Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

 

It's back to the beginning! This prequel to the long-running Pendergast series gives us some insight into what he was like in his early days at the FBI, as well as further glimpses into his mysterious past.

Pendergast is operating more or less independently in the Louisiana field office of the FBI because his assigned mentor is mostly checked out due to the death of his wife. Pendergast causes an incident that results in the banishment of both him and his partner from the FBI office. They use the time to look into a case that has caught Pendergast's eye.

They uncover a series of murders involving surgical dismemberment unlike any previously known serial killer behavior. Through a combination of dogged police work and Pendergast's unique insight, they discover the murderer. Rather than the conclusion of the case, this turns out to be only the beginning. What they've stumbled upon is nearly beyond imagination, and truly unsettling. 

Preston and Child have once again crafted an entertaining mystery that only the skills of the brilliant Pendergast can unravel. He operates on a razor's edge between the exasperation he causes his superiors and the credit he brings the agency. This novel skillfully highlights the skills that Pendergast brings to bear, balanced with his relative inexperience at this point in his career. The amazing deductions and instincts, the whiff of the paranormal, and the twisted mind of the criminal he pursues make this another great entry in the series.

An exploration of some of Pendergast's life and associates before joining the FBI is also a welcome addition. A coda revisiting the series introduction to Pendergast in Relic is a nice bow on the entire affair. Sign me up for more adventures!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.