Gideon's Sword
August 1988
Nothing in his twelve years of life had prepared Gideon Crew for that day. Every insignificant detail, every trivial gesture, every sound and smell, became frozen as if in a block of glass, unchanging and permanent, ready to be examined at will.
His mother was driving him home from his tennis lesson in
their Plymouth station wagon. It was a hot day, well up in the nineties, the kind where clothes stick to one’s skin and sunlight has the texture of flypaper. Gideon had turned the dashboard vents onto his face, enjoying the rush of cold air. They were driving on Route 27, passing the long cement wall enclosing Arlington National Cemetery, when two motorcycle cops intercepted their car, one pulling ahead, the other staying behind, sirens wailing, red lights turning. The one in front motioned with a black-gloved hand toward the Columbia Pike exit ramp; once on the ramp, he signaled for Gideon’s mother to pull over. There was none of the slow deliberation of a routine traffic stop—instead, both officers hopped off their motorcycles and came running up.
“Follow us,” said one, leaning in the window. “Now.”
“What’s this all about?” Gideon’s mother asked.
“National security emergency. Keep up—we’ll be driving fast
and clearing traffic.”
“I don’t understand—”
But they were already running back to their motorcycles.
Sirens blaring, the officers escorted them down Columbia
Pike to George Mason Drive, forcing cars aside as they went. They were joined by more motorcycles, squad cars, and finally an ambulance: a motorcade that screamed through the traffic-laden streets. Gideon didn’t know whether to be thrilled or scared. Once they turned onto Arlington Boulevard, he could guess where they were going: Arlington Hall Station, where his father worked for INSCOM, the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command.
Police barricades were up over the entrance to the complex,
but they were flung aside as the motorcade pulled through. They went shrieking down Ceremonial Drive and came to a halt at a second set of barricades, beside a welter of fire trucks, police cars, and SWAT vans. Gideon could see his father’s building through the trees, the stately white pillars and brick façade set among emerald lawns and manicured oaks. It had once been a girls’ finishing
school and still looked it. A large area in front had been
cleared. He could see two sharpshooters lying on the lawn, behind a low hummock, rifles deployed on bipods.
His mother turned to him and said, fiercely, “Stay in the car. Don’t get out, no matter what.” Her face was gray and strained, and it scared him.
This is an excerpt from GIDEON’S SWORD by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. Copyright © 2011 by Splendide Mendax, Inc. and Lincoln Child. Reprinted by permission of Grand Central Publishing, New York, NY. All rights reserved.
Gideon's Sword
For sheer reading enjoyment, it’s hard to beat a Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child novel. Ever since their bestselling Relic, this duo has produced an impressive stream of thrillers, including the hugely popular Aloysius Pendergast novels like Cemetery Dance and Fever Dream. Now, with Gideon’s Sword, they introduce us to a brand-new hero—a master of disguise with an axe to grind….
At the tender age of 12, Gideon Crew watched helplessly as government agents gunned down his father. They claimed he was unstable. But as Gideon learns years later, the truth was far more disturbing. When a government initiative went horribly wrong, his father was used as a scapegoat, murdered in cold blood to help bury the evidence.
More than 20 years later, Gideon has finally found the evidence he needs to clear his father’s name and nail the man responsible for his death. Vengeance is at hand, but now comes the hard part. To retrieve the evidence, he will have to return to Washington, D.C., switching identities and using every trick in the book to infiltrate the lair of the enemy until he comes face to face with the traitor who destroyed his life.
Little does he know that the adventure has just begun….
Hardcover Book : 352 pages
Publisher: Hachette Book Group Usa ( February 22, 2011 )
Item #: 13-307930
ISBN: 9780446564328
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.79inches
Product Weight: 15.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Pendergast and Gideon 
December 18, 2011
These two have the best character stories I have ever read. You are kept on the edge of the seat for the entire story!! I thoroughly enjoy reading books by this team of writers!
Reviewer: Murf1964
Good Book but Pendergast is still a better story? 
September 05, 2011
I guess I am a die hard Agent Pendergast fan but I read GIDEON'S SWORD, and it is a good book? As with the start of anything, such as a new tv series or a new story in a book, the beginning can be alittle slow and iffy? I hope Mr Preston and Mr Child will continue this story and wow it more in the next one and make it even more exciting than this one? This could be a new Pendergast if the next one has a few more twists and turns? I will be looking for the next book of this series.
Reviewer: Waterwitch68
Great read!
July 27, 2011
I could not put this book down. It has a new character that is almost as interesting as Pendergast. Anyone that loves the other books will love this one, too. Thanks Doug and Linc!
Reviewer: Elizabeth
July 19, 2011
I'm thrilled that they can bring to life another fascinating character in Gideon. A little far-fetched with the story line, but still a good read.
Word of advice to all the Pendergast fans: Try not to compare the two characters this will only disappoint you. There is no comparison (period). Two different ends of the spectrum & both equally entertaining.
Reviewer: Tsouk720
Not their best work
July 11, 2011
I am a huge Preston and Child fan. I have read all of their Pendergast books and have loved every one of them. Don't know what I would do if they didn't bring him back. I can also understand wanting to try something new. I think this was an "ok" read. But overall lacking. Come on, if someone told you that you had a year to live (and not even your doctor) would you really just say oh ok and move on? There were too many things that they tried to just pass off that didn't add up for me.
Reviewer: Kemarie
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