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Aloysius X.L. Pendergast: A Mysterious Profile
#1 New York Times–bestselling Get to know the ruthless, mysterious FBI agent, “one of thrillerdom’s most exciting and intriguing series leads” (Booklist).
Acclaimed as “a modern-day Sherlock Holmes” (Associated Press) with a brilliant mind, a cultured manner, and a dark edge, Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast has calmly looked evil in the face throughout the long-running series that includes such novels as The Cabinet of Curiosities—named one of NPR’s 100 Best Thrillers Ever—and Crooked River. In this essay, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discuss how the character came to be created, his enigmatic backstory, and the history of their own wildly successful writing partnership.
“The most charming, intelligent, cool, and creepy agent ever written.” —Suspense Magazine
“Every bit the modern equivalent of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.”―Providence Journal
Acclaimed as “a modern-day Sherlock Holmes” (Associated Press) with a brilliant mind, a cultured manner, and a dark edge, Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast has calmly looked evil in the face throughout the long-running series that includes such novels as The Cabinet of Curiosities—named one of NPR’s 100 Best Thrillers Ever—and Crooked River. In this essay, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discuss how the character came to be created, his enigmatic backstory, and the history of their own wildly successful writing partnership.
“The most charming, intelligent, cool, and creepy agent ever written.” —Suspense Magazine
“Every bit the modern equivalent of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.”―Providence Journal
34 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
315 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Preston
178 books13.4k followersDouglas Preston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956, and grew up in the deadly boring suburb of Wellesley. Following a distinguished career at a private nursery school--he was almost immediately expelled--he attended public schools and the Cambridge School of Weston. Notable events in his early life included the loss of a fingertip at the age of three to a bicycle; the loss of his two front teeth to his brother Richard's fist; and various broken bones, also incurred in dust-ups with Richard. (Richard went on to write The Hot Zone and The Cobra Event, which tells you all you need to know about what it was like to grow up with him as a brother.)
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 24, 2022
That was delightful and hilarious. I only wish it was longer. I feel it was a bit abrupt, but that’s Agent Pender especially on background.
You are good to read this if you have read through this if you have gotten at least through the Diogenes trilogy. ;)
There are a couple more of these profiles I hope to get on some awesome detectives and investigators. I didn’t know about this series! Cool!
I especially want to read the Lincoln Rhyme one …
4-4.5
You are good to read this if you have read through this if you have gotten at least through the Diogenes trilogy. ;)
There are a couple more of these profiles I hope to get on some awesome detectives and investigators. I didn’t know about this series! Cool!
I especially want to read the Lincoln Rhyme one …
4-4.5
June 3, 2023
2 Stars
There's nothing new here about Agent Pendergast. It's really an interview with the two authors of the series about their writing process and how they came up with the idea for the first book. Sadly, it's not terribly interesting.
There's nothing new here about Agent Pendergast. It's really an interview with the two authors of the series about their writing process and how they came up with the idea for the first book. Sadly, it's not terribly interesting.
May 23, 2023
Rather interesting
As much as I love the Preston/Childs books, and particularly Agent Pendergast, I couldn’t give this very short novella a 5-star rating. It did answer a few questions that I had not gleaned the answers to from the plethora of books featuring this well-bred, well-educated, well-mannered curmudgeon. Get your dictionaries out for this one folks (does anyone besides me still use a hardcover dictionary?) ‘cause you may need them. Lots of fun!
As much as I love the Preston/Childs books, and particularly Agent Pendergast, I couldn’t give this very short novella a 5-star rating. It did answer a few questions that I had not gleaned the answers to from the plethora of books featuring this well-bred, well-educated, well-mannered curmudgeon. Get your dictionaries out for this one folks (does anyone besides me still use a hardcover dictionary?) ‘cause you may need them. Lots of fun!
July 8, 2023
Aloysius X.L. Pendergast: A Mysterious Profile by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs
This is a short, fun book for fan service. The inventors of Agent Pendergast dialogue about how they met and how their most successful character was developed. Obviously, it is not a Pendergast novel. It can be read in under an hour.
I have read a couple of Pendergast novels but I have steered clear of reading the rest. Preston and Child are good writers. The books I have read have been compelling page-turners, but my sense is that I reading the equivalent of junk food. Pendergast has seemed to me to be obviously a cliche pastiche of several characters. Yet, I know I'm weak and would not be able to put down the mystery I start reading.
After reading this, I may pick up a few more. I found their description of the process of writing Pendergast to be engaging. What does the "L" in his name stand for? They don't know. Pendergast has grown in the telling.
If you are interested in taking a peak behind the curtain, and you like mysteries, this could be a book for you.
This is a short, fun book for fan service. The inventors of Agent Pendergast dialogue about how they met and how their most successful character was developed. Obviously, it is not a Pendergast novel. It can be read in under an hour.
I have read a couple of Pendergast novels but I have steered clear of reading the rest. Preston and Child are good writers. The books I have read have been compelling page-turners, but my sense is that I reading the equivalent of junk food. Pendergast has seemed to me to be obviously a cliche pastiche of several characters. Yet, I know I'm weak and would not be able to put down the mystery I start reading.
After reading this, I may pick up a few more. I found their description of the process of writing Pendergast to be engaging. What does the "L" in his name stand for? They don't know. Pendergast has grown in the telling.
If you are interested in taking a peak behind the curtain, and you like mysteries, this could be a book for you.
October 28, 2023
In this very short mystery profile Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child discuss how they came up with their character Agent Aloysius Pendergast, and how he developed across the series.
“It’s as if Pendergast told us what to do, rather
than the other way around…”
Also included is a little background information on the authors, how they met and how they collaborate on the series.
“It’s as if Pendergast told us what to do, rather
than the other way around…”
Also included is a little background information on the authors, how they met and how they collaborate on the series.
October 10, 2025
Found online at my public library, a really fun read but more about the authors than what I was looking for, the upcoming new release is titled "Pendergast"... still, a lot of fun insight that i hadn't known before.
June 25, 2023
I love Pendergast. Such an enigma and so eccentric. Too bad this profile was so short.
September 2, 2023
Such a joy to get to know Aloysius Pendergast just a little bit better.
September 13, 2024
A three star rating is probably unfair. This book was not what I was expecting although if I had read reviews I would have known. So while the ongoing series of books about Pendergast’s exploits are great, this was a disappointment. Not the authors fault but due to my expectations.
May 27, 2022
Quick easy read and I love the Pendergast series!! One of my favorite book characters of all time! That being said, I expected a bit more out of this. It really did nothing to dispel some of Pendergast’s mystery and myths. Nothing special.
May 24, 2022
It is a 19 page short story nothing else. It's not boring but $2.99 for Nook ebook is not worth spending.
June 2, 2022
I learned more about the authors than their character
I learned that Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child don’t know what X.L. in Pendergast’s name stands for. They also admit that: “The really odd thing is, it turns out we don’t like Pendergast very much.”
Preston: “I am afraid Pendergast reciprocates these chilly feelings toward us.”
Child: “I should add that, while we may not like Pendergast very much as a person (in the way that we like, say, Bill Smithback), we most certainly admire his mind and relish his eccentricities.”
These are short excerpts, so you’ll have to read the authors’ “book” for the rest. I will say that their explanations about their likes/dislikes regarding Pendergast are on point. I do love Agent Pendergast as a detective protagonist, but if he were a real-world person, he’d be ‘way out of my spheres.
The authors also include “a transcription of the original version of the one and only ‘interview’” they had with Agent Pendergast. It’s not pretty, but again, it’s very much on point. After all, it is FBI Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast.
I learned that Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child don’t know what X.L. in Pendergast’s name stands for. They also admit that: “The really odd thing is, it turns out we don’t like Pendergast very much.”
Preston: “I am afraid Pendergast reciprocates these chilly feelings toward us.”
Child: “I should add that, while we may not like Pendergast very much as a person (in the way that we like, say, Bill Smithback), we most certainly admire his mind and relish his eccentricities.”
These are short excerpts, so you’ll have to read the authors’ “book” for the rest. I will say that their explanations about their likes/dislikes regarding Pendergast are on point. I do love Agent Pendergast as a detective protagonist, but if he were a real-world person, he’d be ‘way out of my spheres.
The authors also include “a transcription of the original version of the one and only ‘interview’” they had with Agent Pendergast. It’s not pretty, but again, it’s very much on point. After all, it is FBI Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2022
I pride myself on having owned and read most books written by Lincoln Child and/or Douglas Preston. Their rhythm of chapters building, dove-tailing into one another, side-story after side story, until that long waited for unforeseeable twist near the end, appeals to my choice of story, pace and themes.
This book takes one of their, if not their most iconic, character of the majority of their books, Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast and discusses the creative process of his many idiosyncrasies that make him such a loved character.
It reflects on a imagined interview between his creators and himself and just how that might play out. Those, such as I, who are die-hard Pendergast fans can never seem to get enough of alk the back stories that make up his life.
This small book helped to explain not only the history of the partnership between Child and Preston but their methodologies and ongoing development of Agent Pendergast. If you’re a Pendergast fan, take a break and read this.
This book takes one of their, if not their most iconic, character of the majority of their books, Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast and discusses the creative process of his many idiosyncrasies that make him such a loved character.
It reflects on a imagined interview between his creators and himself and just how that might play out. Those, such as I, who are die-hard Pendergast fans can never seem to get enough of alk the back stories that make up his life.
This small book helped to explain not only the history of the partnership between Child and Preston but their methodologies and ongoing development of Agent Pendergast. If you’re a Pendergast fan, take a break and read this.
July 20, 2022
Awesome
I wish that the interview could’ve gone in further detail and that agent Pendergast will not be so, elusive about his family and personal life. And I wish Paramont, would make Pendergast movies I don’t understand, they bought the rights to relic, how they could control the creators, Douglas Preston and Lincoln child, from using this character. May be Mr. Preston and Mr. child can make up an alter ego for Pendergast? So we can commence on making awesome movies, instead of fast and furious 92. No disrespect Mr. Vin Diesel. Well I will await anxiously for January 2023 when the new Pendergast book comes out.
I wish that the interview could’ve gone in further detail and that agent Pendergast will not be so, elusive about his family and personal life. And I wish Paramont, would make Pendergast movies I don’t understand, they bought the rights to relic, how they could control the creators, Douglas Preston and Lincoln child, from using this character. May be Mr. Preston and Mr. child can make up an alter ego for Pendergast? So we can commence on making awesome movies, instead of fast and furious 92. No disrespect Mr. Vin Diesel. Well I will await anxiously for January 2023 when the new Pendergast book comes out.
February 22, 2023
Excellent
For one who has read all the Prendergast books, (and all of the other Preston and Child published writings), this short interview does not really reveal anything new about Prendergast. Rather what interested means most was the reveal on how Preston and Child work together, share their creative talents, lead and follow in the writing, and take on the editing. After so many years and books together, they are clearly good friends, synergistic in their communications with each other, and consistently achieve a quality, and quantity, of results that exceed the sum of their individual contributions.
For one who has read all the Prendergast books, (and all of the other Preston and Child published writings), this short interview does not really reveal anything new about Prendergast. Rather what interested means most was the reveal on how Preston and Child work together, share their creative talents, lead and follow in the writing, and take on the editing. After so many years and books together, they are clearly good friends, synergistic in their communications with each other, and consistently achieve a quality, and quantity, of results that exceed the sum of their individual contributions.
November 13, 2023
The "A Mysterious Profile" series presents around 20 short "biographies" of the central figures in mystery series novels by well known authors. I read those by authors/characters/series that I most enjoy, but will read the entire series. Each episode so far has been fun to read. Some are mainly the author talking about the origins of their series, while others are short stories that illustrate the origins.
Here are the ones I've read so far:
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast.
Hieronymus Bosch
John Rebus
Jane Whitefield
Here are the ones I've read so far:
Aloysius X. L. Pendergast.
Hieronymus Bosch
John Rebus
Jane Whitefield
May 27, 2022
Preston and child discuss Pendergast
Readers are given tantalizing insights into one of the if not the most mysterious of literary heroes. It becomes readily apparent why fans of Prendergast eagerly await every new novel. This brief glimpse, while intriguing (to say the least), leaves us the readers wanting more of this character's history slipped in every now or then (or even better, a novel of a case that is solved only by Prendergast past)
Readers are given tantalizing insights into one of the if not the most mysterious of literary heroes. It becomes readily apparent why fans of Prendergast eagerly await every new novel. This brief glimpse, while intriguing (to say the least), leaves us the readers wanting more of this character's history slipped in every now or then (or even better, a novel of a case that is solved only by Prendergast past)
September 20, 2022
A teaser An absolute teaser !
Still need to know about the parking lot In NOLA Still need Obviously more Prendergast novels, more info on his ward Tho we do have Some good Tidbits On her background. So much In the way of Good story telling in New York NOLA , And the American southwest And his his his historical Connections With the Maya. These books are great And apparently you are doing well with them. Keep up the great work. I get grumpy Without a good book.
Still need to know about the parking lot In NOLA Still need Obviously more Prendergast novels, more info on his ward Tho we do have Some good Tidbits On her background. So much In the way of Good story telling in New York NOLA , And the American southwest And his his his historical Connections With the Maya. These books are great And apparently you are doing well with them. Keep up the great work. I get grumpy Without a good book.
March 4, 2023
Not long enough for the price
I eagerly awaited reading this but was totally disappointed with the brief nature. It did explain how these writers got together, and why there are no pendergast movies or series. But left me wanting more information. This was obviously written a long time ago and is way behind the book series. Like my disappointment at them splitting their most recent book into 2. Don't waste your money on this
I eagerly awaited reading this but was totally disappointed with the brief nature. It did explain how these writers got together, and why there are no pendergast movies or series. But left me wanting more information. This was obviously written a long time ago and is way behind the book series. Like my disappointment at them splitting their most recent book into 2. Don't waste your money on this
April 17, 2023
Not worth $2.99 but Amazon runs periodic Kindle sales. Probably advisable to check out from your local library if they have the book (being generous in the definition) available.
At 34 pages, the content is a quick fun read but most of it is a rehashing of an older 2004 audible "interview" with Pendergast. Would have liked to have gotten to at least 30-50 pages of "new" content for this to feel worthwhile.
Sort of feels like a way to make a quick buck.
At 34 pages, the content is a quick fun read but most of it is a rehashing of an older 2004 audible "interview" with Pendergast. Would have liked to have gotten to at least 30-50 pages of "new" content for this to feel worthwhile.
Sort of feels like a way to make a quick buck.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2023
How interesting to read a biography about a fictional character, or rather, a telling of how the character came to be and how he seems to reveal more and more of himself over time to the authors who created him. I enjoyed this glimpse into their writing and creating process and was shocked to hear them say they don’t really like Pendergast and don’t know all details about him yet (like what his middle initials stand for).
May 10, 2024
4.5* and half star off is only for the misleading title.
This is a nice insight into how Preston and Child met and began to collaborate, their writing process, and the genesis of Pendergast's character. It is not, by any stretch, a profile of the character himself. Preston and Child are engaging even in this format. It's particularly nice that they've maintained their back and forth style here, since that's apparently the way they co-write their books.
This is a nice insight into how Preston and Child met and began to collaborate, their writing process, and the genesis of Pendergast's character. It is not, by any stretch, a profile of the character himself. Preston and Child are engaging even in this format. It's particularly nice that they've maintained their back and forth style here, since that's apparently the way they co-write their books.
June 10, 2022
This was a great starting point in the history and creation of Pendergast. But there is still so much to learn about his backstory. Especially in the military, just cannot see the regimentation and discipline working for Pendergast at all. Both authors have such an interesting writing style and mix up together so well to put out some great reads. I look forward to more from these authors.
July 1, 2022
Insights into the author and his creation
As much as I enjoyed learning about AXLP the discussion between Lincoln and Child was intriguing. Their collaborative relationship in creating an incredible body of work was an enjoyable revelation of a of a close working relationship between two friends and professionals.
As much as I enjoyed learning about AXLP the discussion between Lincoln and Child was intriguing. Their collaborative relationship in creating an incredible body of work was an enjoyable revelation of a of a close working relationship between two friends and professionals.
October 4, 2023
Pendergast revealed
If you love the many novels written by Douglas Preston and Linc Childs, you will adore this brief summary of AXL Prendergast. This main captivating character is certainly well defined. You will also gain insight into how Preston & Child's writing relationship came about. Excellent!
If you love the many novels written by Douglas Preston and Linc Childs, you will adore this brief summary of AXL Prendergast. This main captivating character is certainly well defined. You will also gain insight into how Preston & Child's writing relationship came about. Excellent!
May 25, 2022
Can't learn enough about Pendergast.
Special Agent Pendergast is one my favorite literary characters. Fascinating how Mr. Preston and Mr. Child created him. I always pictured Charles Dance as Pendergast-wish there will be a movie some day.
Special Agent Pendergast is one my favorite literary characters. Fascinating how Mr. Preston and Mr. Child created him. I always pictured Charles Dance as Pendergast-wish there will be a movie some day.
May 26, 2022
Pendergast
I have read all of the novels written about Pendergast and they are the very best mystery novels I've ever read! I look forward to continue reading about this marvelous man.please don't ever stop!! Nick lacetera
I have read all of the novels written about Pendergast and they are the very best mystery novels I've ever read! I look forward to continue reading about this marvelous man.please don't ever stop!! Nick lacetera
June 1, 2022
For all Pendergast fans
Like the authors, I find agent Pendergast to be an almost mythical character. I can easily see how he actually writes himself a bit differently in each novel.
Like the authors, I find agent Pendergast to be an almost mythical character. I can easily see how he actually writes himself a bit differently in each novel.
June 17, 2022
Pendergast is the bomb.
I liked getting to know Pendergast better although he is still almost too discreet. I've been an avid fan of his for years. Thank you for introducing him to us while not working a case.
I liked getting to know Pendergast better although he is still almost too discreet. I've been an avid fan of his for years. Thank you for introducing him to us while not working a case.
July 1, 2022
Liked it a lot
The short story was very informative -- up to a point, but was too short. What I liked the most was the descriptions of the authors and how they interacted with one another. I also liked the description of how they related to Pendergast. Interesting!
The short story was very informative -- up to a point, but was too short. What I liked the most was the descriptions of the authors and how they interacted with one another. I also liked the description of how they related to Pendergast. Interesting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews