Book Log 2010 #7: The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

This latest installment in the Cotton Malone series has our intrepid State Department agent turned bookseller on the trail of a lost treasure amassed by Napoleon. Also looking for it is a French plutocrat who is forming a cartel of Europe's richest people, with an eye towards manipulating financial markets for the group's personal gain. I'm still not quite sure if there's supposed to be a connection between the two, other than showing the leader's avarice.

This clash also involves Henrik Thorvaldsen, Malone's benefactor, as the leader of the cartel is also indirectly responsible for the death of his son (which Malone witnessed but was unable to stop). Thorvaldsen involves himself with the group as well, ostensibly to help Malone, but really to avenge his son's death.

While still not as good as his earliest books, this entry in the series is less dopey than some of the more recent ones. There is one major event that will shake up the series, and I like that Berry had the guts to do it, though it is offset by the potential addition of some younger characters who are pretty annoying.

Bottom line, it's worth reading if you've stuck with the series, but that's about it.