Verses for the Dead

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, FBI Agent Pendergast reluctantly teams up with a new partner to investigate a rash of Miami Beach murders ... only to uncover a deadly conspiracy that spans decades.

After an overhaul of leadership at the FBI's New York field office, A. X. L. Pendergast is abruptly forced to accept an unthinkable condition of continued employment: the famously rogue agent must now work with a partner.

Pendergast and his new colleague, junior agent Coldmoon, are assigned to investigate a rash of killings in Miami Beach, where a bloodthirsty psychopath is cutting out the hearts of his victims and leaving them with cryptic handwritten letters at local gravestones. The graves all belong to women who committed suicide.

But the seeming lack of connection between the old suicides and the new murders is soon the least of Pendergast's worries. Because as he digs deeper, he realizes the brutal new crimes may be just the tip of the iceberg: a conspiracy of death that reaches back decades.

Critic reviews

"Multifaceted and complex. Legendary. Working together, Preston and Child are masters at crafting a story that goes beyond a simple mystery or thriller ... Readers unfamiliar with Pendergast will find this novel a fantastic launch point. He's a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, and the story reads like classic literature."—Associated Press

"Doug Preston and Lincoln Child's master detective A.X.L. Pendergast is every bit the modern equivalent of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. And his investigative skills have never been sharper than in the altogether brilliant VERSES FOR THE DEAD.... A throwback to classic crime fiction while maintaining a sharp, postmodern edge."—Providence Journal

"The 18th installment in the Pendergast series by Preston and Child gives the hero a partner in the hunt for a strange killer... Pendergast is highly successful in closing cases on his own but 'was about as rogue as they came,' and suspects tend not to survive his investigations. Agent Coldmoon's secret assignment is to keep a close eye on his partner, 'a bomb waiting to go off' ... [VERSES FOR THE DEAD has] a nerve-wracking finish. Readers will love the quirky characters in this clever yarn. Pendergast and Coldmoon make an excellent pair. "—Kirkus (starred review)

"This is mystery thriller writing of the highest order."—Providence Journal, on CITY OF ENDLESS NIGHT

They are back!

Finally a P novel with style and excitement . A psyc drama worth a listen. Hope to see more.

Great Read

I couldn't stop listening at all!! These two writers never fail to amaze, keep these books coming.

Back to basics

We take a break from the Pendergast personal storyline and are back to hunting a serial killer. Unfortunately, I found this one to be a less engaging version of my favorite agent. Very little of the Pendergast brilliance and wit that draw you in. Heavy focus on the secondary character, who also failed to capture attention. The killer was easily figured out, early on, while the "twist" wasn't an a-ha moment. The narrator was perfection, per usual. Sadly, this one fell flat for me, but in no way dissuades my preordering the next.

Jenn H.

I love this series!!!! I think this is one of the best in it!! It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Suspenseful

Another suspenseful book with the mysterious FBI agent, A. Pendergast using his Sherlock-ian talents to solve a murder.