Ratings9
Average rating4.2
Before he can return to New York from Miami, Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast is called to investigate something very strange that has happened on the west coast of Florida. Dozens of human feet, identically clad in blue have washed up on beaches. All exhibit unmistakeable signs of violence. Beyond that, nothing is known about the feet, except that they are fresh and haven't been in the water long. Pendergast reluctantly makes his way to the barrier islands off South Florida to investigate a case he believes to be outside his area of expertise and his interest. Once there, he finds the case both disturbing and intriguing, and is drawn into the mystery almost against his will. A preliminary pathology report indicates the feet were chopped, torn, or even wrenched from their bodies in the crudest of ways. Over the next few days, still more continue to wash in, until the number tops one hundred. Soon the case begins to take a most surprising and complex turn, and Pendergast finds it necessary to call in Special Agent Armstrong Coldmoon for a risky and very specific undercover assignment. And when, at last, the true origin of this awful gift from the sea becomes clear, the former partners are forced to confront an enemy, and a horror, more powerful and deadly than any they have faced before.
Featured Series
16 primary books17 released booksAloysius Pendergast is a 17-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1995 with contributions by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and Juan Trejo.
Reviews with the most likes.
The enigmatic Pendergast returns to solve the mystery of why a crap-ton of cheap shoes with human feet still in them washed up on a beach in a ritzy part of Florida.
After 19 Pendergast novels, I'm not about to abandon the series, but at the same time–they're not really breaking new ground anymore. Most of Pendergast's personal mysteries have been laid to rest. The stories have gravitated back toward the odd, but regal FBI agent actually doing his job again. (Even if he seems displeased by having to kowtow to the Bureau's demands.)
The best thing Lincoln and Child have done with this series is to introduce Coldmoon as a partner and foil for Pendergast. I hope they continue with him, because he's a perfect foil to the debonair southerner. Coldmoon is dark where Pendergast is pale. He's unrefined where Pendergast is egalitarian. He's blunt where Pendergast is elusive. Whether Aloyuis wants to admit it or not, Coldmoon is a good match for him, and I will gladly continue to read books where the two agents banter and one-up each other.
This was an enjoyable outing, and the whodunit twist was pure Pendergast. The climax was outstanding, as well. Well done, gentlemen. Well done.