Fever - Schatten der Vergangenheit (Gekürzte Fassung)

Geschrieben von Douglas Preston

Erzählt von Detlef Bierstedt

Special Agent Pendergast kehrt auf den Stammsitz seiner Familie zurück. Hier erwarten ihn viele sorgsam verdrängte Erinnerungen - auch die an seine Frau, die vor zwölf Jahren bei einem schrecklichen Unfall umgekommen ist. Doch nun findet Pendergast Hinweise, dass Helen in Wahrheit das Opfer eines heimtückischen Mordes wurde. Gemeinsam mit seinem besten Freund D'Agosta beginnt er zu ermitteln und muss bald erkennen, dass Helen ein Doppelleben geführt hat. Aber warum musste Helen sterben? Und was hat dies alles mit einem Künstler aus dem 19. Jahrhundert zu tun, von dem sie geradezu besessen war, einem Genie, das unter einer rätselhaften Fieberkrankheit litt? Nur eins steht fest: Helen hat ein Geheimnis mit ins Grab genommen - und es gibt immer noch jemanden, der bereit ist, dafür über Leichen zu gehen...

• Sprache: Deutsch
• Herausgeber: Argon Verlag
• Erscheinungsdatum: 23. Aug. 2012
• ISBN: 9783839810705

Rezensionen für Fever - Schatten der Vergangenheit (Gekürzte Fassung)

[mpolino_3 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Preston and Child take us on another wild ride with Special Pendergast and Officer D'Agosta. Fever Dream moves beyond the last few connected novel and stands (mostly) on it's own. In a flashback we see Pendergast's wife killed and then move forward to 12 years to when he discovers it was murder. Fast paced, breathless and never disappointing, Fever Dream leaves just enough open loops to make you want the next book.

[lbswiener · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Fever Dream is a well written book. The suspense starts at the beginning of the book through the end. The characters are all likeable. It takes place on African safari with a deadly red maned lion and in the bayou of Louisiana and Mississippi. Five stars were awarded the most for a review. The book is highly recommended.

[ectopicbrain · Bewertung: 3 von 5 Sternen]

Agent Prenderast is not as compelling in this story as previous books.

[bensdad00 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Just when you think that a series has nowhere to go, they come out with a fresh take that reinvigorates the franchise. Adding new depth to old characters and introducing new ones who can hold their own in a fast-paced adventure, Preston and Child reaffirmed why they are on my 'must read' list both individually and in tandem.

[highlander6022 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

A fascinating plot (somewhat far-fetched but plausible); good detective story. Keeps your interest vividly. I started reading the second in the three-volume series not knowing there were three. Put second volume down, found first one at library. What a difference having read the first one makes in the context of knowing the back stories of the characters, even though theoretically the second book is claimed by the authors to be able to stand on its own.

[marklacy-355086 · Bewertung: 3 von 5 Sternen]

I've enjoyed reading the Pendergast stories as much as other readers have. This one included. They are all good escapist fiction. My only quibble with the story in this novel - other than the not-quite-resolved ending - concerns the globetrotting by Pendergast and D'Agosta in the first part of the story. It almost seemed like the two of them were instantaneously traveling from one point to the next, with disproportionately small effort. While it enabled the two characters to gather important information, it felt a bit disjointed to me. But, now I'm ready to go on to read Two Graves!

[bxwretlind · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Finally, a dynamic Pendergast. By far, the best of the series I've read.

[stephanie_m-868484 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Wow, what an ending.....!! WOW! This sheds a whole new light on Pendergast, the character.

[justagirlwithabook · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Another great read in the Pendergast series. I especially loved the tie-in of Audubon and his beautiful paintings. While some of these books aren't always a 5-star read, they're still incredibly enjoyable and I always find myself looking to grab the next one of the series at Barnes & Noble when it gets released each year. Hats off to Pendergast and all of his investigations.

[csdaley-1 · Bewertung: 2 von 5 Sternen]

It pains me to say this but I might be dine with the series. This book was in trouble from the start. I didn't even buy the mystery. I have struggled through the last few books. I will probably give it one more but it had better be good.

[lschwarzman_1 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

I love the Pendergast novels, and this was one of the more exciting ones I've read. Loved it!

[dlmorrese · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

This is another murder mystery whodunit in the series following FBI special agent Pendergast. The victim in this one is Pendergast's wife. I don't consider that a spoiler because it happens on page 21. As with all of the previous books in the series, this is a real page turner. It's a fun read and for that it gets four stars. There are no real insights being shared and I get the impression the book is written to a formula. But the formula works and there are certainly worse ways of spending an evening.

[ristoz_1 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

Entertraining, unbelievable.

[christineellei · Bewertung: 3 von 5 Sternen]

In this book we are once again reunited with Special Agent Pendergast and his entourage. Pendergast is finally putting away the things that remind him of his wife’s tragic accidental death many years ago. (Personal side note: Wow was I ever surprised as I did not even know Pendergast had a wife? Did I miss that somewhere along the way in this series? It was nice, made him a little more human. Hmmmmm … maybe he is not a member of the undead after all as I was starting to suspect.) While going through these items he finds evidence that her demise may not have been as accidental as presumed and, may in fact have been homicide. The reason behind the killings, Helen Pendergast’s obsession with wildlife painter James Audubon. The book is a page turning romp through swamps and bayous ending in a bit of a cliff hanger. There was a little side story about Pendergast’s ward Constance Green which didn’t seem to be a part of this book at all, so I can only presume it was a lead in to the next in the series. A great read for Pendergast fans.

[meredy_1 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

Six-word review: Pendergast page-turner without monster chase.Extended review:The tenth Special Agent Pendergast novel begins a second trilogy, "the Helen trilogy," with Pendergast's staggering discovery that his wife's death in Africa twelve years previously had been no accident. Now he trains his full range of powers on tracking and punishing those responsible for her murder. His ability to penetrate deep mysteries is as remarkable as his resourcefulness and raw nerve in tackling an adversary directly. In the process of his investigation, considerable collateral damage occurs.Despite the Louisiana setting, two of his very appealing collaborators return: NYPD officers Lieutenant Vince D'Agosta and Captain Laura Hayward, the latter unwillingly. I must note with interest, however, that there is only one brief dive into a sub-basement archive, and there are no signs of a supernatural presence, an unnatural monstrosity lurking in some subterranean hall of horrors, a hallucinating madman, or a deadly pursuit through underground tunnels. To me that's very much like a breath of fresh air, even if it is the stifling, mosquito-laden air of trackless swamps and bayous.Unlike most of the others in the Pendergast series, this novel does not stand alone. Even the Diogenes trilogy, it seemed to me, could be read with sufficient comprehension by someone who hadn't followed Pendergast from the beginning. But here there are loose ends both fore and aft. For instance, Constance Greene's strange behavior and bizarre backstory would seem to come out of nowhere and be related to nothing if we hadn't followed along from the third in the series, Cabinet of Curiosities, onward. And it's plain at the ending that the story is far from complete; despite major revelations and several deaths, there is much unfinished business.The Preston-Child collaborations have the virtue of being complex without being too intellectually demanding. We may at times need a strong stomach, and if we want to follow the development we have to pay attention, but in time it will all be laid out for us without any need to interpret language or penetrate symbolism. For me in certain moods, they're an ideal escape.

[csweder · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

The latest Pendergast book is dripping with dramatic irony--we know something that the agent himself doesn't know.

In this novel, he learns that his long-dead wife was murdered in an extensive plot. It wasn't just a horrific hunting accident.

All bets are off and there is no cost too high for the agent to find out his wife's killer...and about a secret part of her life that he knew nothing of.

[jeffv_19 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

The first of a three-book story arc that I had inadvertently read backwards. Starting with a flashback 12 years prior, we witness the death of Helen Esterhazy Pendergast at the jaws of a lion while on safari in Africa. Taken at face value as a horrible accident, back in present day the widower Aloysius Pendergast discovers that his wife was the target of a very elaborate murder plot. What seemed like a academic obsession with the 19th century artist James Audubon, Helen had more skeletons in her closet than in her grave. What follows is an exciting chase through bayou country as a medical mystery...and powerful people with a vested interest keeping it so, begins to emerge. The story directly feeds into the next book, Cold Vengeance.

[karenrinn · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

This is my first book by Preston and Child but it won't be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, story line, and attention to detail. While there wasn't a whole lot of tension in the book, there was definitely intrigue from the unique twists within the storyline. The attention to detail for both the main character and side kick was appreciated and keeps me wanting to learn more about the back story from pervious books.

[jefware · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

Pendergast, d'agosta and Hayword track down the killers of Pendergats' wife. Explores creativity, swamps and bio-tech.

[ken1952 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

This tenth Pendergast is great! Loved the Louisiana setting. A bit more is revealed about the lovely but mysterious Constance Greene. Looking forward to 11 and 12 in this fascinating series.

[alexlux_1 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

I love the Pendergast books. Especially the ones where we learn about Pendergast or his past. As far as in the series, this is one of the better ones. The only problem is that I figured things out a little early and the book lagged when I had to wait for the characters to catch up. Otherwise it was brilliant.

[monica67_1 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

Pendergast's latest adventure cuts closer to home for him than ever before when he realizes that his wife, dead for twelve years, was murdered. Pendergast came closer to despair and shock than we've ever witnessed, and I believe he was closer to becoming unhinged as well. In fact, I think he crossed some lines he hadn't crossed before. I found it fascinating to see these new sides of Pendergast. He continues to intrigue me as a character. The side story on Constance was curious, but after a while it became clear it was setup for the following story (which I'm already reading!).

[donnab317 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

YEAH! SA Pendergast kicking butt and taking names! If you're a fan - this is just fabulous. If you're not a fan - you will be.

[starrreina · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

“Fever Dream” by Preston & Child:From Africa to the bayous of Louisiana, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child bring readers along on a riveting and harrowing ride. Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast’s wife Helen is killed by a vicious lion in Africa. It isn’t until twelve years later Pendergast finds proof that his wife’s death was no accident. Pendergast elicits the assistance of his old friend Lieutenant Vincent D’Agosta to aid him in the hunt for his wife’s killer. Their investigation leads them to wonder just who Helen Esterhazy Pendergast really was as it was becoming very clear she had a life that was secret even from her husband. Captain Laura Hayward—D’Agosta’s girlfriend—is not at all thrilled that he leaves his life behind to go traipsing after Pendergast on what she assumes is a wild goose chase. After D’Agosta is shot and hospitalized, Hayward picks up where D’Agosta leaves off and begins to understand the methods to what she considers Pendergast’s madness. Though many are involved in the death of Helen, one man stands out—one man Pendergast wants nothing more than to seek his vengeance on. An absolute thrilling ride with hazardous developments that transport readers into Pendergast’s world as he unendingly searches for his wife’s killer. If you like mind-benders that tantalize you with twists and turns, this book is definitely for you. A great suspenseful story!

[sharrona_4 · Bewertung: 3 von 5 Sternen]

Tense story, open ending leading to the next book. Glad I didn't read this one until I had COLD VENGEANCE in hand! I like the way these two authors write together, seamlessly, and their development of strong continuing characters. In this story, Laura Haywood took a giant step from "Pendergast detractor" to "Pendergast fan," and it scared her! Wishing a quick & total recovery to Vince D'Agosta!

[senorag163 · Bewertung: 5 von 5 Sternen]

The story opens with Special Agent Pendergast and his beloved wife Helen on safari in Africa where Helen was mauled and killed by a lion. We have heard bits and pieces of Helen in other books but we never really knew the whole story other than she had died. Now we find out all the details. Pendergast enlists the help of another old friend, Vincent D'Agosta to help him get to the bottom of things.I loved this book! I love all the books in the Pendergast series but some touch me more than others and this was one of those. In all the years I have been reading and cheering Pendergast on, I have always wondered about Helen, how they met, what happened to her and why he doesn't like to talk about her. In this book we see that "soft" side of Pendergast. Of course he is still following his own rules and doing things his own way which is why we love him isn't it?I enjoy the comaraderie between the police liutenant, D'Agosta and the FBI agent, Pendergast. We see a heated and at times comical interaction with Laura Haywood, D'Agosta's girlfriend and Pendergast, who she is not fond of. We have the classic cliffhangers of Preston and Child that make us want the next book right now. As in most books in the series, there are stories within stories and never a dull moment. The book moves along at a quick pace and holds your interest from page one.While they say the books can be read as stand alone books, I feel that knowing the characters and the back stories always make them a more enjoyable read. I don't think I would start with this one if you haven't read the others but that is just my opinion.

[suetu_1 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

The break is over…While I have been a fan of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, individually and collectively, for nearly two decades now, I’m the rare fan that feels a little Agent Pendergast goes a long way. A few years ago, I began to feel, well, Pendergasted-out. I needed a break from the series and I took it.As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Knowing that there was a new Pendergast novel about to be released, I decided to get back up to speed and reenter the series. And reading Fever Dream at this time worked out perfectly. It’s the first novel in the so-called Helen Pendergast Trilogy, and it feeds straight into their latest release, Cold Vengeance.The novel opens with a flashback to 12 years earlier. It returns us to the African hunting trip that cost Helen her life. Hers is a gruesome death, mauled by a lion. In the present day, FBI Special Agent Pendergast makes a shocking discovery. It’s a tiny detail out of place, never noticed before, but it leads Pendergast to the inescapable conclusion that his wife was murdered all those years prior. From that point on, the usually cool and collected agent is a man possessed. His only goal is to find out why Helen was killed and to see her murderer dead.To that end, he conscripts Lieutenant Vincent D’Agosta of the NYPD as his partner in this cold case. Soon enough, Pendergast realizes that his beloved wife had kept secrets from him. I won’t summarize further, except to mention that Preston and Child manage to again integrate speculative science most entertainingly into their convoluted plot. This plot, being only the first in the trilogy, is perhaps a bit more convoluted than most. The first book completes a satisfying arc of the story, but the larger picture is not yet filled in. Revisiting with these old friends, I remembered why I sometimes feel frustration with this principle character, with his quirky behavior and situational ethics. Intriguingly, Mssrs. Preston and Child have a significant character in the series, Laura Hayward, who seems to share my opinion. Despite this, there was great joy in returning to their tales. I’ve known these characters for so long, and they do find themselves embroiled in some interesting conundrums. Preston and Child have their formula down to a science. The books move at a lightning pace and the stories are pure entertainment. It seems the trial separation is over. I was fortunate to be able to dive straight into Fever Dream’s sequel, and I will be sure to acquire the last in the trilogy as soon as I am able.

[everfresh1 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

Good pace, good plot, will be looking for the next books of this thrilogy. It does seem that writers' style became more commercial though - this book is definitely written with Hollywood in mind.

[rdurant1217 · Bewertung: 4 von 5 Sternen]

As a fan of the Pendergast series since the beginning, I was not the biggest fan of the last Pendergast trilogy featuring his ward Constance. Thankfully, this first book in the most recent series is solid. It's not the best Pendergast, but it's far from the worst and I have high hopes for the rest of the series. I just hope Preston and Child don't stretch themselves too thin like some other authors with series have done and I hope the work doesn't suffer.

[imjustmea · Bewertung: 3 von 5 Sternen]

The latest book in the Pendergast series by writing duo Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is the first part of a trilogy that deals with the death of Pendergast’s wife Helen. In Fever Dream, Pendergast discovers that his wife’s death was not an accident and he set outs to find the murderers with the help of Vincent D’Agosta and a reluctant Captain Laura Hayward.

As usual, Douglas and Preston have provided us with a fun and thrilling read. I noticed that our hero Pendergast is different in this book. This Pendergast is much more emotional, unrestrained and at the same time ruthless. I felt the story lacked a bit of the mystery and surprise of previous efforts but since it’s the start of the trilogy I figure the authors have decided to keep a few shockers for the upcoming books. Fever Dream is an entertaining book but not my favourite of the series.