Rating: 
Summary: Unnerving
Review: This is my first novel written by Preston and Child. Normally I don't read this type of novel, but a friend gave me it to me. Although he had not read THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, he highly recommended it on the basis of the authors' other novels. I'm glad I read it. The authors offer a number of interesting twists and turns -- some predictable, some not, but all intense.With the exception of the first 10 pages and the last 3 pages, reading THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES can best be described as intense and unnerving. In fact, the reading was SO unnerving, I found that I had to put the book down, walk nervously around the room, return to my reading to discover what would happen next. I got lost in the book and forgot where I was. Reading this novel was like watching a film rather than reading a book. I was suppose to meet a group of friends for dinner, but became so immersed in the book; I lost track of time and missed my meal. The elements of surprise are reminiscence of Hitchcock's PSYCHO. There is no shower scene in THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, but there is an unexpected timing and unexpected victims of several murders. For example, when one first sees PSYCHO, one does not expect Janet Leigh to be murdered -- so early in the film. In addition, Hitchcock's shower scene offers such an unnerving and intense feeling because of the vulnerability and helplessness of the victim. This same kind of intensity can be found in THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES. Although the violence is NOT gratuitous, if you offended by violence in a novel, don't read THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES. If, on the other hand, you get a thrill from an unnerving and intense escape from reality, you'll love THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good at the authors' other books
Review: I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of the other Preston/Child books. The Ice Limit and Riptide are my favorites. One of the things that make the books a cut above other science/adventure books written by authors like Clive Cussler, is the fact that the subject matter is plausible, and the characters are not too over the top. Cabinet of Curiosities was hard for me to enjoy because it was just too unbelievable to take seriously. Not a bad book, but their earlier offerings are all superior pieces of work.
Rating:
Summary: Preston and Child's best!
Review: This is by far the best book by Preston and Childs. While some insisted that Relic is a better book, I completely disagree. Set in New York City like their first book, Relic, the plot focus on a seemingly immortal serial killer. The story jumps from a boneyard to a maze-like museum archive, to the city's darkest alleys. A everlasting creepiness creates a fantastic mood for the book. One of the best moves made by PC is putting Pendergast and Nora Kelly in the same book. Kelly, the archeologist from Thunderhead, carries a much deeper personality than Marge Green from Relic. She is smart, sexy, but also very self-confident and emotional. Bill Smithback also a returning character, served as her boyfriend. Nicely, the authors creates a shaky relationship between them and ironically, saved by the horror that plagued the city. Pendergast, the best character in all of Preston and Childs novels, became the star of the book. He is the best character in the book by far. Calculating, charismatic, with a sly sense of humor, it is all for anyone to dislike this character. The science is a bit far fetched. If you are expecting the accuracy or pages of scientific explanation like in Michael Crichton books, you'll be disappointed. But the subject is nevertheless, fasinating. I am still disappointed at the lack of explanation of how the villain do it, although the book did explain why. Probably, the reason is that there is no explanation for it. Above all, this a a popcorn book, one that I finished in two days. I am surprised that this book is not make into a movie already. Great read for any one looking for a exciting, creepy thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece!
Review: Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston have, again, managed to combine the elements of a spine tingling, can't-put-it-down tale,with such an interesting and well researched assortment of information about New York City that I was unsure about whether to race through the story at top speed,( to find out it's conclusion,)or to savor, slowly, the wonderful tapestry of history and science that enrich the novel. I have finally decided,(with glee,)that I must read this book again.
We fans of the "thriller" novels are lucky that Child and Preston are writers of such a caliber that their stories have all of the "scare" potential that we demand,and yet these well written and well researched books can be considered as fine literature; a quality that is often lacking in this genre. Don't miss The Cabinet of Curiosities!
Rating:
Summary: Best Read In Years.
Review: I recommend this book to everyone ! I really enjoyed this book
I could not put it down and finished it in four days.
It's an old fashioned well researched very well written book.
Full of great characters and a fascinating plot. I was so pleased
with this book I took the authors up on their suggestion
and emailed them my opinion and they responded back. !!
I was so impressed with their work that I quickly read two more
of their books. I look forward to there next book and strongly
urge readers to go out and read this book. It was one of the best
books I've read in years.
Rating:
Summary: An old fashioned - can't put it down read
Review: I am fed up with literary criticism. Tired of "important" books that this magazine or that one tells me to read. Instead I've started spending more and more time browsing in the library. I take an hour or two off and wander through the shelves just picking up books that look interesting, starting them, putting them down, or checking them out. Friday yielded a treasure. The title is The Cabinet of Curiosities -- by Douglas J. Preston, Lincoln Child. It's a science-based thriller about the hunt for a seemingly immortal serial killer at work in New York City. It caught my eye but I can't even tell you why since was spine out on the shelf. And I just spent the next two days totally engrossed in this completely engaging book. Great detail, amazing research and crisp scary writing that is still giving me chills even though I returned the book to the library this afternoon. How is it that I've never heard of Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston? If I had to describe their writing I'd say there's a bit of Jules Verne, a bit more of Edgar Allen Poe, some of the sensibility of Thomas Harris crossed with - no never mind the comparisons. This is a books that gives you goosebumps and shivers and keeps you up all night saying to yourself, "Just one more chapter and then I'll go to sleep. Just one more." The Cabinet of Curiosities is one of those wonderful novels that makes you so very thankful that there are still story tellers out there who care about delivering one very difficult thing - a great page turner.
Rating:
Summary: Great First Read
Review: I have never read any of Preston,Child's books before (a change I will soon make)but I could not put this book down. It was interesting and kept you guessing from the first page. I was not even let down in the end like so many other books. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Still On My Short List
Review: I maintain a relatively "Short List" of favorite authors despite the thousands of books I have read - concentration in Science Fiction. An author on my short list means that I will automatically buy (preferably in hard cover) any book available by this author that I do not already have. Preston and Child's latest, "The Cabinet of Curiosities" keeps them on the list despite the fact that I am only half way through it. For a while I doubted this result as I find it far and away the most gruesome they have written, but only half way through my feelings have changed as their exciting tapestry begins to take shape in my mind. Once again they make use of the stellar qualities of the Museum of Natural History in New York - a setting perfect for mystery, fear and horror - not at all caught in the Chicago museum where their first sensation, "Relic" was filmed. I am happy to consider their work first class Science Fiction - a phrase I have never seen anywhere in or on their books for some strange (to me) reason.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting writing, but Disappointed
Review: Normally these wonderful authors work very hard for a sense of realism and believability, even when dealing with outre and macabre adventures. This one was fun but too contrived in furthering the plot, periods of extremely unlikely, unbelievable, or whimsical events, and plot twists that left me shaking my head, complete with unexplained holes in the plot. The embellishment of the favorite character Pendergast goes beyond the point of overkill. Too sensationalized, not believable enough.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, but not their best.
Review: I've been a Preston-Child fan since Relic. This book employed great writing technique as usual and was a fun ride, but for me, had too many contrivances, insultingly unrealistic occurences, even plot holes. The favorite character of Pendergast was too overdone this time. Although this book was exciting, I found myself shaking my head by the end.
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