Oh boy, oh, boy, oh boy! Once a year, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child make it possible for readers to escape into the dangerous and eerie world of Special Agent Aloysuis Pendergast, a highly unorthodox FBI agent who specializes in unusual cases. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know I’m crazy-mad about this series and, most especially, Pendergast. Needless to say, I devoured the latest release, Bloodless. The only down side of finishing this enthralling book is now I have to wait a year until a new release!
BOOK BLURB:
Agent Pendergast faces his most unexpected challenge yet when bloodless bodies begin to appear in Savannah, GA, in this installment of a #1 New York Times bestselling series.
A fabulous heist:
On the evening of November 24, 1971, D. B. Cooper hijacked Flight 305—Portland to Seattle—with a fake bomb, collected a ransom of $200,000, and then parachuted from the rear of the plane, disappearing into the night…and into history.
A brutal crime steeped in legend and malevolence:
Fifty years later, Agent Pendergast takes on a bizarre and gruesome case: in the ghost-haunted city of Savannah, Georgia, bodies are found with no blood left in their veins—sowing panic and reviving whispered tales of the infamous Savannah Vampire.
A case like no other:
As the mystery rises along with the body count, Pendergast and his partner, Agent Coldmoon, race to understand how—or if—these murders are connected to the only unsolved skyjacking in American history. Together, they uncover not just the answer…but an unearthly evil beyond all imagining.
MY REVIEW:
Combining the mystery of D. B. Cooper with a series of odd murders in which the victims are drained of blood? Only Preston & Child could pull off a plot like that, and they do it exceptionally well in the twentieth outing for FBI Special Agent Aloysius X. L. Pendergast. If you’ve never read a Pendergast novel, Bloodless is written in such a way that you can go into it fresh without worrying about what came before.
Pendergast and his sometimes partner, Coldmoon, are diverted to Savannah, Georgia, accompanied by Pendergast’s ward, Constance Greene. Call me a happy camper as other than Corrie Swanson (who now stars with Nora Kelly in their own series), Coldmoon and Constance are my favorite supporting characters.
The haunted setting is perfect for a story that includes an unethical ghost-hunting reality TV host, a slimy politician, and an eccentric wealthy woman who lives in isolation on the upper floor of a luxury hotel. There’s also a collection of local law enforcement for Pendergast and Coldmoon to interact with. I particularly loved Delaplane, the Savannah commander who gets to shine in her own right.
The book starts out with a slow build of eerie killings, then explodes in the last half as all hell breaks loose. The story is so different than any that have preceded it—downright bizarre—I had to pause for a day to examine how I felt about it. I stayed up reading past bedtime on a work night just because I had to know how it ended.
It’s near impossible to put the book down once the action really kicks in and pieces begin to slot into place. The pace is frantic, and the descriptions vividly portrayed. This is another five-star read in a series that never grows stale and features one of the most unique characters in modern fiction. I can’t wait for the next Pendergast adventure—especially with the hint provided in the closing chapter of what is to come. One of my top reads of 2021!
Right from the start, I could tell you loved this book. 😉 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mae!
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LOL, I tend to go into fan girl mode when it comes to Pendergast, Jill.
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Yourself and Marcia got me hooked on this series. I’ve yet to get to Bloodless, but it sounds enthralling. Great review, Mae, and thanks for sharing 🙂
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You’re going to love it, Harmony. It’s a complete story but it’s also a set up for what I’m hearing is a three-book trilogy within the series.
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And a fine job we did of it, too, Harmony! Glad to have you aboard as a confirmed Penderpal, who knows a great character when she meets one! 😀 I’m planning to start this tonight, if all goes well, and it’s about time! I’ve missed A.X.L. hugely! 😀 And … tada … I’ve got a signed hard copy coming soon, too! It will look great on my special Pendergast bookshelf. 😀 ❤
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😁💕
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Ah it’s a series. Would need to start at the beginning really so I’ll defer for now. (Also D.B.Cooper- actually was Loki 😀 )
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It’s easy to get hooked on this one, Fraggle. Someday I’m going to start at the beginning and read all 20 books over again!
D.B. Cooper was Loki?!? HA! I love that thought!! 🙂
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It’s true! I saw it in the series Marvel are doing on Loki, (who is actually Tom Hiddlestone- swoonfest 😀 )
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I thought maybe that was the case. I still have to catch up with the series, but I ADORE Loki (and Tom Hiddlestone). I’m right there with you on the swoonfest!
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Loki, Schmoki! *sticks out tongue, makes rude noises, and goes off chanting, “Thor, Thor, Thor, Thor!”* 😀 😀 😀
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LOL! I know you love that blond god of thunder, Marcia, but I’m firmly entrenched with Fraggle in Camp Loki! 😀
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I’ve never thought I’d be interested in this series, but you had me with D. B. Cooper. That mystery fascinates me. In fact, I’ve been watching (yet another) documentary where someone is trying to solve the mystery.
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I thought of you when I was reading it, Joan. I know how intrigued you are by the story of D.B. Cooper. The book opens with the heist. It is, however, a very bizarre story!
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I know you love this series. Nice to know you’re still hooked this far in.
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I’m such a fan girl it’s pathetic, LOL!
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Thanks for your thoughts here, Mae. It is nice to see someone love a series as you do. 😁
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Yep. These two authors have kept me enthralled with Pendergast for 20 books and counting!
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Wow.
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I was almost afraid to read the review, Mae, even though I KNOW you wouldn’t include any spoilers. Still, sometimes I don’t even want a hint of what’s happening, so I thought maybe I’d skip it. And then I caved! 😁
Great review, with nothing but intriguing info, and I’m SO happy you loved the book. I’d heard it was very different, and I was praying they hadn’t taken something that “ain’t broke” and “fixed it,” as the saying goes. YAY!
Planning to start this one tonight, if I’m not too tired by day’s end, and SO looking forward to getting a chance to spend some hours with A.X.L. again! Thanks for whetting my appetite, and for being such a great Penderpal! And here’s to one of the most original and entertaining characters ever created! I’ll drink (Earl Grey) to that! 🙂 ❤
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Heeheee. I thought of you as I was writing this, Marcia. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it. As for those reviews saying it’s very different–yep, that’s a big affirmative. But I loved it. And wait until you see what happens at the end!
Happy reading, PenderPal!
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I’m soooooo looking forward to this! Oh, how I’ve missed A.X.L. !! I don’t even know if I can wait for tonight to get started, though I would like to finish the book I’m on, first. Surely I can hold out until I do??? *goes off wondering if a little peek would hurt* 😂😂😂
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Whoa. This sounds like my kind of read, Mae. Need to run to Amazon to grab it. Thank you!
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Just requested from NetGalley instead. 😉
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Fingers crossed you can still get it from NG. It was released on 8/18.
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Sue, you would love this whole series. It’s right up your alley!
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Another great one! I ordered for my husband for his birthday 🥳. And if I have time, since we share kindle libraries, well… Wonderful review, Mae!
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LOL! I do hope you can squeeze it in, Tessa. It’s very different, but of course, it’s still Pendergast! 😀
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You’ve gushed over this series for a while now. If I ever catch up with reading, I should give one a try.
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You should, Craig. All the books are awesome. I’ve yet to introduce someone to the series that wasn’t immediately hooked. And I’ve converted a lot of readers, LOL
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A compelling review, Mae! And what a great recommendation from you. I will have to check this one out! Thank you for sharing!
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My pleasure, Jan. I’m crazy over-the-top about this character and series, and Bloodless is yet another excellent entry from Preston & Child.
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What a fantastic review Mae! I have this as well and I’m just trying to get ahead with a couple of more NetGalley reviews so I can dive into it.
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Woohoo! I can’t wait to see your review, Kim. This one is really pretty different, but still soooooo good!
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I love your reviews, but in all transparency, I love the kitten picture just as much 🙂
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LOL! Thanks, Sue. I’m pretty gone on that kitten picture, too 😉
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You had me with bloodless corpses. Had to buy this one! It sounds great!
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I’m doing a happy dance, Judi. I can’t wait to see what you think of it. The direction it took is different than anything Preston & Child have done before, but I loved it.
BTW, I finished Solstice Retribution. I so enjoyed visiting the gang from Muddy River again! I left my 5-star review on Amazon, but couldn’t find it on GR or BB. Just thought I’d mention it. 🙂
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I saw your review on Amazon. Thank you! It’s on Goodreads under my books, but Goodreads stuck other books between my regular list and Solstice Retribution. I’m not sure it’s long enough to be listed on BookBub since it’s a short novella. I was going to look that up when we got home from our trip, but you beat me to it. THANK YOU!
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I found it on Goodreads. YAY!
I think you’ll be fine adding it to BB. I have In Search of McDoogal listed there and that’s a short novella, too!
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Gotta love the names of these characters! And I saw an episode of Leverage about D. B. Cooper. They had a fun “solution” for that case.
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I don’t think I ever saw Leverage, but I like the idea they took on the D. B. Cooper case. I’m such a sucker for unsolved mysteries.
And yeah, some of the names in the Pendergast series are really different, especially among the eccentrics in his family tree!
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I think I started one of these books and didn’t finish it, now–based on your review–I’m thinking I missed a great series! 797 reviews! People love this guy!
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Jacqui, there is a HUGE Pendergast fan base. I wonder which book you started and didn’t finish? I didn’t care so much for the first two in the series, but after that–WOW!. The first one I read was book four, Still Life with Crows, and I was hooked!
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I’d say 15 years ago–an early one maybe? My taste in reading was different back then.
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I hope you give them another try. I can’t say I would have enjoyed the series 15 years ago. My reading taste as definitely different back then, too!
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I have not yet read any books in this series. You sold me, I’m starting with this book.
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YAY! This one is a tad more different than some other books in the series, Denise, but I loved it. The last half is really a nail-biter. I wish you happy reading and can’t wait to hear what you think of Pendergast!
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Between that eerie cover and your stunning review I’m sold; time to try a new-to-me series!
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Woo-hoo! Yay, Jacquie. I love converting new readers to Pendergast. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book. Happy Reading!
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Savannah – a perfect setting. Possible vampires – yes please! I know I’d enjoy this series – just finding the time is the problem, but your review makes me want to dive in. Especially if I didn’t have to start from the beginning.
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It’s an awesome series, Teri, and each book always features plenty of “weirdness.” There’s some stuff related to backstory going on in this one, but the authors flesh it out in the narrative, and the bulk of the tale is just focused on the case. I think you’d like it, but I fully understand what you mean about time and reading, LOL!
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I am intrigued at how D.B. Cooper fits in. Sounds like a good read. Nice review, Mae.
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Splicing D. B. Cooper with the other story line took a lot of creativity, Michele, but I expect nothing else from these authors!
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As you know, I’m a big fan, too! I was so excited for this book. I downloaded it in audio, although I’m really going to miss Rene Auberjonois, who has narrated most of the Pendergast books. He had the voice down perfectly, so I was VERY disappointed in whoever did the Pendergast voice the last time (maybe in a Corrie/Nora book?) I’m not sure who’s doing this one. I’m almost at the end of Stephen King’s latest, so it won’t be long before I can devour the new Pendergast book. I love to listen while I’m driving.
I think it’s odd that you like Constance, and I don’t. We usually have the same tastes. But I’ve never liked her. But I love Corrie.
By the way, it wouldn’t let me reply to Marcia, but I agree with her…Thor all the way! LOL
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LOL! Marcia and you would get along great, Lauralynn (says the diehard Loki fan). Marcia, who is also a huge Pendergast fan, does not care for Constance either. It took me a while to warm up to her, but I’ve been ever since she took down that horde of bad guys to save Pendergast (I forget the title of the book). She gets a chance to shine in this one again.
I’ve never listened to Pendergast on audio, but I imagine Rene Auberjonois did an excellent job. It must have been hard when they made a switch to a different narrator.
I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
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I’m all over it.
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YAY! I’m doing a Snoopy dance hearing that, Noelle. 🙂
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I have read other reviews of yours in this series. A very unique plot idea, Mae, and one I would also love.
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I’m a huge fan of this series and the characters (especially the lead), Robbie. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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