-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
by Steve Berry
From celebrated New York Times bestselling author, Steve Berry, comes the latest Cotton Malone adventure, in which the discovery of a lost historical document challenges the global might of the United States.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria was an enigmatic figure who was deposed in 1886, mysteriously drowning three days later. Eccentric to the point of madness, in the years before he died Ludwig engaged in a worldwide search for a new kingdom. One separate from Bavaria, a place he could retreat to and rule as he wished. But a question remains: Did he succeed?
Enter Cotton Malone. Luke Daniels, Malone's Magellan Billet protégé, has managed to infiltrate a renegade group on the trail of a 19th century deed that proves Ludwig's long-rumored search bore fruit. A document that could not only secure Bavaria's independence, but also change the balance of power in the modern world. The United States, China, and Germany all want it.
In a race across Bavaria for clues hidden inside Ludwig's three fairytale castles, Cotton and Luke battle an ever-growing list of deadly adversaries all intent on finding the last kingdom.
"High-octane […] A fun page-turner with historical elements." ―Publishers Weekly
"When readers crack open a new Malone adventure, it's like reuniting with an old friend. Another strong entry in a consistently fine series." ―Booklist
"What you'd expect if James Bond were an American who consulted with the CIA. Bring it on." ―Kirkus Reviews
"History buffs especially will devour this quest story of sorts in which the truth is the rarest treasure of all. The number of rivals Malone must fend off in the process will similarly please fans of the wildly manic John Wick movies. Combined, that makes The Last Kingdom a page-turner of the absolute highest order." ―BookTrib
"Berry once again proves that history matters, skillfully crafting a fictional story around historical truths." ―Library Journal
This information about The Last Kingdom (Cotton Malone, 17) was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo: Kelly Campbell
Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of the Cotton Malone novels (The Bishop's Pawn, The Malta Exchange), among other books, and several works of short fiction. He has 25 million books in print, translated into 40 languages. With his wife, Elizabeth, he is the founder of History Matters, which is dedicated to historical preservation. He serves as an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board and was a founding member of International Thriller Writers, formerly serving as its co-president.
If you liked The Last Kingdom (Cotton Malone, 17), try these:
by Anna North
Published 2026
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Outlawed, the gripping story of an anthropologist's monumental discovery and the clash of civilizations it sets off over the fate of the land that holds us.
by Louise Penny
Published 2016
A monster once visited Three Pines. And put down deep roots. And now, Ruth knows, it is back...
by Oliver Potzsch
Published 2013
Chock-full of fascinating historical detail, The Beggar King brings to vibrant life another tremendous tale of an unlikely hangman and his tough-as-nails daughter, confirming Pötzsch's mettle as a storyteller at the height of his powers.
Being slightly paranoid is like being slightly pregnant – it tends to get worse.
Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!
Can you name the title?
Test your book knowledge with our daily trivia challenge!
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
