Normally the Pendergast novels grab me violently from the get-go, but this one not-so-much. Actually, to be honest I was a little annoyed at the beginning chapters. It blew my mind that the authors of these books seemed to be scrapping the bottom of the barrel on the intro portion setting up the story. However, as time progressed in the novel things began coming into place with better story-telling. For a second, I thought I was going to have to close the book up if the story kept unfolding with that caliber of writing. I won't go into details for fear of spoiling the plot setter, but two events happen back to back that are very un-Pendergast worthy. I am glad however that the story picked up and ended with a bang, and now of course I'm looking forward to the next follow-up novel. Don't ruin the beginning again fellas!