What begins as a manhunt for the missing daughter of a wealthy tech billionaire becomes something altogether different when the young woman's body is discovered in an abandoned warehouse in Kew Gardens, Queens, the head nowhere to be found. It appears there may be two killers on the loose - one responsible for the young woman's death, another responsible for the mutilation. A pair of such dastardly killers requires a team of equally talented investigators. Luckily, both Vincent D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast are back in town.

D'Agosta hopes that working a case back on his home turf for the first time in years will reinvigorate the FBI Special Agent and give him an opportunity to flex his investigative might. But neither is prepared to face a killer - or killers - as diabolical as this. It will take all of Pendergast and D'Agosta's intelligence and strength simply to match wits - let alone stay alive.

Published
January 2018
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
Pendergast

The series

Full series details →

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.

Read full series description

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.

Risingshadow

Rating distribution

How reader ratings are distributed across the 1–10 scale.

103
90
83
77
62
50
40
30
20
10
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed