Least Favorite Novel in the Series- Wheel of Darkness-There was a little too much supernatural stuff for my liking. Plus there was one scene that thrilled me so much that I actually said “Way to go!” out loud in a public place. Most Favorite Novel in the Series- White Fire, it had an interesting storyline which ties together a historical conversation between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde and present day events that are being investigated by Corrie Swanson with some help from Pendergast (of course). My opinion is that the whole series should be read in order mainly because of the complicated host of characters which play significant roles throughout the series. Preston and Child consider five novels to be standalones, Cabinet of Curiosities, Cemetary Dance, Still Life with Crows, Wheel of Darkness, and White Fire as well as two trilogies within the series, the Diogenes Trilogy ( Brimstone, Dance of Death, and Book of the Dead) and the Helen Pendergast Trilogy ( Fever Dream, Cold Vengeance, and Two Graves) which must be read together. One of these recurring characters gets killed midway through the series, which gives the feeling of a certain amount of vulnerability to these characters which only adds a greater edge to the thriller aspect of the series. Preston and Child have developed a number of characters over the span of the series that have become significant elements to the “Pendergast phenomenon” that it makes it difficult not to develop affection for these characters. Her presence acts as stabilizing force that helps keep the series in check from becoming too unrealistic. Police officer Hayward is a ‘by the book’ type of law enforcer and Pendergast’s methods cause her great concern primarily for D’Agosta as she has a romantic relationship with him. In order for Pendergast’s unorthodox methods of solving a crime seem somewhat realistic and preventing the stories from becoming a crime thriller parody, the character Laura Hayward is introduced in the second installment of the series, Reliquary. Vincent D’Agosta, a police officer who often puts himself on a limb to help Pendergast meet his goal in solving the crime. Even though Pendergast is FBI, he doesn’t usually follow the rules and sets his own agenda in dealing with the crimes. The stories are also based on a criminal element usually in the form of murder, kidnappings, and terrorism which requires the services of the police force and the FBI which is how Pendergast gets involved. Additionally, there is also a certain amount of supernatural and mystical elements that normally I don’t like to see in a thriller but Preston and Child just add enough of it that it is not too distracting. My take on the series is that it is more of a techno-thriller/science fiction hybrid as some of the science is a bit over the top. ![]() The series is considered a techno-thriller mainly because there are often references to genetics, computers, weaponry, and other elements of science. This is a character that as the series continues, becomes more and more likeable, so that one truly looks forward to the next installment in the series. When you put this all together, it seems that this character is larger than life and more like an action figure, but Preston and Child portray him in such a way that he seems almost realistic. He is an expert in the martial arts and has significant military training. He comes from a family of wealth so is independently wealthy. He is highly educated with degrees from Harvard and Oxford in the disciplines of anthropology and philosophy. ![]() He was born and raised in New Orleans with a gentlemanly southern accent. He primarily wears black suits which contrast with his pale complexion and makes him stand out in a crowd. Pendergast is described as tall and lanky, but very fit, with white blond hair, pale skin, and light blue eyes. Pendergast was introduced in the first novel of the series, Relic, not as the main character but as a secondary character, however, his presence at the ending of Relic definitely stole the show. I think that Pendergast is one of the most fun characters that has been introduced into the thriller genre and is one of my favorites. Just imagine Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and Albert Einstein all rolled up into one fictional character and you would have FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. ![]() Review of the latest in the series- Crooked River Leng with an expected release date of 1/17/23. Born : May 20, 1956, Cambridge, MassachusettsĮducation : B.A.-English Literature, Pomona College, Claremont, CAĮducation:B.A.-English, Carleton College, Northfield, MNįuture of the series:The series is on-going and the next in the series is in the works and has been entitled The Cabinet of Dr.
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