Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Warner Books / Time Warner
Release Date: August 3, 2004
ISBN: 044653143X
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
Buy it at Amazon
Genre:   Horror
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Lane Cohen
Reviewer Notes:  Audio Review
© 2004 MyShelf.com

Brimstone
Agent Pendergast Series, #5
By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

      “Brimstone” compels the reader to race through each page as quickly as possible. It is one part thriller, one part horror novel, and two parts Conan Doyle. First, the story is an exciting chase, as the heroes of the novel race to find the answer to a seemingly ancient prophecy, as torture and death overcome more victims. Second, the story is also set as not only a thriller, but a thriller laced with supernatural horror; the Devil himself apparently plays a major role here.

      Third, and lastly, the major players of the story are interesting constructs, straight from the pages of “The Strand”. FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast is the star here, fully drawn and manipulated by the author as a virtual clone of Sherlock Holmes, set in present day. Pendergast has “blond-white hair, gray eyes, finely chiseled features, skin as pale and translucent as Carrara marble”, dresses in plain, dark clothing, lives in an odd Victorian home, keeps to himself, seldom speaks, uses disguises, and above all, observes everything and concludes with deductions drawn from his observations. His counterpart is New York street cop, Sergeant Vincent D’Agosta, who accompanies Pendergast on a journey of terror, mystery, and criminal investigation into the brutal, and apparently supernatural deaths of several leading citizens.

      The authors also convey the feel of the story by short, direct, dialogue:

Pendergast bowed to her, held out his hand. “Agent Pendergast.”
“Agnes Torres,” she said.
“May I?” Pendergast looked inquisitively at Innocente.
“Be my guest. Videotape’s rolling, FYI.”
“Mrs. Torres---“
“Miss.”
“Thank you. Miss Torres, do you believe in God?”
Innocente exchanged a glance with the other detectives. There was an awkward silence.
“Yes,” she said.
“You are a devout Catholic?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Do you believe in the devil?”
Another long pause.
“Yes, I do.”

      This story is interesting, but it is certainly character driven. The reader is interested in the outcome of the story only because Pendergast and D’Agosta are involved. I was rooting for them, and the book kept my attention until the last sentence. “Brimstone” has my heartiest recommendation.

Reviews of other titles in this series

The Cabinet of Curiosities, #3    [audio]
Still Life With Crows, #4     [book] [audio]
Brimstone, #5    [audio 1] [audio 2] [book]
Dance of Death, #6    [book]
Book of the Dead, #7    [audio]
Wheel Of Darkness, # 8    [book] [audio]
Cemetery Dance, #9    [book] [audio]
Fever Dream, #10    [book] [audio]