Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

I've read books from each of these authors separately and I have read books that they have collaborated together for the story.   Each are good separately but together they are excellent.   Reliquary  is a good example.  Quirky and dapper FBI agent Pendergast is the only consistent re-occurring character I recall from their books.   Pendergast is on vacation when a grisly corn field murder catches his attention.  It appears to be a singularly bizarre murder until the next one.  Pendegast is intrigued and then deeply involved. 

Preston and Child are masters at creating scenarios that are simultaneously bizarre and plausible.  The plot here ties in Western legends, small town prejudice and serial killers.  

Pendergast seems less likeable and far more quirky than previous books.  I presume I have missed some volumes that led to his increasingly strange personality development.    The inclusion of Corrie, an unlikely assistant, was a nice touch.  It showed an innate goodness in Pendergast that belied his appearance and behavior.   Corrie was an excellent example of the proverbial judgment of books by their cover.  

As I repeat myself from past reviews of this dynamic writing duo, this book has plenty of action, social commentary and thought provoking plot lines to attract a wide variety of readers.

I highly recommend.

Web Site: http://www.prestonchild.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.