Agent Pendergast is at it again – solving a mystery that has everyone else stumped in the latest and fourth release from the writers Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. This time Pendergast is “on vacation” in a small town in Kansas, just the place where a murder victim has turned up. A serial killer emerges, but one that is unlike any other. Pendergast takes on an assistant in this fourth of the Pendergast series, a rebellious teenager named Corrie Swanson. Together they work with (and sometimes against) local law enforcement in attempt to stop the serial killer and save the small town.
Anyone who loves a good mystery will love Still Life with Crows! Many fans of the series agree that this latest is the best of the series thus far. Indeed, the writing style of Preston and Child has only improved as they continue to work together on mystery novels.
Agent Pendergast is always a favorite for Lincoln/Child fans, but a new favorite emerges in the side character of Corrie Swanson. The relationship between she and Pendergast is a touching one, and personally I hope they find a way to include her in future novels as they tend to do with side characters.
I also liked the supernatural feel to this mystery. Not only are the murders strange and unusual, with the killer leaving displays involving victims’ body parts, arrows and corn stalks as well as taking pieces of victims, but there is a unique history associated with the area, a ghost story involving a band of Indians called “The Curse of the Forty-Fives.” To find out what really happened, Agent Pendergast must explore using his own unique abilities.
Another aspect of Preston & Child novels that I particularly enjoy is the amount of research they conduct while writing and telling a story. The research is evident in how much information is relayed to the readers. For instance, in this novel, not only will you get a good mystery, but you’ll also learn about spelunking, tornadoes, and how a turkey processing plant works.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have written a few very successful novels together. Fans tend to agree that separately the authors are average, but together they write exceptional mystery novels. I do hope they continue writing together, and I look forward to their next joint-release.
Though this book is considered part of a series (the fourth book), it is not necessary to read the others first. There is no order that must be followed with these novels. Still Life with Crows just happens to be the latest novel published. Enjoy them in any order!
Still Life With Crows Book Review
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