Because I've Read The Venetian Betrayal

The third novel in Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series is The Venetian Betrayal. In the last post, I made several assumptions on what the novel would be about. Boy, how wrong I was. Sure, Malone and his friends were once again in a pickle and of course the fate of the stability of the modern world rests upon tactical maneuvers. At least I was right about one thing: Venice was a setting destination for the crew and it was in Venice that they found something important. So, quick plot.
Cassiopeia Vitt needed Malone's help in thwarting the plans of Irina Zovastina, Supreme Minister of the Central Asian Federation. Obsessed with Greek history, especially with the conquests of Alexander the Great and the epic stories of Achilles, Zovastina wanted to take over the Middle East, much like what Alexander the Great had done over two thousands years ago. And she's planning to do it using biological warfare. Unlike many despotic rulers, Zovastina was loved by her people, however, leaders of other nations knew that she holds power and continues to want more. Gaining control of western Asia is one of her obsession, but finding the tomb of Alexander the Great was another obsession. Definitely a thriller.
Character breakdown!

• Cassiopeia Vitt. This novel focuses on her mission since she's on a personal vendetta. And of course, this isn't anything new in plotlines. In Templar, it was Stephanie Nelle on a personal mission and in Alexandria, it was Cotton Malone. And what we've managed to figure out, Vitt is apparently very accomplished with a bow and arrow and hand-to-hand combat. Zovastina is definitely her match. Though, Zovastina doesn't have friends like Vitt. 
• Henrik Throvaldsen. The man may be old, but he's insane! Somehow, he reminds me of Dumbledore. Full of knowledge. Full of plans. And he's an amazing friend to Malone and Vitt. He bought a museum just to have it burned to the ground. 
• Cotton Malone. The guy must have plenty of patience to go through some shit his friends and former bosses give him. Retired, but not so, he's always pulled back into helping his government, albeit in secret. And not to mention, they don't tell him the whole story! Yet, he's always there to help them and has his head full of common sense. So love the guy! 

Points I enjoy:

• The subplotline with the biological warfare. I think it makes the fiction sound more relevant that Berry includes these modern issues into the plot. Of course, history students know that biological warfare isn't a modern invention, though its microbiological reasoning are modern. Although it depresses me a bit to now the economic manipulations that played out with pharmaceuticals since my planned career path is pharmacy. Sigh. But anyhow, that's nothing I haven't noticed before. As said, in fiction, there is a sliver of fact. 
• Greek fire. I learned about Greek fire in Classical Mythology class during my fall semester of third year. It was interesting and it made me wonder what other technological advances the ancient Greeks had that are now lost due to thousands of years of raids and disasters. 
• The characters. After three books, I really don't think I need to point this out anymore. 

Overall, I like the book. It has more double-agent, triple-agent stuff than the other two books, so it really makes me wonder what the next book will have. It's like an increase in espionage with every book.