Pendergast: The Beginning is a special two-in-one volume that collects the first two novels in the long-running Agent Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. It was released as a convenient omnibus edition to introduce new readers to the character and his dark, atmospheric world.
What’s Included
The volume contains:
- Relic (1995) – The very first Pendergast novel
This is where it all began. A series of brutal murders rocks the New York Museum of Natural History just before a major exhibition. FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast arrives from New Orleans — elegant, eccentric, silver-haired, and strangely knowledgeable about the occult and the unusual. Working alongside museum curator Margo Green and Lieutenant Vincent D’Agosta, Pendergast uncovers a terrifying truth: something ancient and deadly is loose inside the museum. - Reliquary (1997) – The direct sequel
The horror that began in the museum spills into the tunnels and sewers beneath New York City. A new wave of gruesome killings terrorizes the city, and Pendergast returns to team up again with D’Agosta and Margo. This time they face an even greater threat connected to the events of Relic, leading them deep into the hidden, dangerous underworld of Manhattan.
Why This Edition Is Popular
- Perfect entry point for new readers who want to meet Agent Pendergast without buying the books separately.
- Introduces the character’s signature traits: his Southern drawl, impeccable manners, vast knowledge, and slightly unsettling presence.
- Sets up the rich, gothic atmosphere that defines the entire series (museums, hidden tunnels, ancient secrets, and a touch of the supernatural).
- Great value — two full novels in one volume.
About the Character
Aloysius Pendergast is one of the most distinctive protagonists in modern thriller fiction: a brilliant, enigmatic FBI agent who operates with almost Sherlockian deduction, old-world courtesy, and a willingness to bend (or break) the rules when necessary. He quickly became a fan favorite and the anchor of a long-running series that now spans over 20 books.
Tone & Style
The writing is atmospheric, suspenseful, and often genuinely scary, with a mix of police procedural, horror, and adventure. The early books have a stronger horror flavor (especially Relic), while the series later evolves into more complex thrillers.
Who It’s For
- Readers who enjoy intelligent, character-driven thrillers with a touch of the gothic or supernatural
- Fans of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s other work (The Cabinet of Curiosities, The Ice Limit, etc.)
- Anyone who wants to start the Pendergast series from the very beginning
In short, Pendergast: The Beginning is the ideal way to meet one of thriller fiction’s most fascinating characters. If you like smart investigators, dark secrets, and stories that blend science, history, and creeping dread, this two-book collection is an excellent starting point.