How to write a sequel that could follow Relic, one of the most successful techno-thrillers ever written? That was the problem facing Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child when they agreed to write Reliquary. What setting could top the New York Museum of Natural History?

That was when Preston and Child realized there was only one solution. And that was to follow the Museum Beast itself. And that way led underground. Deep underground...

Reliquary

Hidden beneath Manhattan is a warren of tunnels, sewers, and galleries, mostly forgotten by those who walk the streets above. There lies the ultimate secret of the Museum Beast...

When two grotesquely deformed skeletons are found deep in the mud off the Manhattan shoreline, museum curator Margo Green is called in to aid the investigation. Margo must once again team up with police lieutenant D'Agosta and FBI agent Pendergast, as well as the brilliant Dr. Frock, to try and solve the puzzle. The trail soon leads deep underground, where they will face the awakening of a slumbering nightmare.

Published
1997
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Pendergast

The series

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The Pendergast series by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston takes readers on a gripping journey through the most chilling and enigmatic corners of the human experience. At the heart of this thrilling series is FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast, a man as mysterious as the cases he investigates. With his impeccable intellect, refined manners, and an eerie ability to predict the unimaginable, Pendergast is not just a detective—he is a force of nature. His investigations span across some of the darkest and most bizarre mysteries, involving ancient secrets, chilling conspiracy theories, and grotesque crimes that seem to defy logic itself.

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Set against the backdrop of atmospheric locales, from the sweltering heat of the South to the shadowy corridors of elite institutions, each installment in the series uncovers layers of intrigue, scientific wonders, and the uncanny. The series melds crime, horror, and psychological suspense with a deep dive into science, history, and the unexplained, creating a world where every detail might hide a crucial clue—or a deadly danger.

What makes the Pendergast series stand out is its blend of complex character development and meticulously crafted plots. The relationship between Pendergast and his loyal sidekick, Lieutenant D'Agosta, is a key element that adds emotional depth, balancing the darker, more atmospheric narrative with moments of genuine camaraderie. As Pendergast faces his own demons—both personal and professional—readers are drawn into a multi-layered exploration of morality, obsession, and the pursuit of truth at all costs.

Every book in the Pendergast series offers new challenges, larger-than-life villains, and twists that keep even the most seasoned thriller readers guessing until the final page. The dark undercurrents of each story, combined with a steady sense of dread and tension, keep fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Pendergast's extraordinary journey.

Whether it’s an ancient artifact, a deadly conspiracy, or a series of gruesome murders, the Pendergast series never fails to deliver heart-pounding excitement, cerebral complexity, and the chilling allure of the unknown. Dive into the world of Pendergast, where nothing is ever as it seems, and every revelation comes at a steep price.

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