White Fire

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Past and present collide in Preston and Child's most thrilling novel ever....

Special Agent Pendergast arrives at an exclusive Colorado ski resort to rescue his protégée, Corrie Swanson, from serious trouble with the law. His sudden appearance coincides with the first attack of a murderous arsonist who - with brutal precision - begins burning down multimillion-dollar mansions with the families locked inside. After springing Corrie from jail, Pendergast learns she made a discovery while examining the bones of several miners who were killed 150 years earlier by a rogue grizzly bear. Her finding is so astonishing that it, even more than the arsonist, threatens the resort's very existence.

Drawn deeper into the investigation, Pendergast uncovers a mysterious connection between the dead miners and a fabled, long-lost Sherlock Holmes story - one that might just offer the key to the modern day killings as well.

Now, with the ski resort snowed in and under savage attack - and Corrie's life suddenly in grave danger - Pendergast must solve the enigma of the past before the town of the present goes up in flames.

©2013 Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“Narrator René Auberjonois is perfection as he portrays the rip-roaring assortment of Preston and Child's over-the-top characters... Auberjonois's cool persona is ideal for the black-suited mystery-man Pendergast. As Corrie, he's a hard-headed 20-something who won't be bullied. A sadistic serial arsonist, a beleaguered sheriff, wizened miners, and 'old money' interests give Auberjonois plenty of opportunities to dazzle.” (AudioFile Magazine)

"Sherlock Holmes fans will relish Preston and Child's 13th novel featuring eccentric FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast (after 2012's Two Graves), one of their best in this popular series...easily stands on its own with only passing references to Pendergast's complex backstory." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Another highly entertaining and genuinely thrilling story from Preston & Child starring their romantic, faintly gothic, and always mysterious FBI agent, Aloysius Pendergast. As always the prose is elegant, replete with exquisite descriptions, and this time we're treated to dashes of historic characters Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde, as well as a positively delicious serving of the great Sherlock Holmes. Through myriad shocks, surprises, twists and turns, the suspense never lets up. Great fun to the last page." (Anne Rice)

What a great ride!

Any additional comments?

Buckle your seat belt - your in for one hell of a ride ... Preston & Child have done it again - they have written another Pendergast novel that blew my socks off ... I listened to it straight thru (OK, I fell asleep about 1am but started the book right back up at 6am) ... great story, great characters, fabulous reader ... I think I will be listening to all 13 books in the Pendergast series all over again ... thanks to Preston & Child, and of course Rene Auberjonois - it was a wicked good book and very entertaining!!!

Perfect 'Round the Campfire Tale

Would you consider the audio edition of White Fire to be better than the print version?

Maybe so. I do not have the print version but Rene Auberjonois' reading is so spot-on it brings something extra to the Pendergast tales.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, it never lagged. A very enjoyable combination of suspense, mystery and action.

Loved it!

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

It's a different type of mystery. Never off track with love affairs etc. Always stuck to the original drama. Just a great mystery story.

Good read

it was great story line,narrator, and fast paced.
I would like to hear more Pendergast books

Pendergast at his best

What made the experience of listening to White Fire the most enjoyable?

I have listened every book in the Pendergast series and have LOVED almost all of them. This was perhaps my favorite so far. Unlike most of the previous novels, this one does not take place primarily in New York. It is a refreshing change of scenery. My only criticism is that Cory Swanson is becoming difficult to root for. You can count on her to make the imprudent choice with every decision. She set herself up for failure so many times that I began to root for her to fail. That aside, I loved this book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pendergast. Who else?

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

If you have listened to all the books in the series, you know there were several narrators before Auberjonois. He is undoubtedly the best and he embodies Pendergast perfectly. It is no wonder that his position has become permanent.

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

Absolutely

Any additional comments?

Must listen!

Another new story and venue

The publisher's summary tells you a lot of the story.

I am a big fan of this series. Some Mystery/Thriller books are so dark that it takes me days to process what I have read so that I can move on to my next book. Pendergast fits into the M/T category, but I am always left with a smile when the story comes to an end. There is just enough reality laced with fiction and creepy to keep me engaged. There is a permanent set of characters that weave in and out of the books. In this episode most of them are not present in the action, but are still mentioned. There is also the introduction of a new character that may appear in the future.

As another listener mentioned, Corrie is the main focus in this book. She is working on a thesis which requires her investigation of old bones. She discovers something very different than her proposal. Along the way she gets herself into several serious predicaments. Pendergast comes out of his funk to rescue her and finds himself drawn into the mysteries. The satisfactory conclusions to all threads leaves me with a smile and anticipation for the next installment.

Rene Aubernonois is an excellent narrator and is perfect for this series.

What a team

What did you love best about White Fire?

The matching of Corrie Swanson and Pendergast's personalities. It was clear to see Pendergast cared

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

Being able to sit back close your eyes and listen to him guide you through the book. It is easy to visualize in your mind.

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

When Corrie Swanson asked why he helped her....

Any additional comments?

I am glad to be past the Diogenes and Helen saga. It will be a treat to see how Pendergast, Corrie, Vincent & Laura can be melded into a series of adventures. I would love for there to see a movie come from this book.

Another Page Turner Featuring AXL Pendergast

Would you consider the audio edition of White Fire to be better than the print version?

I have no idea, I don't do print any more. I don't have time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Always Pendergast. Although I love D'Agosta and Mime.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

As much as he can. I MUCH prefer Scott Brick.

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

I would have loved to. But it was very long. And this is the second listen of the entire series that I'm doing since a new book is out in a month.

Any additional comments?

I remembered being irritated with Corrie the last time I listened. But I REALLY don't like the girl. At all. And since she was the main character in this book, she was truly annoying. She hasn't grown at all since Pendergast first met her. Screws up and does lip service apologies. Over and over. Ungrateful little monster.

whiteFire

goid one, interesting, couldnt put i down. . check it outt good good good

Another great story

What did you love best about White Fire?

This Pendergast book didn't start off in the normal fashion of Pendergast taking the reins of a case, but with a sidekick from the distant past. I thoroughly enjoyed how Pendergast was dragged out of his isolated mindset to assist his sidekick. Pendergast's dramatic entry into the town-hall meeting was something no town member would ever forget.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Again, Pendergast. He is smooth, calculating, precise and very generous to those who are on the right track. Those who would seek to harm others for their own gain, should be wary of Pendergast.

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

He brings the characters to life, and separates the characters with distinct intonations. Rene has done a fabulous job of bringing inflection and therefore life to the scenes and ensuring that the listener is immersed in that scene.

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

When Pendergast dropped to his knees in sorrow......knowing Pendergast's history, there is very little that moves him. To see him in great sorrow over what is perceived to be his self-appointed charge, was indeed quite moving.

Any additional comments?

As is the standard with the Pendergast series, he does NOT fail to impress. Over the years I've come to know Pendergast as a character who does care about people and situations, but maintains the most superb poker-face in light of these emotional events. To see him show grief in the most profound way, shows the fatherly emotions he has for his charge. Despite his desire to balance the scales of evil and good, Pendergast knew that the dark characters were not acting in their right mind. Because of this knowledge, he still showed mercy to the dark character, even to the point of his own self destruction.

Another great book in the Pendergast series!