Two Graves

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois

After his wife, Helen, is brazenly abducted before his eyes, Special Agent Pendergast furiously pursues the kidnappers, chasing them across the country and into Mexico. But then, things go terribly, tragically wrong; the kidnappers escape; and a shattered Pendergast retreats to his New York apartment and shuts out the world.

But when a string of bizarre murders erupts across several Manhattan hotels - perpetrated by a boy who seems to have an almost psychic ability to elude capture - NYPD Lieutenant D'Agosta asks his friend Pendergast for help. Reluctant at first, Pendergast soon discovers that the killings are a message from his wife's kidnappers. But why a message? And what does it mean?

When the kidnappers strike again at those closest to Pendergast, the FBI agent, filled anew with vengeful fury, sets out to track down and destroy those responsible. His journey takes him deep into the trackless forests of South America, where he ultimately finds himself face to face with an old evil that - rather than having been eradicated - is stirring anew... and with potentially world-altering consequences.

Confucius once said: "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, first dig two graves." Pendergast is about to learn the hard way just how true those words still ring.

©2012 Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child (P)2012 Hachette

Pendergast Lost

The Special Agent Pendergast series is character driven; he is a shadow of his former self in this book, and the character we've grown to love is largely absent until the last five minutes of the book. His motivation for this absence involves the back-story of his wife Helen. It's very hard to believe that Pendergast, as he's been constructed over the series, would be so blind to evidence generated by his own wife. His usual hyper-awareness seems totally absent for her; she is truly a blind spot, and yet it wasn't so in past books. This back-story provides the plot of the book, and Pendergast's motivation, and because we expect a lot more of him, it's disappointing.

This isn't one story line either. These other threads revolve around Constance, Corey and to a lesser extent, D'Agosta. They add nothing to Pendergast's mainline, and I wonder at their inclusion. Yes, it was interesting to fill in Constance's story, but unnecessary.

The main story is lackluster not only because Pendergast is out of character, but because the plot relies on grisly details in parts to move it along. There's a lot of stereotyping so that most of the characters are also one-dimensional.

Renee Auberjonois does an excellent job of narration. Without him, I'd have downgraded my overall rating to just two stars.

I hope that Preston/Child aren't making the same mistake made by Cornwell in the Scarpetta series. Eviscerating a popular character that has sold millions of books carries the risk that loyal readers will use their dollars in search of more deserving works. I've stopped reading Cornwell; I hope that won't be the case with the Pendergast series.

Review of new Pendergast book

What did you love best about Two Graves?

It was incredibly imaginative. I would not have had a clue how some things would unfold.

What other book might you compare Two Graves to and why?

I don't have another book to compare it to. I've read all of the Preston/Child books and this is one of my favorites.

What about Rene Auberjonois’s performance did you like?

I like how he is consistent with the characters in each book read.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

?

Any additional comments?

Really well done. Will definitely listen again and again. I can't wait for the next book!

I agree with P. Giorgio's review!

What made the experience of listening to Two Graves the most enjoyable?

Another installment in a much-appreciated series is always welcome.

Would you be willing to try another book from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child ? Why or why not?

I think I have read them all! So, I am invested in the next one. Would like to see one with the Cory character featured, in fact. She could be interesting with the Pendergast connection to add flavor.

What does Rene Auberjonois bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Characters are always more fully fleshed-out when you can hear them speak rather than having to create the voice in your head. I do like Rene, and this was a challenging book with so many characters. He did a great job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I listened to it while I was doing some serious decluttering so I was able to listen to long stretches at a time. I skipped forward through the Brasil piece pretty fast...I think it would have played better in a movie, but was too long for listening. The pace seemed glacial for such an action part of the story.

Any additional comments?

If you are a fan, then you will read this whether or not it's the best in the series. In fact, I am now going to go back and re-listen to the rest of the series. I did find this rather like a sandwich made with tasty leftovers, though. A little D'Agosta, a spice of Caroline, a dollop of Cory, a layer of Helen (past her best-by date), and some lashings of Pendergast. His Japanese maid and his chauffeur/bodyguard were kind of like pickles, though. Interesting up to a point, but ultimately did not add much flavor.

Don't believe it's anything less than a P/C best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would recommend this as much as any other Preston/Child books. I was worried from reading the reviews - something I rarely do, as I often differ - and I am glad that I went with my gut and read it on my own.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Two Graves?
Critics who say that Pendergast is a shell of himself seem to want less than the reality of a man who has been twice devasted and left disillusioned by circumstances. How could anyone be everything in such situations? Yet, in the end, there is no doubt of who and what Pendergast is - an incredible man, with an incredible mind and an even more incredible gene pool.

What does Rene Auberjonois bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
While Rene Auberjonois is still the best to read Pendergast, I was underwhelmed by this performance. It seemed that the voices were off and the name pronunciations were different.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
TWO GRAVES - Be ready to fill one with YOUR life

#thriller #mystery #suspense #tagsgiving #sweepstakes #series #engaging

worthwhile read

Very impressed with Rene's narration. The story line was completely unexpected, but enjoyable, though not one of the best by this duo.

Great as expected

Two threaded stories that also welcomes back Carrie. You will enjoy the back a forth of all the characters. Great ending that makes you want to read the next in the series.

Intense!

Absolutely love this story. Fast moving, full of tension, down right nail-biting! I didn’t want to put the book down until I finished it.

Excellent Conclusion to the Helen Trilogy

What did you like best about this story?

An excellent wrap-up to the so-called Helen trilogy by Preston and Child. There is so much packed into this novel that it would be impossible to write a good review without giving away some aspect of the plot. Suffice it to say that many story lines going all the way back to the Enoch Leng "Cabinet of Curiosities" book are tied up and explained. All of tho old characters are here - at least the ones who haven't been killed off in prior novels. And even one who ... Oops. Plus some new faces that had me saying, "Wait! Did I know these people??"

Rene Auberjonois simply IS the voice of A. Pendergast. His impeccable narration is the perfect complement to Preston/Childs' intricate plot and detailed writing.

A most enjoyable listen indeed.

I love these stories...

If you could sum up Two Graves in three words, what would they be?

Typical Agent Pendergast

What did you like best about this story?

I love the fantastical story line and deeper psychology of Pendergast.

Have you listened to any of Rene Auberjonois’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is the perfect story teller for these books. The story just rolls off his tongue and keeps me enthralled from beginning to end.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Lt. Vincent D'Agosta betrays him.

Any additional comments?

People seem to be disappointed in the fantastical nature and 'Indiana Jones' types stunts in these books. My question is, how did they get this far in this series if they did not appreciate this type of writing. Loved the book and the more I learn of Pendergast, the more I feel for him.

great characters

Where does Two Graves rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Well produced . Narrator has a great voice.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Two Graves?

When Albin walks away.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Tristim shows up at the apartment.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You think Nazi horrors are a think of the past?

Any additional comments?

I enjoy listening.