I have only read a few of the Pendergast books, starting at the beginning, so was very pleased to be offered the chance to read the new book, which is about how Pendergast joined the FBI. Perfect for me, but I do have a lot of make up reading to catch up on all his cases. Like the other books in the series this has quite a lot of twists and certainly makes you wonder where the story is going. But it all makes sense in the end. These books are a bit unsettling in places, a bit like Stephen King books. But a thoroughly good read. Would definitely recommend the series so far.

Fantastic! I'm working my way through this series and have loved every one so far. Pendergast is such an enigmatic character with all his peculiarities and his incredible deduction skills. It was fascinating to get a few more bits of info about his background prior to joining the FBI. This book covers his first FBI posting where he's teamed up with an older, very experienced agent and they uncover an unusual serial killer. As always, you're kept guessing what Pendergast is going to come up with next. An absolute page-turner!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the authors for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Pendergast is such a great character and brings an energy and intrigue to every case he works on. This book also includes Chambers, also an excellent character who adds a lot to the investigation and to the further discovery of more insights into Pendergast’s own life and past. There are some terrific twists and red herrings in this book, as well as some spectacularly gruesome scenes. As ever, these talented authors take you just to the edge of disgust and make the story so compelling that you grit your teeth and keep reading. Loved it!

Step into the captivating realm of Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast, a remarkable man whose extraordinary journey with the Federal Bureau of Investigation is nothing short of legendary. From facing spine-chilling supernatural entities to battling ancient horrors, and even navigating the twists of time to track down a Victorian-era serial killer, Pendergast’s adventures are truly awe-inspiring!

Get ready to uncover the thrilling origins of this exceptional agent as we explore his early days with the FBI! You'll be entranced by the haunting cases that marked the start of his career—each filled with peril and intrigue, where deadly consequences lurked just around the corner. Join us on this enlightening journey as we reveal the truths behind the man, the myth, and the intriguing mysteries that sculpted Special Agent Pendergast into the extraordinary figure we’ve come to admire.

"Pendergast: The Beginning" invites readers on an exhilarating adventure into the formative years of Aloysius Pendergast, as he embarks on his thrilling path as a junior FBI agent in the vibrant, often dangerous streets of New Orleans. The story dives into Pendergast’s fascinating family legacy, brimming with secrets and unique eccentricities, while introducing his wise mentor, Agent Chambers. This dynamic duo works together to unravel the mysteries posed by a sinister, twisted serial killer.

With every page turn, authors Preston and Child skillfully weave a rich tapestry of suspense and intrigue, filled with unexpected plot twists and clever misdirection that will keep you on the edge of your seat. They create a chilling atmosphere that draws you into harrowing crime scenes, presenting unforgettable villains who will haunt your thoughts long after you’ve finished reading. This gripping installment is genuinely a page-turner, compelling you to stay lost in its intoxicating narrative until the final shocker unfolds. It’s such an engaging story that you may find it impossible to put down! I genuinely encourage you to grab a copy. Whether you’re new to the Pendergast series or a seasoned fan, this book is a fantastic entry point that will surely enchant you.

Mark your calendars—the anticipated publication date in the UK is set for January 29, 2026, while readers in Canada and the US can look forward to its release on January 27, 2026!

A heartfelt thank you to Zoe at Head of Zeus, NetGalley, and Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus for providing the widget to download the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Very excited to see that Pendergast has returned once again and needless to say Preston and Child have delivered another great read!

Highly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

I was so pleased to be able to review this latest Pendergast book. I’ve loved the whole series, and was very interested to read this one, taking you right back to the start, giving you more information on how Pendergast started with the FBI. I would love to see the series going back further as well, to before Pendergast joined the FBI.
This book was especially good as you got to find out much more about Proctor and his links to Pendergast, would love to find out more about him as well.
Would recommend this, even to those who have never read any of the series before. I’ve now gone back to the start of the series to start re-reading them all. Although I’ve really enjoyed the series that includes Constance, seeing Pendergast essentially on his own has been brilliant.

Back to the beginning. FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast is a very different agent. He works differently to others doesn’t follow the rules but he knows how to find what they are looking for, This is his first case as a agent and his mentor is Agent Chambers. They have been sent off to think about what has just happened when Pendergast finds them a case. A very interesting case it seems but it won’t be as simple as they wish as their partnership won’t be a long one. A serial killer is taking victims and removing their right arm but why? Will they be able to find him before more victims are found? But can outsmart a new kind of killer? One that is different to others?
A good read. Love starting from the beginning of a very interesting man. His mind amazes me as does his never ending fight for justice.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review. Have to add a copy to my others in the series

This book takes us on a nostalgic adventure into the beginning of Pendergast’s FBI career. Here we learn more about Pendergast’s life before he joined the FBI, and how Proctor came to work for him, also the source of Proctor’s own abilities when it comes to dealing with the bad guys.
While this is a very enjoyable trip down memory lane it does have one major flaw, we know that no matter what situation Pendergast and Proctor find themselves in during the story they will survive.

Penderghast"s frist case and he makes an entrance as only Penderghast could. Special Agent Dwight Chamber mentors Penderghast but in Penderghast's unconventional style they uncover killings seemingly unconnected.. This book is a welcome addition to the series, well written good characters very highly recommended. Thanks to Aria Aries Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this review ARC.

New Orleans in the early 1990s, and Special Agent Dwight Chambers’ life is in free fall. First, he lost his partner, and then, tragically, his wife. Returning to work at the New Orleans Field Office, Chambers is drinking too much and is dismayed to find himself saddled with mentoring a brand new FBI agent, the quirky A. X. L. Pendergast. As Chambers tries to pull himself together, his unfathomable and exasperating junior partner pulls an outrageous stunt that gets both of them suspended.

Pendergast welcomes the banishment, because it gives him the opportunity to investigate a peculiar murder in Mississippi that has captured his fancy. Chambers grudgingly goes along. What starts off as a whimsical quest swiftly turns into a terrifying pursuit, as Chambers and Pendergast uncover a string of grisly, ritualistic killings that defy any known serial killer profile.

This is a very atmospheric and chilling thriller. It starts out as a hunt for a serial killer, but then around the halfway point it unexpectedly turns into something very different. The pacing is good throughout, with the additional viewpoint of a captive of the serial killer adding to the early suspense. The descriptions of New Orleans and the Louisiana swamps are rich, and give the book a strong sense of place, and the secondary characters and villains are well described and interesting.

There are misdirections, surprises and gruesome events along the way to the final showdown, which is spectacularly good and bloody, with the usual Preston and Child touches of the extraordinary.

Fans of the series will greatly enjoy seeing Pendergast as a rookie agent, with a mysterious past, on his first case. Although a new agent, he already has that sly arrogance that becomes so evident later in the series, but he is willing to learn from the more steadfast and wily Chambers. Being set in Louisiana, the book does allow the authors to dive into Pendergast’s fascinating family legacy, brimming with secrets, unique eccentricities, and wild rumours. There is also a significant appearance by a tough ex-military contractor, known as Proctor, who goes on to become Pendergast’s chauffeur in later books. A great read!

I really enjoyed many of the first books in the long running Special Agent Pendergast series, and once I learned that Messrs Preston and Child had an origin story planned, I was eager to read it. This novel takes us back to A X L Pendergast’s early days with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
It all starts in New Orleans in the early 1990s, with Pendergast paired with Special Agent Chambers. An action by Pendergast, considered outrageous by their boss, sees the pair suspended for a week. Pendergast seizes this opportunity to investigate, with Chambers’s at times unwilling assistance, an unusual murder in Mississippi. A serial killer is at work, but this particular serial killer meets none of the usual patterns. The investigation takes both Pendergast and Chambers into danger and briefly touches on some Pendergast family history.

Yes, as anyone who has read other books in the series knows, there are plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing and (of course) plenty of danger for Pendergast to (somehow) navigate successfully. Of course, Pendergast will prevail but the how is often fascinating.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC copy from NetGalley:

Hard not to love a Preston and Child Pendergast novel! The first few chapters were a bit scattered in my opinion, but it really picks up!

I had the same scattered feeling towards the middle of the book when the plot plateaus a bit, but I was fascinated by the interesting affliction that Pendergast diagnoses our villain with!

My heart was warmed by the epilogue! Lovely to see how this prequel aligns with one of my favorites by Preston and Child! Loved how wit seemed that we got a little more information on Pendergast’s thought process here, as well as really getting to know him as an eccentric youngster.