THE LAST KINGDOM Cotton Malone, Book 17

Scott Brick returns to narrate the newest Cotton Malone thriller, which is steeped in the history of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and a questionable modern-day claim to a new kingdom. Brick's brawny voice depicts a still-robust Malone as he is called out of semiretirement as a favor to his mentee, Luke, who is voiced with occasional Southern charm. Extended conversations with King Ludwig's present-day descendants, who are intent on reclaiming the crown, are sometimes difficult to follow because Brick renders the male characters with similar voices. As Malone and Luke partner with others in Germany who have the same political goal, Brick narrates the action with intensity. This is a fascinating listen for fans of Bavarian history and the landscapes and castles of Germany. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2023]