Can't wait for the next one! | Fever Dream | Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Worth the wait | Fever Dream | Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

books:


	• Fever Dream Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Grand Central Publishing, 2010 - 416 pages average customer review:based on 115 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Thrilling

Fever Dream, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's latest offering in their Aloysius Pendergast series, is a full-scale assault on the minds of their readers. Pendergast's relationship with his beloved dead wife gets explored in this one and a lot is revealed that will shock and awe readers that think they knew everything about her. I loved the edge-of-the-seat feeling the authors maintained throughout the book while at the same time throwing curveballs and changing up the whole mix.

This tenth book in the Pendergast series may divide the fan base somewhat because the scope of the book turns more internal and doesn't immediately lock horns with one of those weird cases the FBI's strangest agents gets caught up in. I know I was somewhat disappointed to learn that Helen Pendergast's story was going to be revealed - at first. I hadn't counted on the authors doing so and providing a lot of the pulpy goodness they've been supplying since the first book.

The scenes in Africa are enjoyable, and they made me want to read Preston and Child's version of a big game hunter on safari in the Dark Continent. They capture the mood and atmosphere in a way that just swept my imagination along. The opening sequences, grim and foreboding and horrifying, move quickly and were actually shorter than I'd expected.

Then the real mystery begins when Pendergast discovers that his wife's rifle was loaded with blanks and that the lion they were hunting when she died was trained to kill. But the story wouldn't be right without historical strangeness thrown in that sounds like it could actually be true.

This time around, the strangeness comes around in the story of John James Audubon, the famed ornithologist who authored (and drew) Birds of America. When I was a kid, I had a passing acquaintance with Audubon and had even read a biography of him. Audubon just didn't seem that interesting then. But now, even without the embellishments the authors throw in, I was fascinated by the man's life. There were a lot of ups and downs, a lot of challenges.

Preston and Child use Audubon's history, as well as his stint in a mental hospital, and warp it into a great concoction that provides part of the mystery that propels Pendergast to action.

The back and forth pacing is good, and kept me turning the pages, but I wished the point of view had remained with Pendergast more. I don't know why it didn't. When Pendergast went to New York and recruited Vincent D'Agosta, the homicide lieutenant took over the show for a time and Pendergast kind of faded. Then, after D'Agosta was taken off the gameboard, Captain Laura Hayward steps in to replace him and the point of view shifts to her.

The pacing of the book is fantastic. Even when the authors are setting up history or setting or characters, the short, briskly written chapters charge forward. I ended up going past my allotted time for reading (and staying up late) each time I sat down with the novel.

The final sequences of the book are tense and spooky and unrelenting. Pendergast's showdown with the man that ordered his wife's murder is psychologically well done and well played, but it's his revenge on the hunters and fishermen that jumped Hayward and him that really had me cheering.

The book has an obvious hook setting the sequel in place, and I really didn't care for that. I think those chapters should have been used in the next book without putting them in this one. When the next book comes out, they're going to have to cover the information about Constance Green (Pendergast's ward) all over again. But I am curious about what's going on and what will happen, which I'm sure was the authors' intent.

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Can't wait for the next one!

I've been following the adventures of FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast since Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's first collaboration. Fever Dream is the tenth book in the series.

Pendergast has just uncovered evidence that points to murder, not an accident as was accepted, in the death of his wife Helen almost 12 years ago. Pendergast is a bit of an enigma - he plays his cards close to his chest, so learning more about his personal life is a revelation. He calls on his dependable sidekick NYPD Detective Vinnie D'Agosta to help him. Vinnie agrees against the wishes of his girlfriend, Homicide Captain Laura Hayward.

Inexplicably, it seems that Helen engineered meeting Pendergast to use his connections to a folio of works by the famed artist John James Audubon. As the pair dig deeper, following a trail that leads to the bayous of Louisiana, Pendergast finds himself knowing less and less about the woman he married, but still determined to avenge her death.

There's a great subplot involving Pendergast's mysterious ward Constance Green as well.

I love this character, from his slow southern drawl to his mysterious powers of deduction and his seemingly inexhaustible store of knowledge. The cases usually involve interesting pieces of history as well. The books are definitely action and plot driven. They're great fun for escapist reading or listening.

I listened to Fever Dream. Réne Auberjonois has quite a few books in this series and his voice conjures up Pendergast perfectly.

The ending is happily set up for the next in the series!

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Worth the wait

Some time ago I posted a review of the last Lincoln/Child book and expressed a desire to know more about Pendergast before Relic. Thank you ! Finally some personal insight to what makes him tick. We have heard about his childhood with his brother and strange family but something so personal as his married life was refreshing. The overall concept of the plot was less interesting than Pendergast and his desire to solve the mystery of his wife's death. Still left wondering if she didnt orchestrate meeting and marrying him and I think he is going to continue to struggle with that for some time in future books. Now I have to mention Constance.... I am baffled as to why she was even brought into this book. I can only hope that it was laying some ground work for the next one. Her character and the seperate plot was strange and left me scratching my head. Other than that one thing I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves to read about Agent Pendergast.

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Finally.....

After the last two Pendergast novels I was a little wary about purchasing this one (let's face it, the last two were almost forgetful)...but so glad I took a chance. The writing is reminiscent of their previous works ("Cabinet of Curiosities" and "Still Life with Crows"), where it grabs a hold of you and refuses to let go. My only complaint is the ending seemed rushed and maybe a little confusing, just felt it came to an end too quickly. Otherwise, I would very much recommend this book.

These guys can spin a tale!

Nobody can create history and tie twists and turns and tidbits into a plot like Preston & Child! They rock. I always enjoy their books, and Fever Dream was very good! I enjoyed the setting and the building of the plot, especially Audubon and the facets of Longitude Pharmaceuticals. The climax on Spanish Island was a fast-paced thrill ride, but the book just rapidly ends with a very terse closing which left me feeling the book was short. I must say I did not appreciate the scene of Captain Hayward having her blouse ripped off. It was gratuitous and pointless and only male authors seem to use this disgusting type of writing thinking it's "Sensational". If it was intended to "bring Hayward down a notch", it was unnecessary and offensive. My other complaint would be as other reviewers have said with the cliffhanger ending. It was more than just a loose end, it was the biggest loose end I feel the authors have ever resorted to and I felt just a little disappointed and let down.

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Yesterday, Special Agent Pendergast still mourned the loss of his beloved wife, Helen, who died in a tragic accident in Africa twelve years ago.

Today, he discovers she was murdered.

Tomorrow, he will learn her most guarded secrets, leaving him to wonder: Who was the woman I married? Why was she murdered? And, above all . . . Who murdered her?

FEVER DREAM

Revenge is not sweet: It is essential.