Brimstone

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

Art critic Jeremy Grove is found dead, his face frozen in a mask of terror. His body temperature is grotesquely high; he is discovered in a room barricaded from the inside; the smell of brimstone is everywhere... and the unmistakable imprint of a claw is burned into the wall. As more bodies are discovered - their only connection the bizarre but identical manner of death - the world begins to wonder if the Devil has, in fact, come to collect his due.

Teaming with Police Officer Vincent D'Agosta (The Relic), Agent Pendergast is determined to solve this case that appears to defy everything except supernatural logic.

Prolong the suspense: listen to another Pendergast novel.

©2004 Douglas Preston (P)2011 Hachette

Finally!

This has been a long time coming to Audible. This is the first part of the Diogenes trilogy. Its been five years since Reliquary, D'agosta is back and well if you have made it this far in the series I don't really need to try to sell you on it, sufficed to say your in for a hell of a ride. Only one book left unabridged Cabinet Of Curiosities, Audible the fans DEMAND it!

Simply another great Pendergast novel.

Another great read. Not the best one I've read of the series, but definitely worth the purchase. The latter books are better than the first ones I think. I had a hard time getting through Relic and don't think I even finished it, but I went ahead and bought the rest of the series and they got better and better. I listened to them out of order so I think I'll let some time pass and go back and listen to them in the proper order. If you liked the other ones, you'll like this one. And even if this isn't your genre - it is still a very interesting story and good read.

Be very aware of Pendergast

Where does Brimstone rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would have to put this book in the top ten of all I have listened to so far.

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

The plot kept me intrigued from the very start when Pendergast was introduced in tennis shorts to when he found Vincent and started to depend on him. This plot is unlike any I've listened to before in the way it runs two senerios at the same time.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Pendergast

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

When Pendergast acted as the decoy so his partner could escape.

Disappointed (but I hope not disenchanted) fan

What would have made Brimstone better?

If I had not blown a credit on it.

What was most disappointing about Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child ???s story?

I am a big fan of Preston and Child and I LOVE Pendergast. I love suspense and spookiness. I love horror and am glad to suspend my disbelief. But this story was just this side of ridiculous. Talk about much ado about nothing.

Which scene was your favorite?

The last one, because the book was finally over. (Yes, I kept reading, hoping it was going to get better.)

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed; some anger -- many times I just wanted the story to get on with it, but no-o-o, just more blah, blah, blah. Also, since when is Pendergast an action hero? Of course he has always been able to take care of himself and others, too, but really, this thing goes too far with the muscles and guns. The thing that is so great about Pendergast is his intelligence and creativity.

Any additional comments?

The story rambled on and on with far too much time spent on the minutia of the scenery during chases (of which there were far too many) and other uninteresting situations (could have done without the Hayward part of the story completely). Seemed so padded out, like they had this fairly preposterous idea, but thought they could make something of it, wrote an outline and then padded and padded and padded.

I'm new to the Preston Child but I'm hooked

Harry Bosch has always been one of my favorites. I'm at the end of the series but I hopeful there will be addition stories released. Until then I'm in withdrawal searching for another series. I think I have found it. I could always tell when I was hooked. I listen mostly when driving so when I pull into the drive way an sit to keep listening. I'm hooked. It's been awhile but I find that I sitting listening and can't wait to get back into the car to see what going to happen next. Perfect!

Another Solid Pendergast Story

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was glad to have D'Agosta back. He is one of my favorite characters outside of Pendergast in this series. He has some smarts, some attitude, and is a loyal friend to Pendergast. For me, it is tough not to like him and root for him.

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

I have listened to many books narrated by Scott Brick. As usual, he was up to the task and did not take away from the story in any way. The thing I like about Scott Brick is he isn't amazing or ground-breaking: he is consistent and enjoyable to listen to. He doesn't distract from the story with over the top voices but also adds just enough to each character's dialogue to entertain and really bring you into the story.

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

I did listen to this book in large chunks, usually a couple hours at a time. It was definitely something that I wanted to keep going on with.

Wow, don't be hesitant about using a credit here

It's good to hear the old Pendergast back along with his old cronies. This was longer than all his others but well worth the listen. The narration was good and kept you wanting more. The only thing I didn't like about it was the plagerized dining room scene. It almost made me feel like I was reading Dan Brown. Other than that, it was a real page turner and made you wonder what Pendergast was going to come up with next. Not making his "butler" a major part of the book was genius. DeGasta and Hayward were absolutely where they should be. and did what fit into the book perfectly. I can't wait for the next in the series!!!!! In the meantime, don't miss this one!

It was a mess about to become a F## mess.

YOU GOT QUITE A SENSE OF THEATRE
This is the fifth book in the series, but it is okay to start here. They bring back some characters from previous books, but it is not like they do much character development. Most of the people in the book are there to be straight guys to Pendergast.

Even if you don't like the story there are some interesting facts about Alfred Noble, Italy and spontaneous human combustion. The Noble story was especially good. I liked this book better then the previous two. Relic is still the best of the group.

A statement was made by a character that he does not read books written today because of the sex and violence, he would just read his bible. I have heard this before. The old testament is full of sex and violence.

VEGAS AND L.A. WERE MERELY A SIDE SHOW TO NEW YORK.
Another small town and small town people take a hit in this book. At least the whole book was not a put down and they kind of apologized for saying it, but still said it.

This book had a real made for TV movie feel to it.

I am not a fan of Brick, but he does a fine job in this one. Matter of fact he is perfect for the writing style of these two guys.

Great writing but disappointing plot

Great writers. Great narrator. But while I was hoping this wouldn't be another episode of Scooby Doo for the literary guild, that's exactly what it was.

SPOILER ALERT

It's a spooky demon or the devil killing people! No, pull off his mask and it's actually the Kwazy Kount and his Microwave Ray Gun! And he would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for that meddling Pendergast.

Ok, I've read enough of these guys to know they would never actually introduce a real demon into a story, but a microwave ray gun? Really? That "heats from the inside-out" (okay, that's ALMOST true, depending on what you're heating) slowly enough to create bubbling agony but somehow magically avoids heat conduction or wave bouncing and cremates half a head and leaves the other half intact? If you're going to just make up a weapon out of thin air that isn't based on solid scientific grounds, be more creative than a microwave ray gun. Criminy. The writers hint at other possible causes of death, which would have been far more interesting... but you're stuck with the ray gun.

And there are whole chapters that are nothing but filler. I skipped past every chapter dealing with the story in the Post, and when I browsed them later, confirmed that I missed absolutely nothing.

Given all the above, I'm not sure why I enjoyed it so much, but I did.

Language

It sounded like this would be a good story, but I finally gave up because the language was so trashy. I wish there was ratings for books like for movies so I could avoid foul language. Really wasted my money on this one.

Gripping and performed brilliantly!

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

It's good.

What other book might you compare Brimstone to, and why?

Not sure I'd compare it.

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

Well as a fan of Scott's work this was great job. I enjoy his over the top enthusiasm and would recommend both writers for the technological style. I also tend to refund audiobooks not read by Scott - sad but true.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Stupid question

Very well done

Very interesting getting to know more about Pendergasts family, not necessarily a family you'd want to be born in to.

It’s a cliffhanger

Another one for lovers of A. Pendergast. Great detail and varied research with lots of general knowledge. An intriguing plot. Loved it.