Book Review: Two Graves, by Preston & Child
I've been a fan of Preston & Child's brilliant creation, Special Agent Pendergast, since 2007 when I accidentally stumbled across The Book of the Dead in a Monegasque bookstore (it was one of the novels for sale in English. Yes, I also purchased and read novels in French, but sometimes, it was nice to read English ;-). Unbeknownst to me, that tale was part of the Diogenes trilogy, which I promptly started reading when I returned to the US, then I went back and read from the beginning (Relic), all the way through the current installment in the "series" -- Two Graves.
The last installment, Cold Vengeance, left me wanting. The traits that draw me to the series is it's pseudo-science, as well as Pendergast's eccentricities, oddities, super-human qualities at times -- he can be a bit of a Mary Sue because he's so perfect (in some ways) and totally gets out of bad situations in amazing, super-human ways. Cold Vengeance was lacking in those traits. I'm happy to report they are back in Two Graves.
Two Graves leaves off right where Cold Vengeance ended -- Pendergast was about to meet his long-thought-to-be-dead-wife, Helen. He does meet her, briefly, before she is kidnapped. Pendergast tracks her down, and makes VERY surprising finds along the way. VERY SURPRISING. Almost "jumping the shark", but not quite.
Pendergast is in top form as everyone's favorite FBI agent who gets away with rule-breaking, intimidation, and general misbehavior just to get the job done, and it's a joy to read. The signature Preston & Child "science" is back, which reaches right to the edge of your suspension of disbelief. It sounds like it almost might work. Another super-human character is added as an antagonist to Pendergast, from a most surprising plot twist (I had suspected, based on things said in previous novels, but, well...!). And last but not least -- Nazis. Everyone's favorite villains.
I do suggest re-reading Fever Dream and Cold Vengeance before delving into Two Graves, as this book makes many references to the past two (usually, Preston & Child novels can stand alone, but it certainly helps to have the background of the previous two in mind when reading this one). There are also pleasant side-stories involving Corrie and Constance that are suspenseful and satisfying for the characters.
I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
The last installment, Cold Vengeance, left me wanting. The traits that draw me to the series is it's pseudo-science, as well as Pendergast's eccentricities, oddities, super-human qualities at times -- he can be a bit of a Mary Sue because he's so perfect (in some ways) and totally gets out of bad situations in amazing, super-human ways. Cold Vengeance was lacking in those traits. I'm happy to report they are back in Two Graves.
Two Graves leaves off right where Cold Vengeance ended -- Pendergast was about to meet his long-thought-to-be-dead-wife, Helen. He does meet her, briefly, before she is kidnapped. Pendergast tracks her down, and makes VERY surprising finds along the way. VERY SURPRISING. Almost "jumping the shark", but not quite.
Pendergast is in top form as everyone's favorite FBI agent who gets away with rule-breaking, intimidation, and general misbehavior just to get the job done, and it's a joy to read. The signature Preston & Child "science" is back, which reaches right to the edge of your suspension of disbelief. It sounds like it almost might work. Another super-human character is added as an antagonist to Pendergast, from a most surprising plot twist (I had suspected, based on things said in previous novels, but, well...!). And last but not least -- Nazis. Everyone's favorite villains.
I do suggest re-reading Fever Dream and Cold Vengeance before delving into Two Graves, as this book makes many references to the past two (usually, Preston & Child novels can stand alone, but it certainly helps to have the background of the previous two in mind when reading this one). There are also pleasant side-stories involving Corrie and Constance that are suspenseful and satisfying for the characters.
I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
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