Mystery | Book Chatter

Extinction
By Douglas Preston
Forge, 9780765317704, April 2024, 384 pp.

The Short of It:

Gripping and impossible to put down.

The Rest of It:

The Erebus Resort is a “real deal” experience to behold. Millions have been poured into de-extincting woolly mammoths, giant ground sloths and more and those with some money to spare, can enter the park and experience these beautiful, amazing creatures. Creatures that have been modified to exclude their violent tendencies.

BUT, big but, in the opening pages two guests go missing and the evidence left behind hints at a very alarming type of kill. One of these guests happens to be the son of a billionaire so once word gets out, the resort is overrun with the media and yes, the father of the missing man with all his overblown bluster to hinder the search.

Agent Frances Cash partners with county sheriff James Colcord to track down the perpetrators and it’s non-stop action from page one. It’s clear very early on that something is strange about Erebus and that the staff might be hiding something. As Cash and Colcord getting closer and closer to the truth, things really ramp up and it’s survival of the fittest. Literally. Surviving in those Colorado Rockies requires a certain kind of physique and many are not up for the task.

Think The Island of Dr. Moreau. There is a lot of science. Science which is terrifyingly realistic. I am a long-time fan of Preston and Child books such as Relic and The Cabinet of Curiosities but I was curious to read Preston’s latest even without the inclusion of his writing partner, Child. Let me tell you, it holds up.

The camaraderie between Agent Cash and Colcord is admirable and enjoyable as they solve the case. The description of Erebus and the creatures living within it put you right there on the valley floor. It’s NOT for the faint of heart. There are some pretty graphic descriptions of what goes on. That said, get ready for a wild ride because once you pick it up, you will read it straight through.

Highly recommend.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Exiles
By Jane Harper
Flatiron Books, 9781250235350, January 31, 2023, 368pp.

The Short of It:

This is a light, enjoyable mystery.

The Rest of It:

Federal Investigator Aaron Falk is on his way to a small town deep in Southern Australian wine country for the christening of an old friend’s baby. But mystery follows him, even on vacation. ~ Indiebound

In this mystery, the baby doesn’t go missing, but her mother does. As Investigator Falk is visiting with friends one year after the disappearance, the details of Kim’s disappearance continue to plague both Falk and those who knew Kim, particularly her grown daughter. Kim would never leave the baby like that, parked in stroller at a summer festival, unsupervised and alone. It was completely out of character for her, and yet no one witnessed anything or can remember seeing her that night.

As the family gathers for the child’s christening, they decide to use the time together to try to re-enact what happened that night. They are all desperate for answers and something feels off to Falk. The memories from a year ago are vague but as they all talk through that night, new details come to light.

This is a sleepy little mystery. It’s not fast paced but the characters are likable and the setting of a wine festival was rather enjoyable. I’ve read one other book where Investigator Falk was featured and it was quite enjoyable as well. I’d say that there aren’t any big revelations in this one, but somehow it all comes together nicely. I liked it.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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