The Wheel of Darkness

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

FBI Agent Pendergast has taken Constance on a whirlwind Grand Tour, hoping to give her closure and a sense of the world that she's missed. They head to Tibet, where Pendergast intensively trained in martial arts and spiritual studies. At a remote monastery, they learn that a rare and dangerous artifact the monks have been guarding for generations has been mysteriously stolen. Pendergast agrees to take up the search.

The trail leads him and Constance to the maiden voyage of the Queen Victoria, the world's largest and most luxurious passenger liner - and to an Atlantic crossing fraught with terror.

Investigate more of Agent Pendergast's cases.

©2007 Splendide Mendax, Inc. and Lincoln Child (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Not your typical Pendergast novel

If you are a fan of the recent Pendergast novels, you may find this one wanting. Aside from the fact that it's not narrated by Scott Brick (who I adore), this book focuses justs on Pendergast and Constance, and doesn't include any of the other regular characters. And Pendergast isn't even really the main focus--most of the action of the novel takes place without him. If you like Preston/Child's non-Pendergast books (like Ice Limit or Thunderhead), you will probably like this one, but if you are hoping for a sequel to the Book of the Dead, you will probably be disappointed (though some loose ends are dealt with).

Disappointingly weak story

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

I was surprised at how well this narrator comes across, as I've been happy with Scott Brick's narration in the past. The narration is good, even though the story isn't.

Do you think The Wheel of Darkness needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It's an older stand-alone story and there's really nothing worthwhile to add.

Any additional comments?

I've read most of the Pendergast books, albeit out of order. This "stand alone" story is an odd attempt to throw together story lines of Tibetan study and meditation, mysticism, and shipboard mystery/crisis. The characters were not well-developed and an enormous amount of time and ink was spent on details related to transatlantic ships (albeit maybe necessary to the story). If you are a Pendergast fan and enjoy the intellectual elements of his books, I think you'll be quite disappointed with this one. It's a stand-alone, so you aren't missing any elements of a series by skipping this one. I would if I had it to do again.

In a spectacular way they blow up everything.

I love these books. Preston / Child takes you to the most amazing creations of their imagination and then they blow it up. Rene Auberjonois has to be one of the most gifted narrator's I've ever heard. Rene slices through difficult vocabulary and takes on the Persona of characters so thoroughly you think there are a host of players inside him.

Preston Child at their best

Really enjoyed this story and Rene Aberjunois did a great job with narration. Very intriguing twist at the end.

Awesome

Loved it from beginning to end! Story excellent, narrator couldn't ask for a better one, this is a keeper. thanks.

WHEEL OF DARKNESS

Enjoyed this storyline with Pendergast and Constance. Got to know her so much better. Also lots of twists and turns that need to be read to keep up with the series. I can't get used to the new reading for Pendergast. Miss Scott Brick, wish he would come back. I enjoyed this book. Would highly recommend it and feel it is a must read to keep up with the twists and turns. Well worth a credit.

Never a dull moment!

I'm never disappointed with the walk into the supernatural. The suspence as usual is gripping. Rene Auberjonois is awesome.

Good story

I enjoyed this book in the Pendergast series, but it was so detailed I some areas of description, I became bored. It may be that I like Scott Brick best of the narrators. He can make a bad story entertaining,

Don't like the narrator! What happened to Scott?

How did the narrator detract from the book?

His voice was putting me to sleep, and it just didn't sound like Pendergast. God, I looked and this same guy is doing the next three books! It's enough to give pause if I really want to listen to them. Please get Scott Brick for the next book.

Any additional comments?

Please get a different person next time to narrate, Scott Brick was the best.

Another home run

I love all of the Pendergast story's, but what happen to the Captain??
The only part that left me wondering...
I wanted him hauled away.
The person who read this story was wonderful, they will make or break you..
Loved him.....