🔥 Book Review: The Devils’ Due by Steve Berry (Kindle Edition, The Thriller Shorts Collection)
A taut, high-stakes espionage tale with an alternate-history twist—Steve Berry delivers a compact Cotton Malone adventure that’s as cerebral as it is suspenseful.
🧠 Overview
Originally published in the Thriller anthology edited by James Patterson, The Devils’ Due is a 22-page short story by Steve Berry, part of the Cotton Malone series (technically #12.5). Set during Malone’s early days as an agent of the Magellan Billet, the story sends him to a small Central Asian country ruled by the enigmatic dictator Yossef Sharma. Sharma’s alliance with the U.S. must remain secret, but his penchant for burning books makes Malone uneasy.
The mission takes a sharp turn when Sharma introduces Malone to the world’s most infamous criminal, who wants to surrender. But nothing is what it seems—and Malone must navigate deception, diplomacy, and danger to give “the devil his due.”
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🕵️ Early Cotton Malone: A rare glimpse into Malone’s formative years as a covert operative
- 📚 Book-burning symbolism: Sharma’s disdain for literature adds a chilling layer to the political stakes
- 🧠 Alternate history flavor: Berry weaves speculative elements into real-world geopolitics
- 💥 Tight pacing: The story moves quickly, with sharp dialogue and a twist that redefines the mission’s true purpose
“Things are not always what they seem, and Malone will need Sharma’s help if he plans to set things right and give the devil his due.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.83/5 from over 1,400 ratings
- 📖 Readers enjoy the story’s fast pace, political intrigue, and classic Berry twist
- 🧾 Some felt the short format limited character depth, but most found it a satisfying bite-sized thriller
- 💬 “Really interesting novella! A quick read with a believable theory and a solid twist.” — StoryGraph reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 22 pages, it’s a brief read—ideal for fans of quick, high-impact thrillers
- 📚 Series context: Works as a standalone, but fans of the Cotton Malone series will appreciate the backstory
- 🔞 Political themes: Includes commentary on censorship, diplomacy, and moral ambiguity
🏁 Final Verdict
The Devils’ Due is a smart and suspenseful short story that showcases Steve Berry’s knack for blending historical speculation with modern espionage. Whether you’re a longtime Cotton Malone fan or just dipping into the series, this Kindle edition offers a satisfying dose of action, intrigue, and intellectual tension.
