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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Agent Pendergast finds himself sent down to Miami, Florida in charge of an unusual case – where a young woman was brutally murdered and her heart removed, only to be placed on the gravesite of another young woman who committed suicide more than a decade ago. The letter indicates the heart is a gift, but clearly a lot more than meets the eye is going on. Can Pendergast and his new partner, Agent Coldmoon discover what’s really going on?
I’ve been a long-time fan of Preston and Child’s and followed along the many ups and downs of their Agent Pendergast series. I’ve been particularly enjoying their more recent work – both City of Endless Night (the story directly preceding this) and this book. In many ways I feel it is Preston and Child returning to their roots with Pendergast – in that the main focus of the story is on the central the mystery and the complications that arise with Pendergast’s unusual but highly effective investigative mannerisms. I really enjoyed this addition to the series.
Indeed, this and the previous book (more than many others in the series) could perhaps even be read as a stand alone. While for sure a reader having read the numerous previous installments will have a far greater understanding of Pendergast and his foibles – unlike a number of the previous books in this series, the plot and majority of aspects to this story can be read just by themselves as the plot is contained within the story and not linked directly either to previous books nor left open-ended in a trilogy or sequenced manner.
I also admit to greatly enjoying seeing Pendergast do what he does best – solve murders, piece together complicated parts to a plot and forge his own path. Even more exciting for me was seeing a really great partner for Pendergast (though no one can outside D’Agosta, of course) in Agent Coldmoon. Left of center, I feel this character was an excellent support character for Pendergast. Highly intelligent, stable and not prone to leaping before carefully looking I felt in many ways Agent Coldmoon was a suitable and indeed worthy match to work with Pendergast. The two men also thaw to each other as they work and I believe come to respect and enjoy working together – something I would love to read more of.
This story was at last a really good, interesting and complicated murder mystery, but I feel a lot of the flair comes from Pendergast and Coldmoon’s characters in particular. Working with the new dynamic growing between these two men and having Pendergast taken out of his usual element of New York was lovely to read and while I didn’t initially have high hopes for Coldmoon (all too often there are significant flaws and/or failings in newly introduced FBI or police characters in this series) I was really impressed and, in the end, thrilled with his character and I really hope to see more of him again someday.
With the vibrant backdrop of Miami and the Florida surrounds, a really interesting and complicated murder case spanning the past and present day and a number of strongly written and intelligent characters this was a great book and an excellent addition to the series. I feel readers could certainly pick this up as a stand alone novel (though admit they might not find it quite as exceptional as I did) this is a fast-paced and excellent mystery/suspenseful read. Recommended.
I absolutely love this book and 100% recommend it. If your into murder-mystery, then this is the book for you
I look forward to the next Pendergast novel, they’ve all been excellent!
One of their best! Don’t miss this one!
Love these writers. follow them faithfully. this is not top of the line… pendergast is pendergast. I will, as always , read it again and again. pendergast is facinating. He always is.
Another great Preston and Child!
Above excellent. I always look forward to reading every Pendergast novel that is produced by the Preston and Child collaboration.
Enjoyable read.
The books in this series never disappoint. Start from the beginning of the series and read through to the end. They are all a good read.
Another good story
Great book. I am a fan of this series but this one was not as fascinating and intriguing as others in the series. Still a great read and continues the story of Pendergast.
Pendergast gets a new partner! It’s been a concern for the leadership of the FBI for some time that Special Agent Pendergast frequently applies unorthodox methods to solve strange and unusual crimes. The head of the FBI, the director, assigns a mole agent, a Native American Osage, to get dirt on our quirky Alyosius. The mole is a bit quirky himself, and although he and Pendergast butt heads at first, Alysious grows on him. The ending of the book suggests that these two probably won’t work together again, but oh my, the chemistry! To the authors, please, please, please bring this guy back! The crimes they are investigating are creepy and unusual, which is usual for Pendergast. Holmes and Watson move over, Special Agent AXL Pendergast is on the case. I love all of the books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, but this one I enjoyed immensely! Even if you’ve never read them, if you read this, you’ll want to read all their books! You won’t be disappointed!
Loved it…
I enjoyed the different interaction between Pendergast and his partner. Pendergast even showed he had a sense of humor and that he could show his appreciation of Coldmoon. As usual, it was a good read.
I love this series. When I start a new book in this series I can’t put it down.
Read all the Agent Pendergast series. Didn’t think this one was up to par.
Always love Agent Pendergast. A pretty good story and great characters….and alligators!!!
a great addition to the Pendergast series!
These authors never fail to deliver.
“You shall learn, if you haven’t already, that in life insubordination is not only necessary but even, at times, exhilarating.
The Special Agent Pendergast I have grown to love over time has finally returned! After a few disappointing reads, Verses for the Dead had the feel of the Pendergast mysteries from earlier books. Loved so much and highly recommend!
*Readers note: While this is the 18th installment, Verses for the Dead may be read stand alone.*