Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have been responsible for some the most enjoyable reading experiences of my life. Unfortunately they are bound to series work. Established characters in book after book, allowing annual paydays for their publisher.
When this stuff works, I like it a lot. I enjoyed all of their popular Pendergast books to varying degrees. I have favorites: Relic, The Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life With Crows, White Fire. Some are enjoyable enough. A few I nearly disliked, but I stayed along for the ride.
A spinoff series featured the Gideon Crewe character. I found these less successful, and the books died off. No loss to me; I gave up after the first three.
Two of my favorite characters, Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson, were united in a new series that began with Old Bones. I felt this was the adrenaline the collaborators needed. I loved Old Bones, and I thought the second book, The Scorpion's Tale, was even better.
I don't publicly give starred reviews, but I do so in my personal reading log. Rather than a restrictive five prospective stars, I use a scale of 1-10 stars. I gave The Scorpion's Tale the highest rating. Not that I feel the book is as good as a McCammon or a classic Harlan Ellison publication. I did so for the sheer enjoyment factor.
Of course I've looked forward to the next Nora and Corrie book. I've just finished Diablo Mesa, and I'm loathe to say it, this one is a disappointment. Oh, it's a rousing adventure, bursting with thrills and ideas, but I felt the pacing suffered in this one.
You know how you're in a good novel, and you can't turn the pages quickly enough? Well, it wasn't the case with Diablo Mesa. I would finish one of the brief chapters and pick up my phone to check for messages. To misquote a lot of reviewers, Diablo Mesa is putdownable.
The story deals with an investigation at Roswell. P&C have upped the odds with Diablo Mesa to full-out science fiction. Maybe they reached a little too high. There's a new love interest for Nora that doesn't quite ring true for me. I still miss Smithback. Corrie has a brewing romance as well.
While I never considered throwing in the towel with Diablo Mesa, it became a strain. I grew bored, even with the explosive action. The end left a nasty taste in my mouth.
I've been here before. I felt hollow and unsatisfied after reading Preston and Child. I feel for them. How hard must it be to continue with these characters time and time again, and keep them fresh and entertaining. Not everyone can be Bill Pronzini, after all.
Some fans will like Diablo Mesa and some won't. It isn't likely to hurt the authors either way. We, the fans, are going to read every Pendergast book, and few of us will consider abandoning Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson.
Written by Mark Sieber
When this stuff works, I like it a lot. I enjoyed all of their popular Pendergast books to varying degrees. I have favorites: Relic, The Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life With Crows, White Fire. Some are enjoyable enough. A few I nearly disliked, but I stayed along for the ride.
A spinoff series featured the Gideon Crewe character. I found these less successful, and the books died off. No loss to me; I gave up after the first three.
Two of my favorite characters, Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson, were united in a new series that began with Old Bones. I felt this was the adrenaline the collaborators needed. I loved Old Bones, and I thought the second book, The Scorpion's Tale, was even better.
I don't publicly give starred reviews, but I do so in my personal reading log. Rather than a restrictive five prospective stars, I use a scale of 1-10 stars. I gave The Scorpion's Tale the highest rating. Not that I feel the book is as good as a McCammon or a classic Harlan Ellison publication. I did so for the sheer enjoyment factor.
Of course I've looked forward to the next Nora and Corrie book. I've just finished Diablo Mesa, and I'm loathe to say it, this one is a disappointment. Oh, it's a rousing adventure, bursting with thrills and ideas, but I felt the pacing suffered in this one.
You know how you're in a good novel, and you can't turn the pages quickly enough? Well, it wasn't the case with Diablo Mesa. I would finish one of the brief chapters and pick up my phone to check for messages. To misquote a lot of reviewers, Diablo Mesa is putdownable.
The story deals with an investigation at Roswell. P&C have upped the odds with Diablo Mesa to full-out science fiction. Maybe they reached a little too high. There's a new love interest for Nora that doesn't quite ring true for me. I still miss Smithback. Corrie has a brewing romance as well.
While I never considered throwing in the towel with Diablo Mesa, it became a strain. I grew bored, even with the explosive action. The end left a nasty taste in my mouth.
I've been here before. I felt hollow and unsatisfied after reading Preston and Child. I feel for them. How hard must it be to continue with these characters time and time again, and keep them fresh and entertaining. Not everyone can be Bill Pronzini, after all.
Some fans will like Diablo Mesa and some won't. It isn't likely to hurt the authors either way. We, the fans, are going to read every Pendergast book, and few of us will consider abandoning Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson.
Written by Mark Sieber
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