Kent Holloway

So, as you all may have figured out, I've been on a Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child kick lately. After interviewing Preston a few months ago (and having never really read any of their books prior to that interview), I thought it was high time I delve deep into their rich, crisp world of crime and the macabre...specifically, concentrating on the fantastic FBI Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast series. And I'll admit, I'm thoroughly hooked! I'll also freely admit that I haven't really read the series in order (not that you necessarily have to). There are definitely certain sub-series that helps to read consecutively (i.e. the Diogenes series), but it really isn't that big a deal if you don't. Well, now, I'm down to only three Pendergast novels that I haven't read. Oddly, the very last book I read was the very first in the series...a novel simply entitled “RELIC” (1995). I have one word to describe it...WOW!

Okay, first of all, let me start by saying...if you saw the movie based on this book from a few years back, don't even give it a second thought. I've never seen the movie (and gladly so), but I've heard enough about it to tell you it was a complete travesty of justice as far as the book is concerned. Once again, Hollywood completely ripped a fantastic story to shreds in their attempt to make it more palatable for a two hour romp inside a dark theater...and apparently, they weren't even smart enough to keep the best character in the book! That's right, they totally deleted Pendergast from the movie! How could they possibly do that? Granted, in RELIC, Pendergast is a supporting character (though an intrinsically necessary one).

But enough about the movie. Needless to say, if you've seen it, forget about it. If you haven't seen it, you're not missing anything. Just read the book. You'll be glad you did.

Essentially, the book takes place with the fictionalized equivalent to New York City's American Museum of Natural History, where curators are getting ready for a huge extravaganza...the Superstition exhibition. As the exhibit title implies, it is designed to feature the world's superstition. Among the artifacts on display in the exhibit is a relic discovered in the wilds of an Amazonian rainforest...a relic depicting a strange creature that resembles something between a human, a monkey, and a lizard (my interpretation anyway). The relic is clouded in mystery and disaster...bringing with it rumors of a horrible curse that resulted in the death of everyone in he expedition that discovered it. Now, just a week before the big exhibit opening, people are being brutally attacked and murdered in the nether-regions of the museum. Museum officials just wants it all to go away (murder can be such a bother some times), but FBI Special Agent Pendergast, NYPD Police Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta, Ph.D. candidate Margo Green, and intrepid journalist William Smithback, Jr. are determined to get to the bottom of the grizzly killings.

Originally thinking the murders were being committed by a deranged mad man (Pendergast has followed the killer all the way from New Orleans after a series of similar killings), their investigation leads them to discover that the culprit might not be exactly human after all. DNA sequencing from a claw discovered on one of the bodies reveals that their quarry is something altogether different with a taste for the hypothalamus in the human brain.

Okay...enough of the plot. I don't want to spoil it all for you. Let's just say that of the Pendergast novels, I have a few absolutely favorites: Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life with Crows, and the recent Fever Dream (I will probably review these soon as well). But RELIC, while very different from what has become known as the Pendergast series is an absolutely fantastic read! It doesn't have the same “feel” as the others and Pendergast is definitely under-developed from what I've become used to (one of the hazards of reading a series out of order, I guess), but it's an absolutely MUST-READ for anyone who loves a good monster story. In several of the book reviews written by readers of my own ENIGMA Directive series, my books have often been compared to the early works of Preston and Child. In the past, I wasn't exactly sure what they meant by that. After all, the Pendergast novels I had read up until recently very rarely had any cryptozoological monsters lurking in the shadows as does Primal Thirst and Sirens' Song. But now, having read RELIC, I completely understand the similarities (even before I knew, I wasn't complaining...to be compared to these guys is a HUGE honor!).

But even if you don't like reading about monsters...if you just love a great edge-of-your seat thrill ride...if you just love holding your breath as certain death looms in the shadows surrounding your hero, you will want to read this book. If you just enjoy a great techno-thriller filled with detailed research and authentic scientific details, you will want to read this book. If you enjoy stories that make you ask the question “what if?”, you will want to read this book. Essentially, it is my assessment that if you enjoy reading anything, this is one that every avid reader should jump into. It should be in every personal library and should be ranked up there as one of the great contemporary classics of our times.

Loved this book! To be honest, it's my first foray into Preston and Child's Pendergast. Yeah, I know. I mean, I always knew I'd love their books, but I just never had time to read them. Well after The Wheel of Darkness, I'm hooked and intend to read them all ASAP.

The story reads like a classic whodunnit in the Agathy Christie tradition. Yet the hero, Pendergast, seems to be a cross between Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, and a southern Dr. Strange. In the story, Pendergast is asked by a group of buddhist monks to track down the their that stole a very dangerous artifact from their monestary. Pendergast easily follows through, only to discover...well, let's just say this is only the beginning. This artifcat is bad news and it's currently in the wrong hands and on board a luxury Ocean Liner leaving England and on a course for New York City. Pendergast and his ward manage to secure passage on the boat and all Hell literarlly breaks loose. A serial killer is stalking the passengers of the boat. A mutiny of the crew seems almost a certainty. And a spectral nightmare is seen wandering the ship by passengers and crew. And all the while, Pendergast is diligently searching for the one who has the artifact...an artifact that could well lead to the end of the world.

Yeah, I highly recommend this book. If you haven't read it, do so as soon possible!

I happened upon Simon rather accidentally. A huge fan of Jim Butcher, I was in between Dresden books when I decided to search out similar books. I found Anton Strout's first Simon book and instantly became a huge fan. Because of that, I couldn't wait to read Dead Matter, the third book in the Simon Canderous series by Anton Strout...and I wasn't disappointed.

This time, Simon, an agent with New York's super-secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, has had the training wheels removed. His partner and mentor, Conner Christos, is on an extended leave of absence...making Simon fight all the major baddies in the city, and even worse, forcing him to tackle the monster-load of paperwork all by his lonesome. He's overworked. Exhausted. And just looking forward to spending Taco Night with his hot little girlfriend and ex-cultist Jane. But he just can't seem to get a break. While shopping at his local grocery store (trying to figure out the perfect kind of cheese...loved that), he's attacked by a strange, nearly impervious (but with a distinct allergy to garlic) creature who tears the place apart. Leaving Simon and his superiors wondering what in the world is going on.

To make matters worse, his partner is stirring up a hornets nest in his search for his long lost brother. The ghostly population of New York are peeved that Conner, now nearly insane with obsession, has been knocking down local haunts trying to get answers. As Simon tries to help his friend, he stumbles on an even greater mystery that ties the two events together in a major way.

While Dead Matter doesn't seem as epic as the other two books in the series, this is the first one where I really felt like Simon's character had finally matured to a full three dimensional character. When he finds his power blocked at every turn during his investigation, he is required to do some quick thinking that shows a greater depth to his character. And don't get me started about his sense of humor! I can't tell you the number of times I laughed out loud as I read through this fantastic fantasy in a breeze! It truly is a very witty, humorous book.

In addition, Strout outdoes himself with creatively designed vampires, bringing back to their non-sparkly selves, as well as just a great all around mystery to try to solve yourself. If you haven't read a Simon Canderous novel, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I envy you actually...you are about to embark on a wonderful new adventure.

I have to admit...I'm late getting to this, the first novel by Jeremy Robinson. I'm not sure why it took me so long. It's right up my alley in terms of my interests...time travel and biblical accounts. I've read most of Robinson's books with gusto. But for some reason, this book wasn't much of a priority on my list of books to read. What a mistake that was! I absolutely loved it! And honestly, after reading this book, it's no wonder that Robinson went on to become one of my favorite authors out there.

One of the things that struck me most was the insight he had into the biblical account of Jesus's ministry. Even more, was the insight he had into a few of Jesus's personal relationships with His disciples and with his friends. I have a Master's Degree in Biblical Studies. I specialized in the New Testament. And while Robinson did take artistic liberties in creating this tale (it's a time travel story...focused on a period in history in which we have little recorded. How could he not take liberties?), much of it was very well researched and depicted accurately. I was completely intrigued with his portrayal of Judas, in particular. Especially the enigmatic account of his part in the Last Supper. In Scripture, the scene where Jesus hands Judas the bread, indicating who will betray him, isn't very clear. But Robinson's portrayal of this event is believable and as good a guess as anyone could make.

Furthermore, I read one negative review that criticized the book for flat characters and nothing but fast-paced action. Really? The action is what it's all about. Want a coming of age story of someone overcoming impossible personal odds to cope with something? Find a literary fiction book. This is a thriller. Action is where it's at! However, I'll say that I enjoyed the characters in this story...good and evil characters alike. But no matter how well-developed characters are, without action in a thriller novel, the author would have failed miserably. Thankfully, Robinson knows his action very well.

Other negative reviews of this book have focused on the lack of time paradoxes, I personally say, “Bravo!” I loved this story because of the fact that Robinson used a different approach to time travel than most sci-fi stories. Whereas, in Doctor Who, there are certain fixed points in time that can't be changed, Robinson posits that all of time is fixed. This, to me, makes the most sense...especially if the universe is created by an all-powerful and organized God (which I believe).

Of course, this brings us to the topic most of the negative reviews seem to harp on. It's Christian perspective. I'm sorry. Did these readers NOT read the book's description? How could you not know what you were getting when you read it? I don't fault a person who doesn't like the story for its theistic worldview. That is a matter of taste and choice. But I don't understand how people can penalize an author for writing what is on his heart. I've read tons of books by authors who attempt to tear the Christian faith apart. I've never once written a negative review because of that fact. Still, I personally loved the Christian viewpoint in this tale, and will wholeheartedly spread the word of the wonders of The Didymus Contingency to all my friends and family. As a matter of fact, I've already bought a paperback edition specifically to give to my mother. And in my opinion, there should be no greater compliment to Mr. Robinson than that.

Oh, side note: I also listened to the Audible edition of this book, narrated by R.C. Bray. Once again, Mr. Bray killed it. His performance was top notch. His vocalization and characterizations were superb. Especially his portrayal of the demon-horde, Legion. Amazing!

I've only read a few Bernie Rhodenbarr books in the past, but always enjoyed them. Now, I'm older. Wiser. Decided to start from the beginning. With Burglars Can't Be Choosers, I'm now hooked. A rabid fan even. I can't tell you how hard it is to find fun, light-hearted true whodunnits these days without them involving cats or bakers. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm a guy. Who wants a manly whodunnit every once in a while. And Bernie is manly. A refined man, of course. An honest man...for a burglar. A lady's man too. But he sure can solve a frolicking fun case in witty burglar fashion. I've already loaded up book two and will start tomorrow.