The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Book 3)
by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
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Book Summary Information
Author: Douglas Preston, Lincoln ChildEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-06-01
ISBN: 0446611239
Number of pages: 656
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Reviews of The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Book 3)
Book Review: Curiously Good & Quite Creepy
Summary: 4 Stars
Cabinet of Curiosities is my fourth book by these authors (Relic, Reliquary, and Brimstone) and while it wasn't without a few annoying faults I found it to be extremely interesting and entertaining at the same time. In this book, we find that a new construction project is delayed when the excavation crew unexpectedly discovers a 19th century coal tunnel holding skeletal remains of 36 brutally murdered people.
Almost immediately after the discovery is made, Dr. Nora Kelly (an archeologist and curator at the Museum of Natural History, Thunderhead) is visited by the mysterious, refined and independently wealthy FBI agent Pendergast (Relic & Reliquary) who takes an unusual interest in the remains. Dr. Kelly reluctantly joins Special Agent Pendergast for an unofficial examination of the site, and together they make a startling discovery...a clue has been left behind by one of the victims that proves to be an important piece of information in the search for the perpetrator of this hideous crime.
All of this is connected with a Cabinet of Curiosities (collections of items of historical and/or archeological interest, these predated museums like the New York Museum of Natural History...some of the items were genuine -- others contrived to bring in the public and their money) that was once located on the site. Pendegast and Kelly are almost immediately ejected from the site as the wealthy builders money buys his way to having the site cleared and back on track with their building schedule in a matter of hours, but not successfully covering up the discovery of the remains of what could be the work of the most prolific serial killer in American history. With a taste for this mystery and a piece of clothing (with a note inside) that Kelley and Smithback (Relic & Reliquary, her boyfriend in this book) manage to sneak in and retrieve the trio is well on their into a mystery that threatens to consume them all.
While I enjoyed much of Cabinet of Curiosities, it has a number of "sore" points for me and I find that much of what I don't like about this particular work can be laid squarely on the shoulders of one Agent Pendergast. As in his previous appearances, he is superior in every way to every one around him (richer, more refined, better dressed, more knowledgeable, and just slightly ahead of everyone else in piecing together the pieces of the puzzle). The authors certainly tried to make him more appealing this time out, personalizing and going into detail with his life and his past...but overall it falls flat and one is left with the feeling that none of the other characters is as marvelous or important as Pendergast...he's just too perfect. As a result of the attention given to Pendergast, interesting characters like Kelly and Smithback can only function on the periphery, as sidekicks or buffoons; I just felt that they weren't as well developed as they might have been if the authors didn't place so much importance on Pendergast.
My other major complaint with the book is that it drug on for 100-150 pages too long, well beyond the "reveal" and where (I felt) the authors has the opportunity to take the ending to a truly horrific and unique levels of mad scientist genius they didn't...they took a sharp right turn and ended in a way that really felt like a let down after all the effort that went into the build up. I would have liked to have seen something a bit more exciting (and unique), but that's just me.
Despite its flaws, Cabinet of Curiosities is quite a good read, It kept me up two nights in a row...just one more page, with eyes burning and me feeling desperately tired...I just had to read ONE more page! For me this was ALMOST as good as Relic (which was my favorite so far by Lincoln & Child), I love the descriptions of the museum and of New York (both the historical and contemporary descriptions) and the history of the Cabinets of Curiosities was quite delightful! I'll definitely be picking up more of their work in the future. I give this one a B+, I love Pendergast...but I feel that this character might be becoming a pet character for these authors and as such is bordering on becoming unreal (and annoyingly so)...he hasn't quite reached that point, but I could see it happening. So...overall, great late night reading with just the right mix of horror, thriller and a dash of science that's hard to put down! I'd recommend it in a heartbeat, especially if you liked their previous work.
Summary of The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Book 3)
In an ancient tunnel underneath New York City a charnel house is discovered. Inside are thirty-six bodies all murdered and mutilated more than a century ago. While FBI agent Pendergast investigates the old crimes, identical killings start to terrorize the city. The nightmare has begun. Again.Literary Books
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