The Book of the Dead

April 24, 2006
Bestsellers Preston and Child have come up with another gripping, action-packed page-turner in this concluding volume to a trilogy pitting their Holmesian hero, FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, against his Mycroft-turned-Moriarty—his younger brother, Diogenes. Picking up shortly after the events of 2005's Dance of Death
, the book opens with the arrival of a package of fine dust at the Museum of Natural History; Diogenes has returned the diamonds he stole earlier. Meanwhile, Aloysius is in prison, having been framed for a number of murders. As his friends plot to spring him, his adversary lays the groundwork for a crowning criminal achievement. A mysterious benefactor funds the restoration of an ancient Egyptian tomb at the museum, but the work is beset by the mayhem Preston and Child's readers have come to expect—gory murders and suggestions of the supernatural. This entry, tying up many loose ends from its predecessors, is less likely to work as well for first-time readers, but followers of Aloysius Pendergast's previous exploits will find it a satisfying read with a tantalizing, ominous twist at the end. 10-city author tour.

Starred review from November 1, 2006
The combination of Preston and Child has produced one best-selling thriller after another and has created one of the most intriguing characters in contemporary fiction: FBI special agent Aloysius Pendergast. This honey-voiced, seemingly supernatural G-man has faced danger in past novels, but this time he truly seems to have been outsmarted by his diabolical brother, Diogenes. As the book opens (the third in an apparent trilogy), Aloysius is in solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison, Diogenes is plotting a heinous crime against New York's Museum of Natural History, and Aloysius's NYPD friend Vince D'Agosta is in danger of losing his job. When an anonymous donor contributes an incredible sum of money to the museum to enable it to open a long-lost Egyptian tomb buried in the basement, it seems like the perfect time to distract the public from a massive diamond theft from the museum. Master storyteller Scott Brick has read many Preston-Child novels and voices just the right amount of drama and excitement to maintain the incredibly high level of suspense. Highly recommended for every library.Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 7, 2006
Readers caught up in the two previous adventures of FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, will leap right into this audio conclusion of the three-part series by Preston and Childs. Smartly abridged, this concluding volume is read with a lively and literate excitement by veteran actor Auberjonois, who can capture a surly museum guard, a snooty curator and a shrewd villain (Aloysius's evil brother, Diogenes) in the flicker of a vocal cord, but who saves his most ironic tones for Aloysius himself. Even listeners who are new to the series will find lots of thrills and chuckles. Everything from priceless diamonds ground to dust to murder and bloody mayhem is treated with zestful underplaying by Auberjonois. But listeners who will probably most appreciate the extensive tying up of loose plot threads this time around are the ones who were there when those threads first began to unravel. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 24).

May 15, 2006
Preston and Child's Pendergast series, which began with "Brimstone" and "Dance of Death", ends in grand style with this intense and shocking conclusion. FBI agent Pendergast's psychotic brother, Diogenes, has plotted for years to achieve his goal of destroying his brother, and he sees his opportunity at last at the New York Museum of Natural History. An Egyptian tomb buried by the museum staff more than 70 years ago is about to be unveiled in a bold extravaganza. The tomb was believed to have been cursed, and signs show that this possessed evil still haunts the exhibit. As Diogenes unleashes his plan, his brother is nowhere to be found to stop him. Accused of the murders that Diogenes committed, Agent Pendergast lies in an escape-proof prison and must dodge the inmates who want him dead. With this final installment, Preston and Child have truly saved the best for last. Every story thread thrills, and the novel seems too short, despite the large page count. Readers will want to see Pendergast and friends again quickly; an essential purchase." -Jeff Ayers, Seattle P.L."

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.