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ladyheroj's review against another edition
3.0
I have found a cycle to my enjoyment of the Pendergast series. There will be some duds, usually just one but sometimes two in a row that will make me think "well, it can't go on forever," but then the authors will come up with a fascinating story arc that sucks me right back in. For example, loved the last one! This one, not so much.
The character of Pendergast works best when teamed up with his total opposite (so a normal person), like D'Agosta. God, I miss him! After the Botanic Gardens, I was excited to read more from Constance's POV. Yet the pairing of her and Pendergast, with no relief from their disdain for modern life, became grating. Yes, Constance, you need to stop wearing floor-length lace dresses when you're trying to be incognito. And in what world does an FBI agent not know what Google is? And, vague spoilers, a certain dynamic of their partnership towards the end is just...strange.
There was also a lot of telling. Constance would come back from investigating, and Pendergast will just be like "here's what I found out off-page." Huge leaps will be made from the tiniest of clues, all for the sake of speeding up the story. Which stinks, because the set-up was fairly interesting and almost felt like a return to form of the first couple Pendergast novels. But it felt like the whole novel was just the means to a end.
AND WHAT AN ENDING. Seems like Preston & Child have decided to stop teasing us! So the cycle is about to start anew with the next one, which I am anticipating loving.
The character of Pendergast works best when teamed up with his total opposite (so a normal person), like D'Agosta. God, I miss him! After the Botanic Gardens, I was excited to read more from Constance's POV. Yet the pairing of her and Pendergast, with no relief from their disdain for modern life, became grating. Yes, Constance, you need to stop wearing floor-length lace dresses when you're trying to be incognito. And in what world does an FBI agent not know what Google is? And, vague spoilers, a certain dynamic of their partnership towards the end is just...strange.
There was also a lot of telling. Constance would come back from investigating, and Pendergast will just be like "here's what I found out off-page." Huge leaps will be made from the tiniest of clues, all for the sake of speeding up the story. Which stinks, because the set-up was fairly interesting and almost felt like a return to form of the first couple Pendergast novels. But it felt like the whole novel was just the means to a end.
AND WHAT AN ENDING. Seems like Preston & Child have decided to stop teasing us! So the cycle is about to start anew with the next one, which I am anticipating loving.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
3.0
Four stars for the first 80% of the book, one star for how it ended.
blackrose2366's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my heavens! This is one of the best Pendergast novels in the series. I would truly rank it second to Relic. I can't seem to come up with words to give this a proper review... My heart is still pounding from the fast paced intensity that wraps up this novel.
The initial 'wrap up' to Constance and Pendergast's case had me floored - it was too easy and there were still almost 100 pages left to read. All day and night, my imagination kept running around wondering what was to come until I could finally escape back into the story. Escape may be the wrong word to use in describing the need to get lost in a sci-fi murder mystery novel; but I'm sure many of you understand. The sexual/romantic tension between Constance and Pendergast finally comes to an actual head (for anyone who is wondering - there is no actual sex in the book) and my heart aches for both parties. Constance has quietly loved Pendergast for some time and finally lets him see it. Pendergast for his part, in my speculation, feels as if he can't love her back - she's been abused by multiple male figures in his family over her long life and to become physically involved with her would seem like taking advantage of her.
The need to know what happens next is a physical pain in my chest! Made worse by the fact that didn't realize until halfway through reading this one that I'd accidentally skipped Blue Labyrinth... Heaven help me!
The initial 'wrap up' to Constance and Pendergast's case had me floored - it was too easy and there were still almost 100 pages left to read. All day and night, my imagination kept running around wondering what was to come until I could finally escape back into the story. Escape may be the wrong word to use in describing the need to get lost in a sci-fi murder mystery novel; but I'm sure many of you understand. The sexual/romantic tension between Constance and Pendergast finally comes to an actual head (for anyone who is wondering - there is no actual sex in the book) and my heart aches for both parties. Constance has quietly loved Pendergast for some time and finally lets him see it. Pendergast for his part, in my speculation, feels as if he can't love her back - she's been abused by multiple male figures in his family over her long life and to become physically involved with her would seem like taking advantage of her.
The need to know what happens next is a physical pain in my chest! Made worse by the fact that didn't realize until halfway through reading this one that I'd accidentally skipped Blue Labyrinth... Heaven help me!
gbdill's review against another edition
4.0
I finally broke my string of reading bad books with this one. In Preston-fashion, it was a thrilling ride. Pendergast, together with his ward Constance Greene, travel to Exmouth, Massachusetts, to investigate the theft of a priceless wine collection. But inside the wine cellar, they find something considerably more disturbing: a bricked-up niche that once held a crumbling skeleton. What does this skeleton lead to? A historical path involving witchcraft, murder, subversion, treasure, and ultimately leading to a grand finale involving a mysterious blood-thirsty entity. Do Pendergrast and Constance survive? You may be surprised.
This was a great work of fiction involving historical events, fantasy, mystery, horror, and good old-fashioned entertainment. Easy to read and moves at a fast-pace with never a dull moment. Highly recommend.
This was a great work of fiction involving historical events, fantasy, mystery, horror, and good old-fashioned entertainment. Easy to read and moves at a fast-pace with never a dull moment. Highly recommend.
adliteracy's review against another edition
4.0
Some parts of the book made no sense (one part in particular where everything makes a sharp turn for no apparent reason), and I wasn't thrilled about the ending. Other than that, it's good as a part of the series.
raslowry's review against another edition
4.0
Pendergast is always good for a nice, quick, creepy read!
astrilde's review against another edition
5.0
OMG I have finished this series and now I have to wait for the next book!
ofmadnessandmagic's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book that I’ve read in this series and I am definitely excited to read more.
I really enjoyed the first two thirds, it was super suspenseful and while I had some suspicions about who did it, I didn’t expect the twist that was added in here.
The atmosphere was also just soooo good, it felt spooky and autumnal and just right up my alley.
I also loved the themes here, the salt marshes and the witches and the history, it really combined a lot of elements that I loved.
However, the ending was so wild and a bit over the top imo. I had to double-check the genre because I couldn’t believe what was happening. I do think it’s nice that the authors tried to add another twist, but this was just too much for me personally because I was so confused about what’s happening
I really enjoyed the first two thirds, it was super suspenseful and while I had some suspicions about who did it, I didn’t expect the twist that was added in here.
The atmosphere was also just soooo good, it felt spooky and autumnal and just right up my alley.
I also loved the themes here, the salt marshes and the witches and the history, it really combined a lot of elements that I loved.
However, the ending was so wild and a bit over the top imo. I had to double-check the genre because I couldn’t believe what was happening. I do think it’s nice that the authors tried to add another twist, but this was just too much for me personally because I was so confused about what’s happening
foiltheplot's review against another edition
3.0
The book finally picked up toward the end but, overall, I was pretty disappointed. Interested to see where they go in the next book.