In this #1 New York Times bestseller, FBI Agent Pendergast reluctantly teams up with a new partner to investigate a rash of Miami Beach murders . . . only to uncover a deadly conspiracy that spans decades. After an overhaul of leadership at the FBI’s New York field office, A. X. L. Pendergast is abruptly forced to accept an unthinkable condition of continued employment: the famously rogue agent … continued employment: the famously rogue agent must now work with a partner.
Pendergast and his new colleague, junior agent Coldmoon, are assigned to investigate a rash of killings in Miami Beach, where a bloodthirsty psychopath is cutting out the hearts of his victims and leaving them with cryptic handwritten letters at local gravestones. The graves are unconnected save in one bizarre way: all belong to women who committed suicide.
But the seeming lack of connection between the old suicides and the new murders is soon the least of Pendergast’s worries. Because as he digs deeper, he realizes the brutal new crimes may be just the tip of the iceberg: a conspiracy of death that reaches back decades.
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This is Book 18 of the Pendergast Series by this dynamic duo of authors. Here’s the best thing I could say…I’ve read all 17 previous novels in this series, paid full price on Kindle for most, and am now reading Book 19. They are that good. Pendergast is like a modern Sherlock Holmes, and the cast of regulars are great, too. The books are written so well (speaking as an author of 23 novels myself), and the pages keep turning till I’m done. One Caution (to fans of my novels), the authors occasionally take the reader into the minds of the killer (to increase suspense) and some of those chapters can get pretty graphic (re the crimes, compared to mine). The books though are mostly clean reads in terms of sex and profanity (some swearing but mild compared to most TV shows and movies.
Wow! I’ve been addicted to this series from Book 1, and Verses of the Dead is a home run in so many ways. I had doubts about Pendergast working with a partner, but the addition of Agent Coldmoon was a stroke of genius. Not only is Coldmoon a great character, but it gave readers a chance to see Pendergast–along with all his quirks and unorthodox methods of working–through his eyes. Toss is a new boss for Pendergast, new location (Miami Beach) and a string of bizarre murders and you’ve got a perfect recipe to hold the reader glued to the page.
The authors verge away from anything supernatural this time and stick to crime-solving, something Pendergast does exceptionally well. I love “watching” him work. The murders, the method in which they occur, and the reason behind them unfold in an ever startling trail of clues. Pendergast (and Coldmoon) get to interact with several new, interesting characters. Cab driver Axel was one of my favorite. The high-speed taxi ride through Miami is a blast.
I also have to applaud the authors for creating an unusual killer with an unusual motive. Although I love the supernatural twists in many of the Pendergast novels, I admit to enjoying the intriguing details of crime-solving best. I also believe this is a book you could pick up, having never read a single Pendergast novel before, and thoroughly enjoy without knowing any background from the previous books. The new location, new boss, and addition of a partner all go to “seeing” Pendergast through fresh eyes. Highly recommended!
“Verses for the Dead,” is an incredibly satisfying ride-along as the delightfully quirky and meticulous FBA Special Agent pursues an interstate serial killer. The writing is equal parts enticing storytelling and prose, and is perfectly sprinkled with cameo appearances by literary legends. Despite being the 19th in this series, the novel functions well as a standalone and was a great introduction to the main character and these authors.
Additionally, Preston & Child introduce readers to Special Agent Coldmoon, a man of Lakota and Italian lineage. Coldmoon is an authentic, three-dimensional character who gives off none of the caricature stink that so often represents Native Americans in film and fiction. The character is well-written, respectfully done, and I hope to see Coldmoon as a primary protagonist in future novels.
great
I have read everyone of the Pendergast books and this one was different in that it did not have as much of the other-wordly components of most of the books in this series, but still a good read because it is Pendergast.
As usual, Pendergast is the best character in mystery thrillers. Preston and Child continue to create excellent situations allowing Pendergast to show his unique personality and investigative skills. Certainly one of their best.
Love the Pendergast series, and this one fits beautifully with the others. Plus, you learn a little something about a character who passed away. Read it, you’ll loooove it!
Agent Pendergast has a reputation in the Bureau for being hard on partners.
The new director of the New York field office sees an office that is underperforming and needs to be brought up to par. One of the ‘problems’ he wants to ‘fix’ is a certain agent who has a reputation for not following protocol and, while his solve rate is excellent, his suspects have a tendency not to make it to court.
The agent in question is, of course, A.X.L. Pendergast.
The director forces Pendergast to accept working with a partner if he wants to continue with the Bureau. Pendergast’s new partner is Agent Coldmoon, a field agent of Lakota heritage. The agents are assigned to investigate a bizarre murder in Miami.
To find out how the partnership goes, how the case develops and how it is, eventually solved, you’ll have to read the book.
In the desert I saw a creature, naked, bestial, who, squatting upon the ground, held his heart in his hands, and ate of it…- Stephen Crane
The New York FBI office has a new Assistant Director in Charge, who feels the need to rein in Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. He likes Pendergast’s crime solving talents but not his methods. So he assigns Pendergast a partner, Special Agent Coldmoon.
They quickly get assigned some unusual, gruesome murders in Miami that end up being tied to suicides from years ago.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 18th book in the Pendergast series. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to continue the series after reading the last book – a big disappointment – but I’m glad I did. Pendergast is back in rare form and I liked his new partner, too.
I am now off to read the 19th book CROOKED RIVER.
Verses for the Dead: This may be the best of the Pendergast series. The ending is so spectacular; you’ll have to read more of this FL swamp-Everglades setting. You’ll love this book!
Another great story in the Pendergast series.
Loved it!!
I am a huge fan of Special Agent Pendergast. He’s bright, sophisticated, well-traveled and really, really quirky. The mystery of each plot is exactly that, a mystery, until the final pages.
Always enjoy these 2 writers. Lots of surprises.
Great book!
Much better than the last few in the series. Loved Pendergast working with a partner.
Not the best of the series, but once you have read all the others..you have no choice!
The authors never fail to capture my attention with their Prendergast series. This one continues the trend. A nice addition of a new character with whom Prendergast actually meshes with. Would recommend.
Verses of the Dead by Doug Preston and Lincoln Child continue the adventures of Aloysius Pendergast, a Sherlockian detective. Usually, their books are continuous stories but this one is a stand alone. When a woman’s dog get loose while she is visiting a grave in a Miami cemetery to find her pet has a human heart in his mouth, the game is afoot! A serial killer is loose in Florida and Pendergast, the special agent of the F.B.I. is sent to help investigate. Trying to avoid a new boss and saddled with an unwanted partner, can Pendergast stop the killer before he claims more victims? Exactly how are these victims being targeted? A thrilling ending including alligators and sinkholes answer the question.
I love Agent Pendergast novels and this one did not disappoint. I eagerly look forward to each new book in the series. I am anxious to see what direction the authors are going to take for the next book in the series.