“Steve Berry’s latest novel, The Columbus Affair, is a stand-alone thrill ride and his best book to date.”
— The Washington Post
“Thriller readers — from fans of Dan Brown’s ciphers to Clive Cussler’s fantastic adventures — will savor this intoxicating amalgam of Taíno (indigenous) myth, Maroon legend, the history of Jews in Jamaica, the peregrinations of Temple treasures following Titus’s sacking of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., and Columbus’s mysterious deeds in the West Indies. Sure to be another best seller.”
— Library Journal
“(Steve Berry) once again magically blurs the line between fact and fiction, infusing his potboiler with a perfect blend of historical speculation and contemporary adventure that would make Indiana Jones proud and helps raise The Columbus Affair into the rarified air of early Robert Ludlum. There is simply no one today writing better or more satisfying thrillers than Berry and this one is not to be missed.”
— Providence-Journal
“Historical secrets, grand conspiracies, and action-packed story lines. Steve Berry excels at such things.”
— Mystery Tribune
“Fiercely imaginative, Berry serves up a slick thrill ride that will challenge all preconceptions about the discovery of America.”
— The Argus (Sussex, England)
“Traveling from Florida to Prague and ending in the caves deep within Jamaica, The Columbus Affair is an exhilarating thrill ride that never lets up. Fans of Steve Berry’s “Cotton Malone” series will also love the fact that the Magellan Billet and his former-boss, Stephanie Nelle, make an appearance toward the end of the novel in a moment that ties together the world Berry has created.”
— Las Vegas Review-Journal
“Berry truly writes like a historian, including obscure facts and details to effectively reinforce what he purports as truth within his novels. He is also gifted with the uncanny ability to suck the reader into the story, and it’s these characteristics that set his books apart. How much is truth and how much fiction – are questions readers of The Columbus Affair will repeatedly ask. Bottom line — The Columbus Affair is somewhat akin to bungee jumping into a hurricane – wild, untamed, free-flowing, and at times, quite surprising. It’s a great read, a true nail-biter that will keep readers fully engaged until the final page is turned.”
— WGCU (NPR) (Fort Myers, Florida)
“Tightly interwoven with the main plot is Berry’s trademark infusion of history into an exciting story, this time Jewish and Jamaican history. . . . (He) creates a spellbinding and timely plot that illuminates history about people and events that we think we know, but don’t.”
— Free Lance-Star
“Fans of Malone will quickly find that the author’s trademark literary tools — historical mysteries, unforgettable characters, and action, action, action — are present here in spades. . . . History was never this interesting when I was in school, but then history never connected the line between Christopher Columbus and… but that would be telling. I don’t want to give away any part of this exquisite plot, but rest assured that Berry takes on one of antiquity’s greatest legends/mysteries and outdoes his previous efforts once again.”
— bookreporter.com
“This being a Berry production, every alliance is of course fragile, and the bonds among even the heartiest teammates are up for grabs. So is the ultimate goal, for the author gradually reveals that Columbus’ lost gold mine is only chicken feed compared to the real bonanza at stake. Less The Da Vinci Code than American Treasure. Think of Nicolas Cage, tearing up the scenery as Tom Sagan, to the background beat of popping corn and you’re halfway there.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“Intriguing characters and plot twists at every turn will have you hooked.”
— WalesOnline.com
“The many readers who eagerly followed the adventures of Cotton Malone, Berry’s beloved action hero, are in for a treat. The Columbus Affair, Berry’s first stand-alone thriller since 2005, is an arresting tour de force . . . The reader is held spellbound as a series of cinematic episodes of heroism, intrigue, and betrayal lead to one surprise after another until the ultimate scene of … Well! It would be unfair to rob the reader of the pleasure of discovering the remarkable ending.”
— The Jewish Journal
“I feel like I need to own up to the fact that Steve Berry is one of my favorite authors. But each book, no matter who the author, must stand on its own merits, and The Columbus Affair does just that very thing. It’s another bestseller for Steve Berry, no question at all.”
— U.S. Daily Review
“The stakes are high as the conspiracy unwinds slowly in this nail-biting story. The history of Columbus is fascinating, and much of his life both before and after 1492 will seem new and surprising to the reader. Berry is a master at blending fact and fiction, and he provides a note at the end detailing the differences in the story. In so doing, he also reveals the depth of research he carried out to make the pieces of the puzzle come together.”
— Arizona Daily Star
“In true form to his past books Steve Berry is able to push the boundaries of historical fiction, by bringing to light some of the mystery behind Columbus, but keeping the action at the highest level. Do I dare say that Cotton Malone has met his match in Tom Sagan, you bet I will. The Columbus Affair is an instant classic.”
— Suspense Magazine
“An entertaining, alternate history . . . pure makeup, gloriously wrapped in a thriller plot.”
— Denver Post
“Engrossing stand-alone thriller. . . Berry’s imaginative mix of Judaic and Columbus lore, as well as Tom’s transformation from suicidal flop to heroic everyman, should please his many fans.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
“Tom Sagan is a complex character, and his quest for answers and redemption makes The Columbus Affair sing.”
— The Mainichi (Japan)
“Plot twists reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark and the novels of Dan Brown ensue, taking the reader to Vienna, Prague, and finally Jamaica, making The Columbus Affair a page-turning novel that’s filled with historical truths — and plenty of speculation when it comes to the origins of an explorer who is at the same time celebrated and hated.”
— Huntington News
“It’s something different for Cotton Malone fans—something different and also something very good. Berry’s books have been translated into 40 languages and sold in 51 countries; don’t be surprised if his latest sweeps still farther around the globe.”
— Booklist
FROM THE BLOG WORLD
“Berry’s latest wraps heritage with history. His exploration of Columbus’ personal past is immensely interesting and elucidates the puzzles that still persevere. In parallel, he follows the path of the Sephardi to Spain, to Jamaica, and to his protagonist. The combination produces a tale of adventure, mystery, and suspense that keeps the reader enthralled.”
— crimebookbeat.com
“Not since The Da Vinci Code have I read a thriller woven so deftly between past and present as The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry. The pages flew by, each of the novel’s many sub-threads building, winding, then dissolving into the larger tapestry of the story. For those fans of thrilling adventures grounded in history, spiced with speculation, The Columbus Affair is one to remember.”
— Rewriting Amanda
“I’ve always enjoyed Berry’s books, but this one has pushed a new direction in exploring a possible explanation for who Columbus may have been. Like most of the author’s books, there is a mix of history and fiction, but as always, the result is truly entertaining.”
— Wordsforwords.com
“Writers who are super-popular and rack up No. 1 best-sellers often have a bevy of jealous detractors, and Steve Berry is no different. It’s impossible not to see any of his 11 novels prominently displayed at every airport bookstore or supermarket checkout line, right next to the Danielle Steeles and the Clive Cusslers. But Berry is good. Really good. . . . If you have a love for history, and any aspect of Columbus or Jamaica, you’re sure to enjoy The Columbus Affair, another excellent entry in Berry’s oeuvre.”
— bookgasm.com
“This is an exciting, action-packed, over-the-top-of-the-Wailing Wall thriller that readers will struggle to put down.”
— genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com
“There is great suspense, betrayal, lies, murders, and all of the other highlights that mark the Berry books. I miss Cotton Malone somewhat, but this protagonist and his angst is different and appealing as an everyman thrust into a situation beyond his imagining, and almost beyond his control. Read it; you’ll like it.”
— lunch.com and cafelibri.com
“Skipping between the present-day quest to the past adventures of Columbus makes for enlightening historical reading, as well as speculative insights and conclusions. . . . New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry’s historical research is extensive and his ability to then write an absorbing and compelling story is exemplary. One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year!”
— freshfiction.com
“Historical secrets, grand conspiracies, and action-packed story lines. Steve Berry excels at such things.”
— Crimespace
“The history is presented in an intersting way, whether it be Columbus and his Hebrew translator, or the Maroons and Jews of Jamaica, or the Golem stories of Austria. The author gives an afterword and most of the history presented in the book was what actually happened. This book kept me hooked from start to finish.”
— Lunch Network