Preston & Child – Bloodless – Review

 

I've been reading Preston & Child novels, particularly the Pendergast series, since the early 2000s. Generally one can describe the genre as Crime/Gothic. The main character, Pendergast, comes from an old aristocratic southern family, and speaks as if he was from the late 18^th century. Constance Green, Pendergast's “ward”, appears in the early novels though her identity and true origins are not revealed until the later novels. She's also an enigma, beautiful, educated with the air of a 19^th century American elite, straight from Henry James. Green's history is revealed in Bloodless.

Compared to the earlier novels, Bloodless is truly “out there”.In a attempt not to spoil the story, I can safely say that the genre combines Gothic, strange crime and now Science Fiction. Once the antagonist is revealed two thirds in the book, from an investigative perspective it makes sense. I was a science fiction reader in my late teens and lost interest soon thereafter. Of course a surprise to the reader, the authors manage to pull it off, leaving the reader at the end of the tale hanging off a cliff.

Bloodless picks up after Versus for the Dead. (See review Synchronicity1 Blogspot 12 July 2022). At the end of this case, Agent Coldmoon and Pendergast almost lose their lives. All are looking forward to a well deserved time off; Coldmoon transferring to Colorado and Constance and Pendergast returning to Manhattan. Their helicopter suddenly changes course, landing in Savannah, Georgia. Because of the strangeness of this new case, their special skills are required.

In the American city known for its past and legends of haunting spirits, dead bodies are showing up totally drained of their blood. The people of the city are talking about the return of the Savannah Vampire.

Pendergast and Constance Green appear to be right at home in this well-known Gothic town. As is his habit, Pendergast books rooms in a high-end hotel who's owner is a mysterious and wealthy old woman with an unknown past. Is it possible that she is connected to the bloodless victims showing up around the city?

Again without giving too much away, the case is somehow connected to the famous D.B. Cooper case, where he hijacked Flight 305, collecting a ransom of $200,000, escaping by parachuting out of the jet in the dead of night. In reality, this case was never solved. How this real-life mystery is incorporated into the novel and solved is very creative.

One of the more colorful characters in the tale is the award winning documentary filmmaker who is filming the investigation, and turning it into a lame episode of Ghost Hunters. The man's arrogance and hubris doesn't fare well for him by the book's end.

Bloodless truly ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting for more.

Good fun.