Two Graves

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

After his wife, Helen, is brazenly abducted before his eyes, Special Agent Pendergast furiously pursues the kidnappers, chasing them across the country and into Mexico. But then, things go terribly, tragically wrong; the kidnappers escape; and a shattered Pendergast retreats to his New York apartment and shuts out the world.

But when a string of bizarre murders erupts across several Manhattan hotels - perpetrated by a boy who seems to have an almost psychic ability to elude capture - NYPD Lieutenant D'Agosta asks his friend Pendergast for help. Reluctant at first, Pendergast soon discovers that the killings are a message from his wife's kidnappers. But why a message? And what does it mean?

When the kidnappers strike again at those closest to Pendergast, the FBI agent, filled anew with vengeful fury, sets out to track down and destroy those responsible. His journey takes him deep into the trackless forests of South America, where he ultimately finds himself face to face with an old evil that - rather than having been eradicated - is stirring anew... and with potentially world-altering consequences.

Confucius once said: "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, first dig two graves." Pendergast is about to learn the hard way just how true those words still ring.

©2012 Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child (P)2012 Hachette

Pendergast Lives ON

If you could sum up Two Graves in three words, what would they be?

Very intralling

What did you like best about this story?

The humanization of Pendergast

What about Rene Auberjonois’s performance did you like?

Mr Auberjonis MUST continue reading the Pendergast series, because he IS Pendergast..He makes the story jump out at the listner.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You CAN NOT make a film of this book. There is no actor that looks like the discription of Pendergast... so you would end up with the same FAILED movie like the recent Jack Reacher Movie...Come on as 5'6" actor to play a 6' 5' character.

Any additional comments?

The details of the locations, in addition to the characters, is wonderful. I love the historical information on New York City. And I live in Nebraska.

A Fantastic Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend the series as this book cannot really stand alone. Pendergast is a very complex character and in this story, I believe, there has to be some background to support the entire story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Two Graves?

I do not want to give away the plot but Pendergast finds out the psychopath in the family really shocked me.

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

I have listened to several Pendergast novels and he is by far THE Pendergast character. He has portrayed him just as I would imagine this character would be like in real life. Every reader has put a Southern accent for Pendergast, naturally, but Rene Auberjonois I think has the character set to a T.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the moment was when Pendergast finds out about the nameless boy...anymore and the story is given away.

Strong story and performance spoiled in parts

The Pendergast stories are always a highpoint for me. Two Graves is no exception, an exciting, stimulating novel. Although totally absorbing for the most part, it has a couple of quirky and dismal disappointments.
The uprising in the jungle is formulaic and silly. But most irritating is Mr Aberjonois's appalling German pronounciation. This is a surprise as Rene Aberjonois is the most perfect of narrators for the Pendergast series, in English.
I still recommend this audiobook highly and without the two criticisms mentioned I would have given it a 5/5

Things are going downhill quickly

I have been reading the Pendergast novels since the beginning, and I am sorry to say that they have been declining steadily over the years. However, this one took a nose dive. I have not read such a ridiculous story line since my childhood. It was a true "Jump the Shark" tale. After this story, I do not think I will not be following the adventures of Special Agent Pendergast any more.

Part two of Cold Vengeance

Cold Vengeance was better, but if you enjoyed that how can you not finish the story with Two Graves. Not as good, but still entertaining and completes the story.

A Wild Ride

I love the Prendergast mysteries. They're not probable or sensible. They're largely character driven. They wouldn't be quite so wonderful if the characters weren't so marvelous. They're complicated, difficult, odd and very very interesting.
This tied up a number of story lines, about his wife, about his ward. I wouldn't call it great literature. but it was a lot of fun.

5stars all the way

The narration was great. The story captivating. The ending well I can't tell you that!!!

Suspenseful story answers inmportant question

FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast's world is turned upside down when his wife, Helen, thought to be long dead, suddenly reappears - very much alive; however only moments after being reunited with her, she is kidnapped and Pendergast must race across the country and against time to save her. But Helen's kidnapping is only the opening move of an intricate plot that includes a serial killer loose in New York City whose agenda seems directly tied to the agent and the discovery of a long-hidden sect of Nazi soldiers in Brazil, intent on rebuilding the Third Reich and completing its World War II mission of global domination.

As he struggles to find answers in these increasingly complex cases, Pendergast soon discovers Helen kept many things hidden from her - revelations that will change his life forever.

Two Graves is a fast-paced story that does an excellent job balancing the several plots woven throughout the pages. Long-time readers will be excited to see the return of Corrie Swanson, and the authors finally bring closure to the reasons behind Constance Greene's incarceration at Mount Mercy Hospital for the Criminally Insane. All the familiar favorites return for this globe-trotting adventure, including a few who haven't been seen in quite some time, and new faces are introduced - two in particular who will directly influence Pendergast's future adventures.

As always, the reader is suspected to suspend disbelief at Pendergast's remarkable abilities - some bordering on the supernatural - but all in all, this was a terrific book that long-time readers will find satisfaction in as they join their favorite FBI agent on another remarkable adventure.

Pendergast is human?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The time listening to the book was very well spent. The book tied up some storylines and introduced a new one that may prove interesting. It was a busy book in that it contained three separate arcs, but I was glad to see old "friends" from other books.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The volcano's readiness to erupt on cue was a bit of deus ex machina that seemed weak, as was Pendergast's ability to dislocate and reset his shoulder at will, but otherwise the book was pretty good and I would not know what else to change. I might change Pendergast's decision to let Alban walk away, but perhaps we will be seeing more of him in future books.

What about Rene Auberjonois’s performance did you like?

I love his voice--it is "mellifluous".

Do you think Two Graves needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It definitely needs a follow-up book. We cannot have Alban running around loose in the world. We need to see whether or not Constance can help Pendergast heal.

Any additional comments?

I think the Preston-Child team is terrific. They need to keep Rene Auberjonois as narrator. He IS Pendergast.

Fantastic!!!

This last book in the trilogy will have some great plot twist!
It is a must read!