Blue Labyrinth (Pendergast, #14) in Pendergast Task Force

Nov 15, 2014 Gatorman rated it really liked it

Excellent entry in the Pendergast series, the best in a while. It reminded me of the older stories that focused more on the main characters and scientific interests rather than lots of side stories. Much attention is paid to Constance and her unusual resourcefulness as well as family history, which brings about vengeance and redemption for some. Fans of the series should be most pleased. Highly recommended.

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Feb 05, 2015 Lanie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I'm a little late with my review of this book. As much as I love Pendergast, I adored the cover, and I love Preston & Child, this was probably one of the more disconnected of the Pendergast novels. Like most Pendergast books, there are pros and cons to both. Any loyal fan of Pendergast's adventures will probably read this book, sight unseen, as I did. I will start my review with the things that I liked the most.

Without giving too much away, this is really Constance's novel. Again, Pendergast som I'm a little late with my review of this book. As much as I love Pendergast, I adored the cover, and I love Preston & Child, this was probably one of the more disconnected of the Pendergast novels. Like most Pendergast books, there are pros and cons to both. Any loyal fan of Pendergast's adventures will probably read this book, sight unseen, as I did. I will start my review with the things that I liked the most.

Without giving too much away, this is really Constance's novel. Again, Pendergast somewhat takes a backseat (especially in the last half of the book). Constance joins forces with Margo Green and Agent D'Agosta. The bulk of the action takes place with them. One of my favorite parts was when Margo scales dinosaur bones in the museum. Those of you who were not huge fans of Laura Hayward-D'Agosta will be happy, because she's not really featured in this novel, just mentioned as Vinnie's new wife. I really appreciated how these two women came together for Pendergast and did what they needed to do without putting much thought into it. Constance's feelings for Pendergast were explored and discussed a little more in this book, but it seemed more to move the plot along.

Another great thing that Preston & Child do well is dangling another piece of Pendergast history under our noses. I am a huge fan of the crazy Pendergast Ancestry, and the history of Hezekiah and his elixir will be a delight to anyone who loves those old Pender-ghosts. (I have yet to meet a Pendergast fan who DOESN'T love them). Well, done, gentlemen, and as usual, I want more like this!

The most disappointing aspect of this book is the tie-in from the last book. I'm assuming (and I could be wrong) that these events take place AFTER the events from "White Fire" where he left Corrie recovering. There is no mention of "how is Corrie doing" or anything like that in this book at all. It just made me wonder, since we saw such wonderful sentiment between he and Corrie in the last novel, why is Corrie not even contacted? Corrie, to me anyway, is the closest thing he has to a surrogate daughter.

Other disappointments have been that Pendergast is not his usual go-getter self. I will not go into why, I don't want to give too many plot points away. Even though I will accept Pendergast any way the Gents paint him, I did miss the old Aloysuis, who insulted people without even taking a breath, who only had the best wine and dinners, and defied anyone who told him he couldn't do anything. He was not in his usual hero form, and I truly missed it. Although I had to remind myself that if he was a real person, he'd be human, and he'd have his moments. So I'll give him a break.

Prior to the release of this book, I'd heard it took place on the now-abandoned Salton Sea. I was very excited about this. The only thing I knew about the Salton Sea was that it was a hot-spot of celebrities in the 1950's and 1960's before its decline (too much salt in the water and nowhere for it to go, and all the dead fish & birds, whose stench and odor have driven residents away). I felt that so much more could have been done with this setting. I was looking forward to Pendergast having a "memory crossing" here and I was so hoping he'd rub elbows with Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe. I felt that the Salton Sea was not used do its full potential.

Overall, I didn't hate this book. I didn't love this book. It was another chapter in the Pendergast story, and I accept it for what it is. It's worth the read just to see Constance and Margo rise to the occasion. And you can't beat Margo climbing on dinosaur bones!
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Jul 12, 2015 Pat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I just love Pendergast. I was delighted to hear more about the three other characters from the past,Vinnie, Margo, and certainly, Constance. I am an audio cd fan and I also think Rene Auberjonois is perfect with the accents and infections.

Now, some of the details that were added, the cobwebs in the mine, the animal pit, the femur from Stanza, the details that were so specific down to the last little smidgen of imagination. Okay, I am believing Pendergast is a super whiz at it all, but truly, ca ...more

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Jun 10, 2015 David rated it it was amazing

I am worried about Pendergast. Not to give too much away here, but he is in very dire straits in this book. I worry because he isn't a spring chicken anymore and there may come a time when the authors decide to kill him off (God forbid) or at the very least retire him to the redoubt of his choice. That said, "Blue Labyrinth" does not disappoint when it comes to typical P&C plot lines. Pendergast and friends are chasing down an old chemical formula that was intended to save lives but became deadl ...more

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Dec 17, 2014 Shelby rated it really liked it

Preston and Childs never disappoint. This is another book in the Pendegrast Series. While the earlier books can be read as stand alone novels the last few really should be read in order so that you can follow all the small subplots. Interesting and attention grabbing right from the start, you won't be disappointed. ...more

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Jul 18, 2015 Jose rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: preston-child

Well... after white fire I already noticed how the main character is starting to kind of take a back seat in the adventures... Interesting how the females are taking over... good twist... I wonder if his son will play a role on the next adventures...

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Apr 16, 2014 Douglas rated it it was amazing

Another fantastic Prendergast novel by Preston and Child. I have enjoyed all of their books written as team and those written individually. This book brought back some characters from the first Prendergast novel - Relic. What a fun read, very satisfying and suspenseful. After this book, one wonders if Candace Green is going to become another force to content with.

First read between March 28 to April 4, 2015

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Apr 06, 2014 Donna rated it really liked it

As good as it gets. I impatiently wait for each new adventure. Not as much Pendergast in this one. I don't want to give ANYTHING away as it is full of twists and turns. Some characters come into their own and some have a change of heart, too late. A very satisfactory read. Waiting impatiently for the next one, due in November of 2015. ...more

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