Scan barcode
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
I've read all of the Pendergast novels up to this point so I know there are some entries that stray from the more usual plot lines that include Vincent D'agosta, Laura Hayward, Margo Green and the like. This time around includes only Pendergast and his ward, Constance from the main series characters as they travel to the quaint seaside village of Exmouth, Massachusetts to undertake what appears to be a straightforward investigation into a theft of a valuable wine collection. They work smartly toward resolution of the case, with Constance giving Pendergast a run for his money when it comes to solving the crime. But that case wraps up and we're only two thirds of the way through the book.
Of course this is a Lincoln/Child novel, so you know there will be something more than just a simple mystery to solve. Indeed, the novel morphs into a horror novel focusing on witches, satanic rituals, and a horrific deformed beastly creature on a psychopathic murder spree.
Interestingly, the horror plot ties in neatly with the original wine theft case and observant readers will recognize these ties just as Constance does. Unfortunately, the novel ends on a major cliffhanger and so I must seek out the next one fairly soon.
Of course this is a Lincoln/Child novel, so you know there will be something more than just a simple mystery to solve. Indeed, the novel morphs into a horror novel focusing on witches, satanic rituals, and a horrific deformed beastly creature on a psychopathic murder spree.
Interestingly, the horror plot ties in neatly with the original wine theft case and observant readers will recognize these ties just as Constance does. Unfortunately, the novel ends on a major cliffhanger and so I must seek out the next one fairly soon.
kyle120888's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emertbyrne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emilye's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
To fully understand this book you should have read a few, preferable all, of the 14 (!) books in the series before this one.
As a standalone you will miss out on some nuances of the story.
Although I rated this 5 stars and think it is one of the best in the series, I think the series has run its course and should be ended.
Two intertwined stories complicated and as often with these books on the fringe of science, you have to suspend believe at times which may not sit well for all readers.
The devastating cliffhanger ending saved it somehow, although some villain from the past pops up again (not named, you can only guess). Despite being killed without a body or proof. Like Nazis (which popped up in The Helen Trilogy of this series) bringing back supposedly dead people is something I can do without -which is to say I hate it, when that happens. Well, we will see how it plays out, hopefully with the next book.
Also to further being not comfortable with that, this could warrant reading every book again, just to see wether continuation is logical. Meh, another thing I can do without now.
Next book is supposed to be published October 18th, 2016 and I pre-ordered it already. Like so many others (current count for October is 14 ebooks for just a little over 100 Eur).
Recommended for fans of the series, complicated, not entirely page-turner quality, saved the 5th star with the open cliffhanger ending leading into the next book.
As a standalone you will miss out on some nuances of the story.
Although I rated this 5 stars and think it is one of the best in the series, I think the series has run its course and should be ended.
Two intertwined stories complicated and as often with these books on the fringe of science, you have to suspend believe at times which may not sit well for all readers.
The devastating cliffhanger ending saved it somehow, although some villain from the past pops up again (not named, you can only guess). Despite being killed without a body or proof. Like Nazis (which popped up in The Helen Trilogy of this series) bringing back supposedly dead people is something I can do without -which is to say I hate it, when that happens. Well, we will see how it plays out, hopefully with the next book.
Also to further being not comfortable with that, this could warrant reading every book again, just to see wether continuation is logical. Meh, another thing I can do without now.
Next book is supposed to be published October 18th, 2016 and I pre-ordered it already. Like so many others (current count for October is 14 ebooks for just a little over 100 Eur).
Recommended for fans of the series, complicated, not entirely page-turner quality, saved the 5th star with the open cliffhanger ending leading into the next book.
emily_reads_a_lot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mrspudd2020's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
4.0
Agent Pendergast and Ms. Green head to the small town of Exmount, Massachusetts to solve a rather boring (for Pendergast) case of a stolen wine collection. However upon further inspection it wasn't just wine the theifts were after. What they really wanted was inside the walls. And it is going to cause multiple murders, and a accient secret to be revealed.
becki_c's review against another edition
3.0
I had written a truly lovely piece of, I feel, justified angst. However, my phone died and I lost it. So simply put Constance Greene is a deeply disturbing high functioning sociopath with strong psychopathic tendency. She has a deep disgust of the “avg” person, unable to see fault in her actions and motivations (#fkn another psychopath), and delights when in a manic rage her power to hurt or scare individuals.
Does she add to the novels …. NO ☠️
Her & Helen are the main reasons why I’m forced to give 3 stars or a grudging 4.
If we look at the absolute nonsense of the Helen trilogy, we see some similarities as Constance. Helen is portrayed with more humanity, but….. She goes back to have her twins and then leaves them; KNOWING that one of her children will be turned into a slave, & treated worse than an animal, and the other into a psycho?!
Why doesn’t she tell P, why doesn’t she use some of her trust fund and hire high lvl mercs to rescue her kids, why bloody have them in the first place if you are going to let them rot? But no, instead she goes on to enjoys a jet-setters life, with nary a care. Let’s not forget her complete disregard for her twin or the fact that using her as her personal organ donor, via murder is an absolutely peachy idea.
Please, Preston & Child, you love bringing people back to life. Give us Smithback & take Ms. cold-violet-eyes (err permanently).
End of rant
Does she add to the novels …. NO ☠️
Her & Helen are the main reasons why I’m forced to give 3 stars or a grudging 4.
If we look at the absolute nonsense of the Helen trilogy, we see some similarities as Constance. Helen is portrayed with more humanity, but….. She goes back to have her twins and then leaves them; KNOWING that one of her children will be turned into a slave, & treated worse than an animal, and the other into a psycho?!
Why doesn’t she tell P, why doesn’t she use some of her trust fund and hire high lvl mercs to rescue her kids, why bloody have them in the first place if you are going to let them rot? But no, instead she goes on to enjoys a jet-setters life, with nary a care. Let’s not forget her complete disregard for her twin or the fact that using her as her personal organ donor, via murder is an absolutely peachy idea.
Please, Preston & Child, you love bringing people back to life. Give us Smithback & take Ms. cold-violet-eyes (err permanently).
End of rant
eswaller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
dazz13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0