In Extinction, Douglas Preston sets a murder investigation against the backdrop of a Colorado resort where scientists have resurrected Pleistocene megafauna such as the mammoth, giant sloth, and indricothere for wealthy visitors to see. Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent Frances Cash and sheriff James Colcord go in to investigate as the case takes twists and turns that reveal the cooperation they receive is as manufactured as their environment. Preston brilliantly develops his characters and the story has the feel of a true-crime Jurassic Park, even as characters caution that the de-extinction of Pleistocene animals is nothing like Jurassic Park (p. 58). Though the premise may resemble Crichton’s book, Preston is more focused on the human criminal element than the techno-thriller focus of Crichton’s writing. That said, he does end with a character observing in a manner similar to Spielberg’s film adaptation, “That’s the problem with science… If something can be done, it will be done – no matter how dangerous” (p. 358). Fans of Preston’s writing will find plenty to enjoy here with a mystery and characters that keep the story moving along and just enough real-world science for the premise to feel plausible. Further, he includes some nice Easter Eggs to his work with Lincoln Child in the Pendergast (p. 24) and Nora Kelly novels (p. 93) as well as his own book about the Monster of Florence (p. 75). A fun read for those looking for something scientifically possible in their crime fiction. ( )

Extinction is a five star book from the very beginning all the way through to the end. What happens when man plays G-d in the science lab? What happens to the creatures that are created? You will have to read this book to find out what one author thinks could happen. ( )

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.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. ( )

Despite an early suspicion this book would be just another Jurassic Park style action book, I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be really very, very good. Sure, some simmilarities to Jurassic Park are evident, but Preston took in in a bit different direction to make it very entertaining. ( )

I loved Preston's non-fiction (Lost City and Lost Tomb) so I wanted to try some fiction, and being a mammoth fan this looked exactly right. (It's not really about mammoths.) The genre keeps shifting from police procedural to horror film to murder mystery to true crime to James Bond film - a gumbo of tropes. It is good fun that's about it. ( )