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Grips like a vice and twists like a rollercoaster. Impossibly clever. Impossible to put down!
It was really hard for me to put this book away. I pulled an all-nighter to finish reading it. The numerous plots and suspense left me, chapter by chapter I read with bated breath!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Excellent cover on this book!
Someone stick a fork in me I am done. On second thought, don't, because I need to know how this ends! That cliffhanger...😳
"The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" is yet another masterpiece from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, featuring the much-loved FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast and his ward Constance Greene. The book is the 21st installment in the bestselling series, and takes readers along an incredible journey as Constance travels back in time to late 1800s New York City, where she attempts to prevent the events that led to her siblings' deaths.
On her mission of redemption, she encounters Dr. Enoch Leng, Manhattan's most infamous serial killer, and someone who has a close personal tie to both Pendergast and Constance. Meanwhile, in present-day New York, as Pendergast frantically searches for a way to reunite with Constance before it's too late. Lieutenant Commander D'Agosta is working alongside Special Agent Coldmoon of the FBI. There's been an unusual murder at the museum of Natural History. The case involves stolen Native American artifacts and Coldmoon finds himself on a trail that takes him all the way to Ecuador. With unimaginable odds stacked against them, and time quickly running out, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue.
With multiple plots that keep the reader engaged throughout the book. An atmospheric setting. Exceptional character development, "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" is an outstanding addition to the Pendergast series that will leave readers wanting more (literally 😂) . Preston and Child have once again crafted a masterpiece filled with mystery, suspense, and thrills that will keep you guessing until the very end.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
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Not the first by these authors but the first in this series. I think I have a long series to read as I thoroughly enjoyed this one that kept me turning pages.
Great storytelling, fascinating plot and characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
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Preston And Child have done ot again, it maybe the 21st book in the series but still as enthralling as the first. Constance has gone back in time to stop Dr Leng and Pendergast trying to find a way to get her back. Could not put it down.
I received this book from Aria & Aries/Head of Zeus and Netgalley for a review.
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I've read a couple of books in the Pendergast series before and I loved them... I've no idea how it fell off my book radar, and I'm firmly kicking myself that I allowed it to happen. With solid characters, writing that flows through your brain like a dream, a story that you can't put down, and all the feels of perfection, "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" shouldn't be missed!
My thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
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I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria & Aries for an advance copy of The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, the twenty-first novel to feature Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast of the FBI.
Pendergast’s ward, Constance Greene, has found a way to travel back to 1880 New York to save her brother and sister from death and to stop serial killer Dr. Enoch Leng from executing his plans.
I have only read a couple of novels in this series and that was several years ago, so I was interested to pursue my acquaintance with the characters when the opportunity arose. I knew that I would have to suspend my disbelief and go with the flow, but I didn’t expect it to happen from page one. It took me a while to get into the book as the first few chapters concern Constance’s adventures in 1880 New York. I thought that they were overly detailed for relatively little action and difficult to get involved in, so I kept putting it down for other books that offered more immediate gratification.
Once, however, it switched to the present day I started to get interested. Pendergast’s distress at losing Constance (she has no way of coming back) is understandable and his solution daring, if not reckless. Then Lieutenant Commander Vincent D’Agosta is investigating a murder at the Museum of Natural History when he receives a call from Special Agent Armstrong Coldwater who sees a link to his murder case in South Dakota. I admit that I feel more comfortable with a tangible murder investigation than the mental gyrations required to understand time travel, parallel universes and how it can be done. Having said that, Constance’s adventure, which takes up the majority of the novel is a tense affair that becomes compelling as she takes on the (not so) good doctor, while D’Agosta and Coldmoon’s investigation is perfunctory, more a case of keeping up with the characters than a solid contribution to the plot.
The authors view this novel as part three of a quartet with the Cabinet of Curiosities and Brimstone as parts one and two and the fourth to follow, although I think most readers would guess that as this instalment ends in a cliffhanger that definitely arouses curiosity.
The Cabinet of Dr. Leng is a work of great imagination with a tense, interesting story to tell after a slow start, there I can recommend it as a good read.
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I’ve read only five other books in the Pendergast series (and two books from other series by Preston and Child) but anytime I read about this series somewhere, I feel that I should buy the whole series one day. Therefore, I was very happy to be approved for a review copy of books 21 in this series.
Luckily there was enough information give about the main characters in this book to not be confused with who was who and what happened in earlier books. On the contrary, I was immediately engrossed in the story, which is a mixture of a thriller and science fiction. For me as a fan of science fiction the concept of time travel and multiple universes is not new, and Preston and Child weave everything together in a very attractive way.
There are two main stories here, with Pendergast and Constance in one, and Armstrong Coldmoon and Vincent D’acosta in the other. I won’t be surprised though, if the two stories would intertwine somewhere in the next book. Yes, the next book, because the story isn’t finished yet. I’m eagerly awaiting this because the mixture between time travel and multiple universes is very cleverly done. And then there is Constance, fierce and loyal, and Dr. Leng, a creepy ‘doctor’ if there ever was one. Brilliant!
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I love the Pendergast series of books so when I saw this one I couldn't wait to get started...without giving too much away (wouldn't want to give any spoilers of the previous titles.) FBI agent Pendergast is very protective of Constance Greene (a very unusual character!!) but she has found a way to travel back to the late 1800's, with the plan to stop the serial killer Dr Enoch Leng. Such a riveting read it certainly does not disappoint. It has all that is required of a fantastic read....plot twists, compelling, surprises, great characters. I urge you to read it and all the previous Pendergast novels!!!!! Well done Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child another fabulous read.
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I loved this book, it picks up shortly after the end of Bloodless with Constance now in late 19th century New York trying to save her siblings, and Pendergast in the present day determined to find a way to travel back to the same time and place in order to help her. In the modern day part of the story there are also two murders that appear to be linked., one on a reservation in Colorado and one in the Natural History Museum in New York, these murders will bring Coldmoon and D’Acosta together.
While the parts of the story that focus on Constance and Pendergast are well written, with an engrossing story, the Coldmoon/D’Acosta part of the story feels like an afterthought but hopefully that will be rectified in the next book.
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The previous book, Bloodless, ending was so good that I think my expectations were too high. The Cabinet of Dr. Leng was just not as good as I had hoped the book to be, a slow start and the side story with Coldmoon felt unnecessarily and frankly boring to read. It took a while for me to finish the book because I never really felt that excited to read it so other books got in the way.
The story got better towards the end and the ending was, brilliant. Jawdropping brilliant. Didn't see that coming. So, now I want the next book right now.
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You never know what to expected from a Pendergast read. This read is thrilling, frightening and everything in between. Pendergast is deeply worried about Constance and he knows that he needs to find someone that will be able to fix the machine. It doesn't matter that she thinks that she can change the past and that she doesn't want him to come and help her. He does understand her reasons but he just knows that it won't end well. He just needs to find a way to go back to 1880 to save the woman that he cares deeply for.
Constance knew that it wasn't going to be easy to find her siblings and to save them from their fate. But the person that she needs to destroy for all the pain & suffering that he caused isn't playing the game like she wants. Will she be able to save her sister Mary now that she has her past self & her brother safe?
Pendergast knows that there is only one person that he needs to help him to save Constance.and he just needs to convince his old friend Vincent DÁgosta'to come with him. Vincent knows that he will go with but this is going to put further strain on his marriage but he knows that if Pendergast goes by himself who knows what will happen.
Throughout their friendship they have faced many a foe natural & supernatural and they still know that they will back each other up no matter what. But will things according to plan once they find Constance? Will it be a quick trip there and back? A surprise guest drops in to help in their quest?
This part was edge of your seat stuff once I read that last line I was shocked surprised and thrilled. Knowing that the next book is going to be better.
I love the characters as they each add their personality to the book. Pendergast is like no other he is brilliant maybe a little insane at times but he will never leave a friend behind. He is fiercely loyal to those that eh cares for. Poor Vincent he is in for a world of hurt and I do fear for his marriage as one day he will need to make a choice.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC copy. This is my voluntary review.
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I'm one of those weird people who has to read all the books in a series in order. Or at least that's what I usually do and that's what I've done with this series so far. So I was a little worried when I broke out of this well-known pattern, and even though I hadn't read the last few books in this series, I decided to read this one. My concerns were all the greater because I know that Douglas Preston and Lee Child like to create a kind of mini-series in their Pendergast series. Although at first I thought that this book was not part of such a mini-series, but after reading “To the Reader”, it turned out to be quite the opposite. This was the third book in the mini-series and, of course, I didn't read the first two.
Fortunately for me, it turned out to be completely unimportant and I was able to fully enjoy the story without knowing the previous ones. So, if you have concerns similar to mine, there really is no problem and you can read this book without much fuss. And it's worth it because it's a really good story.
We meet all the well-known characters from the previous books here, and if you like Constance, you will spend much more time with her this time than in some previous books. But there will also be all the other well-known characters - Pendergast himself, of course, but also Proctor, Special Agent Armstrong Coldmoon and D'Agosta. The whole beloved team.
The book is set in two timelines - modern and New York in the year 1800. The reason why some of the plot takes place in the past is fascinating, but I don't want to reveal why so as not to spoil the fun of discovering it for yourself. I'm really curious to see where this whole story is going. I also admit that as Polish I giggled at the mention of the Duchess of Inowroclaw of the house of Piast.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this book. Although I'm not convinced that people who are completely unfamiliar with the previous books in the series should start it with this book. I think they may feel a little lost.
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Sadly this book was rather uninteresting for me, I struggled from the opening chapter and managed to get over half way before I realised I was just wasting my time, I am sure that very many readers will enjoy this book but I won't be one of them
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This is the first book that I have read by this duo but it definitely won't be the last. this was mindblowingly good. The writing is fantastic, the characters were well deveoped and I was engaged the entire way through. The ending left me wanting more immediately. A fantastic book
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Absolutely brilliant, as are all the other books in the series. I love all the main characters and was so pleased to re enter their world! Fiendishly clever plotting, but that ending Mr Preston and Mr Child has left me screaming for more and hoping they keep the promise of writing the next book very quickly.
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This clever duo always deliver a great mix of thriller, mystery and supernatural and this book is no exception. I love the writing style and the way characters are introduced and then developed, especially the relationship between the two protagonists. This is another winner from Preston Child!