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STILL LIFE WITH CROWS is the 8th book by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. This book relates another one of Special Agent Pendergast's unusual cases. A murder has occurred in Medicine Creek, Kansas. He is technically still on vacation after the events of THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, but arrives in Medicine Creek to find a serial killer. The local police assume the murder is an isolated incident; however, Pendergast feels differently. The local sheriff, Dent Hazen, is not enthusiastic about Pendergast's conclusions but does accept his unofficial help. The first victim was found near a local Indian mound with perfectly preserved Indian arrowheads and rumors of an ancient curse abound. Pendergast's theory of multiple murders quickly becomes reality, although the second victim is that of a dog rather than a person. Pendergast makes himself unpopular as he theorizes that the murder has to be a local since no one saw a stranger enter or leave the town. Pendergast enlists the aid of Corrie Swanson, a Goth and local misfit of Medicine Creek. Although Corrie is not popular within the town, she knows its citizens and their secrets. Pendergast's theory of a local murderer scares the townspeople, and threatens their chance at an economic boom. Kansas State University wants to experiment using genetically modified corn and Medicine Creek is one of the two contenders for the money they would spend. Unfortunately, a serial killer will not help them get this contract. Pendergast must find the murderer before Medicine Creek's chance for economic survival is lost and more innocent people die. STILL LIFE WITH CROWS has several interesting themes. The main theme (besides the murders themselves) is the idea that a town shapes you. Hazen is obviously a small town cop. His main concern is with keeping KSU's money in the town and keeping the town safe from an outside killer. Unfortunately, this blinds him to the larger picture. Corrie is the best example of a town shaping her. She is anxiously awaiting graduation so she can leave the town and her family. The town does not allow for individuality nor any form of freedom, forcing her to rebellion in order to express herself. The mores of the town actually go far in explaining how the killer became the person he or she did. Like many of the other books by Preston and Child, this book shows the darkness that exists within people. As always, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child entertain with their latest joint effort. For fans of their previous books, STILL LIFE WITH CROWS will match their expectations; for those who have not yet read one of their books, it will explain what all of the hype is about.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, July 2003
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