Crooked River is the nineteenth installment in the Agent Pendergast series. It was released on February 4, 2020, by Grand Central Publishing and is the twenty-ninth full-length Preston-Child collaboration.
Description[]
Racing to uncover the mystery of several light green-shoe-clad severed feet found floating in the Atlantic, Agent Pendergast is faced with most inexplicable challenge of his career in this installment of the #1 NYT bestselling series.
A STARTLING CRIME WITH DOZENS OF VICTIMS.
Appearing out of nowhere to horrify the quiet resort town of Sanibel Island, Florida, dozens of identical, ordinary-looking shoes float in on the tide and are washed up on the tropical beach—each one with a crudely severed human foot inside.
A GHASTLY ENIGMA WITH NO APPARENT SOLUTION.
Called away from vacation elsewhere in the state, Agent Pendergast reluctantly agrees to visit the crime scene—and, despite himself, is quickly drawn in by the incomprehensible puzzle. An early pathology report only adds to the mystery. With an ocean of possibilities confronting the investigation, no one is sure what happened, why, or from where the feet originated. And they desperately need to know: are the victims still alive?
A WORTHY CHALLENGE FOR A BRILLIANT MIND.
In short order, Pendergast finds himself facing the most complex and inexplicable challenge of his career: a tangled thread of evidence that spans seas and traverses continents, connected to one of the most baffling mysteries in modern medical science. Through shocking twists and turns, all trails lead back to a powerful adversary with a sadistic agenda and who—in a cruel irony—ultimately sees in Pendergast the ideal subject for their malevolent research.
–Publisher's synopsis
Plot Summary[]
"Crooked River" is a thriller novel written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, featuring their recurring character, FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. Here's a brief plot summary:
The story begins with the mysterious theft of a priceless wine collection from a secure vault on the 65th floor of an impregnable skyscraper in New York City. Pendergast, known for his unconventional methods, is called in to investigate the heist. As he delves into the case, he discovers a link to a series of gruesome murders taking place in the vicinity of a remote and enigmatic mansion called "Ecoparque."
The murders are marked by bizarre and ritualistic details, leading Pendergast to suspect a connection between the seemingly unrelated crimes. To unravel the mystery, he partners with his ward, Constance Greene, and together they follow a trail that leads them from the sophisticated world of high-stakes wine auctions to the eerie depths of the Louisiana bayou.
As the investigation unfolds, Pendergast and Constance encounter a host of eccentric characters, uncover dark secrets, and confront a deadly adversary. The novel combines elements of suspense, forensic detail, and the supernatural, creating a gripping and atmospheric thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
Returning Characters[]
- Aloysius Pendergast
- Constance Greene
- Armstrong Coldmoon
- Walter Pickett
- Roger Smithback
- Isabel Alves-Vettoretto