Summary

I loved Pendergast's stories and read from Relic to White Fire, 7 in all. In addition I read the author's other 6 books as well. When reading those books, I gave the authors benefits of the doubt on the special ability and mysticism of Pendergast. In White Fire, the story was in fact one the authors' best in mho. The pace was constantly moving; the events were realistic (greedy developers; mercury poisoning, veteran challenges, Pendergast's deductions) other than meeting between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Oscar Wilde. With that said, like all writers, they do not own a bottomless well of fresh ideas. Relative to other "very seasoned" writers, Preston & Child books remain engaging for new or faithful fans, in mho. May I ask what other writers preserve their "fine" standard better? Lastly, we may not love the self centered young woman who did not fit a heroine pedigree ... and that was part of the essential story line to bring on Pendergast's involvement etc. Further, there are plenty of such "ungrateful" people around us.