone rides again

Another great cotton Malone novel written by Steve Berry. As always, I enjoy the mixing of history with fiction that makes his books feel so real and relevant.

A little confusing to follow

It wasn’t my favorite. I felt the story was a bit slow and I go confused either way all the character changes.

Great mix of reality and fiction

Steve Berry never disappoints in his writing! I have read all of his works and will continue to.