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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
The greatest thing about Pendergast and the series he starred in was that it was never boring. There was always something delightfully left of center to look forward to. The man himself was always counted on for biting repartee and interesting insights, and there was a terrific gallery of players that played off of him and built out a delicious world that a reader relished being a part of.
Well, once upon a time, at any rate.
It's no secret that it's difficult to keep momentum after eight books, let alone eighteen, but one would hope that any author (or team of authors) out of ideas would simply give up after they had run their course. Obviously, Pendergast is a cash cow, and they can probably trade on his name for a few more books. The spark and joy are long gone - far gone. The boredom was palpable in every page, despite a halfhearted attempt to make Coldmoon a compelling foil for the marquee character.
This is a perfectly adequate, by the numbers murder mystery. Only problem is that the Pendergast series was NEVER simply a paint by number sort of affair. What's worse, is that this tale was so airless that the splashy de rigueur finale that put the detectives in peril not only did not feel unearned, it felt downright unnecessary.
The worst part of all this is that if they keep writing these damn books, I'll probably grudgingly keep reading them. But their best days are behind them. It does take a significant talent to convey your own boredom with writing a character through that own character's ennui in his own life, and that the book has in spades. Although whether it was a meta choice or simply an accident is unknowable.
Well, once upon a time, at any rate.
It's no secret that it's difficult to keep momentum after eight books, let alone eighteen, but one would hope that any author (or team of authors) out of ideas would simply give up after they had run their course. Obviously, Pendergast is a cash cow, and they can probably trade on his name for a few more books. The spark and joy are long gone - far gone. The boredom was palpable in every page, despite a halfhearted attempt to make Coldmoon a compelling foil for the marquee character.
This is a perfectly adequate, by the numbers murder mystery. Only problem is that the Pendergast series was NEVER simply a paint by number sort of affair. What's worse, is that this tale was so airless that the splashy de rigueur finale that put the detectives in peril not only did not feel unearned, it felt downright unnecessary.
The worst part of all this is that if they keep writing these damn books, I'll probably grudgingly keep reading them. But their best days are behind them. It does take a significant talent to convey your own boredom with writing a character through that own character's ennui in his own life, and that the book has in spades. Although whether it was a meta choice or simply an accident is unknowable.
I quite enjoyed this latest Pendergast book. In this Pendergast is made to work with a partner - SA Coldmoon on a serial killer case in Miami. The mystery was done well. It was nice to get back to the roots of the series.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars. There were many things to love about this Pendergast book. The plot was interesting, the addition of Coldmoon was great, and the antics of Pendergast were top notch. Only holding off on 5 stars because I wished there was a bit more backstory on perpetrator.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Perfect Pendergast novel - reminds me of the beginnings of the series :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
I'm usually one of Preston/Child's biggest fans; however for me this story dragged and took to long to develop.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated