The Venetian Betrayal

Former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone is drawn into a high-stakes international race when a Danish museum fire turns out to be part of a larger campaign to steal the relics needed to find Alexander the Great's tomb. At the center of the conspiracy is Irina Zovastina, the ruthless Supreme Minister of the Central Asian Federation, who wants Alexander's legendary healing serum for use alongside her biological weapons program. Malone and his ally Cassiopeia Vitt must outrun multiple hostile factions across Central Asia and the Mediterranean.

Scott Brick is perfectly matched to Steve Berry's globe-trotting thriller formula, bringing the requisite authority to the action sequences and the historical exposition alike. His voice commands attention even when the plot is delivering background on ancient Macedonian history, which is no small feat. At over fifteen hours, this is an ambitious entry in the Cotton Malone series, and Brick's stamina and precision carry it throughout.