Reliquary

Pendergast, Book 2

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Hidden deep beneath Manhattan lies a warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries, mostly forgotten by those who walk the streets above. There lies the ultimate secret of the Museum Beast.

When two grotesquely deformed skeletons are found deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid the investigation. Margo must once again team up with police lieutenant D'Agosta and FBI agent Pendergast, as well as the brilliant Dr. Frock, to try and solve the puzzle. The trail soon leads deep underground, where they will face the awakening of a slumbering nightmare.

Prolong the suspense: listen to the first book, Relic.

©2008 Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

The netherworld of New York City...proves as shuddery a setting for the authors' latest scientific monster mash as the American Museum of Natural History did for their bestselling Relic, to which this is the sequel. ( Publishers Weekly)
"This should do for the New York subway system what Jaws did for Long Island beaches." ( Booklist)
"Dick Hill's reading of this fascinating sequel to Relic builds the suspense and horror." ( AudioFile)

Spooky two

This is a sequel to Relic which was very spooky. Reliquary continues with the spookiness. Pendergast is back in New York because of the discovery of weird skeletons underground. He must find out what created these bones. One of the scariest parts to me was when Pendergast and his detective buddy go underground to meet one of the leaders of the tunnel dwellers. The idea of being way underground in total darkness really weirded me out! The story is fairly stupid, but is so interesting that I overlooked the stupidity. I also found the story of the grand underground stations to be fascinating. Pendergast is one of my literary heroes. He is so different and so compelling that I want to know more and more about him.

good book, poor narration

This is a cleverly written book with some very graphic details. However, this narrator has obviously not heard any of the other stories in the series. He is not consistent with previous narrators with his pronounciations of names and places. He makes characters that are likeable in other stories, creepy and slimey. The publisher should consider being more consistent with narrators, as they can make or break a book. I have heard other stories this narrator has done, and I thought they were fine, but with this series of stories, I am not impressed with his distortion of the characters.

GREAT STORY, OK READER

What did you like best about Reliquary? What did you like least?

I liked the story, and especially the examination of the homeless people living under NYC. I have listened to Scott Brick & Rene Auberjonois (who have read other Pendergast novels), who I favor more. They have more of a handle of the characters. First of all, the pronunciation of D'Agosta's name really stands out and can be slightly annoying. He does a great job of Mephisto's voice, but as for the regular characters, he's just not as good as Scott and Rene, who I think breathe real life into the other Pendergast novels and especially the voice of Agent Pendergast. I love this story, but it might have more replay value if Scott or Rene were reading it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Reliquary?

The track rabbit scene! EW!!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I guess so - my issue with the reader is not pace, it's the way the characters are read.

Did Reliquary inspire you to do anything?

NO

Any additional comments?

I love Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child - I'm a very loyal reader! I read just about everything they write!

Couldn't get past the bad narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I recommend the book, but if they've listened to any of the other audio books the narration for this one is really lacking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's a Pendergast novel for a reason.

What didn’t you like about Dick Hill’s performance?

When listening to Rene Aberjonois you hear individual characters, when listening to Dick you hear one person speaking for all the characters.

it was ok

struggled to finish not as good as book one but better then the first movie

Another winner!!!

This is a superb follow-up to the first book. Thoroughly engrossing...informative as well. A must read!

Most enjoyable

As others have mentioned, this book follows on somewhat from Relic but easily stands on its own. I found myself laughing out loud at the preposterousness of the last third or so of the book but didn't mind a bit due to the great story telling of these two authors.

I understand that the description of the underground tunnels is based on fact, as is the population of folk who live in them so that adds an interesting aspect.

Others have said they felt it was a long story for a disappointing end however, it is a story that gets you in and holds you right to the end, with an ending which I found to be just fine.

I cant' say much about the narration as I was engaged completely in the story, so I guess that means the narration was good as I didn't notice it!

Most enjoyable.

Excellent Read

Well developed characters and situations. So intense during the final chapters didn’t want to put it down. The performer is outstanding.

great book!

while I enjoyed the performance and effects of the first book more!. the story and performance of this book where still excellent!

good, but not as good as relic

enjoyed, but not quite as good as the relic. too much reliance on relic story. great performance by narrator.