Brimstone (Pendergast #5)
by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
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Book Summary Information
Author: Douglas Preston, Lincoln ChildEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-05-01
ISBN: 0446612758
Number of pages: 752
Publisher: Warner Books
Book Reviews of Brimstone (Pendergast #5)
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
The cover synopsis of Brimstone hints at dealings with the Devil gone wrong and supernatural forces at play in murders. This is not precisely true, but it's not precisely a lie either, so I suppose I will forgive whoever wrote the blurb for misleading me. I certainly don't regret reading the story.
The real story in Brimstone is a bit more mundane. The murders are just murders and the things that at first appear to be indicating supernatural activity actually indicate something completely different. However, in this instance, mundane is not boring. The crimes were committed by a devilishly clever criminal with highly unusual motivations and the officers that attempt to crack the case are smart, clever, and fun to read about.
If I were to summarize the story of Brimstone, it would likely sound like the kind of story that makes it almost impossible to suspend disbelief, but it is actually amazingly easy. Preston and Child have woven a story that is just on this side of believable. It draws the readers in with an intriguing premise and delightful characters, and keeps them there with unexpected twists and edge-of-your-seat suspense. There are points where it is difficult to put the book down.
The two main characters, Pendergast and D'Agosta, are recurring characters of Preston's and Child's, and as such are fairly well-developed at the beginning of the book. It is obvious that the writers know their characters even if the readers don't yet, but the need to develop them for the readers is not completely ignored either. While there were things that I would have liked to have more information on about both of them, I did not ever feel that they were flat or stereotypical.
The supporting characters were not quite as well developed, but I did feel as though most of the characters who had any significant appearance in the book were developed as far as they needed to be. Some of them seemed to be returning characters as well, as I got the impression that the authors were building on something that had been previously developed, and those were definitely not flat.
Despite its twists and turns, the plot is solid, wrapping up the loose ends by the end of the book and avoiding obvious holes. The only potential pitfall is the conclusion, as some readers might find the way that the murders were committed to be a bit too far-fetched for their tastes. Given what was implied on the cover, however, the method seems a bit of a stretch, but not by any means unbelievable.
The other thing that readers should be aware of is that this is a part of a series, albeit one that can stand (mostly) alone. There is no prior reading required to understand what is going on as references to events in previous books are made only in passing and do not in any way affect understanding or enjoyment of the book. The plot is also seemingly wrapped up until the hint of more to be revealed on the last page of the book that might have some readers wanting to pick up the next book, Dance of Death. It is, however, not mandatory to feel as though there was a complete story.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Brimstone, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers.
Summary of Brimstone (Pendergast #5)
A body is found in the attic of a fabulous Long Island estate. There is a hoofprint scorched into the floor, and the stench of sulfur chokes the air. When FBI Special Agent Pendergast investigates the gruesome crime, he discovers that thirty years ago four men conjured something unspeakable. Has the devil come to claim his due?Horror Books
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