THE LAST KINGDOM

4 stars out of 5

This book, the author says, fulfills a dream; but while the plot is certainly intriguing (and timely), it was so complicated and filled with so many characters that I found myself snoring here and there. That said, though, it was engrossing enough that for the most part I didn't want to put it down (I even took it to bed to finish, which normally is a no-no for me).

The setting is Bavaria, many years after King Ludwig II reportedly drowned in 1886, three days after being deposed. But legend has it he took a few secrets with him, including the results of his search for a new "kingdom" (hence the title of the book). Another legend involves the possible existence of a 19th century deed to property that's now extremely valuable; the true owner stands to reap considerable financial benefits if that deed is found.

But therein lies the problem; no one seems to know where it might be. Luke Daniels, who was mentored by former Magellan Billet operative Cotton Malone, is in the German state, managing to infiltrate a somewhat secret group of people who are desperate to gain independence from Germany. Meanwhile, Malone - who retired a dozen years ago as a U.S. Justice Department intelligence officer - now lives in Denmark and operates a store that specializes in rare books. Occasionally, he reverts to his former profession, as he does here when he spots Luke in the middle of a tough situation. Then he meets up with old acquaintance Derrick Kogen, who asks for help on behalf of another former colleague in dealing with Bavarian Prince Stefan von Bayern, who supposedly is intent on bringing down the United States. It is then that Cotton learns about former King Ludwig's new kingdom and all the ramifications thereof.

If all that sounds a bit confusing, it is; scenes shift from one group of characters to another, and while readers can be pretty sure which side Cotton is on, shoring up the others isn't always so clear. There are chases, near misses and hits as various characters, including Cotton and Luke, chase down the truth about the new kingdom and the deed. It all leads up to an action-packed ending with a couple of twists I didn't see coming. The chases and battles are exciting, and overall it's a rousing adventure. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry (Grand Central Publishing, February 2023); 400 pp.