Fever Dream

Written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Narrated by Rene Auberjonois

Yesterday, Special Agent Pendergast still mourned the loss of his beloved wife, Helen, who died in a tragic accident in Africa twelve years ago.

Today, he discovers she was murdered.

Tomorrow, he will learn her most guarded secrets, leaving him to wonder: Who was the woman I married? Why was she murdered? And, above all . . . Who murdered her?

FEVER DREAM

Revenge is not sweet: It is essential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette Audio
• Release date: May 11, 2010
• ISBN: 9781607881933

Douglas Preston

Douglas Preston writes about archaeology for the New Yorker and National Geographic magazines, as well as novels and nonfiction works (such as The Lost City of the Monkey God). With Lincoln Child, he writes international #1 bestselling thrillers, including the Agent Pendergast adventures.

Reviews for Fever Dream

[csdaley-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It pains me to say this but I might be dine with the series. This book was in trouble from the start. I didn't even buy the mystery. I have struggled through the last few books. I will probably give it one more but it had better be good.

[ristoz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertraining, unbelievable.

[khiemstra631 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Special Agent Pendergast has returned! The action is mostly in Louisiana this time with a brief foray to Africa and a few points in-between. The catalyst is the revelation that Pendergast's late wife, Helen, did not die strictly as a result of an attack by a lion, but was instead murdered. Vincent D'Agosta and Laura Hayward both make their way to Louisiana to help with the ensuing investigation. That anyone lives until the end of the novel is a miracle. These characters have way more lives than the average cat. Unfortunately, at the end of the book, the perpetrator of the crimes is still on the loose, and Pendergast is prepared to walk into his lair. Watch out, Aloysius! There's also a side story here about Pendergast's ward Constance Green that doesn't really seem to fit in with the main plot at all. I suspect we will hear more on that front, too.

[jeffv_19 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first of a three-book story arc that I had inadvertently read backwards. Starting with a flashback 12 years prior, we witness the death of Helen Esterhazy Pendergast at the jaws of a lion while on safari in Africa. Taken at face value as a horrible accident, back in present day the widower Aloysius Pendergast discovers that his wife was the target of a very elaborate murder plot. What seemed like a academic obsession with the 19th century artist James Audubon, Helen had more skeletons in her closet than in her grave. What follows is an exciting chase through bayou country as a medical mystery...and powerful people with a vested interest keeping it so, begins to emerge. The story directly feeds into the next book, Cold Vengeance.

[karenrinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my first book by Preston and Child but it won't be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, story line, and attention to detail. While there wasn't a whole lot of tension in the book, there was definitely intrigue from the unique twists within the storyline. The attention to detail for both the main character and side kick was appreciated and keeps me wanting to learn more about the back story from pervious books.

[meredy_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Six-word review: Pendergast page-turner without monster chase.Extended review:The tenth Special Agent Pendergast novel begins a second trilogy, "the Helen trilogy," with Pendergast's staggering discovery that his wife's death in Africa twelve years previously had been no accident. Now he trains his full range of powers on tracking and punishing those responsible for her murder. His ability to penetrate deep mysteries is as remarkable as his resourcefulness and raw nerve in tackling an adversary directly. In the process of his investigation, considerable collateral damage occurs.Despite the Louisiana setting, two of his very appealing collaborators return: NYPD officers Lieutenant Vince D'Agosta and Captain Laura Hayward, the latter unwillingly. I must note with interest, however, that there is only one brief dive into a sub-basement archive, and there are no signs of a supernatural presence, an unnatural monstrosity lurking in some subterranean hall of horrors, a hallucinating madman, or a deadly pursuit through underground tunnels. To me that's very much like a breath of fresh air, even if it is the stifling, mosquito-laden air of trackless swamps and bayous.Unlike most of the others in the Pendergast series, this novel does not stand alone. Even the Diogenes trilogy, it seemed to me, could be read with sufficient comprehension by someone who hadn't followed Pendergast from the beginning. But here there are loose ends both fore and aft. For instance, Constance Greene's strange behavior and bizarre backstory would seem to come out of nowhere and be related to nothing if we hadn't followed along from the third in the series, Cabinet of Curiosities, onward. And it's plain at the ending that the story is far from complete; despite major revelations and several deaths, there is much unfinished business.The Preston-Child collaborations have the virtue of being complex without being too intellectually demanding. We may at times need a strong stomach, and if we want to follow the development we have to pay attention, but in time it will all be laid out for us without any need to interpret language or penetrate symbolism. For me in certain moods, they're an ideal escape.

[csweder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The latest Pendergast book is dripping with dramatic irony--we know something that the agent himself doesn't know.

In this novel, he learns that his long-dead wife was murdered in an extensive plot. It wasn't just a horrific hunting accident.

All bets are off and there is no cost too high for the agent to find out his wife's killer...and about a secret part of her life that he knew nothing of.

[highlander6022 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fascinating plot (somewhat far-fetched but plausible); good detective story. Keeps your interest vividly. I started reading the second in the three-volume series not knowing there were three. Put second volume down, found first one at library. What a difference having read the first one makes in the context of knowing the back stories of the characters, even though theoretically the second book is claimed by the authors to be able to stand on its own.

[dlmorrese · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is another murder mystery whodunit in the series following FBI special agent Pendergast. The victim in this one is Pendergast's wife. I don't consider that a spoiler because it happens on page 21. As with all of the previous books in the series, this is a real page turner. It's a fun read and for that it gets four stars. There are no real insights being shared and I get the impression the book is written to a formula. But the formula works and there are certainly worse ways of spending an evening.

[jefware · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pendergast, d'agosta and Hayword track down the killers of Pendergats' wife. Explores creativity, swamps and bio-tech.

[ectopicbrain · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Agent Prenderast is not as compelling in this story as previous books.

[ken1952 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This tenth Pendergast is great! Loved the Louisiana setting. A bit more is revealed about the lovely but mysterious Constance Greene. Looking forward to 11 and 12 in this fascinating series.

[alexlux_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the Pendergast books. Especially the ones where we learn about Pendergast or his past. As far as in the series, this is one of the better ones. The only problem is that I figured things out a little early and the book lagged when I had to wait for the characters to catch up. Otherwise it was brilliant.

[monica67_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pendergast's latest adventure cuts closer to home for him than ever before when he realizes that his wife, dead for twelve years, was murdered. Pendergast came closer to despair and shock than we've ever witnessed, and I believe he was closer to becoming unhinged as well. In fact, I think he crossed some lines he hadn't crossed before. I found it fascinating to see these new sides of Pendergast. He continues to intrigue me as a character. The side story on Constance was curious, but after a while it became clear it was setup for the following story (which I'm already reading!).

[donnab317 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

YEAH! SA Pendergast kicking butt and taking names! If you're a fan - this is just fabulous. If you're not a fan - you will be.

[sharrona_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tense story, open ending leading to the next book. Glad I didn't read this one until I had COLD VENGEANCE in hand! I like the way these two authors write together, seamlessly, and their development of strong continuing characters. In this story, Laura Haywood took a giant step from "Pendergast detractor" to "Pendergast fan," and it scared her! Wishing a quick & total recovery to Vince D'Agosta!

[senorag163 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story opens with Special Agent Pendergast and his beloved wife Helen on safari in Africa where Helen was mauled and killed by a lion. We have heard bits and pieces of Helen in other books but we never really knew the whole story other than she had died. Now we find out all the details. Pendergast enlists the help of another old friend, Vincent D'Agosta to help him get to the bottom of things.I loved this book! I love all the books in the Pendergast series but some touch me more than others and this was one of those. In all the years I have been reading and cheering Pendergast on, I have always wondered about Helen, how they met, what happened to her and why he doesn't like to talk about her. In this book we see that "soft" side of Pendergast. Of course he is still following his own rules and doing things his own way which is why we love him isn't it?I enjoy the comaraderie between the police liutenant, D'Agosta and the FBI agent, Pendergast. We see a heated and at times comical interaction with Laura Haywood, D'Agosta's girlfriend and Pendergast, who she is not fond of. We have the classic cliffhangers of Preston and Child that make us want the next book right now. As in most books in the series, there are stories within stories and never a dull moment. The book moves along at a quick pace and holds your interest from page one.While they say the books can be read as stand alone books, I feel that knowing the characters and the back stories always make them a more enjoyable read. I don't think I would start with this one if you haven't read the others but that is just my opinion.

[everfresh1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good pace, good plot, will be looking for the next books of this thrilogy. It does seem that writers' style became more commercial though - this book is definitely written with Hollywood in mind.

[rdurant1217 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a fan of the Pendergast series since the beginning, I was not the biggest fan of the last Pendergast trilogy featuring his ward Constance. Thankfully, this first book in the most recent series is solid. It's not the best Pendergast, but it's far from the worst and I have high hopes for the rest of the series. I just hope Preston and Child don't stretch themselves too thin like some other authors with series have done and I hope the work doesn't suffer.

[susegordon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Agent Pendergrast realizes 12 years later that his wife was murdered. What follows is his re-tracing her footsteps both before and during their marriage, finding out that he really didn't know her as well as he thought. Lt. D'Agosta and even Captain Laura Hayward, help him discover the secrets leading to the people behind his wife's death.

[elbakerone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have done it again. Fever Dream marks their tenth thriller - holy cow! Is it really ten? Mental roll call: Relic, Reliquary, Cabinet, Still Life, Brimstone, Dance, Book of the Dead, Wheel, Cemetery... Definitely tenth! - featuring their Sherlock Holmes-esque hero Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast, and it is another great work.The latest adventure begins with a flashback set in Africa chronicling the events surrounding the death of Pendergast's wife Helen. Longtime Preston & Child fans will appreciate this glimpse into the secretive history of Agent Pendergast's past but there's little surprise to be found that evidence arises indicating what was once declared an accident may have actually been murder. In present day, the search for answers leads Pendergast and his frequent partner Vincent D'Agosta from New York to New Orleans to seek out the truth.Much like the previous Preston & Child collaborations, this action-oriented story blends sleuthing with science in an intelligent and multi-faceted mystery. Fever Dream is full of suspense and surprises and is definitely one of the best entries in the Pendergast series. As usual, the door has been left wide open for future adventures and in my opinion, the eleventh book can't come soon enough!

[eenerd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An awesome addition to the Agent Pendergast collection of books by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and actually this is my favorite so far. Pendergast's past begins to unfold to us a little as we are introduced to his wife and the scheme behind her demise. By a fluke of luck he finally sees that his wifes death was no accident, and the chase is on. A rollicking ride from the wilds of Africa to the bayoux of Louisiana and Mississippi. This time Pendergast will end up working alongside NYPD homicide detective Capt. Laura Hayward and they make a great duo. Many twists and turns, Pendergast is in fine form as he hunts down his wife's murderer and the complex tale unfolds.

[mpolino_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Preston and Child take us on another wild ride with Special Pendergast and Officer D'Agosta. Fever Dream moves beyond the last few connected novel and stands (mostly) on it's own. In a flashback we see Pendergast's wife killed and then move forward to 12 years to when he discovers it was murder. Fast paced, breathless and never disappointing, Fever Dream leaves just enough open loops to make you want the next book.

[pegswaney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pendergast & D"Agnosto try to find who & why P's wife was killed 12 years earlier by a lion.

[carolynmj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have enjoyed earlier books in the Pendergast series, but this one was so phoned in that I had the strong impression that I had read it before. If it were a movie, I would say that it was hammy and overacted. There were so many portentious and gloomy moments that it seemed like an old black and white horror/cliffhanger. I had to give up!!

[odkins · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't love this book. I listened to an audio version and one of the distractions was the failure of the producers to make sure the reader had the local pronuciations of words. Place names like picayune, bellechaise, New madrid, and dauphin were murdered. This however is a trifling issue one only a native of New orleans and resident of MO would pick out.The book reads like a first draft. The mystery doesn't unfold we are told the solution. Once Pendergast proclaims it....it's not clear why he doesn't solve it earlier in the book as he didn't have much more information at that than he did 100 pages earlier. I found Pendergast totally unbelievable. Why doesn't he ever have to report to the FBI? Of what use was D'Agosto? The beginning of the book is full of strands that don't go anywhere...the death of the crazy aunt, Helen's family having to leave their home in Massachusetts under mysterious circumstances,Monica Green. We aren't told that Hayward is a Louisiana native until the second half of the book, which is strange as so much is made of Pendergast's Louisiana background.I understand that this is part of a series, perhaps I picked one of the weakest to listen to first.

[bookshellz_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, absolutely GREAT book! I mostly read romance books, but I also really enjoy suspense thrillers. Fever Dream took me on a winding trail of suspense and intrigue. The twists and turns in this story were not expected and I marvel at the well thought out detail. I look forward to the "Gideon Crew" series coming in 2011.

[justjenniferreading · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was provided for review by Hachette Book Group. There were so many things going on in this one I don't even know where to start... It was such a good book. I can truly say that I didn't see anything coming. The characters were pretty good. Being that this was an audio book I didn't get the same connection to the characters that I do when I read the book myself. But they were well developed characters none the less. Pendergast was an odd person, and that's putting it lightly. I liked Hayward the most I think. She seemed to be the most level-headed.The story itself was fantastic. Right from the beginning the action starts and it doesn't really let up. Like I said it wasn't at all predictable. There were so many twists to the story that I was shocked by many of them. The twists weren't cheesy either. Each of them really added something to the story. It wasn't like they added a twist just for the sake of adding a twist. The narrator was great. Rene Auberjonois did a great job with this one. I loved his voice, even when I used to watch Deep Space Nine I always liked his character, his voice was soothing then. Again he is fairly well known, but I didn't "see" his known characters while he was reading. Again I LOVED this one. Although it was a little long I was kept drawn into the story the whole way!

[ganeshaka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about Special Agent Aloysius X.L. Pendergast's adventures, and I pray Preston and Child never get tired of inventing them. Fever Dream was every bit the summer escapism read I had hoped for. Although, I suppose, being transported to the sun-baked African bush, and the humid, cicada infested swamps of Louisiana was not, strictly speaking, an escape from this year's long hot Mid-Western summer. But somehow, I forgot about the humidity and dewpoints, entranced, as always, by Pendergast's cool. A new Pendergast novel is one of the few books I buy in hardcover. I hate to wait. I'm about at the point where I want to go back to the beginning of the series and re-read them all. To attain a Trekkie-like knowledge of Pendergast. I keep waiting for a movie? But I'm not too hopeful that Hollywood will ever find a Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce to incarnate Pendergast and D'Agosta. I can't think of any celebrity actor who could capture his uniqueness. It would need to be an unknown way out of left field, someone original like Jim Parsons, who plays Dr. Sheldon Cooper on Big Bang Theory - but a touch more macho. But who knows? One can dream. In any event, this episode in the on-going saga, concerning the murder of Pendergast's wife Helen, was completely up to the usual standards for the series: a compelling mystery, great local color, interesting historic tidbits, and a continuity with the past novels. Plus it left some interesting threads in the story to be addressed in the next novel, which will likely open at a hunting range in Scotland. My bags are packed.

[cmeilink_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book! I've always liked Agent Pendergast and appreciated his rather unique investigative approach, but this is probably the best Pendergast installment so far.12 years after the loss of his wife, Pendergast discovers that the lion attack that killed her while on safari in Africa was not an accident but a planned murder.The book is extremely well paced and very difficult to put down. I heartily recommend this book!