Not quite up to Preston/Child's usual standards, this book was a continuation of BRIMSTONE and the prequel to BOOK OF THE DEAD. While I don't mind continuing plots like this, ordinarily, this book FELT like a setup for the next in many ways - the characters acted at odds to their usual depictions, and the scenarios felt quite forced. I can ordinarily figure out where a Preston/Child novel is going well before it gets there, but the entire setup this time just felt...trite and forced.

Beyond that, the two major questions that have come up in the last few books in the series - regarding Diogenes's motivations and the nature/origins of Constance - were only hinted at. Irritatingly. Go right ahead, talk about how this is an "unfathomable mystery" or how things aren't what they appear, but at least throw us a bone regarding what said mystery is going to turn out to be, to keep us hooked and thinking about it before the next book. Don't simply mention the great mystery again and again while pointedly refusing to actually DISCUSS it. That's just maddening.

The prose was, thankfully, up to the usual snappy standards of this duo - the references come fast and thick, the writing and pacing are taut without being too simplistic or didactic, and the tension builds nicely. But that was about all that was up to the team's usual standards here - the plot was hackneyed and too telegraphed, the scenarios too outlandish (and for a duo known for writing about malevolent genetic oddities, that's saying something), and the characters acted at odds with their usual habits and deportment.

Let's not get into the fact that women, apparently, are always referred to by their first names, while men are referred to by their surnames. Laura Hayward is referred to both ways, but usually called "Laura" - a commentary on how women in power are perceived? I found it interesting that she was called Hayward when in her official capacity, but Margo Green was never called "Green," even though she was now a powerful personage, the editor of a top-ranked magazine. Hm. Meanwhile, even the lowliest of male characters was always referred to by his surname by the authors.

Don't get me wrong, I love Preston/Child and I'll certainly read BOOK OF THE DEAD, but their work is starting to lose me, at least in the Diogenes trilogy.