"The Patriot Threat"

Thank you to the Goodreads First Reads program for a copy of Steve Berry’s latest thriller, “The Patriot Threat”.  I admit to being a huge fan of Berry’s early work, but I have passed on the last couple installments due to issues that are almost entirely absent in this latest book. 

Berry weaves a fascinating, detailed and well-written tale, occasionally utilizing original source materials, to connect the present day United States with its Revolutionary and Gilded Age past.  Secret documents stolen by former Treasury Secretary, Andrew Mellon, and presented in code to his nemesis, President Franklin Roosevelt, threaten to surface and destroy the modern American economy.  Berry calls on reliable Cotton Malone, Stephanie Nelle, and an assorted cast of characters to thwart attempts by a North Korean exile and the Chinese government to reach the secret first.

I was particularly drawn to the stories of the Haym Solomon debt and potential problems with the ratification of the 16^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  I found myself putting the book down repeatedly to Google these topics as they were developed, and was shocked to learn how real these issues were, or maybe still are!

Berry also excels when discussing the oppressive nature of North Korea, specifically the infamous prison camps designed to eliminate enemies and opposition for multiple generations.  Tragic beyond words.

The greatest difficulty for many authors is the ability to provide a satisfactory ending to a book.  I can enjoy the first ninety percent of a Steve Berry book, totally enveloped by his narrative, and then want to throw the book across the room after reading the last few chapters.  In this case, the never-ending fight/chase scenes at the conclusion were mercifully brief.   I believe people are drawn to these books because of the connection to real historical events and the often convincing alternate realities presented by Berry.  No one wants to read forty pages of silly chase scenes contrived to provide us a “thrilling” finale.  STICK TO THE STORY!!!

All that said, I could not put this book down and absolutely loved it.  This is the best Steve Berry book in a while, and I highly recommend it to other readers.  Five stars in its genre.