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Fiction. Literature. Thriller. HTML:An FBI agent, rotting away in a high-security prison for a murder he did not commit...His brilliant, psychotic brother, about to perpetrate a horrific crime...
A young woman with an extrodinary past, on th edge of a violent breakdown...
An ancient Egyptian tomb with an enigmatic curse, about to be unveiled at a celebrity-studded New York gala...
Memento Mori.
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Pendergast doesn't show up much until later for good reason - usually I hate prison scenes in books (and movies), but his was worth reading, of course. He is the James Bond of the detective world for sure, but at least most of his mysticism was dialed back besides this one pain burying scene - and a memory echo chamber - so, nevermind. We get many returning characters to play their role, some hardly on page and some pretty present. The Egyptian backstory was particularly good - for some reason I've read a few mummy related stories this month. While small side characters, some of my favorites were actually the special effects crew with their gaming addiction and Landys irritation with his enthusiastic counterpart.
I still am not sure show more what to think of Constance in every book; she's a bit out there and surreal. Finally we get a wrap up since this is Diogenes 3 as I always found that a bit hokey. The ending line though - we shall see what happens as it was a mini cliffhanger. show less
I still am not sure show more what to think of Constance in every book; she's a bit out there and surreal. Finally we get a wrap up since this is Diogenes 3 as I always found that a bit hokey. The ending line though - we shall see what happens as it was a mini cliffhanger. show less
Uno pensaría que después de 7 libros del mismo corte, ya tendríamos suficiente de más de lo mismo, pero, pues no.
Estos autores tienen una enorme capacidad de escribir historias trepidantes, interesantes, narradas de manera inteligente, con un ritmo impresionante.
Este sin duda es una perfecta continuación del libro anterior y no me cabe ninguna duda que Diógenes se merece que se escribiera una trilogía solo para él, es uno de los malvados más malvados que he leído, un asesino inteligente, audaz, con una cantidad de odio suficiente para matar a sangre fría, para orquestar un intrincado plan para hacer matar dos pájaros de un tiro, vengarse de su hermano y asesinar, que es una de las cosas que más disfruta.
Es un libro que show more tiene un thriller que en algún momento resulta hasta angustiante, que me ha tenido absolutamente absorbida.
Aún y cuando sabemos cómo va a terminar la historia, resulta que no sabemos cómo vamos a llegar a ese final y por supuesto en el proceso me ha contado una historia además desgarradora y que al final resulta en un giro que honestamente no me esperaba.
Por supuesto nos volvemos a encontrar con todos aquellos personajes ya bastante conocidos desde el primer libro, creo que cada uno va tomando su propia fuerza, pero no podemos evitar que Pendergast es un protagonista fuera de serie y en esta trilogía se ha topado con la horma de su zapato.
Me ha encantado, este libro y la trilogía completa y cada libro de la serie también, soy una declarada fan.
Además es que es una serie que tiene una mezcla perfecta de Thriller, novela negra, novela policíaca, novela de aventuras, con toques paranormales, pero ojo, todo lo que sea paranormal resulta en cosas que siempre, siempre terminan siendo perfectamente explicadas científicamente aún y cuando sabemos que esa explicación "científica" es inventada, que lo hace que esa parte paranormal en realidad no es tal, en fin que es original en ese sentido.
Como siempre digo, son libros completamente del estilo norteamericano, muy peliculeros, pero ¡caray! que no puedo evitar que me súper encante y que definitivamente la serie seguirá en mi lista de pendientes por leer y que ¡No se acabe Pendergast! show less
Estos autores tienen una enorme capacidad de escribir historias trepidantes, interesantes, narradas de manera inteligente, con un ritmo impresionante.
Este sin duda es una perfecta continuación del libro anterior y no me cabe ninguna duda que Diógenes se merece que se escribiera una trilogía solo para él, es uno de los malvados más malvados que he leído, un asesino inteligente, audaz, con una cantidad de odio suficiente para matar a sangre fría, para orquestar un intrincado plan para hacer matar dos pájaros de un tiro, vengarse de su hermano y asesinar, que es una de las cosas que más disfruta.
Es un libro que show more tiene un thriller que en algún momento resulta hasta angustiante, que me ha tenido absolutamente absorbida.
Aún y cuando sabemos cómo va a terminar la historia, resulta que no sabemos cómo vamos a llegar a ese final y por supuesto en el proceso me ha contado una historia además desgarradora y que al final resulta en un giro que honestamente no me esperaba.
Por supuesto nos volvemos a encontrar con todos aquellos personajes ya bastante conocidos desde el primer libro, creo que cada uno va tomando su propia fuerza, pero no podemos evitar que Pendergast es un protagonista fuera de serie y en esta trilogía se ha topado con la horma de su zapato.
Me ha encantado, este libro y la trilogía completa y cada libro de la serie también, soy una declarada fan.
Además es que es una serie que tiene una mezcla perfecta de Thriller, novela negra, novela policíaca, novela de aventuras, con toques paranormales, pero ojo, todo lo que sea paranormal resulta en cosas que siempre, siempre terminan siendo perfectamente explicadas científicamente aún y cuando sabemos que esa explicación "científica" es inventada, que lo hace que esa parte paranormal en realidad no es tal, en fin que es original en ese sentido.
Como siempre digo, son libros completamente del estilo norteamericano, muy peliculeros, pero ¡caray! que no puedo evitar que me súper encante y que definitivamente la serie seguirá en mi lista de pendientes por leer y que ¡No se acabe Pendergast! show less
I've listened to book one of the 'Diogenes' trilogy,' Brimstone, but not book two, Dance of Death. Still, I'd bought my library's former copy of The Book of the Dead, and decided to listen to it anyway. I'd just listened to books one and two, Relic and Reliquary, so I was pleased that the Museum of Natural History in New York City was involved again.
It was nice to see museum curator Nora Kelly and her husband, journalist Bill Smithback again. I expected Lt. Vincent D'Agosta to be in the book. Captain Laura Hayward's return was a mixed blessing at first, but she made up for it during the climax. F.B.I. Special Agent Spencer Coffey amply demonstrated that his well-deserved transfer after his disastrous bungling in Relic had taught him show more absolutely nothing.
I spent much of the book worrying about hospitalized Margo Green and whether the authors were going to have her killed off.
Diogenes Pendergast's scenes with Constance Greene made me want to shout at her. I lost most of my sympathy for her after what she did to the white mouse Diogenes had given to her.
The prison breakout was interesting, although overshadowed by the Evil Scheme going on in the museum. I had fun mentally comparing and contrasting the climax with that in Relic.
I felt sorry for Diogenes' first test subject, but not the second. I had to snicker about Diogenes' assumption that everyone would react as he planned for them to react. Having the tables turned on him was satisfactory.
We do learn what made Diogenes hate his older brother, Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. I wonder what Diogenes might have been if not for that harrowing experience when he was seven years old.
I'm glad I listened to this book, but I'm even more glad that I listened to it before checking out Dance of the Dead. show less
It was nice to see museum curator Nora Kelly and her husband, journalist Bill Smithback again. I expected Lt. Vincent D'Agosta to be in the book. Captain Laura Hayward's return was a mixed blessing at first, but she made up for it during the climax. F.B.I. Special Agent Spencer Coffey amply demonstrated that his well-deserved transfer after his disastrous bungling in Relic had taught him show more absolutely nothing.
I spent much of the book worrying about hospitalized Margo Green and whether the authors were going to have her killed off.
Diogenes Pendergast's scenes with Constance Greene made me want to shout at her. I lost most of my sympathy for her after what she did to the white mouse Diogenes had given to her.
The prison breakout was interesting, although overshadowed by the Evil Scheme going on in the museum. I had fun mentally comparing and contrasting the climax with that in Relic.
I felt sorry for Diogenes' first test subject, but not the second. I had to snicker about Diogenes' assumption that everyone would react as he planned for them to react. Having the tables turned on him was satisfactory.
We do learn what made Diogenes hate his older brother, Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. I wonder what Diogenes might have been if not for that harrowing experience when he was seven years old.
I'm glad I listened to this book, but I'm even more glad that I listened to it before checking out Dance of the Dead. show less
This seventh book in the Special Agent Pendergast series concludes the "Diogenes trilogy," in which the chief antagonist is Pendergast's malevolent, hate-driven brother Diogenes.
A bold escape from a maximum-security prison, exquisitely planned and timed to the second, is a highlight of this conclusion to the Diogenes trilogy. A secondary theme to this third volume might be the rending of veils of illusion, from a vulnerable woman who is not as helpless as she appears to a reversal of roles between victim and persecutor. A major public fiasco, an international chase, and a Tolkienesque climax sustain the suspense as intense action alternates with lush description and engaging characterization. The resolution of several subplots brings show more this novel to a satisfying close, even while setting the hook for the inevitable sequel.
I found these three Pendergast novels to be superior to the earlier offerings, with less formulaic plots (no chasing after fanciful monsters in underground tunnels; well, all right, not much--although the authors seem to remain fascinated by the deep, dark, enclosed places), the return of several appealing characters, more interesting factual or quasi-factual background, and a number of literary touches that add depth. Unlike the earlier entries, which I came to only in a certain mood and was able to put aside for months at a time, I raced through these three back to back. They whetted my appetite for whatever's to come next.
Luckily I already have The Wheel of Darkness on the nightstand.
Rating: 4 stars, and 4½ within the genre. show less
A bold escape from a maximum-security prison, exquisitely planned and timed to the second, is a highlight of this conclusion to the Diogenes trilogy. A secondary theme to this third volume might be the rending of veils of illusion, from a vulnerable woman who is not as helpless as she appears to a reversal of roles between victim and persecutor. A major public fiasco, an international chase, and a Tolkienesque climax sustain the suspense as intense action alternates with lush description and engaging characterization. The resolution of several subplots brings show more this novel to a satisfying close, even while setting the hook for the inevitable sequel.
I found these three Pendergast novels to be superior to the earlier offerings, with less formulaic plots (no chasing after fanciful monsters in underground tunnels; well, all right, not much--although the authors seem to remain fascinated by the deep, dark, enclosed places), the return of several appealing characters, more interesting factual or quasi-factual background, and a number of literary touches that add depth. Unlike the earlier entries, which I came to only in a certain mood and was able to put aside for months at a time, I raced through these three back to back. They whetted my appetite for whatever's to come next.
Luckily I already have The Wheel of Darkness on the nightstand.
Rating: 4 stars, and 4½ within the genre. show less
Not literature, not even trying to be; this book is just a lot of good FUN. Yes, it's a bit over the top and yes, it is a cross between a modern Raiders of the Lost Ark and McGyver, but it works and it works well.
This book is the end of what the authors call their Pendergast trilogy, which begins with Brimstone and follows with Dance of Death. I have read blurbs by people who say that you can read it as a stand-alone; well, imho, don't even think about it. The first two end as cliffhangers and this one ties everything up nicely. To really understand Agent Pendergast and get the correct reading order, follow the advice of the authors, who have generously put a chronological reading guide to the Agent Pendergast novels in the back of show more this book.
brief synopsis
And now, if you have NOT read Dance of Death, do NOT read any further. There are no spoilers for Book of the Dead here, but you may wish to turn your head if you haven't read the others.
The New York Museum of Natural History is the site of yet another episode in the Pendergast saga. In Dance of Death, if you recall, the collection of the Museum's most precious diamonds had been stolen by Diogenes Pendergast, Agent Pendergast's twisted brother. Now, at the beginning of this book, they are returned, but ground to a fine powder. It is a public relations nightmare for the Museum, but it's okay; the museum administrators have received a telegram offering them a lot of money to revive an exhibit that has long since been in storage: the tomb of Senef, grand vizier to Thutmosis IV, transported from Egypt to France, then France to Scotland, then back to the US. The staff feels that reviving the exhibit in 21st-century style would be perfect to get the public's mind off of the diamonds. But as the revival and modernizing of the exhibit gets underway, strange things happen that lead some to believe they are being visited by forces implementing the strange curse connected with the tomb.
I can't really say more, because it would really wreck it for others who want to read the book if I blabbed. Suffice it to say that there is a lot of adventure (yes, some of it is highly improbable but it is a blast to read), some mystery, and more answers to questions surrounding the life of Agent Pendergast. If you want to find a fun read for the summer, include this one on your list! show less
This book is the end of what the authors call their Pendergast trilogy, which begins with Brimstone and follows with Dance of Death. I have read blurbs by people who say that you can read it as a stand-alone; well, imho, don't even think about it. The first two end as cliffhangers and this one ties everything up nicely. To really understand Agent Pendergast and get the correct reading order, follow the advice of the authors, who have generously put a chronological reading guide to the Agent Pendergast novels in the back of show more this book.
brief synopsis
And now, if you have NOT read Dance of Death, do NOT read any further. There are no spoilers for Book of the Dead here, but you may wish to turn your head if you haven't read the others.
The New York Museum of Natural History is the site of yet another episode in the Pendergast saga. In Dance of Death, if you recall, the collection of the Museum's most precious diamonds had been stolen by Diogenes Pendergast, Agent Pendergast's twisted brother. Now, at the beginning of this book, they are returned, but ground to a fine powder. It is a public relations nightmare for the Museum, but it's okay; the museum administrators have received a telegram offering them a lot of money to revive an exhibit that has long since been in storage: the tomb of Senef, grand vizier to Thutmosis IV, transported from Egypt to France, then France to Scotland, then back to the US. The staff feels that reviving the exhibit in 21st-century style would be perfect to get the public's mind off of the diamonds. But as the revival and modernizing of the exhibit gets underway, strange things happen that lead some to believe they are being visited by forces implementing the strange curse connected with the tomb.
I can't really say more, because it would really wreck it for others who want to read the book if I blabbed. Suffice it to say that there is a lot of adventure (yes, some of it is highly improbable but it is a blast to read), some mystery, and more answers to questions surrounding the life of Agent Pendergast. If you want to find a fun read for the summer, include this one on your list! show less
Another possible 3.5er. I actually really enjoyed this book, possibly more than the last, but am too haunted by one problem to actually up the rating. When all is said and done, this book had all the excitement of the series, and tied up a lot of loose ends from the previous Diogenes books, while also leaving a few open ends, or at least one big one.
My big problem here is how the Hugo Menzies problem from Dance of Death was never solved. Supposedly, if I remember correctly, they were looking for old Hugo in connection with the diamond theft, but never found him and presumed him dead. Well, in this book, he just shows back up, all of that forgotten. No one says, "hey, what happened to you? You were the last person seen close to the show more diamonds before they disappeared, what's the deal?" Nope, none of that. Maybe I missed something? Could be possible. I really hope someone actually reads my reviews and can shed some insight into this issue. Am I wrong, am I right? Did it ruin this book somewhat for anyone else? Help me out here people!!
Edit to add: now that I think about it, a day later, how was it that Pendergast, one of the foremost detectives couldn't track Diogenes for years and years, but Constance, a girl who has never left the house, was able to track him almost instantly. I know she reads a lot, but knowing the ways of the world are much different when tracking a master criminal across time zones, and even continents. Some major plot holes in this book the more I think about it. show less
My big problem here is how the Hugo Menzies problem from Dance of Death was never solved. Supposedly, if I remember correctly, they were looking for old Hugo in connection with the diamond theft, but never found him and presumed him dead. Well, in this book, he just shows back up, all of that forgotten. No one says, "hey, what happened to you? You were the last person seen close to the show more diamonds before they disappeared, what's the deal?" Nope, none of that. Maybe I missed something? Could be possible. I really hope someone actually reads my reviews and can shed some insight into this issue. Am I wrong, am I right? Did it ruin this book somewhat for anyone else? Help me out here people!!
Edit to add: now that I think about it, a day later, how was it that Pendergast, one of the foremost detectives couldn't track Diogenes for years and years, but Constance, a girl who has never left the house, was able to track him almost instantly. I know she reads a lot, but knowing the ways of the world are much different when tracking a master criminal across time zones, and even continents. Some major plot holes in this book the more I think about it. show less
As the final book in the trilogy of Pendergast's brother I found this a satisfying conclusion. The threads in the story were tied up in a believable manner for the series. I felt the book's pace was good and the characters were well developed. I did read through this book in record time as I just needed to know what happened next. I can blame this book for several sleepy mornings. I highly recommend this trilogy as some of the better books in the series. Enjoy!
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Author Information
115+ Works 86,067 Members
Douglas Jerome Preston was born on May 20, 1956 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received a B.A. in English literature from Pomona College in 1978. His career began at the American Museum of Natural History, where he worked as an editor and writer from 1978 to 1985. He also was a lecturer in English at Princeton University. He became a full-time show more writer of both fiction and nonfiction books in 1986. Many of his fiction works are co-written with Lincoln Child including Relic, Riptide, Thunderhead, The Wheel of Darkness, Cemetery Dance, and Gideon's Corpse. His nonfiction works include Dinosaurs in the Attic; Cities of Gold: A Journey Across the American Southwest in Pursuit of Coronado; Talking to the Ground; and The Royal Road. He has written for numerous magazines including The New Yorker; Natural History; Harper's; Smithsonian; National Geographic; and Travel and Leisure. He became a New York Times Best Selling author with his titles Two Graves and Crimson Shores which he co-wrote with Lincoln Child, and his titles White Fire, The Lost Island Blue Labyrinth and The Lost City of the Monkey God. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
91+ Works 78,528 Members
Lincoln Child was born in Westport, Connecticut in 1957. He received a degree in English from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. After graduation, he obtained a position as an editorial assistant at St. Martin's Press and eventually became a full editor in 1984. He left St. Martin's Press in 1987 for a job at MetLife and began writing. show more Child has co-written numerous books with Douglas Preston including Relic, White Fire, Cold Vengeance, Riptide, Thunderhead, The Wheel of Darkness, Cemetery Dance, Gideon's Corpse, Blue Labyrinth, and Two Graves. In 2003, he published his first solo novel entitled Utopia. His other solo works include Death Match, Deep Storm, Terminal Freeze, The Third Gate, and The Forgotten Room. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Kuolleiden kirja
- Original title
- The Book of the Dead
- Original publication date
- 2006
- People/Characters
- Aloysius Pendergast; Diogenes Pendergast; Vincent D'Agosta; Nora Kelly; Bill Smithback; Constance Greene (show all 10); Eli Glinn; Margo Green; Hugo Menzies; Viola Maskelene
- Important places
- New York, New York, USA; Stromboli, Italy
- Dedication
- Lincoln Child dedicates this book to his mother, Nancy Child.
Douglas Preston dedicates this book to Anna Marguerite McCann Taggart. - First words
- Early-morning sunlight gilded the cobbled drive of the staff entrance of the New York Museum of Natural History, illuminating a glass pillbox just outside the granite archway. Within the pillbox, a figure sat slumped in his c... (show all)hair; and elderly man, familiar to all museum staff. He puffed contentedly on a calabash pipe and basked in the warmth of one of those false-spring days that occur in New York City in February, the kind that coaxes daffodils, crocuses, and fruit trees into premature bloom, only to freeze them dead later in the month.
- Quotations
- ...the world had proved to be a nightmare beyond all imagining: niosome, ugly, chaotic, and brutally anonymous. It was not at all like the comfortable, predictable, moral world of literature.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I'm pregnant.
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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