Fever Dream

By: Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

At the old family manse in Louisiana, Special Agent Pendergast is putting to rest long-ignored possessions reminiscent of his wife Helen's tragic death, only to make a stunning - and dreadful - discovery. Helen had been mauled by an unusually large and vicious lion while they were big game hunting in Africa. But now, Pendergast learns that her rifle - her only protection from the beast - had been deliberately loaded with blanks. Who could have wanted Helen dead...and why?

With Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta's assistance, Pendergast embarks on a quest to uncover the mystery of his wife's murder. It is a journey that sends him deep into her past where he learns much that Helen herself had wished to keep hidden. Helen Pendergast had nursed a secret obsession with the famed naturalist-painter John James Audubon, in particular a long-lost painting of his known as the Black Frame.

As Pendergast probes more deeply into the riddle - the answer to which is revealed in a night of shocking violence, deep in the Louisiana bayou - he finds himself faced with an even greater question: who was the woman he married?

©2010 Lincoln Child (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Once again, the bestselling authors show they have few peers at creating taut scenes of suspense. Their restraint in the book's early sections make the payoffs all the more compelling." ( Publishers Weekly)

Outstanding! I can't wait to read more in series

I just finished listening to the Audible.com version of "Fever Dream" by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston. Fantastic fiction! This was a great murder mystery - definitely the best I've read in the past year - with great characters and a story filled with mystery and intrigue. I can't wait to read (listen to, actually) more of their books in the Pendergast series.

I didn't realize this was part of a series until well into the book, but that didn't matter, the book stands on its own.

I find only two minor faults, one with the story (blame that on editors, not authors) and one with the narration by Rene Auberjonois. Auberjonois doesn't know how to pronounce "New Madrid", MO, which is mentioned a dozen or so times in the book; this was annoying. The only weak point I found with this otherwise wonderful book is one instance where the reader is able to figure out what happens next before the protagonists do; this was obviously not intentional. 5 Stars anyway!

Fascinating

This one is partly about a virus that could make you more intelligent. I found it fascinating.

World of pendergast never disappoints.

Much loved really enjoyed supporting cast character development. Everytime I load up Pendergast I am guaranteed entertainment and thought provoking concepts.

Riveting

The story was masterful. I am slowly getting used to Rene's delivery of the series characters.

Pendergast at it again!

The twists and turns keep coming in another great Pendergast novel! We’ve yet to hear of his late wife, Helen so this has been a thrill from the start!

Excellent! Weird FBI Agent Pendergas at his best.

Lots of action, twists and turns. No need to read prior books of the series to get into this one.


If you have not read "Cabinet of Curiosities" you will want to after reading this book (or you can read it first).

Good book but -- Where's the ending?

I enjoyed the book -- perhaps not my favorite in the series, but I very much enjoyed the story -- but the book had no ending. The devastating "betrayal" is mentioned but not revealed. And whats up with Constance? She came off like a Greek chorus. . .
Strangely, in this book the surreal scenes were more realistic to me than some of the more mundane scenes.

I always look forward to the books in this series. And I liked the story, but gave it 4 stars for lack of an ending. The narrator was excellent and the production quality was good.

Great Narrator, Unfulfilling, Forced Sequel

I love these guys. I have read all of their books with some so incredibly good I tolerated their lesser efforts. However, the ending of this book falls so short of satisfying that the buyer must beware. Sure there are some wonderful angles and backstory filled in by the authors but their decision (maybe their publisher or editor) to cheat their buyers is out of character for them. The ending, as it is, is a totally, needlessly protracted set of dialogs that deliver little and are only saved by the excellent narrator. I apologize guys - I love, even adore your work but your thinly veiled commercialism and lack of respect for your buyers demands that someone say something. At least make me want more if you want me to spend more.

I Love Pendergast

If you are a fan of Pendergast, you will enjoy this book. If you aren't, you won't. As usual with Preston and Child, many things happen a little to conveniently but it keeps the story moving along and lets face it, if you are reading this genre, you aren't in it for the depth. There are several twists and we get to see a more emotional, albeit still smooth, Pendergast. I agree with other reviewers who are dead sick of Constance Greene. She added nothing to this book and was just an annoyance that broke into the real plot.

Rene Auberjonois is one of my favorite narrators in this series although I still don't like the way he says Degosta. He does a great job with the accents and the pacing of the story.

I'm giving it a 4 not because it's a great piece of literature but because for what it is, it was completely enjoyable. I look forward to the next installment.

Loved it!

I simply cannot imagine how anyone could not enjoy this book, unless it is a result of not fully understanding it because of the diction. When reading a Preston Child the first few times, it's helpful to have a dictionary handy. After the first two or so reads, you get up to speed.
I was anxiously anticipating the latest installment from these awesome guys and I was not disappointed. I've read everything they have ever written (and increased my vocabulary in the process) and this particular book is one of the best. The best books (in addition to this one) are Still Life With Crows, Cabinet of Curiosities, Relic and Reliquary, although everything they have written is very good. My only complaint is that they don't write faster, and more movies are not made based on their books, although I get why since the plots are somewhat complex. You realize that they wiped Pendergast completely out of the movie Relic? Whaaaaat?
Anyway, ignore all the poor reviews on this book or any of their other ones. They rock.