Reviews

Two Graves by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

offbalance80's review against another edition

4.0

My father and I have been flailing at each other over text message about this book, the close of the Helen trilogy (or whatever they're calling it), and I have to admit, this was the best of the three. Lots of exciting reveals (Pendergast is a father! Of Twins! Who were born as part of a secret Nazi experiment in a secret Nazi camp in Brasil! As was his beloved late-not late-late again wife!), but on the whole, I feel like they should have spread all of this across a few books, because there was just so much going on in this one. First of all, I have a hard time believing that all of the people who were furiously investigating Alban's murder spree would just throw up their hands and say "welp, so much for that!" the minute they stopped for a few days. Secondly, Corrie's storyline should have been a book of its own, as it was shoehorned in for no reason, and ended as abruptly as it began. Thirdly, they could have wrapped up the Dr. Felder/Constance storyline a book ago, and without the icky subplot of Felder falling madly in love with her. Also, who in hell does her heart belong to? Pendergast? (COME ON!!! #1) Fourthly, what's the point of introducing the idea of D'Agosta FINALLY standing up to Pendergast and his shenanegains if it's also going to be dropped, and all forgiven offscreen? (COME ON!!! #2).

I certainly hope someone wrote a check to Ira Levin at some point. Nova Godi was not a new idea, guys. The twin angle was pretty cool, though.

That said, this book was so much fun I'm giving it an extra star I would have deducted otherwise. It was a fun muddle, rather than a dull one. But it's clear these two are tired of writing about their most lucrative character and universe, so they tied things up in an almost-perfect bow at the end (Alban, aka Diogenes II, was still at large). Even still, if they'd spent more time leading up to this book and more time spreading the great things around across Cold Vengeance and Fever Dream, this series could have really given the Diogenes books a serious run for the money. Alas, I'll take my fun rides where I can get them, and this was indisputably a fun ride.

hoosgracie's review against another edition

3.0

I found this to be disappointing. There were too many disparate storylines - the main one with Pendergast's wife dying and then searching for a killer who appears to be his son, a second unrelated storyline about Cory trying to figure out who framed her father, a third one about Constance and Dr. Felder, and finally Vinny fretting about asking his girlfriend to marry him. I was glad when it was over.

schristines's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

constant_reader_19's review against another edition

5.0

Really a 4.5 star rating. I LOVE Special Agent Pendergast...he is amazing as usual in this book also. The plot had plenty if twists and turns...many important events happening with the characters ( everyone is in this one...Vincent, Laura, Corrie, and Constance!), but the end........not sure if I like it. Is this the end for Pendergast? I hope not.

ndoenowu's review against another edition

5.0

Fave so far, Nazi hunting etc. uh super bummed about about the beginning story which Helen dies immediately, that took me out of the story for a while until Pendergast got a handle on his mood again. I was worried this story would turn into another Pendergast is gone story. You definitely get the vibes that D’Agosta is nearing the end of his time with Pendergast.

bookrunner's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

dsheffield206's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

djhobby's review against another edition

3.0

6.8 out of 10 stars

indianajane's review against another edition

3.0

This is a hard one to review. For those who think they might want to read a Preston/Child book, don't start here! This book is the finale in a series of three telling the story of Agent Pendergast's wife, Helen. There were elements of the book that I enjoyed, but there were also places that, for me, the story dragged. Still, if you are a fan, you will probably enjoy this book. And if you are not a fan, I would highly recommend that you go get Relic and read it.

ejordan24's review against another edition

4.0

I truly appreciate this complimentary copy of two Graves co-written by Douglas Preston and Lee Childs that I received from the wonderful folks at Goodreads. Although I had not read the earlier novels in this trilogy, I quickly became caught up in this page-turner thriller. What a roller-coaster ride I took following FBI Special Agent Pendergast as he dashes from one adventure to another. While hunting down killers, he takes the reader on many "edge of your seat" twists and turns. Meanwhile, other characters have obstacles to overcome. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but it is definitely a book which keeps one's attention. I would imagine this would make an outstanding action movie. I am truly going to have to read more books by these authors.