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354 reviews for:
Натюрморт с гарвани
Douglas Preston, Douglas Preston, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
4.07 AVERAGE
354 reviews for:
Натюрморт с гарвани
Douglas Preston, Douglas Preston, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
4.07 AVERAGE
This is more like a 3 1/2 stars for me. I enjoyed the installment in the Pendergast series, but not as much as I enjoyed the previous ones. I will say I loved Cory and the story still had me guessing.
I've been working my way through the Pendergast series, they have been a fun addition to my shelves. Nothing to take too seriously but to enjoy for the twist and thrill.
I've been working my way through the Pendergast series, they have been a fun addition to my shelves. Nothing to take too seriously but to enjoy for the twist and thrill.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Because truth is the safest lie."
I'm in love - this book has now pushed itself to the top of the line of the first four novels from the talented team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
Pendergast actually leaves New York and travels to a small, dying town that's covered in cornfields and old Indian Legend. When the dust settles, it's clear they have a demented killer at hand. At first the sheriff blames an outsider, but it soon become apparent it's someone nearer to them than that...the only question that seems to remain for Pendergast to solve, is the monster even human?
While New York and its impressive museum provided a playground of fascinating riddles and exploration options, I was ready for a breather and break from the big city. This small town with it's backward appeal was the perfect solution. Hopefully it's not just me who thinks of the creepiness from Children of the Corn whenever cornfields are involved. They're used effectively in a lot of horror movies and scenes for good reason. I loved the mystery of this story,but the setting makes it impressive with the fragile and uptight innkeeper Pendergast stays with, the greasy spoon Pendergast shocks by making a steak tartar (ew, but probably wise decision considering the food options.) There's also the town's side story of trying to become the choice of genetically engineered corn. This brings up research to ponder later when the book is closed.
Pendergast is kind of the James Bond of the FBI. Although I could do without the weird laying down and solving crimes scene where he almost supernaturally travels in the past (what is that?), the quiet mannered and effective detective is still addictive. Corrie as his assistant was a nice touch since the purple haired sidekick proved to be intriguing and fun (loved the ending with her). The crime is not solved merely by chance, but by visiting town residents and settling deep into the history of the place, from an aged Indian massacre, town politics and hidden mine systems. The killings are definitely brutal, and like Pendergast I couldn't find rhyme or reason on the solution. The ending was a delight because it shows something hidden under all our noses the entire time, a twisted twist for sure that made the book even closer to achieving perfection.
Even the sheriff's office proves more interesting than you'd first thing. At first I was ready to hate the overbearing sheriff with his brutish ways and sympathize with the simple Tad, but it grew even more complex than this one-dimensional plot trope, coming okay at the end.
Definitely my favorite of the first four, Still Life with Crows is creative with its story-line, keeps you guessing, has plenty of tense moments, dishes out a perfect ending, and features plenty of Pendergast. Throw in the creepy small town setting and some well-done side characters, and call me a serious fan of this book. Unlike The Cabinet of Curiosities, the generous page count is warranted with this one.
I'm in love - this book has now pushed itself to the top of the line of the first four novels from the talented team of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
Pendergast actually leaves New York and travels to a small, dying town that's covered in cornfields and old Indian Legend. When the dust settles, it's clear they have a demented killer at hand. At first the sheriff blames an outsider, but it soon become apparent it's someone nearer to them than that...the only question that seems to remain for Pendergast to solve, is the monster even human?
While New York and its impressive museum provided a playground of fascinating riddles and exploration options, I was ready for a breather and break from the big city. This small town with it's backward appeal was the perfect solution. Hopefully it's not just me who thinks of the creepiness from Children of the Corn whenever cornfields are involved. They're used effectively in a lot of horror movies and scenes for good reason. I loved the mystery of this story,but the setting makes it impressive with the fragile and uptight innkeeper Pendergast stays with, the greasy spoon Pendergast shocks by making a steak tartar (ew, but probably wise decision considering the food options.) There's also the town's side story of trying to become the choice of genetically engineered corn. This brings up research to ponder later when the book is closed.
Pendergast is kind of the James Bond of the FBI. Although I could do without the weird laying down and solving crimes scene where he almost supernaturally travels in the past (what is that?), the quiet mannered and effective detective is still addictive. Corrie as his assistant was a nice touch since the purple haired sidekick proved to be intriguing and fun (loved the ending with her). The crime is not solved merely by chance, but by visiting town residents and settling deep into the history of the place, from an aged Indian massacre, town politics and hidden mine systems. The killings are definitely brutal, and like Pendergast I couldn't find rhyme or reason on the solution. The ending was a delight because it shows something hidden under all our noses the entire time, a twisted twist for sure that made the book even closer to achieving perfection.
Even the sheriff's office proves more interesting than you'd first thing. At first I was ready to hate the overbearing sheriff with his brutish ways and sympathize with the simple Tad, but it grew even more complex than this one-dimensional plot trope, coming okay at the end.
Definitely my favorite of the first four, Still Life with Crows is creative with its story-line, keeps you guessing, has plenty of tense moments, dishes out a perfect ending, and features plenty of Pendergast. Throw in the creepy small town setting and some well-done side characters, and call me a serious fan of this book. Unlike The Cabinet of Curiosities, the generous page count is warranted with this one.
I did not realize that this was part of a series prior to dropping in to write a review. Possibly, some of my qualms with this book would have been lessened had I known this or read the preceding books before this one. That said, my review is based on a standalone reading which, is not necessarily fair but is, nonetheless, how I read it.
My first issue with this book is Pendergast. Perhaps having read the earlier books would have provided a better lens through which to see him, but in a standalone reading, I found him utterly unbelievable. I’ve read comparisons between this character and Rust Cohle, which is what drew me to purchase and read this novel, and I could catch glimpses of reasoning behind the comparison, but where I believed Cohle, I did not believe Pendergast. Without getting too specific or spoiling anything, I will say that the “vision” (I forget what it was called in the text) was a little too far out for me as well.
Another character that I found unbelievable is Corie. Her character type was believable enough, but her edges were a bit extreme or all over the place for me. I did not enjoy her chapters and I did not find her association with Pendergast believable or likely.
The killings were somewhat interesting. Even so, I wasn’t intrigued by them and felt they, too, were too far out there. The explanation for them at the end was only partially satisfying in that, while you’re given a reason, it left you with a lot of additional questions (yet none compelling enough to spend any time thinking over).
There were elements of a good story in this book. It was unique. The villain was unusual. The history was interesting and the setting was creepy enough. It was all there, I just felt it was not executed as well as it could have been. It didn’t quite get there for me.
Again, a lot of my issues might have been eliminated by having read the preceding books, had I known about them. After having read Crows, however, I am not compelled to continue any further with this series.
It’s not that it’s ‘bad’ or that I don’t recommend reading it, it just took me forever to get into it and wasn’t fulfilling in the end for me. Despite my interest level in the storyline, the actual execution was boring for me and I found it difficult to pick it up and keep going.
My first issue with this book is Pendergast. Perhaps having read the earlier books would have provided a better lens through which to see him, but in a standalone reading, I found him utterly unbelievable. I’ve read comparisons between this character and Rust Cohle, which is what drew me to purchase and read this novel, and I could catch glimpses of reasoning behind the comparison, but where I believed Cohle, I did not believe Pendergast. Without getting too specific or spoiling anything, I will say that the “vision” (I forget what it was called in the text) was a little too far out for me as well.
Another character that I found unbelievable is Corie. Her character type was believable enough, but her edges were a bit extreme or all over the place for me. I did not enjoy her chapters and I did not find her association with Pendergast believable or likely.
The killings were somewhat interesting. Even so, I wasn’t intrigued by them and felt they, too, were too far out there. The explanation for them at the end was only partially satisfying in that, while you’re given a reason, it left you with a lot of additional questions (yet none compelling enough to spend any time thinking over).
There were elements of a good story in this book. It was unique. The villain was unusual. The history was interesting and the setting was creepy enough. It was all there, I just felt it was not executed as well as it could have been. It didn’t quite get there for me.
Again, a lot of my issues might have been eliminated by having read the preceding books, had I known about them. After having read Crows, however, I am not compelled to continue any further with this series.
It’s not that it’s ‘bad’ or that I don’t recommend reading it, it just took me forever to get into it and wasn’t fulfilling in the end for me. Despite my interest level in the storyline, the actual execution was boring for me and I found it difficult to pick it up and keep going.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Murder
I would have enjoyed this book more if I was not a resident of the area in which it is set. It was obvious that neither author had spent significant time in southwest Kansas!
Right now I'm seeing Hollywood make all these needless, lame redo movies. Ghostbusters. Tarzan. Even Dirty dancing and for Gods sake Footloose were remade
(WHY?????) and then I read a book like this and wonder- why doesn't someone make THAT in a movie. This book, as a movie, would scare the bajeezers outta me. Just don't do horrible casting like Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher (don't get me started). This book has all the intrigue and crazy scariness needed. I mean that write more later but tonight I'm tired and mentioning Cruise made me ill.
(WHY?????) and then I read a book like this and wonder- why doesn't someone make THAT in a movie. This book, as a movie, would scare the bajeezers outta me. Just don't do horrible casting like Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher (don't get me started). This book has all the intrigue and crazy scariness needed. I mean that write more later but tonight I'm tired and mentioning Cruise made me ill.
adventurous
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