Review: 'The Obsidian Chamber' keeps readers guessing

"The Obsidian Chamber (A Pendergast Novel)" (Grand Central Publishing), by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

The latest novel in Preston & Child's Pendergast series picks up from the cliffhanger-ending of "Crimson Shore" and doesn't let up.

Special agent Pendergast is presumed dead after events chronicled in the previous story. His ward, Constance, and his longtime bodyguard, Proctor, are in mourning when someone attacks the residence where they're staying. It's someone they presumed was dead, and his ruthlessness is legendary. He kidnaps Constance and leaves Proctor unconscious. When Proctor awakens, he goes after Constance's kidnapper. He has no idea the perpetrator has anticipated his every move.

Constance is trapped with no hope of rescue. Will she succumb or fight back? Can Proctor fight overwhelming odds to save himself and go after Constance? Without Pendergast's assistance, it seems the end is near for both of them.

Other elements come into play, including the motive behind Constance's kidnapping. The authors keep readers guessing, though the epilogue is somewhat expected. The crisp writing and exemplary stories are still in abundance in this consistently exciting and never predictable series.

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Online:

http://www.prestonchild.com/books/obsidianchamber/