Still Life with Crows

A Novel

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

For the first time in unabridged audio!

A small Kansas town has turned into a killing ground. Is it a serial killer, a man with the need to destroy? Or is it a darker force, a curse upon the land? Amid golden cornfields, FBI Special Agent Pendergast discovers evil in the blood of America's heart.

©2004 Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"As usual, Preston and Child deftly mix the real and the surreal, creating an atmosphere in which everything, for reasons we can't quite nail down, seems a tad off-kilter. Call it creeping paranoia, perhaps, or the dreadful certainty that something awful is about to happen. Whatever you call it, it's a recipe for success." ( Booklist)

Pendergast, Unabridged.

I dislike abridged books. Resulting from that I have been reduced to reading the Pendergast series out of order, shameful really. The release of this book leaves only two Pendergast novels remaining still abridged, "The Cabinet of Curiosities" and "Brimstone". Do try to rectify this situation soon Audible. I can't decided if I prefer Brick or Auberjonois , really either is more than satisfactory. Like any Pengergast novel you will not be disappointed by this volume, and the price what more could one want.

I like the NYC locations better

Pendergast is so cool!

I miss the urban setting of New York City but the authors are experts at developing locations and this little section of Kansas is no exception. True to their other works, Preston and Child give us a creepy, scary, exciting tale of murder in a small town. I felt this was a bit more like Reacher than Pendergast - our hero showing up when needed. But it works.

The relationship with Corrie was quite touching for the stoic Pendergast. I hope there's more of her.

It's good to have Scott Brick read the audiobook. Previous narrators have not done the books justice.

Just Awesome

Would you consider the audio edition of Still Life with Crows to be better than the print version?

That is very hard to say, reading books is still awesome, but Scott Brick really makes it enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

Pendergast

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings the characters to life. It is very enjoyable to listen to him read. He gives it just the right touch. I have a hard time enjoying any other book that is not read by Scott. I search for books read by him not the authors. It is how I found Nelson Demille's John Corey books.

One of my all-time favorite books.

Special agent Prendergast is such a wonderful character. I will be reading every book in this series.

A fascinating look into the mind of crazy people..

If you could sum up Still Life with Crows in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, somewhat predicatble

What did you like best about this story?

The introduction of Corrie Swanson. I had listened to 'Two Graves' prior to this, and had no idea where this character came from, Also, her father had a different name in 'Two Graves' than the one used in 'Still Life...'

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent, as always. I started this series with Rene Auberjonis, and considered him the penultimate Pendergast... until I heard Scott Brick in Brimstone. Now, I will only listen to the Pendergast books narrated by Scott or Rene. Preference to Scott.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It might have been, except I use my audiobooks for travel, keeps me engaged on the road.

Really liked this one

Good summer reading or great as a take along in the car. Plot is fun right till the end and, as with the rest of this series, descriptions are both literary and creative. Can't wait to start the next one.

Unpredictable & Entertaining As Always

I discovered SA Pendergast accidentally and fell in love. He is an alluring protagonist as one tries to discover the layers that make the man. Always unpredictable and entertaining Preston & Child have again made me hunger for more. I'm headed straight to the next installment and definitely intend to get started on the Ice series hinted at at the end. Bravo!

The Pendergast Series has no equal.

I cant speak highly enough of the Pendergast series. If you enjoy history, science, crime, and action you will love every single one of these books!

I didn't like the reader

typical P&C fright story. set in imaginary Kansas. mildly diverting from present reality which is actually more scary on the eve of trump

Mixed bag

Pros:
Cory (an awesome character all around)
Ambiance

Cons:
Local cops (the whiniest bunch of law enforcement officers I recall seeing in a single book, behaving more like girl scouts on Halloween than like hardened cowboy country cops they are)
The perp (far more powerful and dangerous than he has any right to be, given the backstory)