I've been reading this series from the very beginning, so my opinions are a blend of what I think about this particular book and how I feel it fits into the overall Pendergast world. I've missed the partnership between Pendergast and D'Agosta, his old friend from New York.  Pendergast needs someone from the "normal" world to play off of and to keep him from going too far off the deep end. Agent Coldmoon is a good substitute, I think his character adds to the dynamics of the story. I'm enjoying the discreet mysteries, there were so many books tied to the arc of Pendergast's past, his wife, that I missed the smaller cases where there was resolution. That being said, this mystery is a doozy! Mild spoilers here... having the antagonist be a vampire would have been less outlandish than what was really going on!

I was truly surprised and confounded by this mystery. Preston and Child really went out there this time. It's impossible to talk about what truly happened to the bloodless bodies without ruining it, but summer in the South has a whole new meaning! I'm going to be honest about what eventually happens to Constance, she has never been a character I liked or enjoyed having in the books. If she never comes back, I'd be just fine.  This was a great addition the world of weird, I'm so happy these books keep coming out year after year!