Average Rating: 
Rating:  - intelligent thriller, great settings and characters
This is the first book I've read by this writing team, though it will not be my last. Preston and Child work well together, and I'm interested in reading their solo work as well. In this not-quite-contemporary setting (only one person has a cell phone, for instance), New Orleans FBI Special Agent Pendergast is inexplicably interested in the recent discovery of a charnel beneath a New York construction site. He builds a team of assistants: Nora Kelly, Utahan archaeologist determined to make a go of her once-in-a-lifetime chance at working at the world's greatest natural history museum; William Smithback, reporter aching for a Pulitzer (and a suit worthy of the acceptance ceremony); Patrick O'Shaughnessy, a sergeant in the NY Police Department, fifth generation cop at the mercy of a cruel and petty precinct captain; Proctor, his invisible and indispensable chauffeur. These main characters, excepting Proctor, are well fleshed out and engaging, while Pendergast himself is an intriguing variant on the Sherlock Holmes-style detective. (These characters appear in other books by the same authors.) A healthy field of minor characters are also three-dimensional. Settings are vivid and evocative. Dialogue flows naturally. And bonus -- I even learned a little about urban archaeology and the scientific/fantastical collections of the title. Very well done. I'm anxious to read more from these authors and to read more about these characters. If you are interested in an intelligent thriller rooted in NYC history, you will probably enjoy this too. If you like Caleb Carr, Iain Pears or Jack Finney, you will likely appreciate this masterful and gripping mystery.
Rating: - well written and fast paced
I am a huge fan of books with a historical basis. On the same coin I am also very critical of these books. This makes me very picky in the books I chose to read and the ones I actually finish. Once again, Douglas Preston and Lincoln child did not dissapoint. This book is a perfect mix of museum intrigue, suspense, and horror all against a rich backdrop of 19th century New York. Their attention to detail is key to making the fantastic story seem possible. In addition, Preston and Child do an excellent job of writing women. They do not fall into the trap of describing female characters in terms of her long legs and breast size that seems so typical in these sort of novels. Nora Kelly, first introduced in Thunderhead, is a believable woman and museum professional. I think female readers will appreciate this apparently unique view in a male dominated genre. The book left me with only one pressing question: When is the next one coming out???? Pendergrast fans will love this book. Make sure to read the alternate ending posted on the official webpage:
Rating: - F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C
Preston & Child put their heads together again and come up with a real winner. Cabinet of Curiosities brings back characters (Prendergast; Kelly, and Smithback)and settings (NYC) from previous books and set them hunting for a serial killer who appears to be still active after over 100 years. After discovering 36 brutally murdered victims, walled up in an old coal tunnel for over 100 years, the search leads them from the dusty Archives of the Museum, to an abandoned mansion on the Hudson River, all brought to life in vivid detail. Even as their search progresses, a rash of "copycat" murders occur, terrorizing the city of New York and lending urgency to solving the case. Those who have read previous books by these authors will especially enjoy getting to know and understand the incredibly intelligent and mysterious Prendergast better. The plot is fast moving and engaging through the first 3/4 of the story. But get ready for the end of the book, where the plot takes an unexpected turn. You won't be able to put it down once you reach this stage! Be prepared to stay up all night with this book!
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