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Aloysius Pendergast #15
Crimson Shore
A secret chamber.
A mysterious shipwreck.
A murder in the desolate salt marshes.
A seemingly straightforward private case turns out to be much more complicated-and sinister-than Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast ever could have anticipated.
Pendergast, together with his ward Constance Greene, travels to the quaint seaside village of Exmouth, Massachusetts, to investigate the theft of a priceless wine collection. But inside the wine cellar, they find something considerably more disturbing: a bricked-up niche that once held a crumbling skeleton.
339 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2015
1243 people are currently reading
8378 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Preston
216 books13.3k followersDouglas Preston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956, and grew up in the deadly boring suburb of Wellesley. Following a distinguished career at a private nursery school--he was almost immediately expelled--he attended public schools and the Cambridge School of Weston. Notable events in his early life included the loss of a fingertip at the age of three to a bicycle; the loss of his two front teeth to his brother Richard's fist; and various broken bones, also incurred in dust-ups with Richard. (Richard went on to write The Hot Zone and The Cobra Event, which tells you all you need to know about what it was like to grow up with him as a brother.)
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
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January 8, 2019
Book 1 of the year 2019 finished! *and there was much rejoicing*
However, the fact that it is only 3.5 stars that I am rounding up to 4 is a bit disappointing. A three to 4 star rating isn’t bad, it’s just the Pendergast series is one of my favorites. I have frequently referenced my least favorite entry in the series (Wheel of Darkness), I now may have a new one to reference. My main reasons for reducing the rating are fraught with spoilers, so I will add them below under the spoiler tag - read only if you have already read this book or you don’t care at all about spoilers.
I will say this – it is always good to be back reading a Preston and Child book. It is even more of a treat when it is Pendergast. The unconventional mysteries and the protagonist’s cool demeanor are always interesting to behold. This book is like the others in that the mystery is so strange and the clues are so out there that it seems like the solution is going to be even more shocking than the mystery. As a whole, I highly recommend this series for horror/thriller/mystery fans and, in general, you will not be disappointed.
Now, my reasons for issue with this one . . .
So, going with 4 stars after rounding up with 3.5, but if it keeps going like this, I fear I might be dropping further!
However, the fact that it is only 3.5 stars that I am rounding up to 4 is a bit disappointing. A three to 4 star rating isn’t bad, it’s just the Pendergast series is one of my favorites. I have frequently referenced my least favorite entry in the series (Wheel of Darkness), I now may have a new one to reference. My main reasons for reducing the rating are fraught with spoilers, so I will add them below under the spoiler tag - read only if you have already read this book or you don’t care at all about spoilers.
I will say this – it is always good to be back reading a Preston and Child book. It is even more of a treat when it is Pendergast. The unconventional mysteries and the protagonist’s cool demeanor are always interesting to behold. This book is like the others in that the mystery is so strange and the clues are so out there that it seems like the solution is going to be even more shocking than the mystery. As a whole, I highly recommend this series for horror/thriller/mystery fans and, in general, you will not be disappointed.
Now, my reasons for issue with this one . . .
So, going with 4 stars after rounding up with 3.5, but if it keeps going like this, I fear I might be dropping further!
March 11, 2016
Only the fact I still super love aspects of the Pendergast persona prevents me from giving me this one star. Yes! Yes! It is that bad. But fans, go ahead and read it anyways and tell me if I'm wrong. I have the last ten books in hardcover and their books take up like two whole shelves so I am a fan. But ugh. At one point, I was so horrified by what I read that yep, the dreaded sticky notes came out so I could reference the awfulness of what I was beholding later.
And now because spoilers are going to happen...
And now because spoilers are going to happen...
February 17, 2016
Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Published 2015, Grand Central (November)
Stars: ★★★★★
Review also posted at: Slapdash & Sundry
OH. MY. GOD. That ending was exactly what I WANTED. I AM FLOORED.
Bring on book #16 asap, Preston/Child. There's a reason Pendergast has been one of my top favorite series for over a decade... it's because Preston/Child know just how to play with your emotions, when to hold back, and when to let all hell break loose!
While it's not my favorite book of the series (that title still belongs to Cabinet of Curiosities, one of my favorite books of all time), it is one of my absolute favorite endings/cliffhangers of the entire series!!!
Published 2015, Grand Central (November)
Stars: ★★★★★
Review also posted at: Slapdash & Sundry
OH. MY. GOD. That ending was exactly what I WANTED. I AM FLOORED.
Bring on book #16 asap, Preston/Child. There's a reason Pendergast has been one of my top favorite series for over a decade... it's because Preston/Child know just how to play with your emotions, when to hold back, and when to let all hell break loose!
While it's not my favorite book of the series (that title still belongs to Cabinet of Curiosities, one of my favorite books of all time), it is one of my absolute favorite endings/cliffhangers of the entire series!!!
July 19, 2021
Imagine if you’d never heard of a Tootsie Pop and someone handed you an orange one.
You’d unwrap it, think, “Ooh, this looks like a nice faux-citrus delight,” and pop it in your mouth, rolling it around to enjoy the characteristic click-clack against your teeth that is the auditory hallmark of any good sucker. After a while, you’d feel the hard orange candy begin to yield beneath the assault of your saliva and, as you feel as much as hear the cracks forming in the surface, bite down, awaiting the satisfying crunch and less satisfying feel of sticky bits of lollipop wedging themselves in between your teeth.
Only…wait a minute. You’re surprised—nay, utterly STUNNED—to be met not with a jaw-cracking crunch, but rather with a sticky, yielding, chocolatey(ish) mass. “WHAT IS HAPPENING?!” your overwhelmed brain cries, “I was enjoying this orange sucker and suddenly I had a sticky mess of chalky chocolate in my mouth! I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS!”
Such would be your reaction if you hadn’t read the prior 14 Pendergast books before picking up CRIMSON SHORE. Pendergast readers, however, are experienced Tootsie Poppers. For them, the experience of reading the book, the Orange Tootsie Pop of Pendergast books, can be summed up thusly: “Mmm…orange…orange…orange…almost there…almost…yup! There it is. Chalky chocolate. It’s about time.”
In other words, what seems like an idyllic, nigh-cozy mystery break for Pendergast and spunky gal pal Constance Greene (or, more accurately, murderously terrifying ice queen Constance Greene) quickly devolves into a creepy, almost supernatural gorefest of epic proportions. Ridiculous? Of course. Propulsive and compulsively readable? Always.
Only one question remains: how many licks DOES it take to get to the center of CRIMSON SHORE?
Alas—the world may never…wait, no. It’s four. It takes four licks. Sorry. I probably should have marked that as a spoiler.
You’d unwrap it, think, “Ooh, this looks like a nice faux-citrus delight,” and pop it in your mouth, rolling it around to enjoy the characteristic click-clack against your teeth that is the auditory hallmark of any good sucker. After a while, you’d feel the hard orange candy begin to yield beneath the assault of your saliva and, as you feel as much as hear the cracks forming in the surface, bite down, awaiting the satisfying crunch and less satisfying feel of sticky bits of lollipop wedging themselves in between your teeth.
Only…wait a minute. You’re surprised—nay, utterly STUNNED—to be met not with a jaw-cracking crunch, but rather with a sticky, yielding, chocolatey(ish) mass. “WHAT IS HAPPENING?!” your overwhelmed brain cries, “I was enjoying this orange sucker and suddenly I had a sticky mess of chalky chocolate in my mouth! I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS!”
Such would be your reaction if you hadn’t read the prior 14 Pendergast books before picking up CRIMSON SHORE. Pendergast readers, however, are experienced Tootsie Poppers. For them, the experience of reading the book, the Orange Tootsie Pop of Pendergast books, can be summed up thusly: “Mmm…orange…orange…orange…almost there…almost…yup! There it is. Chalky chocolate. It’s about time.”
In other words, what seems like an idyllic, nigh-cozy mystery break for Pendergast and spunky gal pal Constance Greene (or, more accurately, murderously terrifying ice queen Constance Greene) quickly devolves into a creepy, almost supernatural gorefest of epic proportions. Ridiculous? Of course. Propulsive and compulsively readable? Always.
Only one question remains: how many licks DOES it take to get to the center of CRIMSON SHORE?
Alas—the world may never…wait, no. It’s four. It takes four licks. Sorry. I probably should have marked that as a spoiler.
January 8, 2019
And the first book read in 2019 is Crimson Shore!!
4 STARS for another action-packed ending!
3 STARS for possibly bringing up a plot story that I do not want to happen in this series! I obviously won’t know if my fears are warranted until I read The Obsidian Chamber, the next book in the Pendergast series. *fingers crossed*
So, I'm rounding up to 4 STARS!
Crimson Shore starts off with Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast getting a private case involving the theft of a wine collection. But when Pendergast goes to Exmouth, Massachusetts, he gets more then he bargains for.
Constance Green, his ward goes with him to Massachusetts and while investigating the missing wine collection, they find a bricked-up hole which held a missing skeleton that was buried alive. Was this about the wine or much more?!
I thought this was a relatively fun thriller in the series. I’m having a few issues in this series in where I think Preston & Child are running out of plot ideas. There were some plot similarities to earlier books in the series and I hope they will bring up some new ideas in the upcoming books.
I loved the atmosphere of the coastal town in Massachusetts along with the marshland areas in certain chapters that took place. Preston & Child always give us more then a simple cut and dry case and I love that about their writing style!
The last 70 pages of the book was fun, exciting and a page turner.
Recommended to fans that have already started this series! In my opinion, I do not think this is a stand-alone book and needs to be read with the series.
4 STARS for another action-packed ending!
3 STARS for possibly bringing up a plot story that I do not want to happen in this series! I obviously won’t know if my fears are warranted until I read The Obsidian Chamber, the next book in the Pendergast series. *fingers crossed*
So, I'm rounding up to 4 STARS!
Crimson Shore starts off with Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast getting a private case involving the theft of a wine collection. But when Pendergast goes to Exmouth, Massachusetts, he gets more then he bargains for.
Constance Green, his ward goes with him to Massachusetts and while investigating the missing wine collection, they find a bricked-up hole which held a missing skeleton that was buried alive. Was this about the wine or much more?!
I thought this was a relatively fun thriller in the series. I’m having a few issues in this series in where I think Preston & Child are running out of plot ideas. There were some plot similarities to earlier books in the series and I hope they will bring up some new ideas in the upcoming books.
I loved the atmosphere of the coastal town in Massachusetts along with the marshland areas in certain chapters that took place. Preston & Child always give us more then a simple cut and dry case and I love that about their writing style!
The last 70 pages of the book was fun, exciting and a page turner.
Recommended to fans that have already started this series! In my opinion, I do not think this is a stand-alone book and needs to be read with the series.
November 4, 2015
When a man comes seeking Prendergast's help in the theft of his extensive wine collection, he is told this is not the type of case he is willing to investigate. Now I have goodread friends who are probably shouting, the theft of all that wine is of the utmost importance. It turns out that Prendergast does take on the investigation, after the renowned sculptor mentions a very expensive wine, thought to be out of existence, a case of which had been left behind. He and his ward, Constance travel to Exmouth, Mass. Here they find a complicated case that involves more than just missing wine.
Pendergast is a most unique character, he is pale, wears all black, has an immovable and emotionless persona with strange ways and investigative style with a complicated family background. As does Constance Greene. This case will take the reader to a shipwreck, the Salem witch trials and a dangerous secret haunting the town. Wonderful series, always interesting, dangers and thrilling endings. But as usual the endings not the only ending but a very dangerous enemy will strike when defenses are gone and so now we wait form the next book to see where exactly this will go.
ARC from publisher.
Pendergast is a most unique character, he is pale, wears all black, has an immovable and emotionless persona with strange ways and investigative style with a complicated family background. As does Constance Greene. This case will take the reader to a shipwreck, the Salem witch trials and a dangerous secret haunting the town. Wonderful series, always interesting, dangers and thrilling endings. But as usual the endings not the only ending but a very dangerous enemy will strike when defenses are gone and so now we wait form the next book to see where exactly this will go.
ARC from publisher.
November 3, 2018
Edit & update:
I forgot to put that after about the 1st 20 chapters, I found an audiobook of this to borrow. I played it while I read the book to see what it was like and I loved it. The narrator is awesome on his Pendergast accent. Total immersion was really rewarding. Doing the same if possible on the next.
DANG ! That end!!!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a <3 ❤️ for the heart pounding end. Geez. I can’t wait now !! Some of you guys come on! Get reading !!!!
Okay, so at first on this one you are like, Pendergast—really ? Come on Pendergast —that will be boring! Don’t go do that. Even he is like, “No. No, no. “
Something convinces him otherwise. Boring, pfah!
Well, things never stay that way around the man. So once you find out what he and Constance are up to, you may think it a mundane little mission, but nahhhh. He has a sense about these things and apparently so does his ward.
Freaky and spooky for Halloween with just the right bit of anthropology and history added for me then throw in a pinch of extraordinarily weird. Cause some of this at the end here, I think might be definitely the author’s using their creative license on certain beliefs...
Anyway it was great timing on Halloween! It sure was storming here. Can’t imagine anyone going out in that. But I know our church had Fall Fest and there was plenty of safe and dry things for kids to do.
We just read Grimm and gothic stories and watched Nightmare Before Christmas & other such favorites.
Hope yours was a good night! 🌙
I forgot to put that after about the 1st 20 chapters, I found an audiobook of this to borrow. I played it while I read the book to see what it was like and I loved it. The narrator is awesome on his Pendergast accent. Total immersion was really rewarding. Doing the same if possible on the next.
DANG ! That end!!!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a <3 ❤️ for the heart pounding end. Geez. I can’t wait now !! Some of you guys come on! Get reading !!!!
Okay, so at first on this one you are like, Pendergast—really ? Come on Pendergast —that will be boring! Don’t go do that. Even he is like, “No. No, no. “
Something convinces him otherwise. Boring, pfah!
Well, things never stay that way around the man. So once you find out what he and Constance are up to, you may think it a mundane little mission, but nahhhh. He has a sense about these things and apparently so does his ward.
Freaky and spooky for Halloween with just the right bit of anthropology and history added for me then throw in a pinch of extraordinarily weird. Cause some of this at the end here, I think might be definitely the author’s using their creative license on certain beliefs...
Anyway it was great timing on Halloween! It sure was storming here. Can’t imagine anyone going out in that. But I know our church had Fall Fest and there was plenty of safe and dry things for kids to do.
We just read Grimm and gothic stories and watched Nightmare Before Christmas & other such favorites.
Hope yours was a good night! 🌙
September 20, 2023
Crimson Shore is the 15th book in the Pendergast FBI thriller series written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. These two authors are powerhouse writers who thoroughly know how to shock and excite their readers. From the slower, early stages of the book where we learn of a missing wine collection to the discovery of several bodies, and a wild beast of sorts, the action hardly stops after the initial set up. Really enjoying the focus on Constance, but they are pushing her too far into a dark realm. And that cliffhanger ending! Wow. Can't wait to read the next one.
March 31, 2018
Pendergast and his ward Constance Green traveler to Exmount, Massachusetts, an old village on the coast north of Salem to investigate the theft of valuable wine from a wine cellar. What they found in this peaceful little village is much more than the bargain for and soon they have to fight for their lives.
Don't read the real blurb! I mean it, I'm sick and tired of blurbs giving away much of the beginning of the book. I want to read to find out what is happening, not get the first part of the book given away before I have started the book. Luckily I rarely read blurbs nowadays. Especially when it comes to a new book in a series that I love. Then I just don't care about what is going on, I just want the book!
I was lucky enough to get an approved on NetGalley for this book and it was a really good book. I have just one main problem with the book, I just don't like Constance Green that much. I mean I like her history, the first books with her and explanation “to her life”, but as a character in a book (especially this book) she just feels a bit to aggravating. It didn't help that Constance, in the beginning, kept on correcting a man's Shakespeare quotes. I loathe people that just know it all and must constantly show off. And, I feel that way with Constance. I have never that problem with Pendergast because he really uses his knowledge in such a great way, even though it can be annoying for those around him. Another thing, it seems that they are trying to make Constance and Pendergast a couple. There are hints about that, one scene partially in this book and I just feel...nooo.
Alright, now that is off my chest. This little town Exmouth is close to Salem, and you know what that means...witches! Or is it? Perhaps that is just a red herring. Also, there is a ship that was lost over a hundred years ago. What happened to the ship. And, what the hell happened to all the wine?
And the ending, of course, it ends with a cliffhanger and it seems that someone is back. Someone bad and I can only think of one person, but how can that be?
I hope Corrie Swanson is back in the next book *puppy eyes*...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Don't read the real blurb! I mean it, I'm sick and tired of blurbs giving away much of the beginning of the book. I want to read to find out what is happening, not get the first part of the book given away before I have started the book. Luckily I rarely read blurbs nowadays. Especially when it comes to a new book in a series that I love. Then I just don't care about what is going on, I just want the book!
I was lucky enough to get an approved on NetGalley for this book and it was a really good book. I have just one main problem with the book, I just don't like Constance Green that much. I mean I like her history, the first books with her and explanation “to her life”, but as a character in a book (especially this book) she just feels a bit to aggravating. It didn't help that Constance, in the beginning, kept on correcting a man's Shakespeare quotes. I loathe people that just know it all and must constantly show off. And, I feel that way with Constance. I have never that problem with Pendergast because he really uses his knowledge in such a great way, even though it can be annoying for those around him. Another thing, it seems that they are trying to make Constance and Pendergast a couple. There are hints about that, one scene partially in this book and I just feel...nooo.
Alright, now that is off my chest. This little town Exmouth is close to Salem, and you know what that means...witches! Or is it? Perhaps that is just a red herring. Also, there is a ship that was lost over a hundred years ago. What happened to the ship. And, what the hell happened to all the wine?
And the ending, of course, it ends with a cliffhanger and it seems that someone is back. Someone bad and I can only think of one person, but how can that be?
I hope Corrie Swanson is back in the next book *puppy eyes*...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
February 11, 2019
The book's a little slow-moving for the majority of it, more of a straight up mystery. It gets solved 2/3rd's of the way through the book. That's when the book takes a left turn into Relic land.
January 20, 2019
Oh my goodness...I feel like I have been on a never ending roller coaster that stops right at the top of a hill and I am being hovered over the steepest drop. Not allowed to fall but continuing to linger with the threat and anticipation of the fall.
I cannot believe I waited so long to continue reading the Pendergast series. As always this book provided adventure, education, action and the ultimate unexpected ending.
I can only say I am happily exhausted after this read and only if you read it will you understand. I highly recommend this book.
I cannot believe I waited so long to continue reading the Pendergast series. As always this book provided adventure, education, action and the ultimate unexpected ending.
I can only say I am happily exhausted after this read and only if you read it will you understand. I highly recommend this book.
November 15, 2015
Like they had two ideas and couldn't decide on which book they were going to write, so they wrote both. Seriously pissed. Probably my last in the series.
February 8, 2025
A missing wine collection, some kind of murder committed by a brother that wasn't quite right and a coven of witches old and new ones. Can Constance Green and Aloysius Pendergast solve this case? The first part was easy but then some darker force enters the little village. Who is this murderer and why is he on a killing spree? Extremely atmospheric, compelling, dark, full of reference to the witches of Salem and magic mischief going on. One of the uncanniest Pendergast novels so far. A page turner if there ever was one. The story started simple but got more fascinating chapter by chapter. These authors really know their trade and absolutely deliver. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2020
A priceless wine collection has been stolen. Agent Pendergast along with his ward Constance Green take a trip to Exmouth, MA to investigate. The thieves emptied the wine cellar except for one case of an extremely rare vintage from 1904. Pendergast rapidly discovers that there is much more going on than the theft of some incredibly expensive wines. A secret chamber holds clues to old secrets.....murder, dark rituals.....evil.
Leave it to Pendergast to jump into a case for the price of a bottle of rare wine and end up nose deep in long hidden, horrible secrets. This story definitely kept my attention the entire time....and led me to immediately check out the audio of the next book in the series. Thank God there was not a waiting list for this one! I would have been biting my fingernails off until it became available! But, there is a reason these books usually have a wait list at the library (about the only thing good about Covid-19 is that libraries have increased their checkout limits and number of available copies of books so everyone can read and listen during all of this mess)...the stories are exciting, the characters are interesting, and the action is never, ever boring! As I listened to the opening chapters of this book, I actually talked to my phone as it played.....oh Aloysius, surely you realize this case is not going to end up being about wine. I tried to tell him.....but alas.....he had to proceed as written. :)
Another great story in this series! I listen these days with a twinge of sadness. Rene Auberjonois is a perfect narrator for this series. After his death in December 2019, the newest book published in 2020, Crooked River, was narrated by Jefferson Mays. I went to Audible and listened to an audio sample. Sigh. It sounds like Jefferson Mays does a good job....but he is no Rene Auberjonois. Crimson Shore is the 15th book in this series. Auberjonois narrated up to book 18....so I will have the joy of three more superb performances by one of my favorite actors until I have to accept (or try to) change. RIP Rene Auberjonois....thank you so much for sharing decades of your talent with all of us!
On to book 16 -- The Obsidian Chamber!
Leave it to Pendergast to jump into a case for the price of a bottle of rare wine and end up nose deep in long hidden, horrible secrets. This story definitely kept my attention the entire time....and led me to immediately check out the audio of the next book in the series. Thank God there was not a waiting list for this one! I would have been biting my fingernails off until it became available! But, there is a reason these books usually have a wait list at the library (about the only thing good about Covid-19 is that libraries have increased their checkout limits and number of available copies of books so everyone can read and listen during all of this mess)...the stories are exciting, the characters are interesting, and the action is never, ever boring! As I listened to the opening chapters of this book, I actually talked to my phone as it played.....oh Aloysius, surely you realize this case is not going to end up being about wine. I tried to tell him.....but alas.....he had to proceed as written. :)
Another great story in this series! I listen these days with a twinge of sadness. Rene Auberjonois is a perfect narrator for this series. After his death in December 2019, the newest book published in 2020, Crooked River, was narrated by Jefferson Mays. I went to Audible and listened to an audio sample. Sigh. It sounds like Jefferson Mays does a good job....but he is no Rene Auberjonois. Crimson Shore is the 15th book in this series. Auberjonois narrated up to book 18....so I will have the joy of three more superb performances by one of my favorite actors until I have to accept (or try to) change. RIP Rene Auberjonois....thank you so much for sharing decades of your talent with all of us!
On to book 16 -- The Obsidian Chamber!
October 22, 2015
In CRIMSON SHORE, Agent Pendergast is back to his enigmatic ways once more. When asked to take on the investigation of a burgled wine cellar, he accepts--thinking that it would be a refreshing "break" of sorts for he and Constance Greene from their everyday routines. Naturally, the case proves to be MUCH more than that.
Pendergast is back to doing what he does best--flawlessly playing people into the positions he wants them in, discovering clues and additional crimes that local law enforcement would consistently miss, and unerringly judging and deducing the most complex of cases with uncanny observation and logic.
In this book, however, we are treated to a rare moment of "human weakness" from our secretive hero. Also of note, Constance Greene really begins to display her own strength, showing some Pendergast-like abilities and deductions.
The CRIMSON SHORE is another fast paced read, moving rapidly from revelation to revelation--always able to maintain the readers' constant attention and focus. While this story is a stand-alone on its own merit, the ending leaves open some very tense situations that will have fans anxiously awaiting the next Pendergast-featured book. One of my favorite Pendergast novels to date!
Highly recommended!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Pendergast is back to doing what he does best--flawlessly playing people into the positions he wants them in, discovering clues and additional crimes that local law enforcement would consistently miss, and unerringly judging and deducing the most complex of cases with uncanny observation and logic.
In this book, however, we are treated to a rare moment of "human weakness" from our secretive hero. Also of note, Constance Greene really begins to display her own strength, showing some Pendergast-like abilities and deductions.
The CRIMSON SHORE is another fast paced read, moving rapidly from revelation to revelation--always able to maintain the readers' constant attention and focus. While this story is a stand-alone on its own merit, the ending leaves open some very tense situations that will have fans anxiously awaiting the next Pendergast-featured book. One of my favorite Pendergast novels to date!
Highly recommended!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
December 10, 2015
This book was not up to the usual standard of these authors. The first 100 pages read like a very rough draft. Pendergast and Constance seemed like caricatures of themselves. The writing improved when the details of the mystery were presented, but the mystery itself was pretty mediocre and failed to hold my interest. The mystery is solved about 100 pages before the end of the book. Then it turns into an "X Files monster of the week" episode, but even that is more gorey than interesting. It ends with a cliffhanger, bringing back a "dead" character from eight books ago. Uggh!
December 5, 2015
pre-ordered and arrived today, a lovely HC 1st edition.
I was really looking forward to a new Pendergast thriller so was totally ready to enjoy it. And by Jove it is enjoyable. The books consists of two parts the first two thirds of the books is about a crime committed a century ago and still has a village living its secrets about a missing ship and its valuable content. And all Pendergast came to look for was a missing exclusive wine collection. The last part of the book is about another Dark part of American history namely the witches. Its conclusion feels short lived but is there through the whole novel it only blooms at the end of the book.
And then we get to the conclusion of the book and its is an amazing one. Five stars worth but sometimes the book feels out of balance which costs one star.
Great for those who enjoy a stronger role of Constance Green and the connection between Pendergast and her.
If this book does not leave you thirsting for more Pendergast you should walk away because the series is not for you.
Minor point to the book: It will take a bloody year for the next book.
I was really looking forward to a new Pendergast thriller so was totally ready to enjoy it. And by Jove it is enjoyable. The books consists of two parts the first two thirds of the books is about a crime committed a century ago and still has a village living its secrets about a missing ship and its valuable content. And all Pendergast came to look for was a missing exclusive wine collection. The last part of the book is about another Dark part of American history namely the witches. Its conclusion feels short lived but is there through the whole novel it only blooms at the end of the book.
And then we get to the conclusion of the book and its is an amazing one. Five stars worth but sometimes the book feels out of balance which costs one star.
Great for those who enjoy a stronger role of Constance Green and the connection between Pendergast and her.
If this book does not leave you thirsting for more Pendergast you should walk away because the series is not for you.
Minor point to the book: It will take a bloody year for the next book.
February 28, 2018
Crimson Shore is another classic Pendergast - a good mystery, the creep factor, great writing and a tense climax. There are shout-outs to The Hound of the Baskervilles but I found that this book reminded me more of the Cthulhu mythos as well as Stephen King's Bangor setting (if that makes sense).
The actual plot is bought to a conclusion about three quarters of the way in. The rest of the book is devoted to setting up a return of a character. In fact, I think this might be the shortest Pendergast so far even if we include the extra fluff towards the end.
Overall, a decent Pendergast but not the best. That is still reserved for the first four books.
The actual plot is bought to a conclusion about three quarters of the way in. The rest of the book is devoted to setting up a return of a character. In fact, I think this might be the shortest Pendergast so far even if we include the extra fluff towards the end.
Overall, a decent Pendergast but not the best. That is still reserved for the first four books.
June 27, 2020
Not going to lie, it took me a bit to get into this book. (Which is part of the Agent Pendergast series - I have yet to read the earlier ones). But once into it I really enjoyed it. Sherlock Holmes sort of thing, it also reminding me of the old tv show Monk for some reason.
May 21, 2016
A mostly retired Pendergast agrees to explore a mystery set in a small New England town with haunted folklore tales. Constance is along with him and gets several chapters of her own. Big surprise at the end . . . or maybe it isn't a surprise to some.
I read this one out of order so I am going to presume I missed some things (I am on book 6 but figured I would never get up to this installment since I am reading so many other things) so it feels like a three star experience close to four star . . . so I am giving it 4 stars based on the current Pendergast items I have enjoyed reading.
This audio version was well done. Rene Auberjonois, who I know mostly from Boston Legal TV series, did a good job with all of the personalities.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
I read this one out of order so I am going to presume I missed some things (I am on book 6 but figured I would never get up to this installment since I am reading so many other things) so it feels like a three star experience close to four star . . . so I am giving it 4 stars based on the current Pendergast items I have enjoyed reading.
This audio version was well done. Rene Auberjonois, who I know mostly from Boston Legal TV series, did a good job with all of the personalities.
OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
April 9, 2020
A cliffhanger ending... again. So there’s only one thing to do now, on to the next one.
I just can’t stay away from these books for long. They are always so engaging and entertaining. At this rate, I’ll be fully caught up with the ongoing series in no time. I’ll say it once more, Constance is scary!
I just can’t stay away from these books for long. They are always so engaging and entertaining. At this rate, I’ll be fully caught up with the ongoing series in no time. I’ll say it once more, Constance is scary!
November 1, 2015
Bones will speak, the marshes will speak, relics of the past, legends and mystical things, all things will go arie .
A mystery of the caliber that you would expect penned by the duo Child and Preston with the main protagonist, the very unique FBI special agent, Pendergast centre stage of a gothic landscape and a gothic mystery tale in all the sense of the word.
Something that started as a simple case of a mystery behind a stolen expensive wine, losses all its simplicity with mysterious goings on, "something else going on in the town of Exmouth, something dark, strange, beyond ratiocination," with things from past, including: covens, a disappearing ship, ancient carvings, and a lighthouse.
There is plenty to keep you reading.
The story reads with great pace, visceral and with fine details and at the same time easy reading prose, not laden with too much cerebral stalling in the pace.
The authors have dealt an exquisite meal to savour and the wine taste will stay long after the dessert in your mouth to mull over.
Review @ http://more2read.com/review/crimson-shore-by-douglas-preston-lincoln-child/
A mystery of the caliber that you would expect penned by the duo Child and Preston with the main protagonist, the very unique FBI special agent, Pendergast centre stage of a gothic landscape and a gothic mystery tale in all the sense of the word.
Something that started as a simple case of a mystery behind a stolen expensive wine, losses all its simplicity with mysterious goings on, "something else going on in the town of Exmouth, something dark, strange, beyond ratiocination," with things from past, including: covens, a disappearing ship, ancient carvings, and a lighthouse.
There is plenty to keep you reading.
The story reads with great pace, visceral and with fine details and at the same time easy reading prose, not laden with too much cerebral stalling in the pace.
The authors have dealt an exquisite meal to savour and the wine taste will stay long after the dessert in your mouth to mull over.
Review @ http://more2read.com/review/crimson-shore-by-douglas-preston-lincoln-child/
August 28, 2015
Another great entry in the Pendergast series! This time, while between other investigations, he is hired as a private investigator when a sculptor who lives on the north coast of Massachusetts has his excellent collection of wine stolen in a break in. (And it was stolen from the light house where he lives.) Initially rejecting this as not his "style" of job, Pendergast finds something that puzzles and attracts him to the job. So he and Constance Greene leave for Exmouth, MA and so much happens.
I don't want to go into details of plot here, except to say that. as in all Preston and Child Books, there is much simmering below the surface. This small coastal town, surrounded by ocean and marshlands, also has history. The final chapters of the book had me reading quickly, wondering what would happen next, until finally I realized---I can hardly wait for the next book.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I don't want to go into details of plot here, except to say that. as in all Preston and Child Books, there is much simmering below the surface. This small coastal town, surrounded by ocean and marshlands, also has history. The final chapters of the book had me reading quickly, wondering what would happen next, until finally I realized---I can hardly wait for the next book.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 18, 2022
This is book 15 (!!) in the Pendergast series. Pendergast is hired to investigate the theft of a valuable wine collection from the cellar of a stone sculptor. It appears after initial research, that the theft may be linked to a ship that disappeared off the coast near the house and potentially also to some historical black witch stories.
The pace is fast, although it is about 2/3 through the book that a twist comes that brings out the true story that we have come to know with this series, of monsters and fantastical creatures linked to old magic and local mythology.
The pace is fast, although it is about 2/3 through the book that a twist comes that brings out the true story that we have come to know with this series, of monsters and fantastical creatures linked to old magic and local mythology.
January 24, 2019
This focused on Pendergast and Constance in a story with a supernatural bent. I’m not sure I find it particularly believable that Pendergast didn’t pick up on what Constance did which bumped me out of the story a little. It also ended very suddenly. My heart sank a little at the hints of a reappearance of my least favourite characters of the series, but the promise of more of Procter will still lure me onwards through the next instalment.
May 22, 2022
This book had a lot of potential, but I don't think it has been fully used.
I've read my last book in this series a long time ago and I don't even remember what it was about. But luckily, that wasn't a problem. The beginning of this story was really fascinating and I got into the story very quickly.
Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, this story lost its momentum, at least for me. It wasn't that I had completely lost interest and stopped reading. On the contrary, I read this book very quickly in just a few days without too much trouble. But in the end, I didn't feel the excitement and satisfaction I felt at the beginning.
As with many other books in this series, we are at all times unsure whether what is happening is just an "ordinary" serial killer or if some supernatural force is involved. This dilemma is particularly present in the last dozen or so chapters. I'm not sure, but I think this may be one of the things that didn't work for me in the second half of the book. Even though I don't usually like small town crimes, in this case the whole setup worked very well for me. However, I admit that sometimes I had trouble remembering all these characters and figuring out who's who.
The book ends with a cliffhanger, which I personally don't like very much. Especially since in this case it is quite a big and serious cliffhanger.
As time passes after reading this book, my enthusiasm for this story diminishes. Probably one day I'll read another book in this series, but despite the cliffhanger, or maybe because of it, I don't feel like doing it right now.
I've read my last book in this series a long time ago and I don't even remember what it was about. But luckily, that wasn't a problem. The beginning of this story was really fascinating and I got into the story very quickly.
Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, this story lost its momentum, at least for me. It wasn't that I had completely lost interest and stopped reading. On the contrary, I read this book very quickly in just a few days without too much trouble. But in the end, I didn't feel the excitement and satisfaction I felt at the beginning.
As with many other books in this series, we are at all times unsure whether what is happening is just an "ordinary" serial killer or if some supernatural force is involved. This dilemma is particularly present in the last dozen or so chapters. I'm not sure, but I think this may be one of the things that didn't work for me in the second half of the book. Even though I don't usually like small town crimes, in this case the whole setup worked very well for me. However, I admit that sometimes I had trouble remembering all these characters and figuring out who's who.
The book ends with a cliffhanger, which I personally don't like very much. Especially since in this case it is quite a big and serious cliffhanger.
As time passes after reading this book, my enthusiasm for this story diminishes. Probably one day I'll read another book in this series, but despite the cliffhanger, or maybe because of it, I don't feel like doing it right now.
November 11, 2015
REVIEW: CRIMSON SHORE by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
I am ecstatic to discover with CRIMSON SHORE that my decades of fascination with the elusive, eccentric, and deep FBI Special Agent A. F. X. Pendergast (of New Orleans) has returned, after 2014's BLUE LABYRINTH (which I still haven't completed). CRIMSON SHORE unfolds with the high quality and puzzling multiple mysteries of which Pendergast is past master. Incited by a theft case at the isolated Massachusetts lighthouse residence of a sculptor and oenophile. Where the useless police chief is clueless, Pendergast uncovers mystery after mystery, this time allowing his ward Constance Greene to accompany him in the investigation.
The small Massachusetts community near the sculptor' s home immediately reminded me of Lovecraft' s Innsmouth, that fishy seaside community, and indeed, as Pendergast and Constance soon discover, Exmouth has over the centuries been noted for its contingent of evil, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pendergast uncovers evidence of demonisn and a 19th century ship disappearance. Quickly it's evident that the wine theft was not the point, but a cover-up for the actual theft.. .and the brutal and bizarre murders continue
I am ecstatic to discover with CRIMSON SHORE that my decades of fascination with the elusive, eccentric, and deep FBI Special Agent A. F. X. Pendergast (of New Orleans) has returned, after 2014's BLUE LABYRINTH (which I still haven't completed). CRIMSON SHORE unfolds with the high quality and puzzling multiple mysteries of which Pendergast is past master. Incited by a theft case at the isolated Massachusetts lighthouse residence of a sculptor and oenophile. Where the useless police chief is clueless, Pendergast uncovers mystery after mystery, this time allowing his ward Constance Greene to accompany him in the investigation.
The small Massachusetts community near the sculptor' s home immediately reminded me of Lovecraft' s Innsmouth, that fishy seaside community, and indeed, as Pendergast and Constance soon discover, Exmouth has over the centuries been noted for its contingent of evil, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pendergast uncovers evidence of demonisn and a 19th century ship disappearance. Quickly it's evident that the wine theft was not the point, but a cover-up for the actual theft.. .and the brutal and bizarre murders continue
November 10, 2015
#15 in the Pendergast series
I have read all of the books in this series and I have to write that I was disappointed with this offering. There was just too much going on with no focus.
Pendergast and his ward, Constance Greene, are hired to solve a wine robbery. Now, while there was a LOT of wine taken, this just seems pretty piddly for an FBI agent to take on.
There was more about Constance in this story, which I enjoyed reading. But otherwise there was a hodgepodge of the robbery, a hidden room, a shipwreck...and if that's not enough, there's an undercurrent of witchcraft plus even more.
It just didn't seem like Pendergast was in top form in this book. And to top it all off there's a major cliffhanger. And now we have to wait months for the next book, hoping it will be a better story. Disappointing!
NOTE: I received this book from Grand Central Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
I have read all of the books in this series and I have to write that I was disappointed with this offering. There was just too much going on with no focus.
Pendergast and his ward, Constance Greene, are hired to solve a wine robbery. Now, while there was a LOT of wine taken, this just seems pretty piddly for an FBI agent to take on.
There was more about Constance in this story, which I enjoyed reading. But otherwise there was a hodgepodge of the robbery, a hidden room, a shipwreck...and if that's not enough, there's an undercurrent of witchcraft plus even more.
It just didn't seem like Pendergast was in top form in this book. And to top it all off there's a major cliffhanger. And now we have to wait months for the next book, hoping it will be a better story. Disappointing!
NOTE: I received this book from Grand Central Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2016
Read this one during Dewey's 24 hour readathon but didn't have time to finish it until the next day.
Once again a great entry into the Agent Pendergast series! This time Pendergast is approached by a sculpture from New England for a private investigation - to find his stolen wine. Constance Green. Pendergast's ward, accompanies him on this investigation. I loved it that Pendergast only accepted the investigation because he is a wine lover and his payment will be one of the a bottle of the rare wine if recovered. The investigation first leads to a crypt where someone had been chained and walled up alive, as in Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". Further investigation leads to murders, a history of a shipwreck, an underground Coven and a man who is now a monster. The ending is definitely a cliff-hanger which works for a Agent Pendergast novel. This book reminded me a lot of Pendergast's earlier adventures.
Once again a great entry into the Agent Pendergast series! This time Pendergast is approached by a sculpture from New England for a private investigation - to find his stolen wine. Constance Green. Pendergast's ward, accompanies him on this investigation. I loved it that Pendergast only accepted the investigation because he is a wine lover and his payment will be one of the a bottle of the rare wine if recovered. The investigation first leads to a crypt where someone had been chained and walled up alive, as in Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". Further investigation leads to murders, a history of a shipwreck, an underground Coven and a man who is now a monster. The ending is definitely a cliff-hanger which works for a Agent Pendergast novel. This book reminded me a lot of Pendergast's earlier adventures.
January 9, 2019
Another great installment! This series hits all the buttons for me. Love the storylines, love the mysteries, love the action, love the suspense and I especially love the characters. As always, well written and fun to read. I’m a 4.5/5.0 stars here.
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