The Lost Order

Cotton Malone, Book 12

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 32 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

This program contains two versions of The Lost Order- one is the complete unabridged text, and the other is the writer's cut, which includes Steve Berry's behind-the-scenes commentary at the ends of some of the chapters. If you'd like to listen to The Lost Order WITHOUT Steve Berry's comments, just play the program from the beginning. To listen to the writer's cut version of The Lost Order WITH Steve Berry's commentary, start with Download Part 2 or Chapter 89.

The Knights of the Golden Circle was the largest and most dangerous clandestine organization in American history. It amassed billions in stolen gold and silver, all buried in hidden caches across the United States. Since 1865 treasure hunters have searched, but little of that immense wealth has ever been found.

Now, 160 years later, two factions of what remains of the Knights of the Golden Circle want that lost treasure - one to spend it for their own ends, the other to preserve it. Thrust into this battle is former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone, whose connection to the knights is far deeper than he ever imagined. At the center is the Smithsonian Institution - linked to the knights, its treasure, and Malone himself through an ancestor, a Confederate spy named Angus "Cotton" Adams, whose story holds the key to everything. Complicating matters are the political ambitions of a reckless Speaker of the House and the bitter widow of a United States senator, who together are planning radical changes to the country. And while Malone and Cassiopeia Vitt face the past, ex-president Danny Daniels and Stephanie Nelle confront a new and unexpected challenge, a threat that may cost one of them their life.

From the backrooms of the Smithsonian to the deepest woods in rural Arkansas, and finally up into the rugged mountains of Northern New Mexico, The Lost Order is a perilous adventure into our country's dark past and a potentially even darker future.

©2017 Magellan Billet, Inc. (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Scott Brick's smooth voice flows with the twists and turns of Berry's political thriller... Secrets unravel, and tensions rise as Brick shifts vocal focus from the historical secret society to contemporary conspirators who include corrupt politicians and judges." ( AudioFile)

What If...?

I not only couldn't put it down - i listened to it again. I also really enjoy the author's comments at the end of each chapter. what's fact, the REAL people.

Starts off slow with so many characters

I had to restart this book several times over many months before I finally finished it. There were too many characters making it hard to get into the book at the beginning. About a fourth of the way the book started to pick up. Overall, it’s not the best book in this series, but if you are a fan it’s worth a listen.

Another great novel

I listened to the Auther's edition and enjoyed it very much. I have all of Mr. Berry's cotton Malone series and I enjoyed this novel just as much as I have any of the others

was disturbed

the elder abuse depicted in chapter 12 was immensely disturbing. I currently live with a parent suffering from dementia.

another good one

The aspect of Steve Berry's books that I like the most is the historical perspective. He identifies historical myths, unanswered questions, and spins a work of fiction around those myths and brings them to life. I also like Cotton Malone.

In this book the author writes of an old order, born in the southern USA in the 1850s, just before the Civil War started. Being of and from the south, the order blended into the Confederate world being born with an agenda closely tied to the Confederacy but not 100% aligned. After the war ended the order continued on with its work and goals before seemingly fading away although there is no proof that it doesn't still exist.

Into this setting the author brings Cotton Malone and his cohorts to solve a current day mystery born out of the old order and emanating from Civil War times.

At the heart of the story is another Steve Berry/Cotton Malone mystery. I learned more about the Smithsonian Institution than I ever had before. It was a good listen.

Hometown Novel

I live in Missouri, so this novel rings home with me. I can picture the Ozark hills and the Civil War Battles that took place. Thank you again for an incredible ride thru the story - INCREDIBLE !!!!

Another great story.

Another great story with Cotton and the gang. A great performance by Scott Brick as always.

Nice mix of history and fiction

Berry tells another great tale, weaving complex civil war era information and modern day intrigue.

Moisten enjoyable a

A great story told by a great author and a great reader. I particularly liked the writers cut edition separating fact from fiction at the end of chapters.

Another excellent history lesson

I truly enjoyed this book which brings back the major characters of previous stories. Hard for me to imagine becoming so thrilled with a governmental spy series as a whole but they are wrapped around incredible history lessons and the writer's cut version with its extra tidbits of information is an added bonus. The writer's notes which separate fact from fiction is something I look forward to after hearing these action-packed missions of protagonist Cotton Malone. The voice of Scott Brick is a real pleasure and his speed, character nuances and overall performance are among the best in the audio world.