The Malta Exchange

I haven't read a Steve Berry book in a few years because I got tired of political and spy novels. His books have always been more treasure hunts than any other mystery sub-genre so I thought I would give Berry another try.

In the Malta Exchange former Magellan Billet member Cotton Malone has been hired by the British to locate a satchel of letters written by Winston Churchill to Benito Mussolini during WWII. However, as soon as he finds them in Lake Como, Italy, Malone is knocked unconscious and the satchel is gone when he regains consciousness. Meanwhile, Roman Catholic Cardinal Kastor Gallo is on the Island of Malta trying to find the Nostra Trinita, a secret document of the Knights of Malta that could propel him to the papacy if he finds it. The Secreti, a secret section of the Knights, Malone and the Billet's Luke Daniels all work against each other to find it first. With a papal conclave due to begin in days there is urgency.

History is supreme here. The reader learns about Mussolini's last days and the aftermath of his killing. Churchill's reasons for writing him, a British secret for decades, is revealed. In addition, the entire history of the Knights of Malta is given, from their formation to the present. This is a rich history lesson. I learned much here and had fun reading about the Knights. The inner workings of the Catholic Church is also on display here.

What was interesting to me was how much writing was spent on individual church member inner motives.  The author explores how several characters became the way they were from their childhood. I don't recall reading anything like that before in a Berry novel.  As for Cardinal Gallo, he was a thief and liar since he was in a church orphanage but his behavior was never challenged because the Mother Superior wanted to see how far he would go with his treachery. When he declared an intent to become a priest it was too late for her to take action. However, being a liar and a thief helped him fit in when he ascended to jobs inside the Vatican.

The Malta Exchange was an entertaining read. The pace was fast and the plot action packed. The characters from the Knights and the Catholic church were interesting. The usual Magellan Billet characters were not as compelling which is unfortunate as the Berry novels are a series.  Now I am wondering what Steve Berry books I missed reading that need to be placed on the TBR list.

5 out of 5 stars!