This wasn't up to the standards that I've come to expect from Steve Berry. I know it was meant as a teaser/tie-in to his novel "The Columbus Affair", so I'm willing to give it a bit of leeway but, while it was successful in introducing the protagonist of the new novel, it also focused a lot more on Cotton Malone than I had expected it to. The way it introduced Tom Sagan was sort of in passing, and it seemed too simplistic. Likewise, the end of the story seemed rushed, sort of like it was just cut off. I know that the purpose was to leave some things untied so that they could bleed into the novel, but it just felt odd. This is an excellent short story and lead-in to Mr. Berry's upcoming book "The Columbus Affair" due out in May 2012. I was initially disappointed because the short story involved Cotton Malone (the ongoing hero of many of Steve Berry's novels) and the upcoming book will not be a Cotton Malone book. (I am definitely one of "Malone's Clones" as Mr. Berry calls his fans.) However, there are a number of tie-ins from the short story to the upcoming book (based on the synopsis of "The Columbus Affair" that I read on Amazon) so I'm sure the book will be excellent as well. Mr. Berry and Steve Rollins are my two favorite authors. (I can never choose between them.) Neither of them ever disappoint and this short story was just another of Mr. Berry's successes!! (If I said anything more about the short story it would be a spoiler so I just suggest that you read it. It's only available as an e-book right now but maybe it will be included with the book when it comes out.)
What do You think about The Admiral's Mark (2012)?
Short story to provide additional background for Berry's book "The Columbus Affair"
—Geetha
Love Steve Berry - just wasn't long enough! LOL!
—swati
I love these ebooks that set up the next book!
—Nick
Ok short story prequel to Columbus Affair.
—rbbreit
