redsoxjedi's review against another edition
4.0
This book marks the crossing of the half way point in the Pendergast series. It’s a great trip to New Orleans to see where Pendergast grew up and a great tale of revenge!
nickjonesreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A rip-roaring thriller that doesn't waste time on tangents, has plenty of atmosphere and intrigue. Full of twists and turns in an adventures that spands the globe. Fans of Agent Pendergast will be enthralled by new facets of his character. I can't wait for their next Pendergast novel.
nae1226's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Pendergast Helen series. Pendergast discovers that Helen was murdered, not mauled by a lion. The hunt begins.
mpetruce's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this an extra star because I thought Agent Pendergast had about run his course in the Diogenes trilogy of this series of books and even in the last one, 'Cemetery Dance.'
However, even in those books of theirs where my interest wanes, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child write stories that you can't help but keep turning the page, reading just one more chapter. Any of these books are just plain fun to read, and people tend to forget that sometimes, reading just needs to be fun.
So, on to this book. Like I said, I thought Pendergast had run his course, when Preston/Child bring out ... his wife! His late wife, to be exact, killed on a safari 12 years ago. But it turns out, it was actually murder most foul. And complicated. Like cheesy Bond villain/Dr. Evil needlessly complicated (although it's a lion, not ill-tempered sharks with frickin' lasers).
So Pendergast enlists Vincent D'Agosta (of course) at the drop of a hat to help him solve his wife's murder. (Mild spoiler coming) And when D'Agosta can no longer, um, assist in the case, D'Agosta's girlfriend, NYPD Capt. Laura Hayward. is drafted to help.
Like I said, this book is full of all kinds of ridiculousness, not the least of which is Pendergast's bad-assery coupled with how trouble seems to blow away with a couple sentences or fight moves. But again, these books are just plain fun. Do yourself a favor and read them all.
However, even in those books of theirs where my interest wanes, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child write stories that you can't help but keep turning the page, reading just one more chapter. Any of these books are just plain fun to read, and people tend to forget that sometimes, reading just needs to be fun.
So, on to this book. Like I said, I thought Pendergast had run his course, when Preston/Child bring out ... his wife! His late wife, to be exact, killed on a safari 12 years ago. But it turns out, it was actually murder most foul. And complicated. Like cheesy Bond villain/Dr. Evil needlessly complicated (although it's a lion, not ill-tempered sharks with frickin' lasers).
So Pendergast enlists Vincent D'Agosta (of course) at the drop of a hat to help him solve his wife's murder. (Mild spoiler coming) And when D'Agosta can no longer, um, assist in the case, D'Agosta's girlfriend, NYPD Capt. Laura Hayward. is drafted to help.
Like I said, this book is full of all kinds of ridiculousness, not the least of which is Pendergast's bad-assery coupled with how trouble seems to blow away with a couple sentences or fight moves. But again, these books are just plain fun. Do yourself a favor and read them all.
ninthwave's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is the best Preston & Child collaboration I've read in quite some time. That being said, I felt somewhat unsatisfied with the "to be continued" aspects. I enjoyed the premise, but felt like we ran out of book before we could reach a better stopping point. Overall, I'd consider it a good effort with inadequate resolution. I wish Goodreads offered half-star ratings: I'd give this book 3.5.
erindigsegypt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spidergirl502's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as good as the rest of the Pendergast novels. A bit slow for some reason, it took me a while to finish. One scene near the end was well worth it, though!
ameliediva's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
badwolfbae's review against another edition
5.0
First of the Helen trilogy, I was so excited to start learning about his wife and more of Pendergast's backstory. If you are like me and love the New York crew, you will be delighted to know that D'Agosta and Hayward are integral to this story. Pendergast and Hayward end up in a bayou and it is one of my favourite things to happen in the series.
maeclair's review against another edition
5.0
I recently hooked yet another friend on this series and decided to reread this book (for the third time) while she was reading it. Although I have devoured all of the Pendergast books, several stand out as my personal favorites and this is at the top of the list.
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast is a Special Agent with the FBI, a man who holds two doctorate degrees, and comes from a very rich and very old southern family. To say he is eccentric is equivalent to calling the ocean a lake. Pendergast does things his way, has little if no regard for authority, favors immaculate black suits, and drives a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. He is a near-albino with extremely pale whitish hair, silver eyes and pale skin. He’s also damn good at solving crimes, even when they have a bizarre or potentially supernatural slant.
In Fever Dream, the crime becomes personal when he suddenly discovers the wife he lost twelve years earlier was likely murdered—and wasn’t exactly who he thought her to be. This book revealed a side of Pendergast readers hadn’t seen before which is one of the reasons I love it so much. That, and a scene involving boats, rednecks and a rundown bar that SCREAMS to be filmed. The audience would be on its feet cheering. 5 whopping big stars!
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast is a Special Agent with the FBI, a man who holds two doctorate degrees, and comes from a very rich and very old southern family. To say he is eccentric is equivalent to calling the ocean a lake. Pendergast does things his way, has little if no regard for authority, favors immaculate black suits, and drives a Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. He is a near-albino with extremely pale whitish hair, silver eyes and pale skin. He’s also damn good at solving crimes, even when they have a bizarre or potentially supernatural slant.
In Fever Dream, the crime becomes personal when he suddenly discovers the wife he lost twelve years earlier was likely murdered—and wasn’t exactly who he thought her to be. This book revealed a side of Pendergast readers hadn’t seen before which is one of the reasons I love it so much. That, and a scene involving boats, rednecks and a rundown bar that SCREAMS to be filmed. The audience would be on its feet cheering. 5 whopping big stars!