Customer Reviews

Brimstone

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(63)
3 star:		(34)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child score yet again--a rivetting, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride in their usual well-thought-out, thrilling style.

Jeremy Grove, a notorious art critic, has been found dead. Murdered. Charred. Burned from the inside out, with a demonic hoof print burned into the floor, and his crucifix melted. The work of the devil? Or an even greater evil?

Special Agent Pendergast (RELIC, RELIQUARY, THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, and STILL LIFE WITH CORWS) has taken up the case. A famous (some would say infamous) agent of the FBI, Pendergast's methods and manners are eccentric, dignified, mysterious...and almost always successful. His interest in unique cases has often placed his life in peril, but never has he had a case such as this, where he just may be up against the Devil Himself.

Also featuring former NYPD lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta (RELIC, RELIQUARY) and now-Captian Laura Hayward (RELIQUARY), and a ton of references to former Preston/Child novels, this is a suspense thriller that will intimidate and enthrall new fans, and delight old ones. You needn't have read any other of Pendergast's adventires (or other Preston/Child novels), although I suggest you do so, because they are all entertaining. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child write great works on their own, but when they combine their talents they give us this: a thrilling, gripping, engrossing, delectible suspense novel that combines science/technology, police procedural, and good ol' fashion suspense into a book you won't soon forget. BRIMSTONE is a must-read for thriller fans.

In their first two novels together, "Relic" and "Reliquary", authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child created two very memorable characters: FBI Special Agent Pendergast & NYPD Lt. Vincent D'Agosta. While the books not involving these characters have been good, "Brimstone", which reunites them for the first time since "Reliquary", is the best book they have ever written and is certainly one of the best thriller/mysteries out there today.

Easily better researched and written than the curiously popular "DaVinci Code", "Brimstone" deals with several bizzare, suppernatural seeming deaths in New York. D'Agosta is back, now an angry, torn-up Seargant working in Southampton. Pendergast, who is quickly becoming a bit of a modern day Sherlock Holmes, is attracted to the odd aspects of the killings, as he usually is, but his character and past are fleshed out in ways that will delight long time readers and I dare not spoil them. Lets just say some threads are tied up, others opened. Pendergast has evolved over the years. The stand alone novel "Still Life With Crows", while rather pedestrain by Preston/Child standards, proved Pendergast could stand by himself. Now, on a much bigger case with a larger canvas, "Brimstone" will aternate make you laugh, creep you out, or flat out terrify you. It reads as fast as anything that's come out lately, and is far smarter than your average mystery.

"Brimstone" will be a delight for all Preston/Child fans, hopefully the book that puts them firmly on the map for all time. However, even a casual reader can appreciate it's scare factor, the excellent characterization, and the respect the authors show for their readers and their protaganists. It's been exactly a year since I first picked up "The Cabinet of Curiosities" by these two, and in that time I've read all they've written. "Brimstone" sets not just a high mark for them, but all thrillers to come.

Once again a grisly murder catches the eye of Special Agent Pendergast. We meet Sergeant Vincent D'Agosta again as well. The murder scene has clues that make it look like the Devil did the deed. But soon a second murder takes Pendergast and Vincent to New York City were the investigation really gets under way.

As clues are collected and the investigation proceeds, we learn more of Pendergast's history and what makes him tick. Unlike most mysterious characters in fiction, Pendergast actually stands up to explanation and remains mysterious. We also learn a little more of what has been happening to Vincent and where he is going. But all through that Pendergast's unique style carries the story forward.

This is not a story filled with red herrings or forgotten clues. It is a well-constructed mystery populated by a wonderful cast of characters, good and bad. If you enjoyed THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES then you will probably like this one as it is closer in style than STILL LIFE WITH CROWS. When the final page is turned the reader is left wanting to know more about what will happen to the characters. A great read.

After finishing 'Relic' I was afraid that this amazing writing team had hit their peak with their very first novel, and while it still remains my favorite of their many fantastic books, 'Brimstone' certainly ties with 'The Cabinet of Curiosities' as next on my short list of absolute MUST READ books from these authors. After a lackluster attempt with 'Still Life With Crows' I was hoping that 'Brimstone' would bring back Agent Pendergast and D'Agosta with something 'extra'. I'm not sure what exactly that was, but I can tell you they hit a major homerun with this plot.

People are dying in and around New York City in a most gruesome manner, and despite what the investigators WANT to believe, it seems more and more likely that Satan has come to claim a few really naughty boys. Bodies are discovered killed in ways that seem to defy logical explanations, and the scent of Brimstone left over along with an odd hoofprint at the scene of one of the crimes isn't helping to dis-prove the Satan theory, either.

As Agent Pendergast and now Sgt. D'Agosta discover in their pursuit of the truth, those who are turning up dead seem to have made some curious Deal with the Devil many years before. Suddenly the story goes from creepy directly into the paranormal all at lightspeed. I was worried that the subject matter would sound hokey or cheesy, but Preston & Child handle it absolutely PERFECTLY. I don't know why I was worried because they managed to pull it off with virtually all of their previous novels, and they have done it again with 'Brimstone'.

Perfectly plotted and the pacing is right up there with the best thrillers I have personally read over the years. I can't tell you how many times a chill ran up my spine as I turned the pages of this mesmerizing tale. I have always found the writing of this duo to be exceptional, but if you are like me, you really don't get frightened about things you don't honestly believe in -- however for those of you who, like me, really DO believe in Satan, this particular story genuinely CAN terrify you. I didn't exactly help matters by reading in my living room late at night with just a small lamp by my side. While I read I took note of each and every tiny sound that I could not identify. I kept telling myself I was being foolish, but the strangest thing happened then, I realized I honestly could NOT help myself...and I also discovered my house made a great deal of noise at night just sitting there. I was quite disturbed several times, and without a doubt, I could NOT have asked for a better storyline to keep me entertained and slightly afraid for a few nights. Kudos to Preston & Child for giving me yet ANOTHER reason to purchase their fantastic novels. One of their all-time best yet. WELL worth the price in hardback. If you are a fan, do yourself a favor, and buy it BEFORE it comes out in paperback -- yes, it's THAT good.

After a somewhat disappointing "Still Life with Crows" I approached "Brimstone" with a bit of trepidation. I was worried that Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child may have lost their knack for coming up with original plots in a genre that trends towards the mediocre. Moreover, I was afraid that they had wrung all they could out of their signature character, Special Agent Pendergast, leaving him a rather boring cliché. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth as "Brimstone" is their strongest novel since "The Ice Limit". Infused with a darker edge, and a palpable spirit of malevolence, that is quite successfully maintained throughout the numerous plot twists, "Brimstone" is a genuinely superb thriller.

As I mentioned above, "Brimstone" once again finds Pendergast investigating a murder that seems tied to the occult. Specifically, he is investigating the bizarre death of art critic Jeremy Grove, who has been found burned to death in a room untouched by fire. Adding to the mystery is the overpowering stench of sulfur and what appears to be a cloven hoof burned into the floor. To assist in his investigation, Pendergast calls upon Vincent D'Agosta, previously seen in "Relic" and "Reliquary", who has been languishing in the Southampton Police Department after an abortive turn as a novelist. As more victims fall prey to the seemingly demonic killer, and as the public begins to see the murders as Scripture fulfilled, the two investigators race against the clock to solve Preston and Child's most puzzling mystery yet.

That stated, what makes "Brimstone" so successful is that Preston and Child manage to weave in a much larger set of plot lines, characters and settings than usual. Whereas in "Still Life with Crows" the question of Pendergast's ward, Constance, was blatantly tacked on in a form of in novel advertising, in "Brimstone" she actually has a role to play and fits much better within the structure of the book. Likewise, even though the supernatural thriller element is always paramount, the authors are quite successful in blending in elements of espionage, international assassins and history, the result of which is perhaps their richest, most complex novel to date. Finally, a significant portion of the action takes place overseas, which creates an intriguing dichotomy of Pendergast being more in his element culturally, but significantly weakened for not being on his home turf.

Furthermore, Lincoln and Child gleefully (but entirely respectfully) draw upon their literary heroes such as Poe and Lovecraft. The result is a novel that has much of the style and menace of these two authors, while incorporating the genuinely fresh take that one expects from these two authors. As such, I can wholeheartedly endorse "Brimstone" as a superb return to form for Preston and Child. It is perhaps their darkest novel to date, and infuses the character of Pendergast with new life, and more importantly, new mysteries. For loyal readers, some questions will be resolved, but far more will be left unanswered, as what one might call the "Pendergast Mythos" continues to evolve. "Brimstone" has vaulted to the top of my list for Preston and Child novels (just below the trinity of "Relic", "Riptide" and "Thunderhead") and is by far the best Pendergast novel since "Relic". A real treat for the upcoming fall season, and especially Halloween, don't pass this one by.

Jake Mohlman

Art critic Jeremy Grove is found dead barricaded inside his own room, his face frozen in a mask of terror, his body grotesquely cooked inside out. The smell of brimstone is everywhere, and an imprint of a cloven hoof is burned into the wall near his body. More people are killed in similarly gruesome fashion. Has the Devil come to claim his due? Is the End of Days fast approaching? The premise of Brimstone sounded interesting - I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy, not wanting to wait a year for the paperback version as I've done with previous Lincoln Preston works. Unfortunately, after reading the book, I must confess that I am mystified by all the glowing reviews for Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's latest book here on Amazon. Better than The Da Vinci Code?? A hyperbole if I ever heard one.

First of all, let me say that I've read and greatly enjoyed the previous four Lincoln Preston books to feature Special Agent Pendergast: Relic, Reliquary, The Cabinet of Curiosities and Still Life with Crows. Those four books were great thriller/horror/mystery/detective novels that kept me at the edge of my seat, turning page after page until I finished reading them. I even enjoyed one of their non-Pendergast book, The Ice Limit. Brimstone merely made me bored, and a bit mad at myself for spending all that money paying for a hardback copy instead of waiting for the paperback version. Why? [Warning: Minor spoilers ahead!]

1. I pretty much figured out how the victims were killed right from the start. It was that obvious. Any reader with a modicum of interest in science and kitchen appliances would have figured it out right away.

2. All that murder and mayhem for a WHAT? Yes, an extremely rare and extremely valuable item, for sure, but even so. All that conspiracy, plotting, scheming and killing for THAT? You'll have to read it to believe it. The raison d'etre for the entire mystery was just so inane.

3. Where were all the chills, suspense and sheer terror that I had come to expect in a Pendergast mystery? The Relic has got to be one of the scariest novels I've ever read. Reliquary was slightly less so, and The Cabinet of Curiosities made up for the lack of scares by being incredibly interesting with all that incredible background research about private collections that were the precursors to museums. Still Life with Crows had some of the most suspenseful scenes ever put on paper. Brimstone's murders merely became repetitive after Lincoln Preston's suspenseful description of the first murder.

4. Red herrings galore, mostly involving a group of religious fundamentalists gathering in NYC to welcome the End of Days, and their self-proclaimed Messiah, that had nothing whatsoever to do with the main plot.

5. Special Agent Pendergast somehow progressed (or retrogressed, depending on your perspective) from being a quirky, mysterious, intelligent and somewhat likable FBI agent into a Sherlock Holmes with almost preternatural abilities, and that annoyed me to no end. Pendergast is fast becoming less and less like the original Pendergast in The Relic that was a bit weird, but somehow still likable. He was originally sort of like a weirder Fox Mulder. Now he has become a bit of a smug (and mystical) Sherlock Holmes. And I hate that.

Anyways, despite my misgivings, I'll probably read the next book when it comes out eventually. I just hope it turns out better than this one. I'll reluctantly rate this book three stars - for the meticulous research, if nothing else.

I really looked forward to the new Preston-Child book, and though overall happy, I was a little disappointed. I found Brimstone to lack some of the intensity or "life" of Still Life With Crows or Cabinet of Curiosities. Most of the Preston-Child books have a large group of people working together, so that there are lots of side stories and relationships between the many characters. This book instead really focuses on Agent Pendergast and Sergeant D'Agosta, and their personalities and situations just don't provide much fire to the story. Neither of them has as much personality as Corrie Swanson from Still Life With Crows, who made that book one of my favorites (I hope she resurfaces in a future book as other characters have). In the end this book seems more intent on setting us up for the next book than in actually exploring and solving an interesting mystery. There is a mystery and it is solved, but it seems secondary to the setup for the next book to me. Maybe it's that the story ends with a definite cliff-hanger, something not usually seen in the Preston/Child books, but Brimstone just didn't have the punch their other works have had and didn't have me hanging on every word. That said, it's still a good read and any fans of Agent Pendergast will enjoy it. Just don't expect the power of Still Life or Cabinet.

Fire features prominently in this "who done it?" that features police officers Laura Hayward and Vincent D'Agosta and FBI Special Agent Pendergast. At times that suspense carries the plot and at other times it is the detail. Preston Child fans are accustomed to thoroughly researched storylines and this book does not disappoint.

I enjoyed this book immensely and if you occasionally buy books in hardback rather than wait for the paperback edition, this is one that is worth the expense.

In the "how I would improve this book" category is the elimination of the annoying habit of the authors to incorporate a unique or particularly effective visual word on multiple occasions in close proximity. In this book the word is "cadaverousness" on page 32 and "cadaverous" on page 40. Editors, please do your job!

I noticed at least one reviewer was critical of some of the chases in the book opining their inclusion was merely a pretext for the movie. I would enjoy a movie with the chases and they certainly did not lessen my enjoying the book. The story does end with a loose end or two. They will undoubtedly be tied in a subsequent tale, which is one of the inherent problems of reoccurring characters - their immorality. It is too painful to kill the franchise.

Agent Pendergast is back for another exciting adventure! This one has got alot! Secret societies, devil worship (has the devil come to claim his own?), foreign travel to exotic places and more about Pendergast's truly weird family. And after several books of being told that his first name is weird and unpronounceable, we learn what it is. You've got to wonder about parents who saddle their son with that one! The twists and turns in the plot are very good as well. Every time that I thought that I figured it out, it changed.

I love the Preston/Child collaborations, particularly the Agent Pendergast stories. They have very strong characters, particularly their female characters. They also portray scientists and other technical people as real people not freaks like so many other popular writers do.

Brimstone is a book. It has around 600 pages and a plot and characters. However, the features you might look for in a good book you will not find in Brimstone.

Glancing at some of the other reviews for this novel, I realize I am putting forth a contrary opinion when I say that this novel is generally weak, a poorly-written two-star quality novel that is mildly entertaining but has such significant problems it can not even be called "average."

The plot focuses on the hideous murder of an art critic. Beside his charred remains is a hoofprint and there are suspicions that something supernatural caused the death. Investigating the crime is FBI agent Pendergast, a Sherlock Holmes-like investigator and Sergeant D'Agosta of the Southampton Police Department, who acts in the role of Watson. When a second murder follows, the two characters start stirring up trouble, must deal with assassins and eventually wind up in Italy to pursue a lead.

Story-wise, there are a number of problems, perhaps none more significant than a subplot regarding a charismatic preacher. While interesting, this storyline contributes absolutely nothing to the main story and seems to be nothing more than filler. Similarly, a couple references to Pendergast's evil brother are essentially meaningless, except perhaps to offer hints about what the next book may be about.

Pendergast himself is a troublesome character. With his near-omniscience, he isn't a very "human" character. Also, just as Batman is always bailed out by his utility belt, Pendergast always seems to have exactly what he needs exactly when he needs it. He's just too perfect a person to be a compelling character.

Even if these flaws (and others) were cleaned up, however, this would still not be more than an average book. There is something about Child and Preston's writing that is just "off." I can't really describe it better than that; it seems technically fine, but it lacks the potency that good writing has. I went into this book wanting to enjoy it and came out disappointed; I can tell others did not have this problem, but in my opinion, this is a book to avoid.