But you also have to accept that a museum would not shut down as soon as there were a series of atrocious and unexplainable murders inside it. You have to accept the existence of a monster, which is fine. I read scifi and thrillers/detective stories and thought this would be a blend of the two but it doesn't really hit the mark as either. The characters are fairly realistic and fleshed out but the story itself is pretty lame. characters are narrated consistently and distinctly. I highly recommend 'Relic' to any thriller aficionado. David Colacci gives us an excellent reading of this audiobook. agent Aloysius Pendergast, introduced in this novel. However, it commences a wonderful series of intelligent thrillers featuring the brilliant, erudite, albino F.B.I. 'Relic,' unlike most thrillers, has no primary hero, but, rather, three or four protagonists. The extended sequence in the dark catacombs under New York's Natural History Museum provides unparalleled suspense. 'Relic' grips you right from the beginning, and doesn't let go until the end. But Preston/Child's excellent writing and thorough research facilitate our willing suspension of disbelief, rendering even the most far-fetched plot concepts scientifically plausible. The plot of 'Relic' had the potential to flop, since it tells an improbable monster story.

In my opinion, that test of timelessness indicates a good novel. Even thought 'Relic' was published 'way back in 1994, it still delivers plenty of thrills and excitement after all these years.

Relic by douglas preston