Pendergast: The Beginning (Agent Pendergast Series)

This novel presents the origin story of Agent Pendergast. Special Agent Dwight Chambers has recently suffered devastating losses—his partner and his wife—and returns to work at the New Orleans Field Office. There he is assigned to mentor a new FBI agent named A. X. L. Pendergast. When Pendergast's unconventional behavior results in both agents being suspended, he uses the opportunity to investigate an unusual murder in Mississippi. Chambers reluctantly joins him. What begins as a curious investigation becomes a dangerous pursuit as the two uncover a series of ritualistic killings that don't match any known serial killer profile. Using his brilliant and unorthodox methods, Pendergast helps solve the case and identify the killer. However, their discovery marks the beginning of a far more sinister situation.