Helpful Score: 2
Sequel to Relic.
When police divers find two skeletons locked in a bony embrace deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, Natural History Museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid in the investigation. However, she soon learns that she is needed for more than just her anthropological expertise. The authorities also want her for reasons she has been struggling to forget; her experience the prior year, battling a horrific best loose in the basement corridors of the Museum. Because the skeletons show not only signs of foul play, but grotesque abnomalities pointing unmistakably to one thing: the awakening of a slumbering nightmare.
The mystery of the skeletons is deepened by a string of brutal murders. Aided by police lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta, the enigmatic FBI agent Pendergast, and the brilliant scientist Dr Frock, Margo reluctantly begins tracking down their source. The investigation leads them to deserted warehouses, burned-out laboratories, the underground lairs of homeless "mole people"--and, at last, to the stupendous warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries that riddle the bedrock far beneath Manhattan, where the ultimate secret of the Museum Beast is at last revealed.
When police divers find two skeletons locked in a bony embrace deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, Natural History Museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid in the investigation. However, she soon learns that she is needed for more than just her anthropological expertise. The authorities also want her for reasons she has been struggling to forget; her experience the prior year, battling a horrific best loose in the basement corridors of the Museum. Because the skeletons show not only signs of foul play, but grotesque abnomalities pointing unmistakably to one thing: the awakening of a slumbering nightmare.
The mystery of the skeletons is deepened by a string of brutal murders. Aided by police lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta, the enigmatic FBI agent Pendergast, and the brilliant scientist Dr Frock, Margo reluctantly begins tracking down their source. The investigation leads them to deserted warehouses, burned-out laboratories, the underground lairs of homeless "mole people"--and, at last, to the stupendous warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries that riddle the bedrock far beneath Manhattan, where the ultimate secret of the Museum Beast is at last revealed.
Helpful Score: 2
This was a good sequel to the first in the series, Relic. I was glad that Pendergast was in this was as well, and thought his entrance into the book was pretty funny.
I found the Wisher woman truly annoying. It's amazing how self-righteous the rich get when one of their own is killed, but can easily look the other way when it's the poor. I wonder if these type of people ever consider that while they tie up the police with their protests (such as in the book) that they prevent them from doing their jobs elsewhere?
The story also has a continuation of morons in the upper chains-of-command with the police and officials who only see and hear what they want to. They once again manage to ignore evidence brought before them by key characters and go on with their own agendas leaving the reader smacking their forehead over their stupidity.
On a side note. Why would someone use lily-pad plants as packing material? Wouldn't they be a poor choice, since as a water plant they'd have to be dried out before being used or they'd go to rot in crates? I know it's essential to the story, but wouldn't a grass-type plant, similiar to what's used for straw, have made more sense?
The main villain in the story may, or may not, be a surprise. Especially since, in my opinion, it was a bit Scooby-Doo on the unveiling.
I found the Wisher woman truly annoying. It's amazing how self-righteous the rich get when one of their own is killed, but can easily look the other way when it's the poor. I wonder if these type of people ever consider that while they tie up the police with their protests (such as in the book) that they prevent them from doing their jobs elsewhere?
The story also has a continuation of morons in the upper chains-of-command with the police and officials who only see and hear what they want to. They once again manage to ignore evidence brought before them by key characters and go on with their own agendas leaving the reader smacking their forehead over their stupidity.
On a side note. Why would someone use lily-pad plants as packing material? Wouldn't they be a poor choice, since as a water plant they'd have to be dried out before being used or they'd go to rot in crates? I know it's essential to the story, but wouldn't a grass-type plant, similiar to what's used for straw, have made more sense?
The main villain in the story may, or may not, be a surprise. Especially since, in my opinion, it was a bit Scooby-Doo on the unveiling.
Everyone's back from Relic to investigate the horrendous murders taking place. Police diver Snow brings up to headless skeletons and sets the course of forensic investigation with D'Agosto, Pendergast, Dr. Margo Green and journalist Bill Smithback. With side forays into city crime, citizen action committees, sensational journalism, and sociological discussions of the homeless living beneath the streets of Manhattan.
Though this story stands alone, I would reccomend you read "Relic" by the same authors first. Preston and Child have created a wonderful detective team in D'Agosta & Pendergast and they are characters you will look forward to following in their susequint novels. If you're looking for a series to dive into, I highly reccomend this one. BL Hahn
great book, great series!
I found some of the characters interesting, but the story is a bit to horror-inclined for my taste. This is my third Preston-Child book, and will be my last.
I love this entire set of books.
