One of the more sensible stories Preston and Child have written until you get to the episode of a conversation the FBI agent envisions of the past. Otherwise the book tidies up the motives and explains why the events occur almost 150 years later. It also makes one wonder what our ancestors have left us and what we are leaving our future generations

I could not put the book down. Loved it. As always, great historical research.....Oscar Wilde, Aspern Hall, early mining and environmental issues and more. And of course, that wonderful character, Special Agent Pendergast.

Not well written, "by-product of grief” is a real clunker (among many). Pendergast seems so gaunt, so pale, as to seem a ghost. He has too many powers, too many tools in his beautifully tailored coat. The books are TOO LONG. But the exotic locations, the odd sidekicks, convoluted plots keep drawing me back.

This book was definitely suspenseful and enjoyable. Good mystery like all Pendergast novels are, book was informative too I learned a few things. However, the book at some points had an air of Hollywood cheese which was surely disappointing. All in all this book is worth reading, it is definitely not the best offering by Preston and Child though.

Horrible! The plot is ridiculous and characters so shallow and poorly written as to be a caricatures (Aloysius Pendergast--silver-eyed, independently wealthy, superbly refined (!!!) FBI agent with apparently no official duties). The scene where he is "transported" to the past to witness a conversation is down right stupid. Never again will I reach for Preston and child (sic).

Competently written but reads like a TV movie script. A book you will forget the day after you have read it.

the Doyle parts were entertaining and i enjoyed Pendergast, but Corrie is one of the least likable characters i've come across in a long time. this one was a struggle to get through

Whenever you enter the world of Aloysius Pendergast, you must leave your disbelief at the door. Once you do, you are in for a great adventure. Not one of Preston & Child's very best, compared to The Cabinet of Curiosities, for example. Still intriguing, suspenseful and fun. A great mix of past and present. Oscar Wilde's conversation with Conan Doyle is brilliant.

I enjoyed it. It does follow the same pattern as most of Preston and Child's thrillers. If you liked their other novels, you'll probably like this one.

"Special Agent Pendergast investigates after a woman is thrown in jail by the owners of a spa resort located on the site of unsolved murders in this new novel from the best-selling authors of Two Graves." Thrillers and Suspense January 2014 newsletter http://www.libraryaware.com/996/NewsletterIssues/ViewIssue/9d1abd28-fe56-4c29-b409-8b56b44bb8d0?postId=0cd57d31-6760-4fa5-bcc9-d2d17c5ffb41