“I had anticipated reading this installment of the Pendergast saga for some time, and that is why I think I am so conflicted about this review. When I first started reading the series, Pendergast and D'Agosta were really exciting and complex to me. But in "Wheels", D'Agosta was a "no show" (and I really would have liked to see him), the mystery wasn't very compelling, and I am not sure that Pendergast showed me anything new (we all know that he has sparkling, clever silver eyes and moves graceful like a cat). We also know that Constance is going to be mysterious, pale and insightful, and will stick by Aloysius no matter what the cost. So frankly, there was nothing new and I kind of suspected what was going on most of the time.
For the first time, this novel started off a little slow for me, but about half way thru, you started to kind of feel the old Preston & Childs magic. What I did love about the story, about all of their stories, are the undertones of supernatural phenominon and things unexplained. It always adds just the right spice, and literally carried this novel for me.
Agent Aloysius Pendergast has taken Constance Greene (his mysterious ward)to a monastery in Tibet where she can heal from her recent mental and physical challenges, and find peace (about killing her lover and Pendergast's brother). Meanwhile, Pendergast while trying to relax and come to grips with what his brother was, finds himself sharpening his investigative skills to discover who has taken one of the monks most prized possession (which can, if it's power is unleashed, destroy the world). Following the relic on board a luxury liner, the Brittania (which is on it's maiden voyage), things quickly get out of hand. There are a series of murders, people going mad, "smoke" monsters, mutiny, and various other dramatic events that let the Special Agent know that all is not as it seems. And with his trusty sidekick, who is offended by wealth (although it is clear that neither of them are suffering in that department) by his side, Pendergast will not only uncover a murder and solve the mystery, but unmask some card counting scoundrels as well!
With all that said, what I found to be the most interesting about the whole storyline was the transformation (and I am not going into a lot of detail, if you enjoy the series you will read it anyway) that Pendergast undergoes once his inhibitions have been destroyed by the relic. We see just who and what Pendergast would be without his strong morals!!
If you like the series, you will enjoy seeing Constance and Pendergast again. You will also find out how they both survived the death of Pendergast's evil brother (who we saw die at the end of the last book) and how his death has impacted them. But if you are expecting the magic from Brimstone or some of the others, I am not so sure that you will get that.”
Michelle B wrote this review Thursday, July 17 2008.
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