The Alexandria Link

Berry's novel aspires to be the latest incarnation of THE DA VINCI CODE. Retired Justice Department Investigator Cotton Malone's son is kidnapped by people seeking the "Alexandria Link." Of course, Malone, who is now a bookseller in Copenhagen, knows where the link is but cannot reveal it. The story travels the globe, ignoring history at every turn. No matter how hard he tries, Scott Brick cannot rescue this thriller, which is long and tedious. Brick uses all of the tricks in his arsenal, including the wry tone that sets him apart from most other narrators. In the end, despite Brick's efforts, THE ALEXANDRIA LINK remains the type of book that generates more controversy than it merits. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2007
At the start of bestseller Berry's second thriller to feature Cotton Malone (after The Templar Legacy), Malone, a former employee of the covert branch of the U.S. Justice Department, is trying to lead a secluded life as a bookseller in Copenhagen. Unsurprisingly, that hope is short-lived when his son is kidnapped and his ex-wife, Pam, asks for his help in rescuing the boy. The abductors intend to force Malone to reveal what he knows about the survival of the legendary lost library of Alexandria, which may hold ancient texts that could undermine Israel's claim to biblical legitimacy. Malone and his allies get mixed up in Washington intrigue and double-dealing as they try to identify the high-level traitor seeking to use the secret sources to change the dynamics of the Middle East. Characters implausibly leave enemies unsecured, placing themselves in unnecessary jeopardy, while the notion that the texts could have the desired effect may strike some readers as too far-fetched. Predictable plots twists (like the growing rapprochement between Malone and Pam) and superficial treatment of the issues between the Israelis and the Palestinians are further minuses.

Erik Singer assumes the persona of Cotton Malone, former operative for the U.S. State Department, with a crisp narration. He depicts the retiree, now a rare books dealer, without any hint of his former profession. However, when Malone receives an anonymous email and learns his teenaged son has been taken hostage from his ex-wife's home, his adventures begins anew. The ransom: he must locate the long lost Library of Alexandria, or his son will be dismembered, one piece at a time. Singer uses a versatile talent and vocal range to skillfully portray American and Middle Eastern accents as his quest leads to the highest levels of the U.S. Government. Singer captures the rising tension and tight pacing with a matching cadence that keeps listeners involved. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine