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Two Graves is the twelfth book in the Agent Pendergast series and Book Three of the Helen Trilogy. It was published by Grand Central Publishing, and released on December 11, 2012. It is the eighteenth collaborative Preston-Child novel, and reached #3 on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Plot Summary[]

After his wife, Helen, is brazenly abducted before his eyes, Special Agent Pendergast furiously pursues the kidnappers, chasing them across the country and into Mexico. But then, things go terribly, tragically wrong; the kidnappers escape; and a shattered Pendergast retreats to his New York apartment and shuts out the world. But when a string of bizarre murders erupts across several Manhattan hotels—perpetrated by a boy who seems to have an almost psychic ability to elude capture—NYPD Lieutenant D'Agosta asks his friend Pendergast for help. Reluctant at first, Pendergast soon discovers that the killings are a message from his wife's kidnappers. But why a message? And what does it mean? When the kidnappers strike again at those closest to Pendergast, the FBI agent, filled anew with vengeful fury, sets out to track down and destroy those responsible. His journey takes him deep into the trackless forests of South America, where he ultimately finds himself face to face with an old evil that—rather than having been eradicated—is stirring anew... and with potentially world-altering consequences. Confucius once said: "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, first dig two graves." Pendergast is about to learn the hard way just how true those words still ring.

-Publisher's synopsis

Returning Characters[]

Mentioned: Judson Esterhazy (Recap only), Diogenes Pendergast, Bill Smithback

New Characters[]

Timeline[]

  • Two Graves begins with a recap of the ending of Cold Vengeance, The Shoot-out in Central Park and death of Judson, and capture of Helen at 6 pm in Mid-November. It then jumps 6 hours ahead, to the real beginning of Two Graves
  • Helen dies 91 hours after her abduction, it then jumps to about two weeks later.
  • This book begins in Mid-November, it ends on Christmas Eve, and then jumps ahead to February.
  • Corrie Swanson says she is 22
  • Alban and Tristram are 15

Notes[]

  • Pendergast's Birthday is November 30th
  • This is the first book in which D'agosta says his divorce has been finalized, He says he has a good relationship with his son, he later becomes engaged to Laura Hayward
  • Laura Hayward Calls Viola Maskelene when she learns of Helen's death, hoping she will go to help Pendergast. Pendergast treats her poorly, and later sends a letter apologizing, stating that he wishes to only be friends from now on. She has yet to make a reappearance since this novel
  • Proctor was in the Special Forces, this must be where Pendergast and him met
  • This seems to be the first book in which Mrs. Trask makes an appearance, although unnamed housekeepers at riverside mansion have been mentioned in the past. How long she has been in employ is unknown.
  • Two Graves may be Pendergast's Highest kill count, but his actual body count is unknown (see Below)
  • Constance makes it known to John Felder that she has feelings for someone else, hinting at her love for Pendergast. Nearing the end of the Book Pendergast asks Constance if she would be like an older sister to Tristram.

Locations[]

Antagonists[]

Deaths & Injuries[]

  • Body Count: 81+
    • 81 Confirmed kills, yet the number is undoubtedly higher: Unknown number killed in explosion of Castle in Nova Godói, Unknown Number of Soldiers and Twins in standoff between good and Bad twins, and others killed in firefight between Nova Godoi Soldiers and Alsdorf Soldiers)
  • Pendergast kill count: 17+
    • 6-8 in Pursuit of Helen (Including Man who shot Helen)
    • 12+ in the battle at Nova Godói (Including Egon and Berger)
      • Pendergast was the one who destroys the fortress on the island containing many soldiers and scientists working for The Covenant
  • Alban Kill : 19+
    • 4 Killed in Hotel Killings in New York
    • 8 Killings in Alsdorf prior to Hotel Killings (Most Likely Alban, may be other Good Twins)
    • 6+ killed during fight in Nova Godói(including Wulf Konrad Fischer)
      • ^ Confirmed, most definitely more
  • Colonel Souza brought a team of 30 men to Nova Godói, All were killed by The covenant, including Souza and his son Thiago, the group of 30 killed about 30 men themselves

Injuries:[]

  • Pendergast: Pendergast is beat up severely in Nova Godói after being captured. Knife wound in left shoulder, Bullet Graze left arm.
  • Alban: Half of face burnt, pink and charred most horribly, the dermis fused in some places, in others the musculature and even bone showing.
  • Corrie: Grazed by bullet in the side
  • Tristram: Loses Left Earlobe, Right Index Finger, and Little Toe
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