Crimson Shore

Absolutely shocking!! Would never have guessed the ending!! As always, keeps you in suspense. Can’t wait to read the next one!!

First off, I believe that the combined works of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child places them among the best writing partnerships -- ever! Most pairings of authors that I have seen do not effectively fuse their thoughts and styles. Somehow these two authors, each of whom is highly successful in their individual efforts, manage to play off one another and yet generate a writing style that is smooth and cohesive. There is enough detailed description of the various scenes to put you in the driver's seat without overwriting and essentially wasting words AND the readers' time. Both the main characters and the supporting cast are well developed and easy to identify with. Even the title of this novel metaphorically prepares you for something dark and unusual.But this novel takes a few detours from their previous works in this series. Constance Greene, the ageless beauty who originally was discovered dwelling in the bowels of 891 Riverside Drive, comes further into the light in this episode to assist Special Agent Pendergast in his latest investigation. Not only does she leave the dark and comforting womb of the mansion, but her character is described in much more detail concerning her actions, her manner of dress, and the simmering emotions normally hidden behind those unique violet eyes. She has a brain, she has a temper, and her analytical skills continue to improve under the direct tutelage of her guardian. In fact, her intuition takes her in a direction seemingly overlooked by Agent Pendergast, one of the few oversights ever attributed to him.The main story line becomes a bit overcrowded (a little busy) in this novel because of the interjection of so many subplots, so much so that just when you think that everything is being tied together, two other events occur that leave the reader hanging and looking for answers in the next novel of the series. The authors have set the stage for Constance to more or less be in control in their next story unless they follow the old diction of "from darkness he came and to darkness he returns". Other questions remain unanswered at the end of this book and we'll just have to wait and see what direction the authors take in their next episode.Don't get me wrong. I love these guys and this series. After enjoying considerable success from adhering to their formula, many authors find themselves having to make a choice. They can continue on in the same vein and become stale, they can simply quit, or they can take a different tact and freshen up their work. To me, their is only one obvious solution.

Fascinating history on the huge effect the year 1883 had on life everywhere. It led me to do more research on the worldwide effects of Krakatoa. I learn from these books, odd things like how Absinthe is supposed to be consumed and about wines, history etc..I learn new words. Add to that in this book witches, evil ones, a monster slaughtering multiple people and a dark landscape of northern marshes in winter, and you have quite a story. The descriptive detail puts you inside the story running for your life. I have one problem. Once again the dog dies. So, it's back to a lesser writer next book, Dean Koontz, who always saves the dog. But I truly believe this is my favorite of their books.

This is a wonderful back to basics Pendergast adventure. After having his life saved by his friends, Pendergast takes an intriguing side job at an atmospheric, quaint, small Massachusetts town along with his enigmatic ward Constance. The theft of a wine supply leads to more than either bargained for. Town secrets and tales of witches arise to complicate matters. While one mystery in unearthed, another simmers.This is a great character piece that shows some exploration of Pendergast and Constance's changing relationship. She learns more about modern society. Needless to say, there are twists and turns. if you have been paying careful attention, you will see the clues leading to a revelation at the end. The ending is not what you expect either. I love the insights into Pendergast's personality as well as the evolution of Constance. Another fantastic book, though it ends on a cliffhanger that leads into the next one. Ready to dive into the Obsidian Chamber!

As the next book in the Pendergast series, this was very entertaining. We are also given more understanding to the character of Constance, his ward. Constance and Pendergast have come to a New England town called Exmouth to solve the mystery of the robbery of a fine wine collection. In his evaluation of the site which is a sub-basement of the old house his client owns, Pendergast finds a bone fragment in the area hidden behind the wall the wine rack was attached to. Through DNA extrapolation they are able to figure out that the person chained behind the wall was one Warriner A Libby a sea captain to the ill fated SS Pembroke Castle which sank somewhere in the waters in the surrounding area. By following up on his exploration of the grounds, Pendergast finds a link to the present day inhabitants of the town, especially after 2 people are killed. But Constance is not satisfied with the ending and feels there is more to story and goes out to the Old Mill Town and finds a winding set of ancient tunnels under the remains of the church. I will leave the rest of story for you to read. My most enjoyable part was the cooking lesson Pendergast gave the cook at the inn they were staying at. I would really like to see down the road a composite of all the foods he has indulged in in some kind of recipe cookbook.

Just finished this novel and as usual, very pleased with the writing since it leaves a reader wishing for the next book immediately. It draws on the supernatural and has all the excitement that Pendergast always generates. The air of mystery about Constance is always there and adds to the suspense. Unsure which book follows but looking forward eagerly to it.

Love the story as usual. Can't get enough of Pendergast and Constance. Here they are back at their usual brilliant best. The end leaves quite a few threads open that can leave you frustrated for not being able to continue with the rest of the story (next book) right away.

Preston & Child are amongst my most loved authors and I have read every book they have written, whether as a duo or on their own. I always am eagerly looking forward to their next book and was just waiting to get my hands on this one. Unfortunately, sad to say, though it begins brilliantly, written in their typical style, it just loses the plot two-third of the way through and is then extended and extended to somehow increase its length and try and take us back to their first few novels. However things don't really work out. Though the ending clearly indicates a follow-up, I must say I am really disappointed with this author duo this time around

A cliche I know, but yes another Preston & Child featuring A. X.L. Pendergast that's "un-putdownable". I thought that there was more of Constance Greene's involvement in this story. I agree with a previous reviewer that the ending was a "cliff hanger". And in the epilogue there was a subtle hint as to who Proctor's assailant actually was. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Preston & Child offering.

... reading experience! And I have to wait another year to find out, who that suddenly appearing Magical Mystery Man is!Starting as an almost trivial theft of highly priced wines in a lighthouse in Exmouth; Massachusetts, Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast and Constance Greene discover soon that there is a lot more behind this case than the eye meets. A sceleton is found, walled up in a niche since around 1884. The year an English steamer bound for Boston with a very special carriage disappeared into thin air. At the beginning Pendergast has a pleasant run-in with the local sherriff, who is only interested in his power and retirement within half a year. His young Deputy seems to be an entirely different kind of fighter for Law and Order. And he is very interested in Constance...But soon the voices of the town and the sourrinding marshes being hauted become always more insistent. The Salem Witches - those who could escape the ferocious witchhunts and trials in 1692 - had found a refugium around Exmouth more than 300 years ago. And they should be all dead by now - but the whining of babies and strange appearances in the marshes let the inhabitants tell a different story. When the first body is found - maimed and covered with antique symbols related to witchcraft - people become always more anxious. And the storical facts that Pendergast and Constance are unearthing, are pointing in one direction only: The witches have not died out! They are perhaps among us all!Artefacts and an other body are found on an almost unaccessible island, and at a certain point the secret surrounding the disappearance of the steamer is unveiled. But if Aloysius is believing that all mysteries around the theft has been discovered, Constance is insisting that there is still many more to be found out, and that the theft is not the really important crime. And there will be a very high price to be paid by the seemingly oh so innocent population of Exmouith - and at the very end by Pendergast, too...This is a thriller worth its name! I bought it and read it in one night!Finally free from family members being kidnapped or murdered, Pendergast and Constance act like real professionals. The story is less complicated than the last ones, and the book is shorter, too. The places where the real action and the murders are happening is limitated, and the horrors are slowly but surely increasing. Pointing straight to a showdown, which left me breathless. But a little bit disappointed, too. Those &%*#..ed cliffhangers!!! In cases like this one they are really driving me mad! The next book in the series is a sure buy!A good read for all those who like Pendergast at his best, and Constance a real help and not too invading. And who have an interest in witches -black or white - and the deeds - good or bad - they still combine in our oh so troubled world. Where beliefs of EVERY kind are present, seen or unseen. And always more and more people are thinking about different worlds behind, around, underneath or above our little selfs...