Aloysius X.L. Pendergast is the central character of the thriller series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Born into an old and wealthy New Orleans family, Pendergast possesses an intellect that is nothing short of genius, combined with resources and knowledge that make him uniquely suited to solving the most bizarre and impossible of cases.
As an FBI agent, Pendergast operates on the fringes of conventional law enforcement. He independently wealthy and works not for money but for justice and intellectual challenge. His methods are unusual, his mannerisms eccentric, and his mind extraordinary. Where other agents see ordinary crimes, Pendergast sees patterns and connections that others miss.
The cases Pendergast investigates often blend elements of science, history, and the seemingly supernatural. From museum mysteries that defy explanation to small-town horrors that science cannot account for, Pendergast brings his vast knowledge and deductive reasoning to bear on puzzles that would stump ordinary investigators. His approach is quiet, methodical, and unfailingly effective.
Pendergast frequently partners with Sergeant Laura D’Agosta, a tough NYPD detective who provides a grounded counterpoint to Pendergast’s unusual methods. Together they investigate mysteries that range from the scientific to the horrifying, from the ancient to the modern.
Reading Order
See the complete Pendergast reading order for all books in the series.