I loved the representation in this book but something fell flat for me although this was a near perfect book. I would definitely recommend to read again.

An amazing edition to the series. I can't wait for the next book. A classic Preston Child Pendergast novel with a great twist at the end.

5 glorious stars!

What a fantastic read! While I'm not usually a fan of books that take the plot back to in time, this one is definitely an exception. This entry in the series picks up with where the last one left off and also takes us back to the world introduced in Cabinet of Curiosities. All of my favorite characters are here and they populate three different adventures. I don't want to say much more because the ending is fantastic, and I don't want to ruin it for you (even though you should be warned--we end on a cliffhanger this time!).

This is another great Pendergast novel and I can't wait for the next one. Keep 'em coming--and quick!

This is an amazing follow up to Bloodless and takes us back to the world we first encountered in The Cabinet of Curiosities. As if that isn’t enough, Constance is in 1880s New York searching for her siblings and Dr. Leng; in the present, Pendergast is trying to figure out how to reunite with her, Vinnie has another murder in the museum and Coldmoon has one on a reservation in South Dakota. Somehow, the talented writing team of Preston and Childs bring all these elements together in the most exciting way to give us one of their best books and a “must read” for their many fans. I’m not even upset with the major cliffhanger that this book ends on because of all the awesomeness that precedes it. But, please, hurry with that next book!

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

Pendergast follows Constance back in time to the 1880’s to rescue her sister and brother. In present day Coldmoon investigates the murder of a museum curator. Trouble arises in both dementions. Really enjoyed this book which is 21 in this great series. Thanks NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC! The book will be be out January 16,2023.

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 9781538736777

This is another great book in the Pendergast series. Like the others, it has an intricate plot and remarkable characters. There is a time machine that takes Constance back to 1880 New York City to rescue her brother from an untimely death and her sister from the evil Dr. Leng. Descriptions of the time period are vivid. Coldmoon has a current day murder to solve. As he investigates, we learn about Lakota history and culture. Of course, Pendergast is there to solve problems as only he can.
As other reviewers and the authors point out, the Pendergast novels are most enjoyed in sequence. This one has a surprise in the final paragraphs and does end in a cliffhanger.

Reviewer: Nancy

I just finished The Cabinet of Dr. Leng. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. What a exciting surprise to be able to read an advance copy. That being said, to the authors Preston and Child....all I can say is I hope you are busy writing.....PLEASE. You said you were...This is book 21 of the series. You should, no you have to start at the beginning. I love this series, I read many series and mostly mystery, there is always a mystery in these books but always outside the box. I fell in love with Relic and went on from there. Pendergast is one of my favorite characters. Smart, aloof, looks like an undertaker, different from the typical agent. Without going into too much of the book it goes into a parallel universe. Constance goes back to save her family and Pendergast needs to follow but how? Side story Native American Indian artifacts are being stolen and sold, Agent Coldmoon is investigating.

Wow, what a strange book (in a good way)! I have read every book in the Pendergast series and there's no way this book could be understood or appreciated without that. If you are new to the series, start with Relic and work your way through them all before starting this book or else you will be thoroughly lost.

Probably unlike most readers, I found the storylines set in the modern world to be more interesting than those in the past. I couldn't wait to leave the nineteenth century and get back to D'Agosta and Coldmoon, but I think that says more about my reading preferences than the book. For the most part, I was totally engaged and eager to find out what would happen next, except when it seemed like things got difficult for characters simply for the sake of the story. A few times things would happen that just made me shake my head and think "Really? Do we need to add another roadblock for this character?" But obviously the answer was yes because if everything had been too easy, we wouldn't have gotten that fabulous, amazing, intriguing, frustrating, cliffhanger ending. I must have sat and shook my head for a solid half hour after I finished because the ending had my emotions going in every direction. I was so excited to read the next book yet annoyed that I'd have to wait at least a year for it, and bothered that the ending wasn't pat but super intrigued with the direction things went. I was all over the place. But the book was definitely enjoyable, as good as the original Cabinet in my opinion (though sadly without Bill Smithback and Nora Kelly). I'm about ready to storm the authors' houses and demand to read their manuscript for the next book!

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be very engaging, and it starts with things in motion. I didn't realize that this is book 3 in a 4-part story when I started reading. Although I could figure a lot out, this book is best read as part of the series in order. Still, it was an excellent parallel universe, time-travel story. The characters are intelligent and feel real. You have a whole range of likable and unlikable people. Constance seems like a very interesting character, but I didn't really like her. Really, if your actions are not going to make a lick of difference, why would you risk your life and that of your loved ones on a fool's mission? Ah, regardless, the story grabs you, and the details keep you in your seat. I also liked the parallel crimes, past and present. Their connection is not apparent, but I figure that the pieces all come together in the final book. I liked it enough to start the series after-the-fact. Very imaginative!

I’ve been a fan of the Pendergast series since the beginning. I always expect the novels to have an unusual paranormal element, but this plot line (that started with Bloodless) of monsters escaping through portals and an alternate time travel machine is beyond crazy. So, I did what I always do and read it for what it is, sci fi fantasy fiction.

The secondary plot is following Agent Coldmoon as he investigates a case of the theft of valuable Lakota artifacts. Coldmoon has left a despondent Pendergast for this new case, but briefly teams up with Lt. D’Agosta. This was an amusing team-up but was finished too soon when D’Agosta then partners up with Pendergast. Without revealing too much, there’s a questionable lack of consent for poor D’Agosta. Pendergast strong-arming him into a situation was not one I approved of.

In this book, we are then re-introduced to the human monster, Dr. Leng, from Cabinet of Curiosities. I do wish he had been left dead and buried. Though well written, as always, my concern is that Lincoln and Child have exhausted new, original ideas for this series. In this case, I prefer leaving well enough alone. Revisiting Dr. Leng’s crimes and Constance trying to recreate history is not going to go well. Sure enough, the story can’t be told in one book so WARNING, don’t expect anything to be resolved and you can expect the book to end on a major CLIFFHANGER.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

A solid, well-deserved 5 stars.

I’ve long been a Pendergast series fan and this one may be the best yet. While Pendergast himself is more of a minor character and the book follows Constance more, something I’d normally find annoying, the storyline captivated me and I found the pages speeding by too quickly as I was caught up in the story.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a few good time travel books and this one is one of the best; the writing is superb, painting details and scenes of the period beautifully, allowing one to easily envision the story as it unfolds.

The action is practically nonstop, keeping the reader craving the next paragraph, NEEDING to know what comes next, and even things that may appear mundane on the surface leave the reader suspicious that something is afoot.

I will admit that I found several of the latest books in the series to be lagging, having me wondering if the series has run its course but with this latest addition, I’m happy to see the early series writing which captivated me so well has returned in force, possibly even better. I now must sadly wait for the next novel to be released to see how this turns out and it’s going to be hard to wait as my anticipation is already so high (that ending was a brilliant cliffhanger!).

Please at minimum read Bloodless, the previous book in the series, before treating yourself to this book, as it directly continues the story. Or treat yourself and read the whole Pendergast series in order; I know I’m tempted to reread the series after this gem.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read this wonderful story!

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child was a true phenomenal story.

FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene are remarkable characters and kept my attention throughout the entire novel.
P & C write so well together.
The bring just the right amount of mystery and intrigue that kept me up way too late... Telling myself each time "just one more page"! Of course that didn't happen.
From the first page, I didn't want to put it down. The storyline itself swept me straight up and didn't put me down until the last page.
The action and mystery was captivating.
Now I have to figure a way to start at book one because I need more of this in my life.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Grand Central Publishing,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Agent Pendergast books are my all time favorite! They are a must read! I was beyond excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy. This book Did Not disappoint. It’s so much better than the previous one. It reminded me so much of their earlier Pendergast books, especially Cabinet of Curiosities. Perhaps the only downfall here is that it ended in a cliffhanger. I know I have to wait at least another year to find out what happens. I will be waiting very impatiently.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

After Pendergast #20 “Bloodless” gave me nightmares (I dreamt of giant claws attacking me), of course I’m here for #21 “The Cabinet of Dr. Leng” and so will all the fans who loved the invigorated Aloysius/Constance story of last year. This has been an utterly enjoyable series with enough supernatural elements (last novel: bloodless bodies falling out of the sky) to enchant the loyal followers of the mysterious FBI agent and his, um, ward (assistant? companion? muse? paramour?) Constance. This is the only series of books that regularly describes her as Pendergast’s amanuensis (a word probably continually re-googled every installment by Preston & Child fans).

This is a thrilling, exciting story wherein Constance has returned to the 1880s New York of her poverty stricken childhood (read the end of “Bloodless”), seeking to rescue her jailed younger brother, Joe, from a prison, and save her older sister, Mary, from Dr. Leng, Pendegast’s serial killer ancestor. Pendergast is back in the 21st century, seeking a way to locate Constance and possibly assist her. Series regulars D’Agosta and Coldmoon also return, each involved in their own present day murder investigation, that get entwined.

I normally dislike time travel or parallel universe books, but I’m so invested in these characters and their relationship after so many novels, I’ll follow them across centuries. I also have wanted to see Constance finally be able to take revenge on the cruelties of her childhood. And the unexpected ending! The authors promise that #22 will be written as soon as possible to complete what will be the “Leng Quartet” (the original “The Cabinet of Curiosities,” Pendergast #3, is included in this group).

5 stars! Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Pendergast has those pale silvery blue eyes and Constance has the equally impossible violet eyes as usual. There is, however, a servant with bright green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s present day June, but in the 1880s it’s winter, but sycamore trees (the symbol of New York parks) make an appearance.

Review of Digital Galley Edition

For Pendergast and Constance, it is not yet over.

Jumping at the chance to save Joe and Mary, Constance secretly used the machine that they’d found during Pendergast’s last case to return to 1880 New York City. Although her plan, of necessity, involves the infamous Doctor Enoch Leng, Constance has every hope of preventing the deaths of both her sister, Mary, and her brother, Joe. Does her plan have any hope of success?

Meanwhile, in present-day New York City, Aloysius Pendergast, doggedly works to reunite with Constance. Will he find the solution he seeks?

Since the end of his last case with Special Agent Pendergast, Armstrong Coldmoon, assigned to a murder case in South Dakota, has made some interesting connections. But when he flees to a safe haven, will Coldmoon be able to bring the culprit to justice?

=========

Following the events in “Bloodless,” this narrative follows Aloysius Pendergast as he searches for a way to help Constance while she, having stepped into an alternate New York in 1880, seeks revenge upon a serial killer.

Well-developed, nuanced, and believable characters, an intriguing premise, and a strong sense of place all work together to anchor the narrative and pull the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. With all the expected characters in place,

The skillfully-woven narrative keeps the pages turning as swiftly as possible as the unfolding story offers unexpected plot twists as surprising revelations keep the captivating tale leading to a denouement readers simply won't see coming.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley
#TheCabinetofDrLeng #NetGalley

A riveting read about Agent Pendergast with dual timelines. The pace picks up midway through the tale. I just wish the ending had tied up the story's loose ends.

I was so thrilled to be able to read a pre-release of The Cabinet of Dr. Leng. As a huge fan of the Pendergast series, this was quite a happy surprise!
This book did not disappoint, the ending a surprise. I look forward to the next Preston & Child book in the Pendergast series. I don't want to say much more so that I do not provide any spoilers, Definitely an excellent follow up to their last book, as well as The Cabinet of Curiosities. Constance Greene continues to play a prominent roll in Pendergast's life.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book - #TheCabinetofDrLeng #NetGalley

READ THIS BOOK.

There. That's a simple enough review. brief and to the point and if you're a Pendergast fan, it's enough. Hell, if you really ARE a Pendergast fan, chances are, like me, you've kept your eyes and ears open since you put down 'Bloodless' and as soon as prerelease copies of 'The Cabinet of Dr Leng' became available, you leaped. Maybe you got one. I did, but with a strict deadline in which to read it: five days.

Heh heh heh. Like that would be a problem. I finished in three.

Now, I really should preface this by saying that I am enormous Preston and Child fan, having read no fewer than 27 of their previous works, starting with 'Still Life With Crows'. My brother sent me that tome as a gift because it involves a cave, and I had been a caver for thirty-plus years. And I enjoyed it thoroughly, and as I tend to do, I went out and bought everything I could find by the pair, even showing up at a signing the two did in Nashville many years ago with my now-retired caving helmet. They signed it!

But I don't just read the Pendergast books; my favorite of their stories remains the standalone 'Riptide', which is based more-or-less on the story of Oak Island. If you haven't read it, you should. It's terrific. And I've read their solo works as well, which are all very good. The only misfires, in my opinion, are the Gideon Crew stories. The books I have read featuring him are good enough, but I just find him an unpleasant character..

As to 'Dr Leng', I shall not provide any spoilers, and yes, you should absolutely read this book the instant you get a copy. It answers a lot of questions regarding the enigmatic Constance Greene and her family that have remained in my mind since 'The Cabinet of Curiosities'. What's more intriguing, Armstrong Coldmoon really becomes a force in the Pendergast universe here, and I thoroughly enjoy his presence in this story. He's got a lot more to offer in this cycle, and I would love to be able to reveal exactly what's happening on his end of things...but like you will...I ultimately find myself with more questions than answers, and what's worse, we won't get those answers till the next volume comes out! Which, based on previous releases, won't be at least a year. A year.

A YEAR. At least!

Will I live that long? Can I maintain my tenuous grip on sanity till then? Will books even be affordable or available then? What if the zombie apocalypse or some similar SHTF event happens first? How will I ever learn what happens?

Still. There's those final two paragraphs in this book.

To fans: DON'T READ AHEAD.

To Doug and Linc: Get cracking. WE'RE WAITING.

Those readers familiar with the ongoing tales of Special Agent A.X.L. Pendegast will again be hooked into this latest offering by Preston & Child. Pendegast's ward, Constance Green has managed to use a machine to travel back in time to a parallel 1880's New York City. There she will attempt to save her siblings and her own younger self from the sadistic Dr. Enoch Leng. This is the same Dr. Leng whose experiments on Constance as a child gave her the extraordinary ability to slow down her body's aging process. But by traveling to this alternate universe, Constance inadvertently destroys the machine, leaving no way back to her current time and to Pendegast. Featuring a cast of the "regulars", including Vincent D'Agosta and FBI agent Coldmoon, Preston and Child weave three seemingly unrelated tales into one. Expect a fast read with a lot of unanswered questions.....but wait.....the book ends without a conclusion, just a teaser to look for the next volume in which all the threads presented in "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" will be woven together to come to a satisfactory conclusion. No disappointments here, the characters stay true to their personalities and readers will once again embrace their favorites to a final, but inconclusive end.

What. An. Ending. No one could have seen this cliffhanger coming. No one! Preston & Child have delivered another masterpiece with The Cabinet of Dr. Leng. It's the type of rip-roaring adventure we've come to expect from them. They deftly link this book to The Cabinet of Curiosities (the best in the series) and I'm excited to see what comes next. This is a truly terrific thriller. It's an entertaining adventure like the great Doc Savage novels of the pulp era. The colorful collection of characters grab our attention on multiple fronts. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion! #TheCabinetofDrLeng #NetGalley.