Cemetery Dance (original 2009; edition 2009)

Weird story. Very slow start. Very fast finish. I find it interesting that the only reference to Constance is two sentences between Pendergast and Wren. This is indicative of the authors' methodology -- the convenience fairy. Still, I continue to read this series! ( )

Agt. Pendergast is back and wondering who do that voodoo so well. This series has really lost its zip. The plots feel tenuous and silly. They killed off one of the more interesting characters. It just doesn't feel like their heart is in it as they crank the handle of this money-making machine. Too bad.

Another disappointment: At this point they're just moving characters around like Action Figures. They don't seem to be growing or developing. ( )

FBI Special Agent Pendergast is assisting Lt. D'Agosta in the investigation of a murder that has hit them both close to home. Their friend, Bill Smithback, has been murdered in his home on the night of his first anniversary. The perp has been positively id'd by Smithback's wife, Nora Kelly, and several others in the building as neighbor Colin Fearing. The problem? Colin died about two weeks earlier. Twists and turns lead through animal rights groups, allegations of voodoo, squatters on public land, and rumors of zombiis.

I have to admit that I always see problems with Preston and Child novels and yet I can't ever seem to put them down. I don't even particularly like any of their characters, but the convoluted plot lines keep me so intrigued that I just keep turning pages.

Parts of this were just silly. Let me see how I can phrase this...The way the bad guy is stopped actually made me laugh, it was that silly. I hope that's vague enough. Pendergast is pretty much superhuman. In the two books of his I've read, he knows about voodoo, he can perform the Japanese tea ceremony, he's mastered some sort of transcendental Buddhist meditation technique, and I'm pretty sure he's a master of at least one martial art form. I don't know much about any of these things, but I do think I know enough to know that each one of these would take years and years and years to master. And he's mastered them all, plus more? C'mon.

I would have liked a little more resolution at the end. The crashing climax is big, complicated, and messy, but only the main point is addressed. There were all kinds of issues raised that had absolutely no resolution.

I am surprised that these books haven't been made into movies. They're just exactly the kind of thing that would rake in beaucoup bucks at the box office, and they already even play like movies in my head. The authors must not want it to happen. I feel sure that offers have to have been made.

For a quick, mindless page-turner, this is a lot of fun. It would be perfect in between weightier books. There is a bit of an order though, so you might want to pick up [b:Relic|67035|Relic (A Pendergast Novel)|Douglas Preston|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170665293s/67035.jpg|23046], the first Pendergast novel, first. I've read them all out of order though, and I think I've missed out on a little, but not much. ( )

I actually one this from a blog contest.

First book I read about FBI inspector Pendergast was "The Relic". Great novel, much better than the movie adaptation (as it should be the case :))

I like the story's pace, it's fast and something is going on all the time. When it comes to thrillers this is something I truly look for and enjoy.

Story begins with a bizarre murder of a journalist (introduced in yet another Douglas/Child novel "Thunderhead"). As the mystery unfolds all supernatural elements are disclosed and truth is finally revealed (I won't say anything more - it would only ruin the experience). Pendergast is his usual self. On the other hand I got serious worried for D'Agosta, man gets upset really fast.

If you liked Relic you'll love this one. One can see some signs so common to books written as part of the series but authors managed to deliver interesting, action-packed story with enough twists and turns to make everybody happy.

Recommended.
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