Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
1/27/26; 384 pages
Grand Central Publishing
Pendergast Series #23
Pendergast: The Beginning by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is the very highly recommended investigative thriller It is the origin story of Agent A. X. L. Pendergast and the 23rd novel in the series featuring him. Those following the long-time series will want to read this account of his first case as a rookie while anyone who wants to start the series will enjoy this introductory novel.
Special Agent Dwight Chambers of the New Orleans Field Office is grieving and spiraling into depression after his wife's death. When he returns to work, Chambers is dismayed to find himself assigned to mentor brand new FBI Agent Pendergast. The two find themselves banished from the office after Pendergast pulls a brilliant coup that exposes corruption. They are encouraged to find an obscure case to work on and Pendergast has just the case: a man in Mississippi found dead missing his right arm. The case soon spirals into something more that indicates a serial killer is at work.
As expected, it features a fast-paced, well written, intricate, interesting, and compelling plot. Those new to the series can easily enjoy this beginning story without having any previous knowledge of the characters. Yes, it is a Pendergast story, but it is also an exceptional investigative thriller. This story is set in 1994, when computers and other technological advances were relatively basic compared to today.
The plot will be exactly what fans of Preston and Child expect to encounter while simultaneously encountering a young agent Pendergast. Much of his personality is present here, including his extraordinary intelligence and maverick methods, but this is before his well-developed and legendary lore. Fans will certainly recognize the early Pendergast and be pleased to see the early story of Proctor. Also included is a tie in to Relic, the first novel Pendergast was in as a character.
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