Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2003), Edition: New Ed, 656 pages
Description
In an ancient tunnel underneath New York City a charnel house is discovered. Inside are thirty-six bodies all murdered and mutilated more than a century ago. While FBI agent Pendergast investigates the old crimes, identical killings start to terrorize the city. The nightmare has begun. Again.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Michael.Rimmer
I enjoyed this book. For the most part interesting and fast-paced. Bogged down in a couple of places, but nothing too annoying. Similarly a couple of plot holes, but nothing so gross as to affect the overall story line.
Agent Pendergast is an interesting character, but more a collection of
The story's good - part "Silence of the Lambs", part "X-Files". Some nice plot twists and atmospheric settings. It would make a good movie.
Agent Pendergast is an interesting character, but more a collection of
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affectations than a fleshed out person. I'd have enjoyed it more if the authors had spent a bit more time developing his character and letting us know what makes him tick. Maybe they do in the other books in the series.The story's good - part "Silence of the Lambs", part "X-Files". Some nice plot twists and atmospheric settings. It would make a good movie.
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LibraryThing member AuntieClio
Now this is a good time! Recommended by a woman at the local Borders, I was hesitant to start reading someone I was sure to fall in love with; I have enough books to read as it is. Sure enough, I devoured The Cabinet of Curiosities (the 3rd in the Pendergast series) and have all the others in the
Pendergast is not your typical FBI agent. He is suave, sophisticated, brilliant and eccentric. His mysteries are what make him so interesting. In this book, he searches both for the serial killer from 100 years ago and the serial killer from today who uses the same MO. The answers come from an archaeologist at the New York Museum of Natural History, a reporter and a beat cop, who against his better judgement, works with Pendergast to solve the crime.
At times over the top, leaving me to exclaim, “Really?” I enjoyed this book and am anxious to dive into the rest of them if only to discover more about Pendergast and his mysteries.
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stacks waiting to be read.Pendergast is not your typical FBI agent. He is suave, sophisticated, brilliant and eccentric. His mysteries are what make him so interesting. In this book, he searches both for the serial killer from 100 years ago and the serial killer from today who uses the same MO. The answers come from an archaeologist at the New York Museum of Natural History, a reporter and a beat cop, who against his better judgement, works with Pendergast to solve the crime.
At times over the top, leaving me to exclaim, “Really?” I enjoyed this book and am anxious to dive into the rest of them if only to discover more about Pendergast and his mysteries.
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LibraryThing member Meredy
Six-word review: Wow, more creepy subterranean nasty business.
Extended review:
I think I'm catching onto a pattern here. This is the third mystery-thriller starring Special Agent Pendergast, and three out of three have involved (a) the Museum of Natural History in New York, (b) a mad scientist, (c)
There are also, as before, some stalwarts and some dopes in the NYPD, a personable, vulnerable and yet strong young woman, and a likable, annoying reporter.
I guess if you have a formula that works, it's smart not to mess with it.
The LT series lists showing titles in sequence are a great resource. What I didn't realize, though, when I selected this book as the third in the series, is that apparently there were other titles between the second and third Pendergast books that carried on sequentially but involved other characters. So Nora Kelly had been introduced and her relationship with Bill Smithback developed in a non-Pendergast book that preceded this one.
That wasn't really a problem; the authors supplied enough backstory to fill the gaps. But this was a caution that I didn't think of in following a series--the idea that the series might branch and I might be missing story development if I mistakenly followed a single main character.
At any rate, as before, this one presented a fast-moving and suspenseful yarn with pluses and minuses that balance out in its favor, as long as you're in the mood for the gruesome parts.
Extended review:
I think I'm catching onto a pattern here. This is the third mystery-thriller starring Special Agent Pendergast, and three out of three have involved (a) the Museum of Natural History in New York, (b) a mad scientist, (c)
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some kind of magic potion, and (d) underground tunnels with horrid things in them.There are also, as before, some stalwarts and some dopes in the NYPD, a personable, vulnerable and yet strong young woman, and a likable, annoying reporter.
I guess if you have a formula that works, it's smart not to mess with it.
The LT series lists showing titles in sequence are a great resource. What I didn't realize, though, when I selected this book as the third in the series, is that apparently there were other titles between the second and third Pendergast books that carried on sequentially but involved other characters. So Nora Kelly had been introduced and her relationship with Bill Smithback developed in a non-Pendergast book that preceded this one.
That wasn't really a problem; the authors supplied enough backstory to fill the gaps. But this was a caution that I didn't think of in following a series--the idea that the series might branch and I might be missing story development if I mistakenly followed a single main character.
At any rate, as before, this one presented a fast-moving and suspenseful yarn with pluses and minuses that balance out in its favor, as long as you're in the mood for the gruesome parts.
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LibraryThing member istoria
Oh I loved this book. I didn't really know anything about real cabinets of curiousities so it was interesting to learn about them. I think this is my second favorite in the Pendergast series (after Relic) for it's well played out mystery and suspense as well as giving a bit more history into
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Pendergast and his family. Show Less
LibraryThing member gdill
Yet another wonderful Preston/Child mystery. A story that involves the quest for eternal life on earth and where science has gone wrong. Beginning in the 19th century Five Points area of Manhattan, a doctor must kill people in order to extract a protein from the human spine while alive. In order to
Never a dull moment, nor is it predictable. Full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and action. I highly recommend this book to Preston/Child fans especially to those who always enjoy Agent Pendergrast and his witty nuances.
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do this he must kidnap innocent people and tie them down inside his hidden lab to perform the extraction, afterwards succumbing to death. But, does this doctor actually achieve success, and years later is he still alive acting out these bizarre murders? Pendergrast and his cohorts team up to find this doctor and his mysterious lab and attempt to bring an end to this injustice.Never a dull moment, nor is it predictable. Full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and action. I highly recommend this book to Preston/Child fans especially to those who always enjoy Agent Pendergrast and his witty nuances.
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LibraryThing member justagirlwithabook
Another great read in the Pendergast series. While some of these books aren't always a 5-star read, they're still incredibly enjoyable and I always find myself looking to grab the next one of the series at Barnes & Noble when it gets released each year. Hats off to Pendergast and all of his
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investigations. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
This was a great thriller. It kept me glued to the book for a day and a half. They mystery of Pendergast was intense. The man knew a lot about seemingly everything and seemed to have otherworldly powers (like the whole memory crossing thing – was he reconstructing things he read about in his mind
The set up reminded me of The Alienist in many ways. We have Pendergast, a genius who seems to operate above and outside of the law. Assisting him is a woman, a newspaper reporter and a cop. Much of the crimes are set in the 1870s where gaslight pervades. He makes fools of the cops. All very similar to the Carr novels.
In a couple of ways, the book was unsatisfying. I didn’t think that Nora and Smithback were a very good couple. They seemed to always be at odds with each other and their personalities are mismatched. When Smithback was captured by the killer, I didn’t feel very sorry for him. Nora’s anguish over his plight seemed perfunctory. The other way was the fact that there was a big production made of Chief Custer’s capture of the killer. Several chapters were devoted to his bungling and he was painted as being a complete idiot way out of his depth. His pride and his arrogance got in the way of all sense and he arrested the wrong man. His down fall is relegated to a single sentence though and I wanted more.
What was satisfying was the overall plot.
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or was he going back in time??). Was he really with the FBI or just a rich eccentric used to getting his way? I still don’t know.The set up reminded me of The Alienist in many ways. We have Pendergast, a genius who seems to operate above and outside of the law. Assisting him is a woman, a newspaper reporter and a cop. Much of the crimes are set in the 1870s where gaslight pervades. He makes fools of the cops. All very similar to the Carr novels.
In a couple of ways, the book was unsatisfying. I didn’t think that Nora and Smithback were a very good couple. They seemed to always be at odds with each other and their personalities are mismatched. When Smithback was captured by the killer, I didn’t feel very sorry for him. Nora’s anguish over his plight seemed perfunctory. The other way was the fact that there was a big production made of Chief Custer’s capture of the killer. Several chapters were devoted to his bungling and he was painted as being a complete idiot way out of his depth. His pride and his arrogance got in the way of all sense and he arrested the wrong man. His down fall is relegated to a single sentence though and I wanted more.
What was satisfying was the overall plot.
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LibraryThing member PaulDW
Complete crap. This book was way too long and Pendergast is a boring Mary Sue. By the end when he was cauterizing wounds while translating Greek I was ready to throw the book across the room.
LibraryThing member nursewidener
"Old bones...New people"
A pile of bones is found and Pendergast shows to look into the find. This is the 3 book in the Pendergast saga and even though the storyline is a little out there the whole book was an enjoyable and delightful listen. I have enjoyed getting to know Pendergast even though
A pile of bones is found and Pendergast shows to look into the find. This is the 3 book in the Pendergast saga and even though the storyline is a little out there the whole book was an enjoyable and delightful listen. I have enjoyed getting to know Pendergast even though
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these books are a little on the old side I am new to the series. They are not your standard, run of the mill mystery/murder novels which is a good thing. So if you can get beyond the out bounds type of storyline you should enjoy this book and if your already a fan of Pendergast you really wound be disappointed Show Less
LibraryThing member burnit99
The third Pendergast suspense novel, and one of the best. Special Agent Pendergast is investigating a 130-year old serial killing when the remains of 36 victims are found in lower Manhattan. The victims had had surgical procedures performed upon them, while alive. Now a copycat killer is
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reproducing the murders, which were apparently committed with the intent to confer near-immortality upon the so-called "Surgeon". To their horror, Pendergast and assistants Bill Smithback and Nora Kelly from previous books discover that these may not be copycat killings after all, and the original killer may have been successful in his quest for everlasting life. Show Less
LibraryThing member csweder
This has been the longest, and the best, book of the Pedergast series so far. An interesting story that kept me riveted and engaged, I didn't want to put this book down. So many times with longer books I have the thought that it could be shorter, I don't have that thought or desire for this book--I
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can't wait to read the next in the series! Show Less
LibraryThing member Robert.Zimmermann
I've read the first three of the Pendergast series, and this one is the best so far. Can't wait to get to the next one.
LibraryThing member FiberBabble
By abridging this audio cassette version, the publishers probably cut out a lot of extraneous (and gruesome) description. That's fine.
Riveting mystery; I was surprised at the who and why of "the vicious killer". The journalist was an ass or an idiot. I don't understand why someone can be thoroughly
As with another book I've recently read, the political machinations are a bore. Thank goodness this one was abridged.
Now that I've thrown mud, let me back up and say that I actually enjoyed the book! I've already collected two more of Agent Pendergast's stories and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Riveting mystery; I was surprised at the who and why of "the vicious killer". The journalist was an ass or an idiot. I don't understand why someone can be thoroughly
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unpleasant throughout an entire book, but if they are suddenly in mortal peril authors seem to think that is somehow redeeming.As with another book I've recently read, the political machinations are a bore. Thank goodness this one was abridged.
Now that I've thrown mud, let me back up and say that I actually enjoyed the book! I've already collected two more of Agent Pendergast's stories and I'm looking forward to reading them.
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LibraryThing member gmillar
There are so many continuity holes in this. I was very disappointed.
LibraryThing member GMac
FBI agent Pendergast, journalist Bill Smithback, and archaeologist Nora Kelly join forces to stop a vicious murderer when the discovery of an underground charnel house in downtown Manhattan reveals information about a serial killer who stalked the neighborhood in the 1880s and has apparently set
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off a new series of terrifyingly similar killings. Show Less
LibraryThing member toad97
slow at first but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down, especially at the end. The Bill Smithback character got on my nerves.
LibraryThing member smik
In downtown Manhattan, a gruesome discovery has just been made - an underground charnel house containing the bones of dozens of murder victims. Research reveals that a serial killer was at work in New York's Five Points neighbourhood in the 1880s, bent on prolonging his life span by any means. When
On the case are FBI Special Agent Pendergast - Southern, pale, refined, unorthodox, and possessed of a Holmes-like brain - and Dr Nora Kelly, an astute archaeologist at the New York Museum of Natural History. Together they embark on an investigation that will take them from the gleaming skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan to the crumbling archives of the Museum, from a mass grave under a Chinatown brownstone to a house of abominations on Riverside Drive. And as the death toll rises and the city descends into bedlam, the pair must use every resource available to track down the killer … before the killer gets to them. Not a very likely scenario, but enough twists and turns to keep you guessing almost until the end. Lincoln Preston is a pseudonym for Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
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a newspaper story on the old murders appears to ignite a new series of horrifyingly similar killings, panic overtakes the city.On the case are FBI Special Agent Pendergast - Southern, pale, refined, unorthodox, and possessed of a Holmes-like brain - and Dr Nora Kelly, an astute archaeologist at the New York Museum of Natural History. Together they embark on an investigation that will take them from the gleaming skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan to the crumbling archives of the Museum, from a mass grave under a Chinatown brownstone to a house of abominations on Riverside Drive. And as the death toll rises and the city descends into bedlam, the pair must use every resource available to track down the killer … before the killer gets to them. Not a very likely scenario, but enough twists and turns to keep you guessing almost until the end. Lincoln Preston is a pseudonym for Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
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LibraryThing member ct.bergeron
In an ancient tunnel underneath New York City a charnel House is discovered. Inside are 36 bodies - All murdered and mutilated more than a century ago. While FBI agent Pendergast investigate the old crimes, identical killing start to terrorize the city the nightmare as begun again. Fear the past.
LibraryThing member luxlunae
This is by far the best book these two co-authors have written.
LibraryThing member the_hag
Cabinet of Curiosities is my fourth book by these authors (Relic, Reliquary, and Brimstone) and while it wasn't without a few annoying faults I found it to be extremely interesting and entertaining at the same time. In this book, we find that a new construction project is delayed when the
Almost immediately after the discovery is made, Dr. Nora Kelly (an archeologist and curator at the Museum of Natural History, Thunderhead) is visited by the mysterious, refined and independently wealthy FBI agent Pendergast (Relic & Reliquary) who takes an unusual interest in the remains. Dr. Kelly reluctantly joins Special Agent Pendergast for an unofficial examination of the site, and together they make a startling discovery...a clue has been left behind by one of the victims that proves to be an important piece of information in the search for the perpetrator of this hideous crime.
All of this is connected with a Cabinet of Curiosities (collections of items of historical and/or archeological interest, these predated museums like the New York Museum of Natural History...some of the items were genuine -- others contrived to bring in the public and their money) that was once located on the site. Pendegast and Kelly are almost immediately ejected from the site as the wealthy builders money buys his way to having the site cleared and back on track with their building schedule in a matter of hours, but not successfully covering up the discovery of the remains of what could be the work of the most prolific serial killer in American history. With a taste for this mystery and a piece of clothing (with a note inside) that Kelley and Smithback (Relic & Reliquary, her boyfriend in this book) manage to sneak in and retrieve the trio is well on their into a mystery that threatens to consume them all.
While I enjoyed much of Cabinet of Curiosities, it has a number of "sore" points for me and I find that much of what I don't like about this particular work can be laid squarely on the shoulders of one Agent Pendergast. As in his previous appearances, he is superior in every way to every one around him (richer, more refined, better dressed, more knowledgeable, and just slightly ahead of everyone else in piecing together the pieces of the puzzle). The authors certainly tried to make him more appealing this time out, personalizing and going into detail with his life and his past...but overall it falls flat and one is left with the feeling that none of the other characters is as marvelous or important as Pendergast...he's just too perfect. As a result of the attention given to Pendergast, interesting characters like Kelly and Smithback can only function on the periphery, as sidekicks or buffoons; I just felt that they weren't as well developed as they might have been if the authors didn't place so much importance on Pendergast.
My other major complaint with the book is that it drug on for 100-150 pages too long, well beyond the "reveal" and where (I felt) the authors has the opportunity to take the ending to a truly horrific and unique levels of mad scientist genius they didn't...they took a sharp right turn and ended in a way that really felt like a let down after all the effort that went into the build up. I would have liked to have seen something a bit more exciting (and unique), but that's just me.
Despite its flaws, Cabinet of Curiosities is quite a good read, It kept me up two nights in a row...just one more page, with eyes burning and me feeling desperately tired...I just had to read ONE more page! For me this was ALMOST as good as Relic (which was my favorite so far by Lincoln & Child), I love the descriptions of the museum and of New York (both the historical and contemporary descriptions) and the history of the Cabinets of Curiosities was quite delightful! I'll definitely be picking up more of their work in the future. I give this one a B+, I love Pendergast...but I feel that this character might be becoming a pet character for these authors and as such is bordering on becoming unreal (and annoyingly so)...he hasn't quite reached that point, but I could see it happening. So...overall, great late night reading with just the right mix of horror, thriller and a dash of science that's hard to put down! I'd recommend it in a heartbeat, especially if you liked their previous work.
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excavation crew unexpectedly discovers a 19th century coal tunnel holding skeletal remains of 36 brutally murdered people. Almost immediately after the discovery is made, Dr. Nora Kelly (an archeologist and curator at the Museum of Natural History, Thunderhead) is visited by the mysterious, refined and independently wealthy FBI agent Pendergast (Relic & Reliquary) who takes an unusual interest in the remains. Dr. Kelly reluctantly joins Special Agent Pendergast for an unofficial examination of the site, and together they make a startling discovery...a clue has been left behind by one of the victims that proves to be an important piece of information in the search for the perpetrator of this hideous crime.
All of this is connected with a Cabinet of Curiosities (collections of items of historical and/or archeological interest, these predated museums like the New York Museum of Natural History...some of the items were genuine -- others contrived to bring in the public and their money) that was once located on the site. Pendegast and Kelly are almost immediately ejected from the site as the wealthy builders money buys his way to having the site cleared and back on track with their building schedule in a matter of hours, but not successfully covering up the discovery of the remains of what could be the work of the most prolific serial killer in American history. With a taste for this mystery and a piece of clothing (with a note inside) that Kelley and Smithback (Relic & Reliquary, her boyfriend in this book) manage to sneak in and retrieve the trio is well on their into a mystery that threatens to consume them all.
While I enjoyed much of Cabinet of Curiosities, it has a number of "sore" points for me and I find that much of what I don't like about this particular work can be laid squarely on the shoulders of one Agent Pendergast. As in his previous appearances, he is superior in every way to every one around him (richer, more refined, better dressed, more knowledgeable, and just slightly ahead of everyone else in piecing together the pieces of the puzzle). The authors certainly tried to make him more appealing this time out, personalizing and going into detail with his life and his past...but overall it falls flat and one is left with the feeling that none of the other characters is as marvelous or important as Pendergast...he's just too perfect. As a result of the attention given to Pendergast, interesting characters like Kelly and Smithback can only function on the periphery, as sidekicks or buffoons; I just felt that they weren't as well developed as they might have been if the authors didn't place so much importance on Pendergast.
My other major complaint with the book is that it drug on for 100-150 pages too long, well beyond the "reveal" and where (I felt) the authors has the opportunity to take the ending to a truly horrific and unique levels of mad scientist genius they didn't...they took a sharp right turn and ended in a way that really felt like a let down after all the effort that went into the build up. I would have liked to have seen something a bit more exciting (and unique), but that's just me.
Despite its flaws, Cabinet of Curiosities is quite a good read, It kept me up two nights in a row...just one more page, with eyes burning and me feeling desperately tired...I just had to read ONE more page! For me this was ALMOST as good as Relic (which was my favorite so far by Lincoln & Child), I love the descriptions of the museum and of New York (both the historical and contemporary descriptions) and the history of the Cabinets of Curiosities was quite delightful! I'll definitely be picking up more of their work in the future. I give this one a B+, I love Pendergast...but I feel that this character might be becoming a pet character for these authors and as such is bordering on becoming unreal (and annoyingly so)...he hasn't quite reached that point, but I could see it happening. So...overall, great late night reading with just the right mix of horror, thriller and a dash of science that's hard to put down! I'd recommend it in a heartbeat, especially if you liked their previous work.
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LibraryThing member cbgraham
This book was so much fun. I really liked Relic, and have read most the two authors' books. This one is hands down my favorite. Yes, you really have to suspend your disbelief, but they do really try to make the impossible science that pops up believable. That's not the point. The history of
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museums, like the American Museum of Natural History, as cabinets of curiosity is fantastic. For a science/history geek like myself, this view of museums as the evolution of what was basically freak shows is really interesting. It's a dark and twisted view of what has come to be simply educational. Granted the two headed calves didn't make the transition, but the knowledge that so much of this stuff comes from the same crazy old guy who collected things like two headed calves and elephant man skulls in fascinating. The plot revolves around just such a man and just such a cabinet. It helps that the lead investigator is just as kooky. The ambiance alone is reason enough to grab this book. It could just as easily be a horror story as a thriller, mystery or scifi novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member 5hrdrive
A disappointment, I really had to force myself to get through the last 150 pages. A good initial premise, but suffers from far too many unbelievably stupid characters on one hand, and unbelievably omniscient characters on the other. The only thing about this book that makes any sense at all is to
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look at is as a metaphor for what happens when science runs amok. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sink222
1st intro to Agent Pendergrast...great book & series
LibraryThing member goth_marionette
I enjoy this series of thriller mysteries. The main character Pendergast is enigmatic, intelligent possess an almost Sherlock Holmsian style of mystery solving. I didn't find this as unlikely a story as the two previous books and I am curious to see what the fourth book entails.
LibraryThing member RogueBelle
I really liked this one. I found the whole premise imaginative and captivating; it was nice to get a P&C with a 19th century flair, and it was so much fun to get to see more of Pendergast being awesome. A wonderfully creepy thriller.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2002
Physical description
656 p.; 4.25 inches
ISBN
9780446611237