FBI Agent A.X.L. Pendergast is back in action; his classic ultra expensive black suit, austere expression, white skin and lighter than light hair, expensive taste, and genteel manners; do not mistake him for a sissy, to do so would be a mistake of enormous portions. If you have never read the Pendergast series you have missed an extreme treat. This book can be read as a stand-alone, however you will receive more enjoyment by starting at the beginning of the series. I have never been disappointed in Child and Preston's Pendergast series and this book is no exception. Preston and Child crafted a seasoned agent with instincts and brain that are superior to the normal human and place him in situations to use his skills. I would compare him to Colombo, of the 1970's television show, times 10 without the awkwardness and un-sophistication. Pendergast like Colombo's brain operates differently than the rest of the world.

Pendergast takes a wine theft case in the small Massachusetts town of Exmouth when he discovers the owner Percival Lake also a semi-famous sculptor, has a case of a wine thought to be extinct. All is not what it seems as Pendergast, along with his protege Constance Green, begins his investigation in his own unique style. A hidden room, chains, an old human bone, ah murder is afoot. A historian is murdered in the marshes and he is not the last murdered there, what was the historian hoping to find, a ship is lost in 1884 off Exmouth, what is Percival Lake's part in all this, and witches reportedly left Salem for Exmouth during the Salem Witch Trials; lots of twists and turns for Lincoln and Child to bring together. We have come to expect the unexpected from Childs and Preston as Pendergast investigates monsters, monsters of the worst kind and you can be assured that monsters are residing in the small town of Exmouth, Massachusetts.

Get ready for a thrill ride, as Preston and Child never fail to meet expectations. The action never lets up as the twists and

I enjoyed this audiobook. Pendergast is out of NYC, in a seaside village, with Constance. They do both appear particularly...underwhelmed by their surroundings and are quite icy with the townsfolk. Constance plays a major role in this outing, D'Agosta, Margo, and Laura are only mentioned once in passing. Proctor and the housekeeper are non-entities, until the end. The usual subterranean climax occurs in tunnels (again) this time around. There is heightened sexual tension between AXLP and his ward. Pendergast pays a high price for not heeding Constance's advice...and there's a shocker at the end.

Because you won't be able to put it down. One of the excellent Pendergast series, it sucks you in, wondering what's around each corner. Sometimes you're right, and sometimes you're completely freaked out!

Always a delight to have another Pendergast story available at my fingertips and this one does not disappoint!