I think 'Still Life with Crows' is among the best. The setting in the small town with all the strange happenings and Pendergast's investigation is really engaging. 'Brimstone' is also great, with its complex mystery and the way Pendergast maneuvers through it. Regarding the worst, some might find that the ones with overly convoluted sub - plots that don't really add to the main mystery are not as good. For example, there are a couple where the side stories seem to drag on a bit and take away from the overall Pendergast - centric mystery.
I consider 'White Fire' to be one of the best. The combination of the Alpine setting and the mystery is really well - done. Pendergast's skills are put to great use. However, 'The Obsidian Chamber' is not as good. It had some good elements but overall, it felt a bit disjointed. There were parts where the flow of the story was interrupted and it didn't hold my attention as much as the better novels in the series.
I think 'The Cabinet of Curiosities' is a top - notch Pendergast novel. It's full of twists and turns. Pendergast's character is really interesting here, with his unique skills and knowledge. The mystery is complex and the way it unfolds is very engaging. It also has some great descriptions of the macabre and strange things that draw you in.
In my opinion, 'White Noise' is at the top. It's a satirical and profound look at contemporary society. 'Libra' is also great, delving into the JFK assassination in a really unique way. When it comes to the bottom, I'm not sure there is a truly 'worst' Delillo novel. However, 'Cosmopolis' might be lower on the list for some. It's a bit more abstract and difficult to follow compared to his more straightforward works like 'Mao II' which has a more engaging plot about the power of the writer in a chaotic world.
The character of Pendergast himself. In 'The Cabinet of Curiosities', his intelligence, his ability to notice the smallest details, and his somewhat eccentric personality make the story. If the novel can develop his character more, show his past, his motives, and his relationships with other characters in an interesting way, it can be a great Pendergast novel.
In my opinion, the Camelot chapter is among the best. The complex characters, the moral dilemmas, and the rich lore make it stand out. Then, the Babylonia chapter is also great with its grand scale and engaging plot. As for the worst, some of the early Singularities lack the depth and polish of the later ones. They seem a bit more simplistic in terms of story and character development.
The order of the Pendergast novels often begins with the more well - known ones like 'Relic' and 'Reliquary'. These introduce the main character, Aloysius Pendergast, a rather eccentric and brilliant FBI agent. As you move through the series, other novels build on the initial concepts and characters. Each novel adds a new layer to the mystery and adventure, and they are best read in order to fully understand the growth of the characters and the development of the complex storylines that span across multiple books.
The Pendergast novels are typically ordered as follows: 'Relic' is one of the early ones. Then there's 'Reliquary' which continues the story. However, for a more comprehensive and detailed order, it's best to refer to the official website of the author or a reliable book database.
As of now, there are quite a few Pendergast novels. But the exact number keeps changing as new ones might be released.
The best Bond novels usually are the ones that capture the essence of the character. 'Goldfinger' is a prime example. It has the iconic elements like Bond's gadgets, his encounters with a memorable villain, and the high - stakes espionage. Regarding the worst, some of the novels that tried to modernize Bond in a way that lost his classic appeal could be considered not as great. For instance, if they made Bond too much of a brooding, angsty character instead of the confident and charming agent we know. Each reader may have a different opinion based on what they expect from a Bond novel.
The best could be 'Reaper Man'. It delves deep into the character of Death and his relationship with the world. It's both funny and poignant. On the other hand, 'Maskerade' might be one of the least favorite for some. The story of the opera in the Discworld didn't quite capture the essence that some of the other books did. It felt a bit too much like a parody without enough of its own unique story.