Rating: 
Summary: Another Good Thriller
Review: This is my third Preston/Child novel and I have not yet been dissapointed. The plot is imaginative and the characters unique and interesting. This story is something of a horror/murder mystery/supernatural combination. Although it is not exceptionally scary, it does intrigue the reader. I found the prose in this novel better constructed than in the previous books by these authors. There are several earlier works that I plan to read by the Preston/Child duo. I am sure I won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Curiously saddened........
Review: Relic is one of my top ten all time favorite books. While I have felt Preston and Child's subsequent output to be consistent, none of it had the giddy excitement of the Relic's twists and turns, and I was just plain disgusted by Reliquary; it seemed a way to cash in on Relic's enormous popularity. Pendergast is my favorite character, followed closely by D'Agosta, the stolid New York cop. I found myself almost distressed in this book to find out more of Pendergast's past and HOW he does what he does; I much preferred the character as something of a mystery, with occasional tantalizing tidbits of information. Cabinet of Curiosities is an engrossing read, and definitely their best since the Relic; the Museum setting seems to bring out the best in the authors. I suggest it highly as summer reading, but regretfully say that the characters seem wooden and contrived, even the well-known trio of Kelly, Smithback and Pendergast. (In a nice moment, we find out the wherebouts of Margo and D'Agosta.)
Rating:
Summary: absolutely fabulous!
Review: A real page-turner! Didn't want it to end. Just the latest in a long series of books from this duo. Loved them all! Mixes the past with the present in a fascinating fashion that holds you to the very end. A must read for fans of Lincoln Rhymes, CSI, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Success!
Review: Preston and Child have scored yet another winner here. This is the authors' third novel featuring Special Agent Pendergast, one of the most fascinating modern literary characters ever created. THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES brilliantly combines serial killings past and present with New York City history, forensic science, archeology, and strong, interesting characters. It's the type of novel that will keep you up reading late into the night. The story is so complex and captivating that it will keep you guessing until the very last page. If you have never read any other Preston and Child novels, here would be a great place to start. I'm sure once you read this one you'll be eager to go back to where it all began. The authors first two novels, RELIC and RELIQUARY, introduced two of the major characters found in this novel. Another major character, Nora Kelly, was introduced in THUNDERHEAD, yet another novel you won't want to miss. I highly recommend THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES as well as any other novel written by these very talented authors. In my opinion they are two of the most underrated authors out there. I don't believe that that will always be the case!
Rating:
Summary: Enthralling Scientific Thriller
Review: "Dr. Kelly, are you familiar with the term 'cabinet of curiosities'?" Nora wondered at the man's ability to pile on non sequiturs. "Wasn't it a kind of natural history collection?" "Precisely. It was the precursor to the natural history museum. Many educated gentlemen of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries collected strange artifacts while roaming the globe -- fossils, bones, shrunken heads, stuffed birds, that sort of thing. Originally, they simply displayed these artifacts in cabinets, for the amusement of their friends. Later --- when it became clear people would pay money to visit them -- some of these cabinets of curiosities grew into commercial enterprises. They still called them 'cabinets of curiosities' even thought he collections filled many rooms." "What does this have to do with the murders?..."
(Taken from Part One, Chapter 8) To describe this book as magnificent would be a gross understatement. Preston and Childs' latest thriller is engaging, (to say the least), diabolical and exquisitely written. Definitely not pleasure reading for the faint of heart! New construction of a Manhattan skyscraper is delayed when the excavation crew unexpectedly discovers a 19th century tunnel holding 36 skeletal remains. Immediately after the discovery is made, Dr. Nora Kelly, an archeologist and curator at the Museum of Natural History, is visited by a mysterious, refined and seemingly wealthy FBI agent named Pendergast who takes an unusual interest in the remains. Dr. Kelly reluctantly joins Special Agent Pendergast for an unofficial examination of the site, and together they make a startling discovery...a clue has been left behind by one of the victims that proves to be an important piece of information in the search for the perpetrator of this hideous crime. The pair also discover that the remains are seemingly connected with a 19th century cabinet of curiosities, a display of eccentric and unusual oddities collected by wealthy men from their global travels. Pendergast, Kelly and New York Times reporter Bill Smithback begin to investigate diligently, only to spur what appears to be a series of copycat serial killings in Manhattan. Time is running out as the 19th century killings parallel, and recklessly converge with the modern day serial killings. Preston and Childs have authored a masterful scientific thriller, expertly weaving 19th century and modern day New York storylines. THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES is a riveting page turner that delivers relentless action and memorable characters. Against the backdrop of murder, greed and the quest for immortality, this writing duo has produced a solid addition to their increasing string of literary successes. A must for Michael Crichton fans! Enjoy,
Cris Cunningham
Rating:
Summary: They have done it again
Review: I can't get enough of these guys. Agent Pendergast is my favorite character ever and I am happy to see his return. Just like RIPTIDE and THE ICE LIMIT, Mr. Preston and Mr. Child have created yet another perfect scientific thriller in this book. This book grabs your attention from the very first page, and never let's it go. I have yet to read any other author(s) who can so thoroughly involve me in the characters and the plot. This story involves murders that occured over a hundred and thirty years ago, and murders that are occuring today which somehow seem to be linked to the same serial killer. The investigation points to a mysterious physician who practiced his craft over a century ago, and who carried out experiments on living human beings. This book unites three of their best characters from their previous books, Agent Pendergast, Bill Smithback and Nora Kelly. If you have enjoyed any Preston/Child book in the past, then you will definitely enjoy this one as well. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone - from anyone that is new to Mr. Preston and Mr. Childs works, to their most avid fans.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: This is the first book I have read by Preston and Child, and , after reading "The Cabinet of Curiosities," I can assure you that I will seek out each and every one of their books. They make an amazing pair, bringing startling depth to the characters in this book. Description is very vivid, and I was unable to put this book down after I picked it up. The story centers around the characters of Nora Kelly, a curator at the New York Natural History Museum, William Smithback, Jr., a reporter for the New York times, FBI Special Agent Pendergast, and a New York policeman, Patrick O'Shaughnessy, in their search for a serial kller who is stalking the streets of New York City, slaughtering people in a frighteningly precise and meticulous way. Curiously, the same types of murders had occurred a century before. It couldn't possibly be the same man...could it? Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Long-awaited third in the series
Review: I love this series and hope there will be more. As always I found the setting of the New York Museum of Natural History engrossing. The character of Pendergast is one of my favorites. Hopefully in the next book he will be a little less "alone." Recommend the first and second books of the series "The Relic" and "The Relinquary,
Rating:
Summary: A satisfying and pleasurable "read"!
Review: Preston and Child have done it again! "The Cabinet of Curiosities" is a wonderful story with familar characters and rich content. P & C have brought back archeologist/museum researcher Nora Kelly, journalist Bill Smithback, and FBI Special Agent Pendergast to try and solve a series of serial killings that may have started as long ago as 130 years. P&C provide the protagionists (and the reader) with a variety of clues along the way as the threesome try and decide if it is a "copycat" killer who's reponsible for the murders or a century-old scientist who may have discovered the secret to prolonging human life. There's the usual amount of suspense and gore along the way, but not to the point of being gratuitous! Plenty of "medical-speak" that P&C books are noted for is present and the word pictures that P&C use to describe the "cabinets of curiosities" (precursors to the first museums in the 1800's) that our protagonists discover along the way are absolutely riveting! The "on/off again" romance between Nora and Smithback adds some spark to their relationship and Agent Pendergast is his usual mysterious self. His character is given even greater depth in "TCoC" and we find out a great deal more about his past in this book. (By the way, look for Pendergast to star in the next P&C novel tentatively titled, "Still Life With Crows" scheduled for a summer 2003 release.) Plot twists abound, although "TCoC" is a little more straightforward in it's march to it's finale. The ending may leave some readers feeling a little dissatisfied, yet this writer felt it was a appropriate way to finish the novel. (After finishing the book, some readers may wish to check out the alternate ending that P&C have created for the book found at their website, prestonchild.com) If you're a fan of the P&C books, you'll in for a real treat with "TCoC". If you're new to these two terrific writers, I suggest you start with their first (and still probably their best) book, "Relic". Either way you can't go wrong!
Rating:
Summary: F*A*N*T*A*S*T*I*C
Review: 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!
| 
