Below are some of the questions we're most frequently asked in e-mails.

Q.  How do two people write a book together?

A.   That's one of the things this web site was created to explain. Wander around the site and find out for yourself. In particular, there's a great deal of information in the Relic section, as well as in the Preston-Child FAQ.

Q.  Are you ever going to write a sequel to The Ice Limit?

A.  Our original intention was not to write any sequel beyond the 'webilogue' available at this site. We've received so many requests for a sequel, however, that we've changed our mind. There's no set date yet for it, but when we know more we'll post the information here.

Q.  Near the end of the paperback version of Cabinet of Curiosities, you refer to a certain pair of eyes. But nothing comes of it. Is this a mistake? And in Still Life With Crows, it seems that Wren is being watched by somebody. What's all this about?

A.  It's no mistake. You can find out more in Brimstone and Dance of Death. If you really want to know everything, go visit the Cabinet of Curiosities page of this site.

Q. What's the story with Constance Greene?

A. See the previous question.

Q.  I've written this really great novel. Would you please read it and give me your comments?

A. Sorry, but we're much too busy trying to write our own novels to give you the kind of meaningful, thoughtful feedback you're looking for.

Q.  You responded to my first email. How come you haven't responded to all the others?

A.  We try to write back to everybody who emails us. We can't promise to maintain a long-term dialogue, however.

Q.  There's too much profanity in your books.

A.  Actually, we try hard to keep the really serious profanity to a minimum.

Q.  How come animals get hurt so often in your books? Are you animal-haters or something?

A.  Quite the opposite. We love animals and have both had numerous pets. Funny we get asked this question rather frequently, but nobody seems to complain about the humans that get hurt...

Q.  I want more Pendergast!

A.  And you'll get him.

Q.  I want to read all your books in which Pendergast appears. What order should I read them in?

A.  Ideally, Relic, Reliquary, Cabinet of Curiosities, Still Life With Crows, Brimstone, Dance of Death,The Book of the Dead and The Wheel of Darkness.

Q.  What is the 'Diogenes Trilogy'?

A. Three novels that, together, form the story of Agent Pendergast's epic confrontation with his brother, Diogenes. These books, in order, are: Brimstone, Dance of Death and The Book of the Dead.

Q.  How come it took you three books to write the Pendergast-Diogenes story? Are you 'playing out' the Pendergast series with cliffhangers in an attempt to generate more sales?

A.  Nothing could be further from the truth!

The fact is that we were given a deadline to finish BRIMSTONE that required we--after the book was well underway--make a choice: we could write a second-rate book that wrapped everything up with undue haste, or we could write a first-class book that left some of the story untold. Since we refuse to do anything but our best, we chose the second course. Then, in writing DANCE OF DEATH, we found to our surprise that the story had, once again, grown beyond our expectations. Tales are organic; stuff happens. Yet we take objection to any implication that either of those books lacked adventure, a climax, or a denouement. To the contrary: we put in a lot of extra work to make sure that each of those two novels had a satisfactory conclusion, while nevertheless being (of necessity) part of a larger whole.

Q.  What did you think of the movie version of Relic?

A.  We really had no involvement in the project at all, and our input wasn't solicited. Contractually, we can't say anything negative about it.

Q.  You guys are now writing thrillers on your own. What does this mean for the Preston-Child partnership?

A.  Speaking for myself (Lincoln), I hope to go on writing joint books as long as I can put finger to keyboard. They're a great deal of fun. And we've built up a joint universe of characters, places, and events I wouldn't ever want to abandon. I think Doug would agree.

Q.  "What are these books you've written, ATTIC and ICE SHIP? I've never heard of them before."

A.  "These are translations of our books RELIQUARY and THE ICE LIMIT into foreign languages. The titles may sound English, but the books are not!"

Q.  "If I mail you a book, can you both sign it?"

A.  "Since we live in different parts of the country, that's difficult. There are two ways to get both our signatures: attend a joint book signing, or request signed bookplates from us. See here for more."