Some authors (Patterson, Clancy) don't so much write books any more as create franchises. I'm very sorry to say that Preston and Child seem to be at the same place. Pendergast's preternatural abilities, close calls, and absolute freedom from the FBI for which he purportedly works, have worn thin. The plots have become predictable. It's simply no longer fun and the character, once rather distinctive, has become clich&eacute;. It's hard to believe these guys wrote Relic and have wound up here. 

Question: How is the story?
Answer: The plots have become predictable