Book 107: The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Book 107: The Cabinet of Curiosities (Agent Pendergast #3).
Author: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. 2001.
Genre: Horror. Crime Thriller.
Other Details: ebook. 612 pages.
In the 19th century, New Yorkers flocked to collections of strange and grotesque oddities called "cabinets of curiosities." Now, in lower Manhattan, a modern apartment tower is slated to rise on the site of one of the old cabinets. Yet when the excavators break into a basement, they uncover a charnel pit of horror: the remains of thirty-six people murdered and gruesomely dismembered over 130 years ago by an unknown serial killer. In the aftermath, FBI Special Agent Pendergast and museum archaeologist Nora Kelly embark on an investigation that unearths the faint whisper of a mysterious doctor who once roamed the city, carrying out medical experiments on living human beings. But just as Nora and Pendergast begin to unravel the clues to the century-old killings, a fresh spree of murder and surgical mutilation erupts around them. . . and New York City is awash in terror. - synopsis from authors' website.
This is the first book in the series in which Agent Pendergast steps out of his supporting role to become a main character. I loved this novel with its many twists and its effective use of the cityscape both old and new of New York City as a setting for the action. This also had some fairly gruesome deaths. One note though after watching so many TV series featuring F.B.I. agents it was odd to have people refer to him as Mr. Pendergast rather than by his title.
I am looking forward to continuing this excellent series and learning more about the enigmatic Pendergast.
The Cabinet of Curiosities - contains sample chapters and deleted epilogue
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.