Do you love reading thriller and paranormal books? What if you get a mix of both genres in a single book?
If you’re wondering if a mix of both genres is even impossible, let me tell you, yes, it definitely is! One such popular book series is the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. This series is a techno-thriller with a combination of paranormal and horror elements.
I have specifically discussed this series in this article and provided the complete Pendergast books in order.
So without further ado, let’s dive into this article!
Who is Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child?
The Pendergast series is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (co-author). Both authors’ contributions resulted in the publication of this amazing series. Want to know about these authors? Then you must check this section as I will share a few things about their early life and career.
Douglas Preston
Douglas Preston was born in 1956 in Massachusetts and brought up in Wellesley. He completed his degree from Pomona College in Claremont, California. He started his career as an editor, writer, and publisher and later joined Princeton University as a teacher.
In 1986, he left everything to start his career as a full-time writer. Lincoln was an editor for one of Preston’s books. During a conversation, the idea of the first book of the Pendergast series emerged.
Lincoln Child
Born in Westport, Connecticut, Lincoln Child was interested in writing from a very young age. He completed his degree from Carleton College, Minnesota, with an English major. He was an editor for many years and later switched to full-time writing. He co-authored the Pendergast series with Douglas Preston.
The Complete Pendergast Books in Order
| Sr. No | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Relic | May 21, 2008 | 462 pages | ARCHIPEL | Amazon |
| 2 | Reliquary | January 1, 1997 | 375 pages | Forge | Amazon |
| 3 | The Cabinet of Curiosities | June 3, 2002 | 466 pages | Warner Books | Amazon |
| 4 | Still Life With Crows | July 1, 2003 | 448 pages | Grand Central Publishing | Amazon |
| 5 | Brimstone | August 3, 2004 | 497 pages | Warner Books | Amazon |
| 6 | Dance of Death | January 1, 1843 | 624 pages | Warner Books | Amazon |
| 7 | The Book of the Dead | March 19, 2009 | 544 pages | Orion | Amazon |
| 8 | The Wheel of Darkness | January 1, 2008 | 504 pages | Vision | Amazon |
| 9 | Cemetery Dance | May 12, 2009 | 448 pages | Grand Central Publishing | Amazon |
| 10 | Fever Dream | May 11, 2010 | 416 pages | Grand Central Publishing | Amazon |
Pendergast Series in Reading and Publication Order
Pendergast is a book series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, with 21 books under its title. The series is ongoing, and the writers have not mentioned anything about the final ending book, which is good news for the readers. The series comprises a set of techno-thriller novels with a mix of horror, mystery, and crime. The series’s main Protagonist is Aloysius Pendergast, an experienced FBI agent who solves human and paranormal mystery cases and catches serial killers lurking in the streets of America.
Apart from the smart and charming Aloysius Pendergast, there are a few other impactful characters in this series that you will get to know once you start reading. I will list all the books in the series for you. Check it out!
As I mentioned earlier, this series has 21 books in total and is still in progress. It is recommended to read the books in publication order; however, few can be read as standalone novels. But there are three trilogies and a duology within the series, so keep this in mind before reading.
Trilogies and Duologies:
- Diogenes Trilogy: Brimstone, Dance of Death, The Book of the Dead
- Helen’s Trilogy: Fever Dream, Cold Vengeance, Two Graves
- Leng Quartet: The Cabinet of Curiosities, Bloodless, The Cabinet of Dr. Leng
- Duology: Relic, Reliquary
The books mentioned above should be read in order to follow the story; apart from these, the others can be read individually. I will provide the complete list of books in reading and publication order with a brief description of the first ten books to make it easier for you to choose a novel from the series. Have a look at the list!
1. Relic (1995)
It’s the first book published in the Pendergast series. The story is set in the New York Museum of Natural History, where unfortunate events create serious havoc. Someone is brutally killing the museum visitors in dark and secret rooms. The autopsy results suggest that the culprit cannot be a human being.
A big exhibition is about to be organized in the museum by the director despite the horrible murders. Margo Green, the museum researcher, is desperate to find the actual killer before the exhibition. Now, the question is, will she be able to discover the killer within the deadline, or will the museum face a big massacre?
2. Reliquary (1997)
In the second book, we are introduced to the deep secrets of Manhattan. The people living and walking in the streets above ‘t have no idea what’s happening inside the tunnels, galleries, and sewers lying beneath them.
Suddenly when two distorted skeletons are found deep in the Manhattan shoreline, the museum researcher Margo Green is called for the investigation. Again Margo contacts FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, Dr. Frock, and Lieutenant D’Agosta to team up to solve this mystery case. As the investigation gets deeper, the underground secrets become their greatest nightmares. Can their team solve the case? Or will they fail as a team?
3. The Cabinet of Curiosities (2002)
Cabinet of Curiosities was a place where a collection of unusual objects and sculptures were found. As the place is not in use, a real estate owner is building a tower on that property. A long tunnel is discovered at the construction site, which is exactly beneath the Cabinet of Curiosities.
Inside the tunnel, 36 bodies were found who were murdered horribly about a century ago. The FBI agent Pendergast starts the investigation along with archaeologist Nora Kelly.
Soon they discover that a doctor, a renter of the former owner of Cabinet of Curiosities, was conducting strange experiments with humans during that time. Pendergast and Nora were trying to understand the case when a series of similar murders were reported in the present day. They must solve the case soon to stop the murders.
4. Still Life With Crows (2003)
Kansas is a small town known to be quiet and safe, with rarely any unforeseen situation occurring. However, this belief is proved wrong when strings of brutal murders are reported in the town. Now, Aloysius Pendergast has arrived to investigate the case further.
But no one knows if this is a human doing or a paranormal activity, and the farther the investigation goes, the harder it gets to decipher.
With the whole town unsafe and the killing spree in action, Pendergast must find a way to solve the case as soon as possible. But will he succeed, or will the safest town become dangerous?
5. Brimstone (2004)
This book is part of the Diogenes trilogy and starts with a terrible murder case. The FBI agent comes across a supernatural crime in the Hamptons’ estate. Behind the gates of this estate, the remains of a popular art critic named Jeremy Grove are discovered inside a locked attic. A cross engraved upon his chest and the odor of brimstone make the scene more intriguing.
Pendergast, with D’Agosta and Laura Hayward, starts on the journey to uncover the truth about this case but struggles to find a logical answer to this inhuman mystery case. With further investigation, they land in the castles of the Italian countryside, where something unspeakable has occurred. Now it’s up to them to unfold the secrets and find the culprit.
6. Dance of Death (2005)
The FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast has many enemies, but who knew the biggest foe would be his own brother?
Diogenes is the brilliant and dangerous criminal and the one and only brother of Aloysius Pendergast. There is mutual hate between them.
Things start to escalate when a lot of people are murdered, some even close to Pendergast. And the surprising factor is Pendergast is blamed for the crimes. Now, the FBI agent is on the run and, with the help of D’Agosta, is set to find his brother, who might have a connection with these killings. The man who catches the killers is now chased as a killer.
7. The Book of the Dead (2006)
Aloysius Pendergast is trapped in a maximum security prison for a murder he did not commit. Meanwhile, Diogenes is planning to ruin the city and his brother. Diogenes stole the gem collection of the New York Museum of Natural History in the previous book and has returned them. But they are now nothing more than grounded dust.
The museum decides to reopen an ancient Egyptian tomb to distract the public from the gem fiasco. The tomb was a popular display until its closure due to some unforeseen circumstances, the exact reasons unknown. But the killings and the rumored curse returned with the tomb’s opening. How will Pendergast solve this case and stop his brother when he is locked in a cell?
8. The Wheel of Darkness (2007)
After the previous events, Pendergast seeks a break to recoup from the world of murderers and victims. He and his ward Constance Greene go to Tibet to study martial arts and sciences.
But it’s impossible for Pendergast to have a break when his work follows him everywhere. In the monastery, a very special but risky artifact, guarded for decades, has been stolen. When the monks ask Pendergast for help, he agrees and takes responsibility for finding the artifact. The investigation leads them to Britannia, where they aim for the ultimate thief. A relaxation trip turns into a full-fledged mystery case.
9. Cemetery Dance (2009)
Nora Kelly, the archaeologist at the New York Museum of the Natural History, and her husband, Willam Smithback, the New York Times reporter, live in the Upper West Side apartment. But one day, when Nora reaches the crime scene, she finds William brutally attacked and killed in the apartment.
According to the camera surveillance and eyewitnesses, the attacker was their neighbor Colin Fearing. But when looked upon, he was reported dead two weeks before the crime scene. Pendergast and D’Agosta together start their journey to find the murderer. The path to the truth leads them to a dangerous cult and many other secrets they never ever imagined.
10. Fever Dream (2010)
It’s the first book of Helen’s trilogy and takes the readers on a personal journey of the FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast. Pendergast wife died in a tragic accident 12 years ago in Africa, and he still mourns his beloved wife. But recently, he discovers that his wife, Helen, was murdered.
It was a planned murder, and Pendergast starts to dig the history deeper to learn the truth behind this case. Further investigation reveals many secrets his wife had kept hidden from him. Now Pendergast is wondering if he really knew his wife. And why was Helen murdered, and by whom?
- Cold Vengeance (2011)
- Two Graves (2012)
- White Fire (2013)
- Blue Labyrinth (2014)
- Crimson Shore (2015)
- The Obsidian Chamber (2016)
- City of Endless Night (2018)
- Verses For the Dead (2018)
- Crooked River (2020)
- Bloodless (2021)
- The Cabinet Of Dr. Leng (2023)
Conclusion
Few authors leave a mark on the mind of the readers with their extraordinary storytelling and writing. The Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is definitely one of them.
As a part of the book community, the series deserves the praise it has received over the years. There’s more to come in the series, leaving us anticipating and awaiting the next arrival!
I hope this article has helped you to choose the books to read from this series. Or have you already read the whole series? If you have, which of them did you like the most? Do share your views in the comments box below. I will be more than delighted to read your views.