Verses for the Dead (Agent Pendergast)

I've read every book that Lincoln & Child have done together, and this one was probably one of my favorites. Often in the Pendergast series, they have a tendency to get bogged down with Pendergast's wealth, his relationship to Constance, and Pendergast's own misanthropy. With ‘Verses for the Dead,' they returned to a more standard serial killer mystery and introduced two characters I hope they bring back: Dr. Fauchet and Armstrong Coldmoon.

With giving Pendergast a partner who was his opposite in nearly every way (Coldmoon is Lakota, from the Rez, poor, with simple tastes, and was more by-the-book), it only served to enhance Pendergast's character in ways that even his pairings with D'Agosta did not highlight. SA Coldmoon was an interesting character in and of himself. I could stand to see him brought back for more adventures in the future.

There were no major revelations about Pendergast's family. No major twists or turns. This book really did not add to the overall story of Pendergast's world. It's a good stand-alone, much like ‘Still Life with Crows' was. Because of this, it was a refreshing revelation, especially since the last few books had been a little heavy and plodding with that sort of history.

I could definitely stand to see them to a few more Pendergast books like this one. Get back to the simple art of chasing down serial killers, fellas. It makes for better books.