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Crooked River

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Crooked River

Written by: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Jefferson Mays
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From #1 New York Times bestselling authors Preston & Child, Agent Pendergast is faced with the most inexplicable challenge of his career when severed feet are found floating in the Gulf of Mexico.

A startling crime with dozens of victims.

To the horror of the quiet resort town of Sanibel Island, Florida, dozens of shoes wash up on the tropical beach—each one with a crudely severed human foot inside.

A ghastly enigma with no apparent solution.

Called away from vacation, Agent Pendergast reluctantly agrees to visit the crime scene and is quickly drawn in by the incomprehensible puzzle. An early pathology report only adds to the mystery. He desperately needs to know: are the victims still alive?

A worthy challenge for a brilliant mind.

Through shocking twists and turns, all trails lead back to a powerful adversary with a sadistic agenda and who—in a cruel irony—ultimately sees in Pendergast the ideal subject for their malevolent research. Crime Fiction Horror Mystery Police Procedural Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Paranormal Fiction Crime Scary Exciting Career

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What the critics say

Praise for CROOKED RIVER
"Exciting. Nail-biting. Quality storytelling."—Publishers Weekly
"[An] action-filled adventure [...] There is plenty of suspense, and the action gets bloody. Great storytelling, a quirky hero, and a quirkier plot make this a winner for adventure fans."—Kirkus
"Preston and Child know how to craft compelling stories that are both baffling and surprising. The cast of characters feels authentic and moves the story forward in unexpected ways.... the authors are masters of the procedural with a gothic flair."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Associated Press
"[Pendergast] still remains the most charming, intelligent, cool, and creepy agent ever written...Read this. As fast as possible. Preston & Child have once again created the unimaginable and you just can't miss it!"—Suspense Magazine
"Agent Pendergast is back and better than ever."—The Real Book Spy
"Red herrings and dead ends abound in this especially intricately plotted entry in the Pendergast series, which is also noteworthy (as usual) for its finely drawn characters and its writing style, which overlays contemporary storytelling with a light ornate flavoring."—Booklist
"The best mystery series going today. Preston and Child display a true masters' touch. This is riveting reading entertainment of the highest order."—Providence Journal
"Fast moving and [...] tense. . . Crooked River is another great entry in this series. Preston and Child keep them coming, don't they?"—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}New York Journal of Books
"Crooked River by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child combines a sinister global threat, a mystery suing modern medical science, and a powerful, sadistic antagonist. Who better than to combat these but unorthodox FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast...This compelling story moves forward in unexpected ways. Readers will enjoy going on a journey with Pendergast and company."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}Crimespree
"CROOKED RIVER is worth the price of admission, and Preston & Child find themselves with another surefire hit on their hands."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}Bookreporter
"An incredible adventure."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}NJ.com

Continue the series
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All stars
Most Relevant
I have been a fan of the Agent Pendergast books from the beginning and disappointed when Preston & Child seemed to have left him by the wayside while producing less intriguing stories. So, when Crooked River became available on Audible, I jumped at the chance to listen. And, I was not disappointed: A typically mysterious and captivating adventure with the agent and a cast of the usual and new characters, all intriguing. It is so sad that the very talented Rene Auberjonois passed away in 2019 and I wondered how this latest Pendergast story would fare without that constant and marvelous voice who brought the books to life. Needless to say, I was duly surprised and pleased that Jefferson Mays replaced Mr. Auberjonois with a superb narration that surprisingly sounds much like his predecessor. All in all, I recommend Crooked River to Audible listeners and look forward to more Pendergast adventures.

Happy that Pendergast is back.

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This is a very good series but the authors have GOT to stop killing dogs! What is up with that? Are they cat people? Whatever the reason, they might consider that some readers will absolutely revile a story where the dog dies.

There’s just one thing…

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As an avid fan of Preston and Child, I instantly bought this audiobook when it released. I was not disappointed. I was gripped from the first chapter and couldn’t stop listening until the the end. I love the addition of Cold Moon and Constance Greene in the story. Highly recommend!!!

Couldn’t Stop Listening

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From the 1st paragraph the authors have a firm grasp on the listener. The research and the maticulous construct keeps the listener longing for what's to come & one is never disappointed.
Once again AE Pendegrast goes where nobody else is willing to.
Peering around the edges of the investigation to see what no one else does.

absolutely riveting

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I just didn’t find this novel as engaging as the others. The subplot of the haunted house was just too predictable which is not something I’ve found in other Pendergast tales. I must admit I am still looking for the story of Constance Green’s emergence from the basement and becoming Pendergast’s ward.

Enjoyable but not their best

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