The second in the trilogy about Agent Pendergast’s wife Helen, Cold Vengeance takes the reader on a whirlwind journey from the moors of Scotland to the humid bayous of Louisiana and the dregs of the interwebs. Fever Dream introduced us to the idea that Helen’s death was anything but an accident. Cold Vengeance starts to unravel the conspiracy in detail. With hints of genetic manipulation, secret societies, and a plan to take dominion of the human race the reader will be hanging on each word wanting for more.
Preston and Child take advantage of characters introduced in earlier books to thicken the plot. Corrie Swanson continues her independent investigations, even with Pendergast firmly telling her not to get involved. His own ward, Constance Greene, becomes a central figure in this chapter of the drama. Of course Lt. Vincent D’Agosta and Cpt. Laura Hayward continue their roles as Pendergast’s willing, and unwilling, partners in his quest for the truth.
I’ve always enjoyed reading mystery and suspense. Preston and Child seem to have a unique flair for both. I’ve read solo works from both authors and haven’t been disappointed yet. Between the two of them they add an element of almost the paranormal (sometimes without the “almost”) with the complications of the modern world. With characters from across the social and political divides, these two authors can capture the imagination and make you think about the implications of what some of those very same characters are willing to do to get to where they are or where they want to be in life. Some who have not read them may be familiar with the movie version of Relic, you have to read their books to truly appreciate what Relic brought to the screen.
From the official website of Preston & Child:
Nothing is what it seems…
Devastated by the discovery that his wife, Helen, was murdered, Special Agent Pendergast must have retribution. But revenge is not simple.
As he stalks his wife’s betrayers-a chase that takes him from the wild moors of Scotland to the bustling streets of New York City and the darkest bayous of Louisiana-he is also forced to dig further into Helen’s past. And he is stunned to learn that Helen may have been a collaborator in her own murder.
Peeling back the layers of deception, Pendergast realizes that the conspiracy is deeper, goes back generations, and is more monstrous than he could have ever imagined-and everything he’s believed, everything he’s trusted, everything he’s understood . . . may be a horrific lie.
Check back soon for my review of the third and final installment of the Helen trilogy – Two Graves.
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