The Columbus Affair (2012) is a standalone thriller from New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry, departing from his usual Cotton Malone series to deliver a high-stakes adventure centered on one of history’s greatest mysteries: the true legacy of Christopher Columbus.

The story follows Tom Sagan, a disgraced Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose life has crumbled after a scandal destroys his career. When his estranged daughter is kidnapped by a ruthless extremist group, he’s drawn into a deadly quest tied to a 500-year-old secret buried in Columbus’s lost voyage logs. The mystery hinges on a priceless artifact—one that could rewrite history and ignite a modern-day religious war.

From the archives of Seville to the streets of Vienna and the jungles of Jamaica, Sagan races against fanatics, scholars, and intelligence operatives, all vying for a truth that could destabilize the Middle East. Along the way, Berry weaves in provocative theories about Columbus’s hidden Jewish heritage, the explorer’s possible connection to the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, and the explosive political ramifications of these revelations.

Blending meticulous historical research with breakneck pacing, The Columbus Affair explores themes of redemption, faith, and the dangerous power of buried truths. While darker and more personal than Berry’s Malone novels, it retains his signature mix of conspiracy, history, and globe-trotting action—perfect for fans of Dan Brown or Brad Meltzer.

A thought-provoking thriller that challenges conventional history while asking: What if everything we know about Columbus is wrong?