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)

Preston + Child! Always Wow!!!!!

I've been waiting for this since the last one. Once you meet Agent Pendergast you can't wait to see what's next. My personal opinion is start at the beginning with The Relic. Not a bad book in the series! The credit is well worth it.
Its easy to see the sequel to this one. Can't wait! Again!!!

the fire burns brightly

Would you listen to White Fire again? Why?

I will listen again because I thoroughly enjoyed Pendergast interacting with Corey!

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

At first I thought I had a good idea of where the plot was going and who did what, then the twists set in and it was a wonderful roller coaster ride of a story.

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

I have come to enjoy Auberjonis voice and he makes for a very pleasant listen.

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

Who does the White Fire chill?

Any additional comments?

It was great to hear from Corey again, and the hint of Constance's return.

Not the best or worse

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

Yes if they've read one or more of the previous series as a standalone by itself it would not make sense

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was partially predictable but I did enjoy the interchange with the main characters

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

Does a good job with different voices available, painting a more vivid picture in your mind of what they would look like.

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

Yes but to explain would be a spoiler.Towards the very end when things didn't look so good

Any additional comments?

I have listen to every book in the series and find them entertaining some more so than others the only part that bothers me is the occasional insertion of a political viewpoint.There is a portion in this book where a survivalist type person was being spoken to and of course he was portrayed as an over the top gun nut and a racist.There was a comment about how every gun within viewing distance had been converted to fully automatic and anyone who knows guns realizes this is an impossibility.You cannot tell for sure unless you inspect it. it was merely put into the story to reinforce the view that he was unstable.Parts of the story that had wine or food described I'm assuming were accurate but as far as guns and other mechanical devices, not so muchIf the writers choose to insert their opinions they have every right to do so but at least get some facts correct.

Totally Engrossing!!!

I lost myself in this one totally! All aspects of my life came to a stop because this became more real and more exciting then almost any of his others and they're all open really wonderful.

Gripping!

Lincoln and Childs, a co-authors perfect match. Another tale of suspense, twists and gripping detail!

The time just flew by. Take a chance.

My first Preston and Child book and definitely not my last. From the first couple of pages, I was drawn into the most well-paced story filled with clever dialogue and supporting characters. In some ways, it reminded me of a Nancy Drew mystery mixed with Sherlock Holmes.

A few other authors should take a page from these two when it comes to incorporating subplots. There were a few but they never distracted from the primary story, in fact, they added depth to it.

The book was almost perfect, except you could tell they needed to wrap things up because the pieces of the mystery just started to synch up out of the blue. Normally, this would have been annoying except for the fact I just enjoyed the characters and the journey. You really feel like you are a part of the community in the story.

The narration was PERFECT!

It's time to listen to the next book. I'm glad there is more Pendergast!

Great book to take a chance on.

The best!!

Agree with prior comments that this is the best of the entire series!

(not covered in the Epilogue - what happened to the the multibillion foundation? Did the assassin ID his handler?)

A great page-turner

This was a fun AXL Pendergast book. Some old characters and some new.
Definitely a page turner.

Corrie makes a great heroine!

P&C could spin Corrie off in her own series. This is much more a Corrie Swanson novel sprinkled with just enough Pendergast. After the roller coaster Helen Trilogy's climax in the last book, this one is more a stand alone "in-between" book to sate fans of the series. it's very reminiscent of Still Life With Crows in that respect. There are short nods to past characters and events, but none play a particularly important role here, as the plot is self-contained.

That plot and the telling of the story are a perfect winter's tale revolving around a strong, smart, young heroine and a series of strange and horrific events that build to create the mystery she must unravel. As with all Pendergast stories, this one is replete with history and charm, action, and downright horror.

I enjoyed the book, because Miss Swanson is delightful and worthy of being Pendergast's protege, and the mystery is nail biting, but I kept looking for more of the overall Pendergast universe to appear.

The talents of the authors are present from the first work

As a long time fan of agent Pendergast I enjoyed the book, I listened to the Audible version and as usual the narration is so good! My only question is "how the heck do these two men think up all the stuff they put in all their books?" Good characters, good writing, keeps ones interest wondering what Amazing feat Pendergast will come up with next. Enjoy for yourself especially if this is your first meeting with Agent P.