Special Agent Pendergast had attempted to put the death of his wife Helen to rest, when he made a discovery that sent him all over the world attempting to find out who had wanted her dead. Pendergast was forced to go through his wife’s past and discovered things that he never knew about her, including her obsession with a painting by John James Audubon called the Black Flame. Can Pendergast find out what happened to Helen both in her past and at her death, before he or his assistants get killed?

Preston and Child did it again with another Pendergast novel. This reader truly felt like she was being taken for a fun adventure with Pendergast as he was trying to figure out Helen’s secrets.  Pendergast’s character continues to grow with each novel.  Preston and Child’s handling of Lt. Vincent D’Agosta and bringing in another minor character to help Pendergast is spot on and very well handled.

The settings of all the different locations played a key role in the story and the descriptions made this reader feel like she was right alongside Pendergast.

Reviews of other titles in this series

The Cabinet of Curiosities, #3   [audio 1 ]   [audio 2 ]
Still Life With Crows, #4     [book] [audio]
Brimstone, #5    [audio 1] [audio 2] [book]
Dance of Death, #6    [book]
Book of the Dead, #7    [audio]
Wheel Of Darkness, # 8    [book] [audio]
Cemetery Dance, #9    [book] [audio]
Fever Dream, #10    [book] [audio]
Cold Vengeance, # 11 [audio]