Dr. Aloysius X. L. Pendergast, FBI Agent, and a specialist in just about anything he chooses to be a specialist in is once again on the trail of a murderer. This one is very cunning and has developed a murder weapon that is so unique that normal mortals could not even begin to imagine it.

The Devil is at work in Southhampton, then New York City. A murder occurs in each location but no bullets are fired - no knives are used - none of the normal weapons. The victims are burnt and evidently from the inside - their bodies burnt to a crisp but the fire does not spread to the area around
them.

Pendergast is already on the scene when Southampton police arrive. He meets Vincent D'Agosta employed by the Southampton Police Department. D'Agosta is a former New York City police officer that gave up his job and moved with his wife and son to Canada to write books. Although his books were published they did not become big sellers and D'Agosta became disillusioned with his writing and took the job in Southampton. He became estranged from his wife and son who remained in Canada.

Pendergast has D'Agosta become his assistant and a temporary employee with the FBI. They investigate the murder in South Hampton but soon move to New York where another murder occurs. Then their investigation takes them to Europe where they escape death a number of times.

D'Agosta has connected with Laura Hayward while in New York. Hayward is a New York City police officer that D'Agosta worked with when he was with the force. Now they have become romantically involved.

While D'Agosta travels with Pendergast in search of the murderer and the method employed to create these deaths which resemble an act of the Devil Hayward is left with her murder investigation in New York. Another problem Hayward is left to deal with is the scores of people who have gathered in the park after the so-called devil murder to hear Buck, an ex-con, who has convinced the crowds that the world is coming to an end and he has been sent to save them.

Cabinet of Curiosities is the first book involving Pendergast and Still Life With Crows is next followed by Brimstone. Each book is better than the one that came before and I cannot wait for the next novel to see what Pendergast is involved in next and who he adopts for his assistant.

REVIEWED BY PATRICIA E. REID

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, PATRICIA E. REID