Pendergast: The Beginning
From the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Preston and Child comes the Agent Pendergast origin story—a golden opportunity for longtime fans and new readers to learn about Agent Pendergast’s strange and shocking first case.
It only took six months for the life of Special Agent Dwight Chambers to crumble around him. First, he lost his partner, and then, tragically, his wife. Returning to work at the New Orleans Field Office, Chambers is dismayed to find himself saddled with mentoring a brand new FBI agent—a certain A. X. L. Pendergast. As Chambers tries to pull himself together, his enigmatic and exasperating junior partner pulls an outrageous stunt that gets both of them suspended.
Pendergast welcomes the banishment, because it gives him the opportunity to investigate a peculiar murder in Mississippi that has captured his fancy. Chambers grudgingly goes along. What starts off as a whimsical quest swiftly turns into a terrifying pursuit, as Chambers and Pendergast uncover a string of grisly, ritualistic killings that defy any known serial killer profile.
Thanks in large part to Pendergast’s brilliance and unorthodox methods, they solve the case and find the killer… and that is when the true horror begins.
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Lincoln Child
Lincoln Child is a master of suspenseful, intricately woven thrillers that leave readers on the edge of their seats. Known for his captivating storytelling and atmospheric world-building, Child has earned a reputation as one of the leading authors in the genre. Whether crafting standalone novels or co-authoring series with Douglas Preston, his works are filled with tension, unexpected twists, and a deep exploration of the human condition.
Born in Westport, Connecticut, Child's early years were marked by a keen interest in science, which often finds its way into his writing. This fascination with science, technology, and the unexplained gives his books a unique edge, blending cutting-edge ideas with page-turning plots. His partnership with Douglas Preston led to the creation of the popular Pendergast series, a set of thrillers featuring the enigmatic FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast. The success of this series cemented Child's place in the literary world, making him a household name for thriller enthusiasts.
Pendergast
The Pendergast series by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston takes readers on a gripping journey through the most chilling and enigmatic corners of the human experience. At the heart of this thrilling series is FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast, a man as mysterious as the cases he investigates. With his impeccable intellect, refined manners, and an eerie ability to predict the unimaginable, Pendergast is not just a detective—he is a force of nature. His investigations span across some of the darkest and most bizarre mysteries, involving ancient secrets, chilling conspiracy theories, and grotesque crimes that seem to defy logic itself.
Pendergast consists of twenty-three primary books, and includes two additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
