Book Review - Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Cemetery Dance is the ninth installment in the Agent Pendergast series, and it delivers a gripping, macabre mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. As a devoted fan of the enigmatic FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast, I am slowly making my way through this cerebral and thrilling series, which consistently blends intellectual puzzles with pulse-pounding suspense.

In Cemetery Dance, Pendergast investigates the brutal murder of a close friend, allegedly at the hands of a man who had died weeks earlier. Thus begins an unsettling case that leads him into a shadowy world of cults, voodoo, and what appears to be the supernatural.

What makes this book distinct is its atmospheric tension and the interplay between Pendergast’s intellectual brilliance and Lieutenant Vincent D’Agosta’s grounded determination. The contrast between their characters is particularly well-drawn here, as they navigate a case that blurs the line between science and superstition.

The book is a return to form for the series, balancing its trademark supernatural undertones with plausible (if occasionally stretched) explanations. The narrative is taut, engaging, and filled with twists that challenge readers to piece together the mystery alongside Pendergast.

For fans of thought-provoking thrillers that combine intellect with intrigue, this novel does not disappoint. Cemetery Dance is another strong entry in a series that continues to captivate.

Rating: 4.5/5
Charles Francis, 12/30/2024