Rating:  Summary: Mildly entertaining thriller Review: This book is far short of the entertaining read that "Relic" provided. Although it has its moments of suspense and horror, the resolution proved somewhat disappointing. The thing that I found absolutely the most interesting part of the book with a truly horrifying and chilling "wow" factor was the very, very end when the killer's behavior is explained. How frustrating to have to read the entire book before I hit a point where I was stunned. When I read a book, especially by the Preston/Child team, I expect to be stunned repeatedly throughout. Nonetheless, "Still Life With Crows" provides a diverting - if not exceptional - read. You'll be entertained but not bowled over.
Rating:  Summary: a good read Review: felt this was the second best novel written by this duo behind thunderhead; well-written and entertaining, however, i felt the story could have been shortened by about 50-100 pages and it would have been just as good; definitely recommend this book
Rating:  Summary: They've done it again Review: This is just another great book by Preston-Child two of the most reliable writers out there. The use of Agent Pendergast as the main character for a book was great and we learned alot about the man and still have alot of questions. This was a great book that had you guessing until the end. The use of the cornfield and other settings was well done and also the character development was well done. You actually cared about some of the characters as they were well-developed and fleshed out. Preston-Child has shown no signs of slowing down and I look forward to their next book.
Rating:  Summary: Pendergast is back! Review: Without a doubt, the man known only as Pendergast is one of the most interesting characters I've come across over the years. The fact that he's a repeating character in the Preston and Child books only makes him more interesting because each book he's in gives you a bit more insight as to what makes him tick. This book is a really good read, with great characters, an interesting plot, a great protagonist in Pendergast and some really big twists. Anyone into mysteries will enjoy this book. And because Pendergast is in it, it should be a treat for any Preston and Child fan. The reader gets some more glimpses of what type of man he is, but even more questions are raised about him and his past. Which makes me wait with baited breath for the next one he may appear in. Definetly worth checking out with an ending that'll have you saying 'Ohhh!!! I get it!'
Rating:  Summary: Another good story from team Preston and Child Review: I am a big fan of the books that Preston and Childs have written. I enjoy how they mix history and science to form an interesting story. They also create entertaining characters such as FBI agent Pendergast along with realistic dialog and character interactions. This book picks up where their last book (The Cabinet of Curiosities) left off, but you do not need to read the past title to understand this one. In this story, Pendergast is on "vacation" and decides to investigate a peculiar murder in Kansas. The story begins a little slowly as compared to their past works and is focused mainly on Pendergast developing relationships with the small town citizens. The killings continue and are intertwined with a Civil War era battle with indians. Ultimately, the story and the killer were not as intriguing as in "The Cabinet of Curiosities", but it is an entertaining book and I fully recommend it. There is an unexplained storyline in the book-possibly foreshadowing for their next title?
Rating:  Summary: a fast paced thriller that you can't put down... Review: lincoln child and douglas preston have outdone themselves with this book. the last novel i read like this was salems lot by stephen king. once you start, its hard to put it down. i can't wait to read their next book. i just hope it is as good as this one was.
Rating:  Summary: Completely Enthralling Review: This book, the new one by the brilliant duo of Douglas Preston and Licoln Child who've collaborated on such hits as "Reliquary", "Relic", and "The Cabinet of Curiosities", have done it again with the bestselling "Still Life With Crows". "Still Life With Crows" is a thriller that pulls no stops. You will find yourself having a white-knuckled grip on the book while holding it (that is if you can stop reading long enough for your right brain to make this little discovery). FBI Special Agent Pendergast makes another show in this novel, however without the sometimes dubious help of Bill Smithback. Pendergast mysteriously appears in Medicine Creek, Kansas (like he appears everywhere). There have been a series of grisly murders going on in this, small, dusty town. The victims are mutilated and arranged in nauseating tableaus in the cornfields of which Medicine Creek seems to be full. Pendergast is almost immediately cold-shouldered by the small town's constable, Sheriff Hazen. But, as always, Pendergast prevails, hiring a teenage misfit as an escort whom you grow to love throughout the novel's spine-snapping pace. The denouement, like always in the Douglas/Child novels is made up of near tediousness and maddening suspense deep under the town of Medicine Creek. Buy this book and do yourself a favor.
Rating:  Summary: Death, Dismemberment and Duststorms Review: This book is a great read. I found that it was masterfully plotted, tightly written and completely engrossing. I had to stay up at night to finish the book because i could not bear to put it down, it was that good. Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston have created a chilling masterpiece of horror/crime scene fiction. I have not read any of their other books, but with the close of this one- i will be ordering their others very soon. One of the great things about this book is the writing style. At times, i found myself almost wishing that the book would hurry up and get to a resolution quickly, then, just as quickly- i would change my mind and wish that it would slow down so that i had more time to absorb the tiny clues and minute details and hints dropped along the way. This book is plotted with intensity and a careful attention to detail and setting. The sharp reader will pick up hints and clues as mentioned earlier, unaware that they too will be filing them away, only to have them burst to the forefront as they are revealed as important threads in the tapestry that the authors are weaving for us. One of the most memorable charachters in the literary world is in this book, special agent Pendergast of the FBI. The creation of this enigma was an inspired stroke of genius. You cannot aptly place him into any specific mold, and I found myself "weirded" out by him at times too- just like the other people in Medecine Creek! He is THAT well written. Overall, this book does a great job of pulling the reader into the world that is Medicine Creek Kansas and engrossing them in the environment that surrounds that parched midwestern town. I felt the opressive heat of the summer and the rage of the duststorm that blasted through the town. Great use of setting and environment the engage the reader and take them to that special place where novels cease to become just words on a page. The authors of this book are truly talented and i look forward to exploring their other works. This book is a great read and a wonderfully frightful delight to behold. Not for the faint of heart, but great for those who have the stomach for it!!
Rating:  Summary: Long Live Pendergast Review: After reading several of the reviews, I feel compelled to join the fray. Firstly, if you haven't enjoyed Agent Pendergast before, then don't read this book. Secondly, if you're going to write a bad review, be sure you read the book first. Kansas State University is named more than 20 times and is not the same as Kansas University. Perhaps attention to detail is required to enjoy this novel. This book was excellent, complete with full-fledged Pendergast charisma. The character of Corrie Swanson is intriguing and complex, another intelligent woman (young woman) to add to Preston and Child's previous works. Although I found the ending to be less sparkling than that of Cabinet of Curiosities, it was very interesting. I grew up in Kansas, and I really enjoyed the description of the topography, attitude, and weather. There are several teases about the goings-on at the house on Riverside in New York, as well as brief appearances by Wren. I actually hope his character stays in the shadows; it is very appealing and mysterious that way. Preston and Child's greatest strenght is character development, and this piece is a showcase. In addition to Corrie and Pendergast, Preston and Child create the Sheriff. He is annoying and yet he has integrity. Even before the change-of-heart climax, note his reaction to his son's treatment of the jailed Corrie. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a Pendergast junkie!
Rating:  Summary: A fast paced ride with lots of thrills! Review: I might be biased here since these are some of my favorite authors. That said, I thought the book was great. I did figure out the ending but it was a twist that I got lucky on. I loved that one of the characters is reading what I assume to be their next book, Beyond the Ice Limit! Maybe we even get a bit of a preview:-) Anyways, this is a great book for those who love crime/mystery/science fiction mixed together.
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