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Book Review of The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Bk 3)

The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, Bk 3)
reviewed on + 168 more book reviews


What a fascinating story. I listened to the audiobook version on CDs. The story was abridged but I don't think there is an unabridged version available.
This is the first story that I have listened to by Douglas Preson and Lincoln Child and I have to say I now want to hear all the rest.
This is the third book that has Agent Pendergast as one of the main characters. According to Wikipedia, Pendergast first appeared as a supporting character in their first novel, RELIC, and in its sequel RELIQUARY, before assuming the protagonist role in THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES. Pendergast is a special agent for the FBI. He has some special supernatural-like capabilities that may be from his upbringing from his family of magicians, snake-oil salesmans and those who practiced mesmerism.
While digging a foundation for a new building in New York City, the crew discovers a hidden vault where a human skull is discovered. Nora Kelly, an archaeologist at the New York Museum of Natural History, is brought to the site by Agent Pendergast. They discover the remains of multiple victims and the gruesome fact that these vitims were surgically dissected while they were still alive. While they are investigating these old murders, several new murders occur in New York City. They appear to have been committed in the same way -- and while the victims were still alive. Why? Who is doing this? I stayed up late to find out. Again, this was a great story, quite fascinating.