(2005)Another very good thriller that finds Pendergast the target of his brother's vendetta against him that results in serial killings that are pinned on him in pursuit of the theft of a very special diamond. (PW)The always reliable team of Preston and Child revisit Special FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast, last seen in 2004's Brimstone, and others from past bestsellers (Relic; The Cabinet of Curiosities) in this intriguing thriller set in and around New York City and the halls of the Museum of Natural History. Born a misanthropic loner but driven insane by seeing his parents burned alive when he was a teen, Aloysius's madman brother, Diogenes, has begun murdering Aloysius's friends. Aloysius begs old friend Lt. Vincent D'Agosta to help him defeat his brother, and Vincent does his best while the brothers spar and others die. There are a number of subplots, one involving an ATM robber and flasher known as the Dangler and another focusing on the museum's exhibition of sacred masks, but these fade away as the deadly duel between the brothers takes center stage. Think Sherlock Holmes locked in a death struggle with his smarter brother, Mycroft. Like Brimstone, this novel doesn't end so much as simply pause while the authors work on the next installment. While it's not as good as some of their earlier efforts, it's still pretty darn good.

I truly like works by author duo Preston & Child and one of their better series is series of novels about the agent Pendergast. They are always fast reads, chapters not too long and constant succession of points of view or protagonists and antagonists, story flows smoothly.

But this one was a difficult read for me. I admit several other books ran the interference but it is rare for me to read a single book over almost two months.


So..... good aspects are that story s fast paced as ever with lots of twists and turns, Pendergast is his eccentric self, his allies are equally lost, amused and outright angry with him and main antagonist, Pendergast's brother Diogenes is for all means and purposes Pendergast's mirror image on the Dark side. So all standard ingredients are in.

Now, I wont say bad but [at least for me] story impeding parts ...... First is all the controversy and ruckus about the native ceremony masks - lots of space went to this (in my opinion almost quarter of the book) and nothing. It looks like authors wanted to do something with this but changed their mind mid-flight. This part of story could easily be removed (or kept at minimum) and it would result in leaner and more interesting read. Second is how easily everyone is sure Pendergast is behind the criminal activity and how easily they mark him a psychiatric case. I mean this i snot introductory novel, they all worked with the man but they turn 180 degrees on him on a first case of doubt without even stopping to think. This is something that is familiar to everyone reading about extraordinary protagonist and even superheroes - and is truly idiotic for me. But OK it is here because we need a threat but at least make it outside the known characters.

And finally greatest huh! moment - main target for Diogenes. This left me saying what! and needing a 10 minute break. After all actions, plots, kills, it all comes to petty theft? I mean come on!

I agree that all of the above are related to that aspect that hits me oh so often - this is second book in Diogenes series (I need still to get first and third) and all of the above comments fall into that filler category that is usually characteristic of the middle book in any series. But man that was too much filler.

Ending was quite interesting and I have to say I cannot wait for the third book.



Interesting story, but due to all the failings that usually go with mid-series novels not exactly the best in Pendergast series. ( )

Agent Pendergast's evil brother has spent years planning the perfect crime. He must find a way to stop him. ( )

More like a 3.5, probably my second favorite book of the series after Cabinet of Curiosities. Diogenes is an interesting character, too bad he's about as secretive as Pendergast himself. I think I also figured out another problem I have with this series that really presented itself to me in this book. I guess it might be the problem of author collaboration. I don't know how they could put so much feeling and emotion into the D'Agosta Hayward break up, and then be so drab and boring, even to the point that I started skimming, during Diogenes's ride home after stealing the diamonds. I dunno, even for all I complain, I still think these books are better than average, they will seemingly just never reach five star status for me. ( )

http://pro-libertate.net/node/21 ( )