Review: 'Pendergast: The Beginning' by Preston & Child

Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher.

Let's take a moment to explore a thought-provoking question: What motivates an author or a team of authors to create a prequel for a long-running series? Is it merely a cash grab? A clever marketing strategy? A signal that they’ve run out of fresh ideas? Or perhaps it’s a story they’ve long been eager to share with the world? No matter the reason, Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is set to hit both physical and digital bookstores on January 27th, courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. This marks the 23rd installment in the Agent Pendergast series and the first prequel, a journey that began in 1995 with the enthralling Relic.

The pequel kicks off with a brief prologue set in 1989, but the bulk of the story unfolds in August 1994. The plot centers around Special Agent Dwight Chambers, whose life has shattered into pieces in just six short months. First, he loses his partner in the line of duty, and then the cruel grip of fate snatches away his wife. As he returns to the New Orleans Field Office, Chambers finds himself burdened with the unenviable task of mentoring a fresh-faced FBI agent—one A.X.L. Pendergast. As Chambers grapples with his personal demons, Pendergast's enigmatic and often infuriating personality does not make things easier. He quickly finds himself drawn into a reckless stunt that costs them both their jobs.

Rather than despair, Pendergast seizes the opportunity for mischief. He sets his sights on a peculiar murder case in Mississippi that piques his interest. Chambers, begrudgingly along for the ride, finds their investigation morphing into a chilling exploration of a series of grisly, ritualistic killings that defy all conventional profiling for serial killers.

Before I ramble further about the plot, I must pause to appreciate the cover artwork—a mansion engulfed in flames with a silhouette hauntingly framed in the doorway. It conjures images of Norman Bates standing menacingly at the Bates house in Psycho, though this is undeniably the realm of Agent Pendergast. A character so rich and layered deserves his own film series—indeed, I lament the absence of Pendergast from the 1997 adaptation of Relic, a grave oversight by the filmmakers. 

Now, on to my thoughts about the story itself. If you’re already a devoted fan of the Agent Pendergast series, chances are you’ll find much to enjoy in Pendergast: The Beginning. However, if you’re new to the series, you might sense that this prequel treads on familiar ground—perhaps even feeling a bit superficial or predictable. The pacing and structure evoke the feel of a two-part episode from The X-Files, which, for many, might not feel like an entirely bad thing. For me, the narrative unfolded as a fast-paced, visually engaging read—thrilling at moments, yet never striving for deep literary profundity. No, I didn’t expect an existential masterpiece; I was looking for a mindless wild ride, and that’s exactly what I got.

Pendergast remains his quirky, charming self, while the villains come off as menacing caricatures reminiscent of Dr. Frankenstein—just substantial enough to evoke hatred and nudge the plot forward towards an explosive climax. The storyline feels derivative, echoing themes from classic horror mixed with a dash of The X-Files: I Want to Believe. I found myself anticipating where the authors were taking us, and I was correct on every guess. There’s a comforting predictability to it, one that nonetheless satisfies in its own way.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed Pendergast: The Beginning, though I admit my perspective may be skewed by my pre-existing admiration for Preston & Child. It’s by no means a flawless work; casual clichés and familiar tropes hold it back from reaching the heights of excellence. However, if you’re a diehard fan of Agent Pendergast, these shortcomings might fade into the background. Preston & Child have their finger firmly on the pulse of their audience, and most readers should finish this prequel feeling satisfied and hungry for whatever Pendergast adventures await next—be they more prequels, sequels, or something entirely unforeseen. ╌★★★★✰

⁓B.J. Burgess