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posies23's review
4.0
Another in a long line of solid, entertaining thrillers. The 18th(!) book in the series is a bit of a change-of-pace, as it introduces some new characters and doesn't feature as much of the quasi-mystical that occurs in some books.
Pendergast finds himself with a new partner and a puzzling mystery to solve: Who is leaving hearts on gravestones in Florida? As usual, Pendergast finds himself getting pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery, and danger. This book is more procedural in nature than many of the previous books, almost as if the authors said, "let's try something different." The good news is that it works, for the most part, although the ending felt a bit rushed to me, which is why I knocked it back a star.
Pendergast finds himself with a new partner and a puzzling mystery to solve: Who is leaving hearts on gravestones in Florida? As usual, Pendergast finds himself getting pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery, and danger. This book is more procedural in nature than many of the previous books, almost as if the authors said, "let's try something different." The good news is that it works, for the most part, although the ending felt a bit rushed to me, which is why I knocked it back a star.
lizardmcscience's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
caitdrisc's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
showell's review
4.0
There is something comforting about returning to a series with so many predictable plot elements. I know what I’m going to get with a Pendergast mystery down to the language in which the characters are going to be described, and that sort of familiarity is especially valuable to me right now.
I started reading these series back in the day when print was the only option. Over the years, I began reading them as ebooks. But lately, I've taken to simply checking the audiobooks out as they become available from my local library.
Although they had different narrators for the earlier books in the series, Rene Auberjonois has narrated every Pendergast audiobook I've listened to so far. At first, I didn't care for his style. He was a little too snooty for my taste.
Listening to this book in quarantine however, I found the little extra touch of arrogance that creeps into his voice when he explains yet again that Pendergast is one of the few humans to have ever mastered the deep meditative art of Chongg Ran, taught to him in only a year by Tibetan monks oddly comforting. It turned what could have been an irritating repetitive description into an essential part of the Pendergast experience. The sheer campiness of it was comforting. This, at least, remains the same.
I started reading these series back in the day when print was the only option. Over the years, I began reading them as ebooks. But lately, I've taken to simply checking the audiobooks out as they become available from my local library.
Although they had different narrators for the earlier books in the series, Rene Auberjonois has narrated every Pendergast audiobook I've listened to so far. At first, I didn't care for his style. He was a little too snooty for my taste.
Listening to this book in quarantine however, I found the little extra touch of arrogance that creeps into his voice when he explains yet again that Pendergast is one of the few humans to have ever mastered the deep meditative art of Chongg Ran, taught to him in only a year by Tibetan monks oddly comforting. It turned what could have been an irritating repetitive description into an essential part of the Pendergast experience. The sheer campiness of it was comforting. This, at least, remains the same.
fredsteram's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable thriller/mystery. As always with Pendergast a big twist at the end. I could not put it down.
vorpalblad's review
4.0
My blood alone remains. Take it, but don't let me suffer long.
Preston and Child have another great entry in the Pendergast series, and redeem themselves from the mess that was The Pharaoh Key.
Pendergast's longtime boss at the FBI's New York office, Longstreet, has died. Now Pendergast must deal with a new boss, Pickett, who is on the fast-track because of his ability to organize and encourage, but he sees Pendergast as a maverick who must either return to the fold or be banished to the hinterlands of FBIdom. Of course, that means teaming Pendergast up with an outward polar-opposite in Agent Coldmoon, a casual dressing Oglala Sioux. It appears that Pickett's plan is to give Pendergast enough rope to hang himself by.
This time Pedergast is sent to Miami to deal with "Mister Brokenhearts," a cold-blooded killer who leaves freshly removed hearts and letters of remorse on the headstones of a series of unrelated suicides.
As usual, the authors plow full-speed-ahead on the plot. And I have to say, that they surprised me a couple of times. I thought they were going to take the easy way out, but they didn't. Several story lines begin to converge and there are one or two plot twists I never saw coming. Preston and Child also throw us several side-characters who appear to be perfect fodder for the killer, and based off of past novels, I was just waiting to see who took an ax to the chest. Now you'll have to find out for yourself. I also liked how they played the Pickett angle. Let's just say he's not what he first appears to be.
I have read several novels lately that would never be considered "the canon" but have used poetic and literary devices to great effect and this is no exception. From the quote above, attributed to Marie Antoinette, to the letters left on the graves, each of which uses a reference to a work of literature, including Ian McEwan's Atonement, the authors use literature to not only define the unknown killer but to set the tone of the novel, where two men of different backgrounds find commonality by sharing quotes and sayings that create a kind of shorthand for friendship and trust.
I took a star off for overplaying Pendergast's wealth. It's almost as though they felt that since he didn't have his Rolls and wasn't home in his mansion, they had to make sure everyone understood just how wealthy Pendergast is. We got it. I don't need to know about his "especially fine" hat. There was also one line of dialogue that pulled me right out of the book's atmosphere. Pickett says "I want you to accept my condolences on the death of Howard Longstreet." Hmmm... Do people say such things? "I want you to accept my condolences" instead of "I want to offer my condolences"? It was just odd.
Overall, if you like this series I don't think you'll be disappointed with this entry.
Preston and Child have another great entry in the Pendergast series, and redeem themselves from the mess that was The Pharaoh Key.
Pendergast's longtime boss at the FBI's New York office, Longstreet, has died. Now Pendergast must deal with a new boss, Pickett, who is on the fast-track because of his ability to organize and encourage, but he sees Pendergast as a maverick who must either return to the fold or be banished to the hinterlands of FBIdom. Of course, that means teaming Pendergast up with an outward polar-opposite in Agent Coldmoon, a casual dressing Oglala Sioux. It appears that Pickett's plan is to give Pendergast enough rope to hang himself by.
This time Pedergast is sent to Miami to deal with "Mister Brokenhearts," a cold-blooded killer who leaves freshly removed hearts and letters of remorse on the headstones of a series of unrelated suicides.
As usual, the authors plow full-speed-ahead on the plot. And I have to say, that they surprised me a couple of times. I thought they were going to take the easy way out, but they didn't. Several story lines begin to converge and there are one or two plot twists I never saw coming. Preston and Child also throw us several side-characters who appear to be perfect fodder for the killer, and based off of past novels, I was just waiting to see who took an ax to the chest. Now you'll have to find out for yourself. I also liked how they played the Pickett angle. Let's just say he's not what he first appears to be.
I have read several novels lately that would never be considered "the canon" but have used poetic and literary devices to great effect and this is no exception. From the quote above, attributed to Marie Antoinette, to the letters left on the graves, each of which uses a reference to a work of literature, including Ian McEwan's Atonement, the authors use literature to not only define the unknown killer but to set the tone of the novel, where two men of different backgrounds find commonality by sharing quotes and sayings that create a kind of shorthand for friendship and trust.
I took a star off for overplaying Pendergast's wealth. It's almost as though they felt that since he didn't have his Rolls and wasn't home in his mansion, they had to make sure everyone understood just how wealthy Pendergast is. We got it. I don't need to know about his "especially fine" hat. There was also one line of dialogue that pulled me right out of the book's atmosphere. Pickett says "I want you to accept my condolences on the death of Howard Longstreet." Hmmm... Do people say such things? "I want you to accept my condolences" instead of "I want to offer my condolences"? It was just odd.
Overall, if you like this series I don't think you'll be disappointed with this entry.
jcravo's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
johnbreeden's review
5.0
This novel keeps you guessing a bit. It is a wild ride to decipher why this mysterious "Broken Hearts" is killing women in the Miami area, removing their hearts violently, then leaving them as gifts at the graves of women who committed suicide. Pendergast not only has to stop the serial killer, but he is also coping with a new partner, Detective Coldmoon. And his position with the NY field office of the FBI is at stake.
This was a good read with some twists at the end. Much of this develops late in the story, and I don't think a reader could begin to guess the complexities earlier in the book, but then that's a challenge for the next reader.
Spoiler
Even though we don't actually meet the killer at any point until the endThis was a good read with some twists at the end. Much of this develops late in the story, and I don't think a reader could begin to guess the complexities earlier in the book, but then that's a challenge for the next reader.
jakekilroy's review
4.0
This thing is delightfully paced for the first 3/4ths, and it's done so with a new character that gives Pendergast a bit more new dimension in Agent Coldmoon. Pendergast hates partners and this relationship works well, both believably and with real support. The differences lend themselves not necessarily to two sides of the same coin, but as a way to bounce back and forth to resolution. The ending leans on the sloppy nonsense side, and it's funny to catch the moments this is written for older folks, like when a younger character thinks the word "gangbangers" or something will be referred to as long as the phonebook. A fun outing.