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Aloysius Pendergast #22
Angel of Vengeance
Preston & Child continue their #1 bestselling series featuring FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene, as they take a final stand against New York’s deadliest serial killer: Pendergast’s own ancestor…and Constance’s greatest enemy.
A desperate bargain is broken…
Constance Greene confronts Manhattan’s most dangerous serial killer, Enoch Leng, bartering for her sister's life — but she is betrayed and turned away empty-handed, incandescent with rage.
A clever trap is set…
Unknown to Leng, Pendergast’s brother, Diogenes, appears unexpectedly, offering to help — for mysterious reasons of his own. Disguised as a cleric, Diogenes establishes himself in New York's notorious Five Points slum, manipulating events like a chess master, watching Leng’s every move…and awaiting his own chance to strike.
A vengeful angel will not be deterred…
Meanwhile, as Pendergast focuses on saving the unstable Constance in her fanatical quest for vengeance, she strikes out on her own: to rescue her beloved siblings from a tragic fate and take savage retribution on Leng. But Leng is one step ahead and has a surprise for them all…
A desperate bargain is broken…
Constance Greene confronts Manhattan’s most dangerous serial killer, Enoch Leng, bartering for her sister's life — but she is betrayed and turned away empty-handed, incandescent with rage.
A clever trap is set…
Unknown to Leng, Pendergast’s brother, Diogenes, appears unexpectedly, offering to help — for mysterious reasons of his own. Disguised as a cleric, Diogenes establishes himself in New York's notorious Five Points slum, manipulating events like a chess master, watching Leng’s every move…and awaiting his own chance to strike.
A vengeful angel will not be deterred…
Meanwhile, as Pendergast focuses on saving the unstable Constance in her fanatical quest for vengeance, she strikes out on her own: to rescue her beloved siblings from a tragic fate and take savage retribution on Leng. But Leng is one step ahead and has a surprise for them all…
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 16, 2024
About the author
Douglas Preston
185 books12.6k followersDouglas Preston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956, and grew up in the deadly boring suburb of Wellesley. Following a distinguished career at a private nursery school--he was almost immediately expelled--he attended public schools and the Cambridge School of Weston. Notable events in his early life included the loss of a fingertip at the age of three to a bicycle; the loss of his two front teeth to his brother Richard's fist; and various broken bones, also incurred in dust-ups with Richard. (Richard went on to write The Hot Zone and The Cobra Event, which tells you all you need to know about what it was like to grow up with him as a brother.)
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
August 15, 2024
In Conclusion
The previous book having left Pendergast’s friend Vincent D’Agosta, knocked out on the floor of Constance’s mansion while trying to save a a child in her care. (All this after using a Time Machine to follow Constance to 1880) Meanwhile the evil Munk is dragging the little girl out the window and Constance and her maid have been stabbed, though Constance less seriously. Pendergast appears dramatically on horseback, willing to come clean and admit to Constance that they have been trying to be quietly in the background to be helpful. Of course Constance only sees it as interference, and as they argue over whether or not their nemesis Enoch Leng, Pendergast’s great uncle knows everything or not another figure appears in Constance’s comfortable room… Diogenes. Of course we thought he was dead several books ago, but he’s one of those bad eggs that just keep showing up. This time he tells them that his unexpected appearance in the past could be to their benefit, and that he could be their angel of vengeance.
This may actually be the best of the Pendergast series and that is saying something, because I absolutely love this series. There isn’t a redundant word, phrase or plot anywhere in this book, it is non-stop action and intrigue from the beginning to the end and everything was cleaned up so neatly that I worry that Preston and Child might be tying up these characters. I certainly hope not, because I feel certain AXL Pendergast has a few more good years and mystery solving skills left in him. This was a hum-dinger of a five star read and if you liked Pendergast in the past you will love this three book series. Yeah, it started with Bloodless, went into The Cabinet of Enoch Leng and finished with a bang in Angel of Vengeance. Don’t miss them!
The previous book having left Pendergast’s friend Vincent D’Agosta, knocked out on the floor of Constance’s mansion while trying to save a a child in her care. (All this after using a Time Machine to follow Constance to 1880) Meanwhile the evil Munk is dragging the little girl out the window and Constance and her maid have been stabbed, though Constance less seriously. Pendergast appears dramatically on horseback, willing to come clean and admit to Constance that they have been trying to be quietly in the background to be helpful. Of course Constance only sees it as interference, and as they argue over whether or not their nemesis Enoch Leng, Pendergast’s great uncle knows everything or not another figure appears in Constance’s comfortable room… Diogenes. Of course we thought he was dead several books ago, but he’s one of those bad eggs that just keep showing up. This time he tells them that his unexpected appearance in the past could be to their benefit, and that he could be their angel of vengeance.
This may actually be the best of the Pendergast series and that is saying something, because I absolutely love this series. There isn’t a redundant word, phrase or plot anywhere in this book, it is non-stop action and intrigue from the beginning to the end and everything was cleaned up so neatly that I worry that Preston and Child might be tying up these characters. I certainly hope not, because I feel certain AXL Pendergast has a few more good years and mystery solving skills left in him. This was a hum-dinger of a five star read and if you liked Pendergast in the past you will love this three book series. Yeah, it started with Bloodless, went into The Cabinet of Enoch Leng and finished with a bang in Angel of Vengeance. Don’t miss them!
September 20, 2024
Pendergast! Can you get any better... easily 4.5 stars and I read it over a weekend. Angel of Vengeance is the 22nd book in the series co-written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Diogenes returns. The duo and Constance, along with D'Agosta are transported back to the late 19th century before the evil villain kidnaps and kills Constance's family. The vivid descriptions of 1880s NYC, particularly the horrific Five Points district, is spot-on in terms of creating the perfect mood and setting. Loved the fight scenes. Amazed at the imagination. Waiting for the shoe to drop with Diogenes turning bad again - we all know it's gonna happen... but I feel like this one brought so much together from several different arcs in the series, where could it go next? A buddy-read with a great friend made it all the sweeter.
October 7, 2024
5 Stars
Angel of Vengeance is the 22nd book in the Pendergast series, and it's a gripping continuation of the story from "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng." Still trapped in 1880 New York City From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the book. It's a fast-paced, suspense-filled time-travel thriller that keeps you guessing in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with a formidable adversary. The well-developed characters are compelling, realistic and relatable; you can’t help but root for them. And the steady flow of hilarious whity banter adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
I'll be sure to share a full review soon.
Angel of Vengeance is the 22nd book in the Pendergast series, and it's a gripping continuation of the story from "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng." Still trapped in 1880 New York City From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked and found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the book. It's a fast-paced, suspense-filled time-travel thriller that keeps you guessing in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with a formidable adversary. The well-developed characters are compelling, realistic and relatable; you can’t help but root for them. And the steady flow of hilarious whity banter adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
I'll be sure to share a full review soon.
September 1, 2024
Another excellent entry in the Pendergast series from Preston and Child. Quite a few plot lines are tied up in this one. Each of the series recurring characters gets a chance to shine as the story unfolds. The tension is high as usual and the witty repertoire is on full display.
July 24, 2024
Right up front I'll say this: if you haven't read at least a couple of other recent books in this series, it's likely you won't "get' much of this one. If what I've read is correct, it closes the books, so to speak, on the efforts of FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast and his ward, Constance Greene, to defeat the evil Dr. Enoch Leng - this time on the doctor's own turf, New York City, in the late 1880s. But those who have been following the action will, I think, agree that it's a zinger.
There has been, you see, a "portal" that leads from the present to that 19th century past; in the previous book, Constance - partly for personal reasons and mostly to save her family (including herself as a child) from certain torture and death at the hands of Leng - made her way through. She was followed by Pendergast and Vincent D'Agosta, after which - whoops - the portal slammed shut, perhaps never to open again. The questions at the start are many: Will Constance get Leng before he gets her? Will Pendergast be able to save her (if, in fact, he finds her at all)? If any or all survive, will they find a way to get back to the present?
Those questions, as well as some readers won't even think to ask, will be answered as the protagonists plot their moves through the underbelly of a city in which Uber's pick-up and delivery vehicles have four legs. There are many twists, turns and narrow escapes, but there's no escaping that it's a riveting adventure. But to get the details, you'll just have to read it for yourself. As for me, I'll just say Wow! and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading a pre-release copy.
There has been, you see, a "portal" that leads from the present to that 19th century past; in the previous book, Constance - partly for personal reasons and mostly to save her family (including herself as a child) from certain torture and death at the hands of Leng - made her way through. She was followed by Pendergast and Vincent D'Agosta, after which - whoops - the portal slammed shut, perhaps never to open again. The questions at the start are many: Will Constance get Leng before he gets her? Will Pendergast be able to save her (if, in fact, he finds her at all)? If any or all survive, will they find a way to get back to the present?
Those questions, as well as some readers won't even think to ask, will be answered as the protagonists plot their moves through the underbelly of a city in which Uber's pick-up and delivery vehicles have four legs. There are many twists, turns and narrow escapes, but there's no escaping that it's a riveting adventure. But to get the details, you'll just have to read it for yourself. As for me, I'll just say Wow! and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading a pre-release copy.
July 8, 2024
Oh. My. GOODNESS!! I've been waiting for this book since finishing the cliff-hanging ARC of the previous installment last year... It was most definitely worth the wait! I consumed this book in 24 hours. Preston and Child did a fabulous job bringing the Enoch Leng story arc to a most satisfying conclusion.
Their ability to continue writing within this world for 22 books - and to keep the characters constantly evolving and the plots constantly original and engaging - is amazing to me. I hope they write Pendergast novels for as long as humanly possible. I love everything about this world and these characters. The books have heart, depth, humor/levity, a heavy creepy factor, and so many intriguing twists and turns that I don't see coming (and I read A LOT).
If you don't know the series, you really must start (with Relic, Book 1) and work your way forward.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Their ability to continue writing within this world for 22 books - and to keep the characters constantly evolving and the plots constantly original and engaging - is amazing to me. I hope they write Pendergast novels for as long as humanly possible. I love everything about this world and these characters. The books have heart, depth, humor/levity, a heavy creepy factor, and so many intriguing twists and turns that I don't see coming (and I read A LOT).
If you don't know the series, you really must start (with Relic, Book 1) and work your way forward.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
October 3, 2024
It's sarsaparilla--old timey and familiar, but with a surprising kick you're never quite ready for.
September 17, 2024
This felt like a throwback to some of the earlier Agent Pendergast novels, and I enjoyed the vibe. Time travel places our heroes in 19th-century Manhattan and the historical details are spot on. For me, the best part of this installment was that Constance was only in a few scenes. I much prefer plotlines focusing on a case Pendergast is investigating versus their relationship. The end makes me wonder if the series is wrapping up or heading in a new direction. I'll be curious to see what comes next.
September 18, 2024
So we finally get to the closing chapter on the infamous family-member of Pendergast and the torrent of Constance Green, ny the name Enoch Lang. Pendergast, Vincent & Constance are now stuck in 1880 or an alternate timeline. And guess what Diogenios Pendergast, brother and presumed death also pops up.
Enoch Lang being certainly like the Pendergast boys is brilliant, they have one advantage namely they know the future.
A quite entertaining and easy to read book that is like most of the writers output is fun and brilliant reading. A historic novel that feels modern and feels like race you want to finish first reading it.
Again both writers deliver an excellent novel and leave their reader behind wanting more.
The epilogue definately has a bit of wickedness that is even rare in the novels of messieurs Child & Preston.
Enoch Lang being certainly like the Pendergast boys is brilliant, they have one advantage namely they know the future.
A quite entertaining and easy to read book that is like most of the writers output is fun and brilliant reading. A historic novel that feels modern and feels like race you want to finish first reading it.
Again both writers deliver an excellent novel and leave their reader behind wanting more.
The epilogue definately has a bit of wickedness that is even rare in the novels of messieurs Child & Preston.
August 22, 2024
If you are a long-time fan of Pendergast like I am, I think the only thing you need to know is that this book starts and ends with Diogenes doing good deeds. I mean, obviously, in a murder-ey sort of way, but that's what makes it great. Any Pendergast novel that's got Diogenes showing up as the hero, as the Angel of Death himself is going to be a damn good Pendergast novel. And let me tell you, this is hands down the best one in the series to date. It's not just that we've got Diogenes in the mix it's that we've got everyone, D'Agosta, Constance, and Pendergast kicking ass and taking names while up against their worst adversary so far Dr. Leng. And Leng is as batshit crazy as you'd expect him to be. I mean absolutely stunningly nuts while being absolutely convinced he's the smartest dude in the room, which is, of course, his biggest weakness.
Constance, though, absolutely shines in this one, again. She is absolutely brutal in the most amazing ways. Honestly, she deserves to be with Leng, whether this is her Leng or not, he absolutely destroys her life while believing he's given her a gift. And what she got was basically a hundred years of PTSD, I mean honestly, when you think about Constance is probably the most well adjusted 100+ year old who literally lived for more than half of her existence with the serial killer who killed her sister in the most unimaginable way possible. I know a lot of fans think she's unhinged, but I think that's an unfair assessment of someone who has lived a life that is unfathomable.
Overall, of course I recommend this. You don't even have to ask! Unlike most Pendergast novels, you do have to read the preceding two to appreciate this one, and I'd even go so far as to acquaint yourself with Diogenes's story first as well. Unless you understand who Diogenes is, you won't really be able to understand why Pendergast and Constance need him, must have him to take down Dr. Leng.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing!!
Constance, though, absolutely shines in this one, again. She is absolutely brutal in the most amazing ways. Honestly, she deserves to be with Leng, whether this is her Leng or not, he absolutely destroys her life while believing he's given her a gift. And what she got was basically a hundred years of PTSD, I mean honestly, when you think about Constance is probably the most well adjusted 100+ year old who literally lived for more than half of her existence with the serial killer who killed her sister in the most unimaginable way possible. I know a lot of fans think she's unhinged, but I think that's an unfair assessment of someone who has lived a life that is unfathomable.
Overall, of course I recommend this. You don't even have to ask! Unlike most Pendergast novels, you do have to read the preceding two to appreciate this one, and I'd even go so far as to acquaint yourself with Diogenes's story first as well. Unless you understand who Diogenes is, you won't really be able to understand why Pendergast and Constance need him, must have him to take down Dr. Leng.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing!!
August 17, 2024
This book and the previous novel in the Pendergast series “The Cabinet of Dr Leng” are not for newcomers. Don’t make either book your first Pendergast.
That said, I’ll make some comments about what a longtime fan of this series can expect. I’ll be vague and spoiler free.
This book is the shortest in the series and I have no idea why that decision was made. There are many sequences here that seemed to come out of nowhere, and it’s hard to stifle disbelief considering the characters are FAR outside their element.
Pendergast and Constance have always been extraordinarily capable people, and although Constance’s schemes (and the time to make them reality) to thwart Dr Leng were fleshed out in the previous novel, Pendergast’s were not. So many intricate details of the traps being set felt glossed over, as if hundreds of pages were removed from the original manuscript.
The book really does suffer from this. The players seemed to have too many pieces easily fit into place, which is impossible considering how detached they were from their usual surroundings.
The story flows along nicely and I had no issues following along, even with the important plot points seemingly edited out. But why was it like this? We had an all-star cast of strategic minds plotting against each other yet the story was truncated. It almost read like an abridged novel.
The action is top notch. I love all these characters and their voices and motivations remained true. There is real tension in the plot and I never quite knew how things would finish. All good things.
But honestly, the conclusion of the biggest plot risk this series has taken (starting with the end of “Bloodless”) fell flat, and I’m stunned.
Giving this a very generous four stars. In reality it’s a disappointing 3.5 stars for my all time favorite series.
That said, I’ll make some comments about what a longtime fan of this series can expect. I’ll be vague and spoiler free.
This book is the shortest in the series and I have no idea why that decision was made. There are many sequences here that seemed to come out of nowhere, and it’s hard to stifle disbelief considering the characters are FAR outside their element.
Pendergast and Constance have always been extraordinarily capable people, and although Constance’s schemes (and the time to make them reality) to thwart Dr Leng were fleshed out in the previous novel, Pendergast’s were not. So many intricate details of the traps being set felt glossed over, as if hundreds of pages were removed from the original manuscript.
The book really does suffer from this. The players seemed to have too many pieces easily fit into place, which is impossible considering how detached they were from their usual surroundings.
The story flows along nicely and I had no issues following along, even with the important plot points seemingly edited out. But why was it like this? We had an all-star cast of strategic minds plotting against each other yet the story was truncated. It almost read like an abridged novel.
The action is top notch. I love all these characters and their voices and motivations remained true. There is real tension in the plot and I never quite knew how things would finish. All good things.
But honestly, the conclusion of the biggest plot risk this series has taken (starting with the end of “Bloodless”) fell flat, and I’m stunned.
Giving this a very generous four stars. In reality it’s a disappointing 3.5 stars for my all time favorite series.
August 14, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for the pre-release copy of Angel of Vengeance. Below is my honest review.
Let's get one thing straight here: I'm a LONG-TIME Pendergast stan... like, 20 years I've been following this series kind of fan.
Angel of Vengeance ties up the trilogy started with Bloodless and continued in The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, and it concludes with a BANG. I really can't spoil anything here, but this one definitely brought the trilogy to a satisfying close. There's only one small thing that bothers me, and I can't say what that is because I don't want to spoil even the tiniest of things, especially because all in all, it's not really a huge deal.
I love the twists and turns in this one, and how they have to outsmart their vile ancestor with schemes within schemes. I love Constance's humanity in this one - her unwavering thirst for vengeance and desire to protect her loved ones. I loved Diogenes' semi-redemptive arc in this one... but seriously, Doug and Linc, we're going to need a new spinoff because of the events of this book.
I just really loved this one. Coupled with The Cabinet of Dr. Leng as two parts of a story that is set up by the machine introduced in Bloodless, this book duo really shows that even after all of these years, Preston and Child are still at the top of their game (even if I still think Bloodless is one of my least favorites in the entire series, these two more than made up for that).
Highly recommended, but seriously, don't start here. This is book 22. Not a good place to jump in, fellow readers.
Let's get one thing straight here: I'm a LONG-TIME Pendergast stan... like, 20 years I've been following this series kind of fan.
Angel of Vengeance ties up the trilogy started with Bloodless and continued in The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, and it concludes with a BANG. I really can't spoil anything here, but this one definitely brought the trilogy to a satisfying close. There's only one small thing that bothers me, and I can't say what that is because I don't want to spoil even the tiniest of things, especially because all in all, it's not really a huge deal.
I love the twists and turns in this one, and how they have to outsmart their vile ancestor with schemes within schemes. I love Constance's humanity in this one - her unwavering thirst for vengeance and desire to protect her loved ones. I loved Diogenes' semi-redemptive arc in this one... but seriously, Doug and Linc, we're going to need a new spinoff because of the events of this book.
I just really loved this one. Coupled with The Cabinet of Dr. Leng as two parts of a story that is set up by the machine introduced in Bloodless, this book duo really shows that even after all of these years, Preston and Child are still at the top of their game (even if I still think Bloodless is one of my least favorites in the entire series, these two more than made up for that).
Highly recommended, but seriously, don't start here. This is book 22. Not a good place to jump in, fellow readers.
August 8, 2024
The final book in the Dr Leng quartet finds Aloysius Pendergast, his brother Diogenes, and NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vincent D'Agosta traveling back in time to NYC in December, 1880, to assist Constance Greene in stopping Dr Leng. They hatch a plot of many threads that just might work IF all goes as planned. Once again, an exciting Pendergast thriller from Preston & Child, with the added complication of navigating through the mean and dirty streets of a city before their time.
Many thanks to the authors and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this latest thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Many thanks to the authors and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this latest thriller via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2024
Pendergast is back in the past trying to save Constance who has went after sadistic killer Leng trying to save her family. This was a good story with entertaining characters. I love this series. This was the 22nd book and I can’t wait for more. It will be released August 13, 2024. Thanks NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC!
May 15, 2024
Thanks Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
Excellent!!! Couldn’t put this one down, but at the same time didn’t want it to end.
Best Pendergast yet I think.
Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child are masters of their craft.
Excellent!!! Couldn’t put this one down, but at the same time didn’t want it to end.
Best Pendergast yet I think.
Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child are masters of their craft.
September 11, 2024
A satisfying conclusion to a thrilling saga!
I'm not going to say much about the plot. Spoilers, don'tcha know. Suffice to say that this is either the third or the fifth book–depends on whether you mark its beginning from the first appearance of a certain character or not–in a subset of the Pendergast novels. Preston and Child have been writing for quite some time. In an ideal world, where all of their books are readily available to all and everyone has plenty of time to read them, I'd urge starting at the beginning and reading everything in publication order. In the real world … start wherever. Just be advised that doing so will spoil the occasional surprise.
And you really should start with Bloodless at the very least. It, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, and the present volume are much more tightly interwoven than is typical of their other books, with events surging at a breakneck pace from one directly into the next. It's been a wild ride!
As a longtime fan of both authors, I long ago reached the point where I no longer read the jacket descriptions. Just knowing that it's a new book from them is enough for me to buy the hardcovers as soon as they're available. While this particular novel may not be the best jumping-on point for new readers, if it's all you've got, go for it. Highly recommended!
I'm not going to say much about the plot. Spoilers, don'tcha know. Suffice to say that this is either the third or the fifth book–depends on whether you mark its beginning from the first appearance of a certain character or not–in a subset of the Pendergast novels. Preston and Child have been writing for quite some time. In an ideal world, where all of their books are readily available to all and everyone has plenty of time to read them, I'd urge starting at the beginning and reading everything in publication order. In the real world … start wherever. Just be advised that doing so will spoil the occasional surprise.
And you really should start with Bloodless at the very least. It, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, and the present volume are much more tightly interwoven than is typical of their other books, with events surging at a breakneck pace from one directly into the next. It's been a wild ride!
As a longtime fan of both authors, I long ago reached the point where I no longer read the jacket descriptions. Just knowing that it's a new book from them is enough for me to buy the hardcovers as soon as they're available. While this particular novel may not be the best jumping-on point for new readers, if it's all you've got, go for it. Highly recommended!
July 20, 2024
Angel of Vengeance is the last novel in the Leng quartet. In it, protagonists Aloysius Pendergast and Constance Greene make their final stand against their shared nemesis, Dr. Enoch Leng. That being said, the novel cannot be read as a standalone and should be read after the prior novels in the Leng series (There are three of them: The Cabinet of Curiosities, Bloodless, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng.)
The story unfolds through a third party point of view and continues the saga where the prior novel, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, left off. And true to the authors’ style, there are numerous plot twists the dot the novel’s landscape. But there is one huge surprise that took this novel over the top and makes it a must read for fans of the Leng quartet. Five stars.
I received a DRC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
The story unfolds through a third party point of view and continues the saga where the prior novel, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, left off. And true to the authors’ style, there are numerous plot twists the dot the novel’s landscape. But there is one huge surprise that took this novel over the top and makes it a must read for fans of the Leng quartet. Five stars.
I received a DRC from Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. This review is completely my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.
July 10, 2024
If you read the series, then you know what you're gonna get here. It's a typical Pendergast novel, with the usual goings on, the completion of a recent trilogy with Diogenes returning from the grave. I've read every book in the series, and this is a competent effort. Not a whole lot going on, but I always enjoy revisiting these characters and it's worth the time if you're a fan. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2024
4.5/5
This was the best Pendergast story in a long, long time. The time-travel adventure continues and is perfectly paced - it kept me engaged from start to finish.
At last, Pendergast truly feels like himself again, while Constance proves she's not to be trifled with. Diogenes, while declawed, still earns points for his excellent chapters and a fun, if somewhat over-the-top, ending that might divide readers. Since I love speculative elements, I found the ending pleasing. Both endings, to be more precise.
Audiobook narration: excellent
This was the best Pendergast story in a long, long time. The time-travel adventure continues and is perfectly paced - it kept me engaged from start to finish.
At last, Pendergast truly feels like himself again, while Constance proves she's not to be trifled with. Diogenes, while declawed, still earns points for his excellent chapters and a fun, if somewhat over-the-top, ending that might divide readers. Since I love speculative elements, I found the ending pleasing. Both endings, to be more precise.
Audiobook narration: excellent
August 17, 2024
surprisingly enough, they managed to write a fairly straightforward and halfway decent addition to the series after all, once you get over the, erm, time machine of it all. which i will give them, just this once.
i will say that diogenes has been completely defanged when it comes to his brotherly rivalry, which is extremely disappointing, especially concerning constance, but i suppose he got over that in obsidian chamber? or something? i always forget what actually happens in that one despite having read it relatively recently. anyway, he’s way too goody goody in this one even though he does kill some people, but. i suppose it was a nice getting the gang back together moment.
i did really enjoy the three-pronged offense maneuver, very slick and harkens back to the heist-y pendergast of old. the 1880s shenanigans actually fit surprisingly well, probably because pendergast and diogenes are complete freaks like that, and it is nice to see them engage in good old fashioned knife work and poisoning even though they also have guns.
i am extremely disappointed that diogenes and pendergast did not have a stefan and damon esque spat about constance. however. i grant them that there were more important things to deal with.
what else…leng is a pretty good villain, all things considered, although he doesn’t really do much? now that i think about it? and his plan for world domination is extremely silly, but we’ll allow him that one. on the one hand it’s nice to have this throwback all the way from book 3, for the real fans among us etc, but it is a bit of a strange move in terms of like. wanting people who haven’t read all the books to read them. idrc about all that but it’s just interesting.
i really and truly cannot get over the fact that they are still doing this pendergast constance bullshit. like. this was the Prime opportunity to let constance and diogenes steal the show as morally grey (or simply just evil) partners in crime and just fuck up leng’s shit astronomically whilst saying bye bye to aloysius. however……..it remains forever and ever a humongous ick.
also lastly i cannot believe that diogenes killed hitler’s dad and is now going to kill stalin and also mao’s dad. imo that is on a level with rest and relaxation ending on 9/11. just. completely ridiculous. but diogenes actually nearly pulls it off because he is so completely bananas nutso.
overall i am pleasantly surprised that this was actually readable and had, like, meaningful reasons for all the plot points. characterizations are also largely fixed in this one, thank god, despite diogenes being an antihero. not sure where they’re gonna go from here, but if they ever bring diogenes back again i will simply have to jump into that volcano myself.
i will say that diogenes has been completely defanged when it comes to his brotherly rivalry, which is extremely disappointing, especially concerning constance, but i suppose he got over that in obsidian chamber? or something? i always forget what actually happens in that one despite having read it relatively recently. anyway, he’s way too goody goody in this one even though he does kill some people, but. i suppose it was a nice getting the gang back together moment.
i did really enjoy the three-pronged offense maneuver, very slick and harkens back to the heist-y pendergast of old. the 1880s shenanigans actually fit surprisingly well, probably because pendergast and diogenes are complete freaks like that, and it is nice to see them engage in good old fashioned knife work and poisoning even though they also have guns.
i am extremely disappointed that diogenes and pendergast did not have a stefan and damon esque spat about constance. however. i grant them that there were more important things to deal with.
what else…leng is a pretty good villain, all things considered, although he doesn’t really do much? now that i think about it? and his plan for world domination is extremely silly, but we’ll allow him that one. on the one hand it’s nice to have this throwback all the way from book 3, for the real fans among us etc, but it is a bit of a strange move in terms of like. wanting people who haven’t read all the books to read them. idrc about all that but it’s just interesting.
i really and truly cannot get over the fact that they are still doing this pendergast constance bullshit. like. this was the Prime opportunity to let constance and diogenes steal the show as morally grey (or simply just evil) partners in crime and just fuck up leng’s shit astronomically whilst saying bye bye to aloysius. however……..it remains forever and ever a humongous ick.
also lastly i cannot believe that diogenes killed hitler’s dad and is now going to kill stalin and also mao’s dad. imo that is on a level with rest and relaxation ending on 9/11. just. completely ridiculous. but diogenes actually nearly pulls it off because he is so completely bananas nutso.
overall i am pleasantly surprised that this was actually readable and had, like, meaningful reasons for all the plot points. characterizations are also largely fixed in this one, thank god, despite diogenes being an antihero. not sure where they’re gonna go from here, but if they ever bring diogenes back again i will simply have to jump into that volcano myself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
I was very pleased to receive an ARC of Angel of Vengeance after reading The Cabinet of Doctor Leng last year. That book ended abruptly, leaving the Pendergast series characters stranded in New York City of 1881 as Constance Green continues her very personal battle against Dr. Leng with Pendergast and D’Agosta joining her fight.
In the Angel of Vengeance, there is intricate planning, vicious fighting, some nifty trickery, and so much evil, more than I’ve seen in these books for a while. But that would be true if Dr. Leng were present, wouldn’t it, as he seems a personification of evil in the series.
Definitely recommended for those who have followed the Pendergast series all these years, with the eerie stories of Constance Green, Dr. Leng’s cabinet of curiosities and his wish to extend life. Everything comes to its boiling point here.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
In the Angel of Vengeance, there is intricate planning, vicious fighting, some nifty trickery, and so much evil, more than I’ve seen in these books for a while. But that would be true if Dr. Leng were present, wouldn’t it, as he seems a personification of evil in the series.
Definitely recommended for those who have followed the Pendergast series all these years, with the eerie stories of Constance Green, Dr. Leng’s cabinet of curiosities and his wish to extend life. Everything comes to its boiling point here.
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.
August 21, 2024
Let me start by saying that I have read the entire series almost yearly, and have followed it from the beginning.
This series has gone off the rails. Bloodless jumped the shark, and then these two authors roped me back in with what I think is the greatest cliffhanger ending since Star Trek TNG. So I gave them another chance, even though "Pendergast rebuilds a time machine" isn't exactly a recipe for a literary classic.
One of the other reviews, and I can't agree with it enough, states that everything just falls into place much too perfectly and that it feels like hundreds of pages were edited out. Other than the ridiculous plot, this is the biggest failure of this book. I get it, they're all polymaths and they're going up against 1800s idiots. But still, there never really felt like there was danger, or intrigue.
Diogenes going/staying back in time to kill Hitler's father? Don't get me started. I read this final chapter with my jaw on the floor. Diogenes, whose leather valise alone caused seasoned police officers to be sick, who made a shirt of nerve ganglia, and who crucified Pendergast's pet mouse for fun...I just can't believe they did this to such a wonderful, rich villain. Such a waste.
Also, enough with the will they/won't they with Pendergast and Constance.
I had a calendar invite in my phone with the release date of this book since I heard about it, and I am just so disappointed. I will have to strongly consider giving this series another chance. The authors tried to recapture the magic of the earlier Diogenes trilogy, and failed miserably.
This series has gone off the rails. Bloodless jumped the shark, and then these two authors roped me back in with what I think is the greatest cliffhanger ending since Star Trek TNG. So I gave them another chance, even though "Pendergast rebuilds a time machine" isn't exactly a recipe for a literary classic.
One of the other reviews, and I can't agree with it enough, states that everything just falls into place much too perfectly and that it feels like hundreds of pages were edited out. Other than the ridiculous plot, this is the biggest failure of this book. I get it, they're all polymaths and they're going up against 1800s idiots. But still, there never really felt like there was danger, or intrigue.
Diogenes going/staying back in time to kill Hitler's father? Don't get me started. I read this final chapter with my jaw on the floor. Diogenes, whose leather valise alone caused seasoned police officers to be sick, who made a shirt of nerve ganglia, and who crucified Pendergast's pet mouse for fun...I just can't believe they did this to such a wonderful, rich villain. Such a waste.
Also, enough with the will they/won't they with Pendergast and Constance.
I had a calendar invite in my phone with the release date of this book since I heard about it, and I am just so disappointed. I will have to strongly consider giving this series another chance. The authors tried to recapture the magic of the earlier Diogenes trilogy, and failed miserably.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2024
3.5 Wow, book 22. Agent Pendergast and Constance finally kiss, it took 22 books! And they go back in time too!
Can you imagine? Relic was published in 1995! 22 books. I've spent so much time with a man who is simulationous the greatest cop of all time and a rich, pale, disturbed Louisana pervert. He's like a part of the family now. I think of Douglas Preston as an author who is "just ok" but also who I've read the most (more than 30). He's already one of the action-adventure writers of his generation, but throw Lincoln Child in there and you get smart well-plotted adventure PLUS weird gothic elements. Don't start here for God's sake, but you could probably start at Bloodless for this current arc of reinvigorated agent adventures.
Pendergast goes on a time-travel thriller romp with his classic crew; Constance, Vincent D'Gosta (from Relic!), and weirdly his evil genius brother Diogenes all find themselves in 1880 and have to outwit the evil Dr. Leng. This reaches way back into the Cabinet of Curiosities lore. And sets up a little more at the end. If you're a Constance fan, and I don't see why you wouldn't be, this is a treat.
I thought the first half of the book was better, however, because it had a lot of smart time-travel ideas and how incredibly well-educated evil geniuses and high-functioning sociopaths could take advantage of their situation in the past and use their environment strategically. This is some of the better writing from the team for a while for me as it was more like social engineering than the usual formula of FBI interrogations and melodrama. But then it goes into a series of gigantic thriller set pieces which, to be fair, is entirely what you expect from a Pendergast novel. But I had hoped their early time-travel schemes would factor more into the plot, so the change into adventure melodrama wasn't as fun for me. It's exciting and smartly written but turns a little corny in the last act. You know, I was secretly hoping the two leads would get together for these last 19 books. I'm glad it took irreversibly affecting the historical timeline to do it.
Can you imagine? Relic was published in 1995! 22 books. I've spent so much time with a man who is simulationous the greatest cop of all time and a rich, pale, disturbed Louisana pervert. He's like a part of the family now. I think of Douglas Preston as an author who is "just ok" but also who I've read the most (more than 30). He's already one of the action-adventure writers of his generation, but throw Lincoln Child in there and you get smart well-plotted adventure PLUS weird gothic elements. Don't start here for God's sake, but you could probably start at Bloodless for this current arc of reinvigorated agent adventures.
Pendergast goes on a time-travel thriller romp with his classic crew; Constance, Vincent D'Gosta (from Relic!), and weirdly his evil genius brother Diogenes all find themselves in 1880 and have to outwit the evil Dr. Leng. This reaches way back into the Cabinet of Curiosities lore. And sets up a little more at the end. If you're a Constance fan, and I don't see why you wouldn't be, this is a treat.
I thought the first half of the book was better, however, because it had a lot of smart time-travel ideas and how incredibly well-educated evil geniuses and high-functioning sociopaths could take advantage of their situation in the past and use their environment strategically. This is some of the better writing from the team for a while for me as it was more like social engineering than the usual formula of FBI interrogations and melodrama. But then it goes into a series of gigantic thriller set pieces which, to be fair, is entirely what you expect from a Pendergast novel. But I had hoped their early time-travel schemes would factor more into the plot, so the change into adventure melodrama wasn't as fun for me. It's exciting and smartly written but turns a little corny in the last act. You know, I was secretly hoping the two leads would get together for these last 19 books. I'm glad it took irreversibly affecting the historical timeline to do it.
September 8, 2024
I really love the Pendergast series but this is a new low.
First of all there was no reason to split this story into two books. If they'd cut all the tiresome explanations and reduced all of the costuming and running/riding around, it would have perfectly fit into a single volume.
Preston & Child are great authors but they're just not able to write a decent romantic sub plot. All of them in the other novels have been cringe and this one is even worse, allthoug it's technically just a single paragraph.
It's been some time since I've started disliking Constance as a character and the developemt just keeps reaching new lows. Somewhere in between a Mary Sue and a raging sociopath and no longer can understand, why a reader should route for her.
And please don't get me started on the Epilogue. I really anticipated what was going to happen, the moment they named the location and described the characters entering the scene... I mean come on how uncreative can one be in an alternate timeline story?
From their newer works I enjoyed "Verses for the Dead" and "City of endless Night" so much and hope the authors will return to this quality and leave the multiverse and pseudo romatic subplots behind for good.
First of all there was no reason to split this story into two books. If they'd cut all the tiresome explanations and reduced all of the costuming and running/riding around, it would have perfectly fit into a single volume.
Preston & Child are great authors but they're just not able to write a decent romantic sub plot. All of them in the other novels have been cringe and this one is even worse, allthoug it's technically just a single paragraph.
It's been some time since I've started disliking Constance as a character and the developemt just keeps reaching new lows. Somewhere in between a Mary Sue and a raging sociopath and no longer can understand, why a reader should route for her.
And please don't get me started on the Epilogue. I really anticipated what was going to happen, the moment they named the location and described the characters entering the scene... I mean come on how uncreative can one be in an alternate timeline story?
From their newer works I enjoyed "Verses for the Dead" and "City of endless Night" so much and hope the authors will return to this quality and leave the multiverse and pseudo romatic subplots behind for good.
April 7, 2024
I’d like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I have been a fan of this series since it came out and have really enjoyed the last few in the series even more. I love how we get to see Pendergast and the team head back into 1800s New York and try to stop Enoch before it’s too late. Told between multiple perspectives we see how Constance will stop at nothing to make sure her family is safe. A great read, I look forward to listening to the audibook when it comes out.
August 3, 2024
Prendergast and Greene are dealing with two very different cases. They are both trying to navigate through a difficult mine field. This book kept me interested from the start.
August 5, 2024
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
The conclusion to the Enoch Leng story line is a frenetic, fast-paced, action-filled finale. With Diogenese joining Pendergast, Constance and D'Agosta in the parallel universe 19th century New York, all bets are off as the three men try to outmaneuver Leng while Constance rescues her other universe siblings from his clutches. The narrative is intense and always has multiple pieces moving at once as the geniuses plan, feint and try to outsmart each other. At one point it actually becomes frustrating that no matter how many moves ahead the trio have planned, Leng somehow always manages to guess what's going on. I realize that the quicker their plans actually succeed, the shorter the book and fewer the "thrills" but it did get to a place where I would have preferred a novella over the full-length novel just to cut out a few of the feints and counters, and just having the story finally resolved. Definitely an exciting entry in the Pendergast series, but I would be perfectly happy seeing totally new plot lines from here on out.
The conclusion to the Enoch Leng story line is a frenetic, fast-paced, action-filled finale. With Diogenese joining Pendergast, Constance and D'Agosta in the parallel universe 19th century New York, all bets are off as the three men try to outmaneuver Leng while Constance rescues her other universe siblings from his clutches. The narrative is intense and always has multiple pieces moving at once as the geniuses plan, feint and try to outsmart each other. At one point it actually becomes frustrating that no matter how many moves ahead the trio have planned, Leng somehow always manages to guess what's going on. I realize that the quicker their plans actually succeed, the shorter the book and fewer the "thrills" but it did get to a place where I would have preferred a novella over the full-length novel just to cut out a few of the feints and counters, and just having the story finally resolved. Definitely an exciting entry in the Pendergast series, but I would be perfectly happy seeing totally new plot lines from here on out.
September 5, 2024
The 22nd book in the Agent Pendergast series. It started awhile ago with Relic. I watched the movie based on the book with Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt, James Whitmore. Not a highly rated film but one I really enjoyed. Sizemore was perfect as the embattled Lt. D'Agosta. The film and the book take place in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The first book in what, so far, is a 22 book series, which presents us with one of the truly fascinating characters I've come across, Agent Aloysius Pendergast. In many of these books, Pendergast is pitted against his brother, Diogenes, who for the most part is committed to evil acts. Angel of Vengeance finally unites the brothers in a fraternal bond to rid the world of the evil Dr. Leng. It involves going back to the past, New York of the mid 1800s, always a fascinating era, reminding me of Caleb Carr's outstanding book, The Alienist. The Pendergast brothers, the enchanting and deadly Constance Green, and of course Lt. Vince D'Agosta are stretched to the limits of their many talents in facing this ultimate foe. Again, these 2 authors collaborations are a kick to read and I hope the adventures of Agent Pendergast are not over.
September 2, 2024
Note: This book begins where the last book ended so don't pick up this book if you've never read any of the previous books in the Pendergast series or you will be very confused.
It's good. Of course it's good. Preston & Child know how to write good characters and put them into exciting situations. The only thing I don't like is there's no mystery to solve like in previous books, this book is mostly thriller. And though I am happy with the story and the way things turned out I do prefer the books where there's some mystery, especially mysterious deaths, to be solved by Pendergast. Hopefully we will get that in the next book.
It's good. Of course it's good. Preston & Child know how to write good characters and put them into exciting situations. The only thing I don't like is there's no mystery to solve like in previous books, this book is mostly thriller. And though I am happy with the story and the way things turned out I do prefer the books where there's some mystery, especially mysterious deaths, to be solved by Pendergast. Hopefully we will get that in the next book.
August 29, 2024
Excellent, as always. Maybe I’m biased, but after 22 books, these authors can do no wrong on my part. Aloysius Pendergast is one of my all time favorite book characters. Oh well, that goes for the whole crew. Constance, D’Agosta and even entering the scene, Diogenes. Loved the 19th century setting in this and the previous book. Please never stop writing the Pendergast series, Mr. Preston and Mr. Child. Please.
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