Crooked
River by
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child combines a sinister global
threat, a mystery using modern medical science, and a powerful,
sadistic antagonist. Who better than to combat these but unorthodox
FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast.
“We based on a true story There have been cities where
severed feet washed up that were inside sneakers. We thought,
who were these people? Then it occurred to us it would make
an awesome first chapter in a Pendergast novel. But there
is a big journey from an idea to a plot for a book. We had
to figure out who were these people, where did they come from,
and why did their feet wash up on this beach at that particular
time? We also wanted a credible scientific explanation.:
The story opens with Pendergast being called to investigate
a bizarre disaster that turned up on the quiet beach of Sanibel
Island, Florida. He was there taking a well-deserved vacation
with his ward and researcher, Constance Greene. She declines
to be involved with it because of her history and instead
decides to search for the ghost at their vacation residence,
Mortlach House.
The authors contrasted each of the main characters. “Pendergast
is hardly a stereotypical FBI agent, given, for example, his
lemon-colored silk suit, his Panama hat, and his legendary
insistence on working alone until Coldmoon arrives. Pendergast
is a maverick who does not play by the rules. Coldmoon is
more down to earth: part Lakota, part Italian, and every inch
a Fed. Constance is extraordinarily beautiful, smart, and
a sarcastic young ward who has eyes that had seen everything
and, as a result, is surprised by nothing. She is like the
guitar solo that comes in at just the right time.”
Pendergast wonders how dozens and dozens of shoes with severed
human feet inside wash up on an island off the southwestern
coast of Florida. Called in to help him is his former partner,
FBI Junior Agent Armstrong Coldmoon. They decide he should
work on the case from a different angle that sends him to
Central America. They must placate and avoid the arrogant
Coast Guard commander who has tunnel vision, insisting that
the shoes belong to convicts executed at a Cuban prison. Not
convinced, Pendergast enlists the aid of oceanographer Pamela
Gladstone to analyze currents in the Gulf of Mexico to determine
their source. All have to be very careful because lives are
at stake, including their own.
This compelling story moves forward in unexpected ways. Readers
will enjoy going on a journey with Pendergast and company.
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