Horror Aficionados discussion

Terry and I will be starting this buddy read tomorrow to continue the Pendergast series.
Anyone is more then welcome to join us!

Tag, I'm in :)

Such a good book! FYI - for those who haven't, best to read Thunderhead first. Not a Pendergast book, but it ends up coming up a lot in this book.

Matthew wrote: "Such a good book! FYI - for those who haven't, best to read Thunderhead first. Not a Pendergast book, but it ends up coming up a lot in this book."

Good to know, Matthew! I hadn't even looked at Thunderhead. Did you read it first also?

Matthew wrote: "Such a good book! FYI - for those who haven't, best to read Thunderhead first. Not a Pendergast book, but it ends up coming up a lot in this book."

Oh no! Thanks for the heads up Matthew! If we don't read Thunderhead first, will it affect the overall enjoyment factor of Cabinet?

Well, when I read Cabinet of Curiosities I did not know about Thunderhead. My enjoyment of Cabinet of Curiosities was not affected by this, and I risk spoilers if I say too much about why Thunderhead related. I will say that after I finished Cabinet of Curiosities I quickly turned around and read Thunderhead to connect some dots!

So, I would say that you can read Cabinet without Thunderhead, but I really wished that I had read Thunderhead first. People only concerned about Pendergast probably wont mind. But, Thunderhead completes the universe and fully fleshes out the characters.

If you have time, try to fit it in! The audio of it is great!

Matthew wrote: "Well, when I read Cabinet of Curiosities I did not know about Thunderhead. My enjoyment of Cabinet of Curiosities was not affected by this, and I risk spoilers if I say too much about why Thunderhe..."

Terrific info, Matthew, and it makes sense. Did Cabinet of Curiosities spoil Thunderhead at all for you?

Matthew wrote: "Well, when I read Cabinet of Curiosities I did not know about Thunderhead. My enjoyment of Cabinet of Curiosities was not affected by this, and I risk spoilers if I say too much about why Thunderhe..."

Thank you for explaining Matthew! I wish we had known about this sooner. I'm not sure what Terry wants to do because I know we both have the books for Cabinet right now and ready to go and not Thunderhead.
Terry, what's your opinion? I would be more then willing to buy Thunderhead on Kindle and read it first or we can just go with our original game-plan. Thoughts?

Terry wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Well, when I read Cabinet of Curiosities I did not know about Thunderhead. My enjoyment of Cabinet of Curiosities was not affected by this, and I risk spoilers if I say too much abo..."

I would say that there is a chance that Cabinet will spoil Thunderhead. Not a major spoilage that I remember, but plot points from it are discussed in Cabinet. I still enjoyed it after reading Cabinet.

Also, Thunderhead is not essential to the Pendergast storyline, but a great addition. I mention this because you are wondering about starting Cabinet or holding off. If you don't want to mess up your schedule, the Pendergast parts are not affected by missing Thunderhead.

Side note - I am 9 books into the Pendergast series and have read some side Preston and Child Books, and Thunderhead is one of my favorites (or maybe my favorite) of what I have read so far. I got two other people into this series and they agree. In fact, I think both of them have now read Thunderhead more than once.

And, Thunderhead came back to play a part in Book 9 (Cemetery Dance)

Do with this info what you will! :)

I think we're going to change gears and read Thunderhead first. That sounds like the best way to do it. Thanks again, Matthew!

Matthew wrote: "Side note - I am 9 books into the Pendergast series and have read some side Preston and Child Books, and Thunderhead is one of my favorites (or maybe my favorite) of what I have read so far. I got ..."

YES!! Thank you Matthew! Thanks for the heads up and we are changing up our reading sequence now. We're going to read Thunderhead first and then Cabinet right afterwards.
I appreciate all the information!! I love the Pendergast series and the writing combo of Preston/Child. They are fantastic and the books are so much fun.

Very cool - I will keep my eye out and join in. These guys are great and the books are great! I will probably redo the whole series after I get to the end!

Another side note - They have a book called The Ice Limit. I have not read it, but it is my understanding that it introduces another side character from later in the series. Not as integral as Thunderhead, but just interesting to know.

Matthew wrote: "Very cool - I will keep my eye out and join in. These guys are great and the books are great! I will probably redo the whole series after I get to the end!

Another side note - They have a book cal..."

Yes! Join in anytime you want. Terry and I decided to do BRs on this series and finish it up. We really enjoy these books!

I'll keep my eye out for The Ice Limit as well!

Absolutely - what Ginger said!

I did pick up the book last night, and I've started in this morning. Chapter 1 is a good start!

Terry wrote: "I did pick up the book last night, and I've started in this morning. Chapter 1 is a good start!"

Woot woot! I'll be able to start either at lunch today or after work. Glad it's a good start!

Well, I read up to ch8. I'm liking it a lot so far. An easy writing style to follow.

In the first chapter (view spoiler)[ we're introduced to these strange creatures right off the bat! I'm already curious as to what they could be! (hide spoiler)] And in chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Is it really that easy to talk a JPL scientist into stealing data and moving a space shuttle, lol! (hide spoiler)]

These guys are really good at writing the first chapter that pulls you in and makes you want more! It makes me wonder why I give books that don't pull me in until after 50 pages a chance!

Matthew wrote: "These guys are really good at writing the first chapter that pulls you in and makes you want more! It makes me wonder why I give books that don't pull me in until after 50 pages a chance!"

Exactly! These books spoil us that way for sure, lol.

Terry wrote: "Well, I read up to ch8. I'm liking it a lot so far. An easy writing style to follow.

In the first chapter [spoilers removed] And in chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

Shit Terry, I haven't even started!! hahaha I will tonight and I hope to catch up to you. I'm glad you're already liking it. Yay!

Matthew wrote: "These guys are really good at writing the first chapter that pulls you in and makes you want more! It makes me wonder why I give books that don't pull me in until after 50 pages a chance!"

I seriously agree with you on this Matthew! I'm starting to do this more in the last few years. I'll give epic fantasy books a lot more time though because they are creating cities and political systems.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Well, I read up to ch8. I'm liking it a lot so far. An easy writing style to follow.

In the first chapter [spoilers removed] And in chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

Shit Terry, I haven..."

Lol, it sounds like I'm farther ahead than I am. It really is an easy read and goes really quick.

Terry wrote: "Lol, it sounds like I'm farther ahead than I am. It really is an easy read and goes really quick. "

Ha! Well, since I finished Reliquary so fast last time, maybe we'll switch roles. ;) hahaha

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Lol, it sounds like I'm farther ahead than I am. It really is an easy read and goes really quick. "

Ha! Well, since I finished Reliquary so fast last time, maybe we'll s..."

That's right, I'm trying to get out in front of your speed reading here, haha :). Not really though, just a quick start. It really is easy reading.

Terry wrote: "That's right, I'm trying to get out in front of your speed reading here, haha :). Not really though, just a quick start. It really is easy reading. "

I just finished the last HR in the series today. On to horror now! hahaha

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "That's right, I'm trying to get out in front of your speed reading here, haha :). Not really though, just a quick start. It really is easy reading. "

I just finished the last HR in t..."

Excellent! That's definitely the opposite end of the spectrum from horror, lol.

Terry wrote: "Excellent! That's definitely the opposite end of the spectrum from horror, lol. ."

Isn't it? I've got layers my friend. ;) LMAO

You guys inspired me - since I have read Thunderhead, but not The Ice Limit - I am going to start The Ice Limit today!

Matthew wrote: "You guys inspired me - since I have read Thunderhead, but not The Ice Limit - I am going to start The Ice Limit today!"

Awesome!! I'm looking forward to seeing what your review will be on it!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Excellent! That's definitely the opposite end of the spectrum from horror, lol. ."

Isn't it? I've got layers my friend. ;) LMAO"

Maximum versatility!

Matthew wrote: "You guys inspired me - since I have read Thunderhead, but not The Ice Limit - I am going to start The Ice Limit today!"

I'll be curious what you say about it. They had Ice Limit when I picked up Thunderhead, so I bought them both.

Terry wrote: "Well, I read up to ch8. I'm liking it a lot so far. An easy writing style to follow.

In the first chapter [spoilers removed] And in chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

Just finished up Ch 7 for the night. Peter is bored Terry and needs excitement! hahaha
Yeah, the first chapter was great and crazy. I kept thinking, "What's going on?! Letter? WTF, dogs talking?!" ha
I'm already engaged into this. I can't wait to see what happens on the expedition!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Well, I read up to ch8. I'm liking it a lot so far. An easy writing style to follow.

In the first chapter [spoilers removed] And in chapter 7 [spoilers removed]"

Just finished up Ch..."

Went pretty quick, right? I think you are right about Peter. Nora did well playing on that, and his lack of fulfillment.

Yes, definitely hooked into the mystery of this one already!

In ch8 (view spoiler)[ If you were Nora, is there any way you'd stay in your apartment overnight if you thought you saw that thing out in the back alley? I guess if you thought you imagined it, but it didn't seem that way... (hide spoiler)]

In ch9 (view spoiler)[ I really do not trust this Goddard guy. He has a slimy feel to his support here, like he knows something. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 – (view spoiler)[ I kept thinking that Goddard is in disguise and it’s Pendergast! I’m probably completely wrong but it did come up in my thoughts. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 11 – (view spoiler)[That’s some crazy voodoo shit right there with her hair. I’m scared on what’s going to happen to that mummy! Or is the mummy Pat Kelly and they needed his children’s hair to complete the ritual?!! All they were chanting was “Kelly”. (hide spoiler)]
Obviously, I had an amazing imagination while taking public transit at 6ish this morning. hahaha

Terry wrote: "In ch8 [spoilers removed]

In ch9 [spoilers removed]"

Hahaha!! Check out what I thought of Goddard. :D

And yeah, (view spoiler)[why is Nora staying in her house?!! (hide spoiler)] Uh, it's like a bad horror movie when they go to the basement of a haunted house. Ha!

Ginger wrote: "Ch 9 – [spoilers removed]
Ch 11 – [spoilers removed]
Obviously, I had an amazing imagination while taking public transit at 6ish this morning. hahaha"

Hey, great imagination is right!

Your ch9 comment made me laugh a little. (view spoiler)[ I would be shocked if that turned out to be him, lol! Just something didn't sit right with me about him. (hide spoiler)]

Good questions on ch11! (view spoiler)[ I hadn't thought about the mummy actually being the father. I guess that could be a possibility. I had actually thought that they were going to bring the mummy back to life to go after Nora, but your guess is just as good. (hide spoiler)] That is a great mysterious chapter to drop in there like that!

I've made it to the end of ch12, not sure I'll get any farther today.

Terry wrote: "Ginger wrote: "Hey, great imagination is righ..."

Yeah, wouldn't that be something though!! In Ch 9. hahaha

I'm not sure how far I'll get today either with work but I'll tag the spoilers for sure!

Ch 12 to 15 - I love all the different personalities on the expedition!! What great characterization. Just brilliant.
Aaaaand, guess who's back?! (view spoiler)[SMITHBACK!! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Ch 12 to 15 - I love all the different personalities on the expedition!! What great characterization. Just brilliant.
Aaaaand, guess who's back?! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[And the connection to the future begins (hide spoiler)]

Matthew wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Exactly!! It all makes sense and I'm so glad we read this first. Thank you Matthew for chiming in. :)

Ginger wrote: "Ch 12 to 15 - I love all the different personalities on the expedition!! What great characterization. Just brilliant.
Aaaaand, guess who's back?! [spoilers removed]"

A slightly different, even more arrogant version of him this go around, maybe?!

Ginger wrote: "Matthew wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Exactly!! It all makes sense and I'm so glad we read this first. Thank you Matthew for chiming in. :)"

Yes!

Terry wrote: "A slightly different, even more arrogant version of him this go around, maybe?! "

A different feel to him, definitely. I don't think the following is a spoiler but I will mark it anyway and let you decide if you want to click (view spoiler)[In the first two he seems kind of whiny and slimy. I thought he stepped it up in this one and, while maybe arrogant, he seems, more manly. I liked him more starting with this book. (hide spoiler)]

Matthew wrote: "Terry wrote: "A slightly different, even more arrogant version of him this go around, maybe?! "

A different feel to him, definitely. I don't think the following is a spoiler but I will mark it any..."

That sure seems to fit so far. (view spoiler)[ I agree about the whiny and slimy feel from the other books. It is surprising as we first get reintroduced to him here. (hide spoiler)]

Smithback (view spoiler)[I've enjoyed his personality more in this book. I agree with both of you that there's less of a whiny and slimy feel to him from the first two books that are set in NYC.
I enjoyed his story about prep school in Arizona with Turpin. He might surprise me once again with his ever evolving personality. (hide spoiler)]

Sloane (view spoiler)[She's a total adrenaline junkie! I can't wait to see what Preston/Child does with this character. (hide spoiler)]

I haven't looked at your spoilers yet, Ginger. How far along are you now?

Terry wrote: "I haven't looked at your spoilers yet, Ginger. How far along are you now?"

I'm on the beginning of Ch 18. I should have added that first. ha!
Where are you at?

Side note - I am enjoying The Ice Limit A LOT! And, I would suggest reading it before the Diogenes Trilogy (starts with Brimstone).