Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) By Douglas Preston

Por detrás do gradeamento de uma luxuosa propriedade de Southampton, Long Island, o agente do FBI Pendergast descobre um crime hediondo de origem aparentemente sobrenatural. Num dos quartos da imensa casa, jazem os restos fumegantes de um crítico de arte detestado por muitos, em cujo peito se pode ver a marca de uma cruz derretida. O desenho de uma pata fissípede no soalho da casa e um estranho odor a enxofre trazem à memória os horrores lendários que costumam vitimar os que celebram pactos com o diabo.
Uma equipa de investigadores passa Nova Iorque a pente fino na esperança de que o crime tenha uma explicação simples. Mas a investigação conduzi-los-á dos clubes privados e dos apartamentos luxuosos de Manhattan para Florença, onde, trinta anos antes, quatro homens celebraram entre si um pacto abominável. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)

Douglas Preston ´ 3 characters

Another great book in the Pendergast series! I’ve been really impressed with this series and the writers. Preston/Child have tackled lots of different plots and they have all worked so far.

This book in the series, Brimstone starts off with a charred body found in a Long Island estate. The questions about the death seem to involve evil forces with the smell of brimstone in the air and a hoofprint scorched into the floor.

Did Satan really kill this man?!! Well, read this book to find out.

This book travels from Long Island to New York City and then to the historic and ancient city of Florence, Italy. I loved all the details of the city of Florence along with the art and history references.

I enjoyed where the authors took the character of Vincent D’Agosta in this book along with giving more family history on Aloysius Pendergast. Laura Hayward from Reliquary was also in the book. I really love this character and hope to see more of her in the future!

If you enjoy thrillers, horror or suspense, then this book and series is right up your wheelhouse! I highly recommend it! Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) The Diogenes cycle with the Pendergast series is my favorite section. This one takes place in Italy. And true to its name has religious connotations. Not my favorite of the three, but still quite a baffling mystery to the very end. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) 4.5 stars. There's not a single series I've ever read that has more twists and turns than this one by Preston & Child, with a little spooky and weird always being a part of it. Of course, because Pendergast himself is involved and all those things go together. As I can see we're about to get more involved with Pendergast's mysterious family, that promises to only get more twisty. Genuinely looking forward to it! Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) Pendergast for President! I love this character and this series. Pendergast is the real deal. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) First name: ✔️ Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)

I’ve boxed myself into reviewing Pendergast books using food comparisons, which, fortunately, is not an overly restrictive framework (I mean, I’m only on book five, so haven’t had to start reaching for okra or polenta just yet), but has, thus far, been influenced by whatever I’ve eaten most recently that seems even remotely applicable. (Another reason I haven’t busted out okra or polenta, incidentally, because eating those things just seems ridiculous. I refuse.)

Fortunately, the stars aligned well in this instance—I’ve been housing a ton of pizza lately, which seems apropos for a book set, at least in part, in Italy. Here’s the thing about pizza, though: pizza quality can vary wildly, not unlike the multiple storylines within this book (see what I did there?).

See, sometimes you get John’s of Bleecker Street, some of the most sublime pie you’ve ever had. The method of the murderer (did the devil REALLY do it??), the historical backdrop in Italy, the burgeoning friendship between Pendergast and D’Agosta…these are the tastiest parts of the story, and worthy of what you’d get in that fabled West Village pizzeria. (For those of you wrinkling your faces because you’re Chicago-style fans, just sub in the word “Gino’s” for John’s, okay? I won’t judge or argue.)

Other parts of the story, though, are more like your favorite local pizza joint—good, sure, but , unless you live in New York (or Chicago), you’re probably getting something that is perfectly satisfying, but not the best you’ve ever had. That’s other elements of the story: the weird preacher in the park subplot, the wacky supporting characters, and Pendergast’s entertaining but often absurd knack for getting out of impossible situations.

Then, of course, there’s freezer pizza. Which, let’s face it, is barely pizza, but it’s what you eat if you NEED something pizza-like and have no other option at 3 AM. In this case, that’s the semi-icky romance between D’Agosta and Hayward, the occasionally clunky dialogue, and most aspects of the villain (who I won’t say anything about to avoid spoilers).

(Incidentally, I’m ignoring things like the pizza they serve in elementary school cafeterias, which the FDA has determined is not, in fact, pizza, but is actually a corpse hand covered in mozzarella-flavored cheez food snack product. There are no circumstances under which it should be given to a growing child for whom nutrition is paramount, unless one is grooming said child to be a flesh-eating zombie, in which case it is acceptable, but less preferable than almost any other form of decaying human body parts.)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Preston and Child are as technically proficient a pair of thriller writers as there is on the market, so even when they stretch in different directions (occasionally a little awkwardly) in an effort to broaden the canvas on which they can paint this series, they don’t lose sight of what they came to do, which is write an entertaining page turner that never lets up. Worth a read if you’re a fan of the series, but definitely start with the predecessors before you jump into this one.

(One note on Pendergast: he continues to evolve into more of an action hero, moving beyond his Sherlockian roots to become something more akin to a highly intelligent and eccentric James Bond in this book, albeit Bond mixed with a shirtless, drawling Matthew McConaughey. It’s odd. Yet, compelling.) Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) Brimstone is the 5th book in the Pendergast series written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Part thriller/suspense, part science-fiction at times (very minimal), this collection offers an intense FBI investigation based in NYC with travels all around the world. Pendergast is a strange and intelligent agent who relies on his relationships and powers of persuasion to solve a bizarre crime. He almost always knows the answers before he asks the questions, and when his head is focused on motive and opportunity, it almost feels like I can see the steam rise through the pages of the book.

There are so many things to cling to in this series: its New York City setting, where often I recognize all the places they're describing; its creative plot lines full of just enough impossibilities to stretch your imagination; and its vivid characters who make you want to throttle them on occasion. In Brimstone, the Devil has supposedly appeared, and until 90% in, we really think he has. I'm not giving away spoilers, but the whole story works you up to try to understand how on earth these people were dying, and when you learn the details, it's both confusing and so technical, I am not able to rationalize it. BUT I love it, and I am excited to get all the gory details.

This one kicks off a three-book mini-series within the larger series where we learn more about Pendergast's family, including his elusive brother Diogenes who is up to something awful. Constance is not quite family, but she's 100+ years old and looks about 20. There's a backstory there, and some day we will find out the truth. I can't imagine the series being written any differently; I am not one for science-fiction, but this has such a safe balance, it works really well. I love the clever tactics and insanity of how Pendergast solves all the missing pieces of the murder. I think he and I would get along quite well, but I'd also find myself easily offended (in a good way).

There's a complicated sense of power in this story, and anytime I think Pendergast has been beaten at his own game, he rises like a phoenix. It's completely amazing to watch the story unfold, and I highly recommend it for solid construction and that hint of disbelief that you need in order to immerse yourself in a book. #6 has been ordered and will be in my early July reading schedule. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)
Review Revisited

This is a fabulous series.

Brimstone is somewhat different from its predecessors. It's more Agatha Christie than Michael Crichton this time round. A little bit less horror; a little more mystery. The authors appear to be paying tribute to a number of literary classics and conventions in this novel. For one thing, one of the characters is lifted exactly out of The Woman in White. Aloysius Pendergast has always been decidedly Sherlock Holmes-like, but it's taken to the next level here, with Vincent D'Agosta acting out the Dr. Watson parts. Heck, I even detected a bit of Ian Fleming.

So, it's a bit of a mish-mash of sorts, but it's all good. In fact, it's really, really good. It's clear that the authors have been consciously trying to prevent the series from becoming too formulaic and predictable. Every novel brings a new dimension to the table and Brimstone is no exception. Think you can predict what's going on? Think again.

Some things have remained constant though, such as the thrills and suspense we have come to expect. Recalling Mbwun from Relic, the 'surgeon' from The Cabinet of Curiosities, and let's not even talk about the oh so atmospheric Still Life with Crows, I can't help but wonder when these guys are going to start running out of ideas, or variety. Fortunately, with Brimstone it hasn't happened yet.

Brimstone is the first in the Diogenes trilogy and we are fleetingly introduced to a creepy fellow (now you see him, now you don't) who may or may not be Pendergast's evil brother, Diogenes. As such, the novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. You'll want Dance of Death close at hand.

It's exciting stuff. I can't recommend this series enough. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) There are not enough stars in the world for Preston and Child! Dark mystery and intrigue! Forces of good and evil collide! Satan come forth from hell to take the souls of sinners!

Every chapter is interesting with a question answered or a new one raised. Every few pages, another cliffhanger. Each challenge presented seemingly impossible to overcome.

If you like mysteries, thrillers, horror, dark humor, crime drama, etc. Basically if you like unstoppable excitement from page one that goes on for book after book, then you need the Pendergast series in your life. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1) Bizarre death of an art critic appears to be cooked from the inside out. Stench of sulfur and brimstone as well as burnt hoofprints are found at the crime scene. Then more charred bodies turn up. Clues lead to Italy.

Brimstone is the fifth of Pendergast series and first of Diogenes trilogy. A returning character from book one and two, Vincent D'Agosta is back from retirement and now with Southampton PD.

I'm a fan of this series, but Brimstone is not one of my favorites. It's a good story with awesome characters and supernatural feel, but I wish the pace could've been faster or I should've gone with an abridged version. Enxofre (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)