The Scorpion's Tail (Nora Kelly Book 2)

If you follow Preston and Child’s FBI Special Agent Pendergast’s “otherworldly” bordering on “Supernatural” novels starting with “The Relic”; the one and the same as the Wide Screen Horror “The Relic” an adaptation of the book but strangely without Agent Pendergast!??! BIZZARE! Both are very good, the book is better with excellent narration- just like this second Nora Kelly thriller once again featuring FBI Agent Corrie Swanson- a “protégé” of Special Agent Pendergast who periodically makes brief but compelling appearances with all the characteristics we’ve come to expect: smooth, cunning, intelligent genius, impeccably dressed and a epic smart ass that we love about the man tall stealthy albino.Nora Kelly is a archeologist with Natural History Museum in New Mexico who helped out in a chilling case; FBI agent Corrie Swansons first real case other than go through cold case files in a Albuquerque field office that took her to the Donner Parry remains and gruesome discovery beyond what we already knew of the tragic Mormon pilgrimage west. Needing to excavate the site properly, agent Swanson calls on Nora Kelly bringing the two Pendergast “underlings” together for the first time unbeknownst to either that the other knew Pendergast making for a tense and comical at time exchange between the the two beautiful twenty-something’s, Dr Nora Kelly and misfit adolescent felon turned FBI agent Corrie Swanson from a pit in the Earth called Medicine Creek Kansas where Pendergast finds this young protege in “Still Life With Crows” a Audible Book-track unabridged edition and my second favorite of the 21 Pendergast stories. (I’m not saying my favorite! Sorry!)Like the first installment, it is interesting, very well researched and intense as hell! The build is steady and almost suffocating as they all are right up to the end. Twists and turns- some obvious then finding that’s by design, Preston Child’s “slight of hand” misdirection that pulls us away from the more important surprises or conclusions. Narrator is good- most all of them are if you’ve listened to over a thousand books as I easily have- the key is- SAMPLE! Always sample the book before hitting “buy now”! I can not recommend this enough! This way we know what to expect without any letdowns. The audible speed setting is an important tool for slower readers or faster ones: much like my guitar pedalboard with different effects stomp boxes for different voice and sounds for my guitars- you can dial in all the narrators to a comfortable listening experience- and listen to the words, not the voice that is delivering them unless is the elite of the profession!

Loved the story, great twists and turns.Kept me riveted and unable to put it down. Love all the Pendergast series and spinoffs.

It’ll be difficult to do justice to my pleasure with only words, but as with most anything dear to me, I’ll do my level best. Fair warning: many likely spoilers ahead. Likewise, like some other things attached to me, this will be long and distinguished.I write in praise not only of their most recent work (The Scorpion’s Tail), but in awe overall of the literary universe created by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (aka The Gents). Their individual works, separately, are excellent....but their combined efforts with regards to the expanding “PenderVerse” are amazing. It’s tough to think of any other fiction world which is at once so capable of drawing me into it, and so immediately relatable to the “real” world.Every single work is readable, entertaining. More importantly they are ENGAGING. The obvious research, the attention to continuity and detail (even in ‘crossover’ or ‘spinoff’ tales) is consistently impressive. I know, since I am an unrepentant dick and exacting consumer. My first contact with The Gents was an email, offering my services, having caught some minor (nigh negligible) technical errors. (Their response was polite and gracious; having read Relic and Reliquary a few years after their initial publication, they’d already added technical-consulting expertise.)Working further backwards, The Gents themselves. In correspondence, they elevated themselves by even friggin’ REPLYING to a reader who was gleefully poking holes in their work. Beyond that, they were not adversarial or distant at all in doing so. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both authors three times now, at book signings/releases in NYC, Coral Gables and Orlando. Every single time, both were funny, forthcoming, engaging and polite. For any author to be so accessible, AND pleasant, consistently, would be remarkable. Over such a period of time, for both to be so, well that’s just plain unusual in my experience.The first time I got to meet them, it was Mr. Preston I saw initially. Dressed and behaving unassumedly, he walked up and said “nice lid”, gesturing to my cowboy hat. (He’s done this each time I’ve met him.....I doubt very seriously he remembers me, which in my mind suggests a worthy consistency and genuineness). I was starstruck, probably saying something dumb in return. As that evening, and all subsequent meetings with both authors, progressed I was amazed that persons so justifiably famous were that easy-going, and that eager to converse with fans in a small, informal group.I take this moment to encourage anyone reading this to join our small, varied band of superfans, the Penderpeeps (or whatever we are calling ourselves at present). The access to and engagement with both the authors and fellow fans (especially at the “PenderCons”) has been outstanding, and well worth the zero-cost informal “membership”. Mr. Elyse Salpeter, a talented and humble author herself, is as good a point of contact as any.Moving to the work at hand...........The Scorpion’s Tail is, as expected, twisty, involved, and crescendo-paced. I’ve made a lot of notes, questions and comments, which I’ll probably dump at a later time. The novel will no doubt have you looking up words, places, events, and tech, like most of The Gents’ works. It’ll also keep you eager to turn the page; no dull bits in my opinion, and a signature tidal-wave of confluences, reveals, and exposition. The characters grow, continually both within this novel and in their larger arcs...which leads to my next and final point.I’m very heavily invested in many technical aspects of the work of several recurring characters, both as a reader and as an active professional. I’m a court-vetted, career SME in several areas that the gents return to repeatedly for plot devices, references, etc. Each time I meet them I make an effort to shake their hands and thank them for writing me and my kind in interesting, detailed, compelling. authentic, and usually positive ways. Increasingly, in many works, across various media, it is not so. The Scorpion’s Tail is no exception. If you’re interested not just in sleuth/mystery/action tales, but the real-world tricks/tools of the trade(s), you’ll get a real kick out of this book.In closing, I wish you, the reader, the very best. These works are among the most complex, surprisingly shocking, and safest respites you’re likely to find from the “real world”. They may also illuminate your understanding of certain parts of it.

Great authors, book came quickly and in great condition.

Between Corrie and Nora, there's always danger !! Quite an adventure!! And of course Pendergast solves the very last detail.

Just the correct amount of mystery and real danger that the reader wasn't certain that the "good guy/ or gal" wouldn't be eliminated from the story. There were "Clues" everywhere and all you had to do was choose the "correct" ones ! I found myself going back to re-read a page or two In order to pick up on a 'clue' that I had missed !I especially enjoyed the several "twists and turns" in the last chapters that brought left me with a smile and an appreciation of Preston and Child's work !I would like to take this opportunity to recommend to ALL of you! Please search for and read Lincoln & Child's earlier book entitled THUNDERHEAD !! (I believe that is the correct name of the book !) I issue this CHALLENGE !! If you find the book & read the first 3 to 4 chapters (come on folks, they're short chapters !) And then if you can put it aside and not finish reading it you are a "far better man than I !"Regardless, I recommend you read this book ! Be prepared to "follow the Clues" !!

Entertaining book - lots of intrigue and great story line - will read the next in the series

gute Ferienlektüre

This thankfully had an ending that still allowed for continuity of the series of books to come. Good growth in the young agent and no sugar coating of the politics involved in working for the likes of institutions founded on 'old money'

Old murders being exposed in a ghost town which has long and bloodied history. Lots of persons of interest. Lots of nasty characters. Talks of treasure, loot, conspiracy and suspicion.Then a frantic burst of action, followed by a last act involving Special Agent Pendergast— although such cameos don't bode well for the intelligence of our charismatic protagonists.But I must admit, this novel was a big improvement upon the previous one. It seems that the team comprising of Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson is developing into a very effective tool of justice and discovery.It's also true that the series is fast becoming too formulaic too fast.Nevertheless, this was a good one.Recommended.

I enjoyed the book from the first page to the last. I hope to see these two amazing women team up again.