Editor's note: This review appears online on the Mountain Times (Boone, NC) website

Hede: You'll dig this story after the halfway point: 'Old Bones' by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

With this most recent offering from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child — the Preston and Child of “Relic” fame and dozens of novels since — noted archeologist Dr. Nora Kelly teams with historian Clive Benton to set off on an epic adventure. Well, after about the halfway mark or so. There’s not much epic before that.

In search of the elusive third “Lost Camp” of the noted Donner dinner party in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Benton convinces Kelly and the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology that not only are there human remains in those there hills, there’s gold — about $20 million in lost booty waiting to be claimed by the first finder.

But because there’s no such thing as easy money — or an easy lunch, as the Donner party found out — enter Special Agent Corrie Swanson, an FBI agent whiz newbie who makes a nebulous connection among the desecrated graves of Donner decedents, running her investigation directly into Kelly’s dig.

A slow build up ensues to this point where, really, there is much exposition — about the Donner party, the mountains, the investigation — but little in the form of action. A so-so middling story then picks up and turns into an acceptable mystery story, if … and only if … you can accept the deus ex machina in the form of Special Agent Pendergast (he of many previous famed novels) and a mysterious note (read: clue the reader wasn’t privy to until the end of the story).

Still, and getting past the cliches of sexism, et al. the female FBI rookie must endure, there is hope for the next Kelly-Swanson venture in terms of character and story development.

And, as Pendergast’s heavy-handed ending “and that is precisely why such a partnership just might work” indicates, that development is undoubtedly in the works as you read this now.

A new novel by a tried & true duo set in the Agent Pendergast universe. If you're a fan of the quirky FBI agent, A. X. L. Pendergast, you may recognize the main characters in Old Bones, Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson. If you do, you know you're in for a treat! If you don't, don't be afraid to pick up this fast-paced archaeological mystery/thriller based on Donner Party lore.

I really enjoyed this first book in a new series. It's hard not to compare it to the Pendergast (I don't sneak, I glide) series, which is my all time favorite. The story is based on facts and believable. It was interesting getting to know Corrie, who I'm liking more and more and hope they continue to develop her, and Nora (I still miss Smithback too!) and I'm looking forward to the development of their relationship in the next book. The subject of the Donner party and cannibalism was a tough read but an interesting one, it forced me to look at it through historic and scientific eyes, instead of the gruesome stories we all learned growing up. I think Preston and Childs wrote about a difficult subject tactfully and factually, and did it very well. Usually their books scare me to the point of having to put the book down and walk away for a bit, and Old Bones only terrified me a little, and I'm grateful for that! It was definitely a good solid mystery/thriller that I will definitely recommend to any patrons that enjoy the genre.

Preston and Child are back with another great thriller that pulls the reader in front the start and won’t let go until the end! Features FBI agent Corrie Swanson - a Pendergast protege!

I’ve been a fan of Preston and Child’s work for years now. I first found out about the Pendergast series at around book nine, picked them up from the beginning and always look forward for the latest release. While we’re still waiting on the 19th book in that series, the authors decided to start a new series with Old Bones. I’m glad they did.

This new series takes a side character from the Pendergast novels and follows her on an expedition to find and excavate the “lost camp” from the infamous Donnor Party tragedy. Nora Kelly, an archaeologist, is a welcomed character to explore on her own. But what’s better is the other Pendergast series veteran who plays a big role in the book: Corrie Swanson, now an FBI Special Agent. She’s come a long way since being introduced in Still Life with Crows. I’ve been intrigued by her story more and more in recent novels that I’m glad she’s finally getting her time to shine. And she does in Old Bones.

This was a book I couldn’t put down. Like all of Preston and Child’s previous work, this was engaging, descriptive, and a straight up fun adventure. It’s also not just another Pendergast novel with other characters. This could be another great series that has it’s own strengths and memorable storylines. I know there’s a new Pendergast novel set to release early next year, but now I’m eager to get Nora Kelly’s next book!

I'm a big fan of the Agent Pendergast novels by Lincoln & Child. The stories are always suspenseful and creepy-cool. That's why I jumped right on this first novel in a new spin-off series featuring Nora Kelly. Kelly appears in two prior Pendergast novels and as the main character in a prior stand alone novel, Thunderhead.

The Basics: Kelly is an archaeologist and museum curator. She is approached by historian Dr. Clive Benton about a lost camp site of the Donner Party. Promising the chance to excavate previously undisturbed remains of the ill-fated party who descended into madness and cannibalism while trapped by heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Benton also pulls Kelly in with the possibility of a stash of gold coins hidden at the site. Meanwhile, new FBI agent Corrie Swanson (another character from previous Pendergast novels -- Still Life With Crows & White Fire) is investigating grave robberies, one disappearance and a murder that seem related to a member of the Donner Party. When members of the group excavating the lost camp start dying, Kelly and Swanson work together to solve the case.

I loved this story! I liked Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson when they appeared in the Pendergast series. Nice to see them getting a series of their own! Both are strong, intelligent women and they worked well together in this story. Pendergast does make an appearance at the end, but the investigation and action in this new novel is all Kelly & Swanson!

It isn't necessary to have read the Pendergast novels before Old Bones. The story really doesn't refer much to prior cases or characters from the Pendergast books.The story would still be enjoyable even with no knowledge of Pendergast or the prior cases Kelly and Swanson helped investigate. This book can stand on its own just fine.

Enjoyable read! I will definitely be reading more of this series! Happy to see two favorite characters from the Pendergast series get to branch out a bit on their own!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

You all remember the horrific tragedy revolving around the Donner family?
The travelers who resorted to cannibalism after being stranded in the High Sierra mountains. What if some of the members of this doomed journey left something up there in the mountains? What if it is just waiting to be discovered?

Nora Kelly is an extremely successful archaeologist, she is approached by a historian who has a grand idea! He wants Nora to join him and lead an expedition into the Sierras. To the sight of the Donner camp.

Corrie Swanson is a rookie with the FBI. Anxious to prove her mettle, she lands her first case.
A grave robber is found murdered on top of a grave he just dug up. (Ironic, yes?) But why? Was there something special about this particular grave?

I loved how the two seemingly separate stories blended so perfectly. I cannot wait to see where these authors take these two very strong characters next!

This was my first read by the fantastic writing duo of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child penned as Preston & Child for this book.
I’ve heard so much about their work, and had so many of their books recommended to me over the years. Finally, here was my chance with this brand new series they’re launching!

I will definitely be watching for the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Preston & Child for an ARC to read and review.

I am so glad that Preston & Child are giving Nora Kelly her own series! Having a bachelor's in anthropology, archaeology is one of my interests and I always enjoy it when they include it in their books. That, layered on with the mysterious and horrific events of the Donner Party made "Old Bones" a fantastic historical mystery/thriller. I can't wait to see what Nora Kelly gets herself into next!

Nice crossover but I still enjoy Pendergast more than anything. Please don't spread the books too thin with 3 different series.

I was really looking forward to reading this latest Preston&Child novel, even if it's not a Pendergast story. Still, it has two side characters from the authors' main series in it: Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson who have never met before, even though they are both quite familiar with Pendergast.

Oh and the cameo apearance of the man himself in the Epilogue was really worth the wait. It was delicious, of course.

The book is loosely based on the real horror story of the Donner Party traveling group, so I found it interesting to dig a bit more into this very case.

Overall, not disappointing at all.

Full review at https://mysterysequels.com/book-review-old-bones-douglas-preston-lincoln-child.html

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.25 Hearts As a fan of the Pendergast series by Preston/Child I was looking forward to starting this new series. And it doesn’t hurt that I lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains and frequently visited Donner and knew the story of the Donner Party well. But then on the other side I was worried because of being close to the story I wasn’t sure they wouldn’t get facts and lore correct. But I should not have worried.

Preston/Child are two authors that team up to write their stories and somehow it works. The flow they have together is incredible. I am not quite sure of their collaboration techniques but it is one of the best.

In this new series we meet Nora Kelly, who is a character brought over from the Pendergast series. But you do not have to have read the old series to pick up the new one. There is also FBI agent Swanson.

The two meet as Nora is looking for a possibly hidden camp and Swanson is looking for treasure hunters on government land.

I really enjoyed this story and I am thrilled that Preston/Child have started a new series but I do hope that they haven’t stopped with Pendergast because there is never enough of him.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Published by Grand Central Publishing on August 20, 2019

Dr. Nora Kelly is an archeologist who has appeared in the authors’ Pendergast novels. Clive Benton has studied the history of the Donner Party, whose ill-fated trip to the Sierra Nevada included cannibalism. After acquiring Tamzene Donner’s lost journal, Benton wants Nora to lead an expedition to find the Lost Camp, the only camp of stranded Donner Party members that was never found. Benton also hopes to find a large quantity of gold coins.

Corrine Swanson is a new FBI agent, although she is also in the Pendergast stable of characters. She’s assigned to investigate a murder at a Civil War graveyard on federal property. The victim was hired to dig up a grave and was killed by his employers after they stole half of the body he uncovered. Further investigation reveals that graves of other individuals of common ancestry have been disinterred, that a woman in that same genealogical line has gone missing, and that another person in that line, Albert Parkin, was part of the Donner Party.

Old Bones tells a familiar story of an archeological dig, conducted by Nora and a couple of archeology students, with Benton acting as an advisor. A few additional characters guide the archeologists into the mountains and help them set up camp. Eventually, someone disturbs the bones they find, some bones are stolen, someone dies, and Swanson rides in on horseback to investigate.

Also familiar is Swanson’s status as a plucky rookie who pieces together information about grave robbers and is certain she’s on the trail of a serious crime, while her jaded boss wants her to end the investigation and devote her time to provable crimes. The story takes a supernatural twist when a character claims to have seen a ghost, presumably the ghost of a child who was unhappy she didn’t receive a proper burial after her leg was eaten. The ghost (or at least a floating green light) helps out the characters on a couple of occasions. I guess readers who like ghosts will appreciate the spectral addition, but it seemed out of place to me.

The plot generates little suspense. The wrongdoer’s identity is fairly obvious. Preston and Child make a halfhearted attempt to mislead the reader as to the wrongdoer’s motivation, but the reader would have to ignore half the plot to fall for it. Old Bones does manage a couple of surprises near the end, although the eventual explanation for the disinterred bodies is too farfetched to take seriously.

I’ve enjoyed most of Preston & Child’s Pendergast novels (Pendergast makes a cameo in the epilog, and his brief appearance is the best part of the story). I’ve been less satisfied by their other offerings, most of which are weaker than the Pendergast series. They have a tendency in those novels to fuel formulaic stories with stock characters and stale ideas. Characters are made sympathetic in predictable ways (Carrie’s unfortunate childhood makes her reach out to another kid with an unfortunate childhood, an unimaginative way of encouraging the reader to feel good about her) but they suffer from a lack of multiple dimensions.

Still, character development isn’t terribly important in a thriller if the plot excites. This one doesn’t. Preston & Child wield the thriller formula with skill, so their novels are always easy to read. Dedicated Preston & Child fans might enjoy Old Bones, but there are better choices on the thriller market.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child have begun a new series, an offshoot from their much-loved Pendergast books. Leading this new series in “Old Bones” is Nora Kelly formerly of New York City but relocated to Santa Fe after the death of her husband in a case outlined in an earlier Pendergast novel. She is working as a field archaeologist at the Santa Fe Archaeological Institute, a well respected member of her profession.

She is approached by an historian with tangential links to the infamous Donner Party, the group of families headed to California in 1846. They were trapped by blizzards in the high Sierras, blizzards which brought an estimated 26 feet of snow. The group also apparently became split with a small portion separated into what became known as the “Lost Camp.” This historian, one Clive Benton, has a lead on where that lost camp may be.

In a separate story thread, we meet Corrie Swanson, now a fledgling FBI agent in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has also been seen in past Pendergast episodes, most memorably for me in “Still Life With Crows” where she was introduced. After that case, Pendergast took an interest in her future and now she has earned her badge.

The story alternates between Nora and Corrie’s viewpoints, though Nora is the predominant narrator. I think I will avoid providing more plot other than to say there are exciting details of a dig (exciting to any wannabe archaeologists), there are missing people, horses, high mountain country scenery, and interesting details about the Donner Party I never knew before. And Nora and Corrie are definitely brought together by the events of this novel.

I do recommend this book to Pendergast fans and others interested in mystery/thrillers. The setting is unusual. The history is interesting. The characters should keep you wanting to read more. I know I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Two strong female characters drive the action in this new Preston-Child thriller.

Archaeologist Nora Kelly heads up a quest to find the Lost Camp, the site of the missing members of the Donner Party. Clive Benton brings the recently found journal of Tamzene Donner that provides a map to the location. An added incentive is the $10,000 in uncirculated gold coins, now worth $20 million, thought to be hidden away in the Lost Camp.

Rookie FBI Agent Corinne Swanson’s first case is the murder of a man found shot, lying on top of a coffin containing half the remains of woman who fought for the Confederacy. As Corinne digs into the case she discovers that the bodies of three Parkin family members have been dug up over the last several months, and a fourth, currently living Parkin, has been kidnapped.

Nora’s archaeological dig and Corinne’s investigation come together when the FBI agent shows up at Nora’s dig site asking about the remains of Albert Parkin, the common ancestor of the three disinterred bodies and the kidnap victim. Soon after Corinne’s visit, one of the crew steals the remains of the bodies found so far only to be found murdered himself at the bottom of a cliff. Interesting note, when the remains are recovered, the only missing body parts are those of Albert Parkin, primarily his skull.

Preston and Child create ingenious characters, fabricate thoughtful twists and propel readers through the story. Old Bones is being promoted as the first Nora Kelly novel. Hopefully the next adventure also includes FBI Agent Corrine Swanson.

Parallel stories of the work of a new FBI Agent and the search for the Lost Camp of the Donner Party drive the engaging thriller, Old Bones.

Probationary FBI Agent Corrie Swanson is looking into a grave robbery and a recent death as her first real case. She believes there is a connection between the grave robbing and the recent deaths and missing status of the victim’s other family members. Is there a vendetta against the Parkins family? At the same time, Nora and Clive are running an archaeological expedition searching for the Lost Camp of the Donner Party.

I really enjoyed Old Bones. Corrie is a spin-off from these authors’ Pendergast series. It is hard not to compare this book to those excellent ones. Honestly, I don’t think that is fair. This book is captivating and gripping on its own merits. If you like female-led thrillers or have an interest in archaeology, you are in for a treat. 4 stars!

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was quite a ride. The beginning was enjoyable because it created the anticipation about the plot. Once the middle hit, even the ghost stories and legends of the Donner party couldn’t save it from becoming slow moving. It picked up again within the last 100 pages or so and really grabbed me. I loved the surprise twist, villainous revelations, and intriguing motives of the characters.
I made a few highlights of historical and anthropological notes brought up that I want to do more research on to possibly work into my lessons.

Overall, I’d give it a 3.8 rating.

A new thriller series from Preston and Child features two characters from Pendergast books: archaeologist Nora Kelly and fledgling FBI Corrine Swanson.

Nora is asked by historian Clive Benton to help search for a lost camp where several of the Donner Party stayed after breaking off from the main party and died from starvation; her boss agrees to help fund the work when she learns there might be a fortune in gold coins hidden there.

FBI agent Swanson is looking into grave-robbing on federal land and somehow her investigations seem to dovetail with the current archeological project.

Some parts of this story are predictable but it's actually a very intriguing plot. I'll look forward to reading more in this new series. I was provided with an arc by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. Many thanks.

I've always been an easy mark for a mystery steeped in history, and Old Bones is an excellent example. I grew up close to where the Donner Party started out in 1847, and that tale of being trapped by brutal winter weather in an unforgiving land and being forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive has always held a strange fascination for me. Preston and Child flesh out (pun guiltily intended) their story with the history of the Donner Party, a bit of genetics, a marvelous wilderness setting, some archaeology, and-- why not?-- a bit of treasure.

The story is fast-paced, and I really enjoyed getting to know both archaeologist Nora Kelly and rookie FBI agent Corrie Swanson. Prendergast fans will be happy to know that he does make an appearance in this book, but it's really all Nora and Corrie-- and I am definitely looking forward to more.

Old Bones marks the launch of a brand-new series from Preston & Child that will draw on the author's backgrounds in archaeology, American history, and Museum Studies like never before. While Old Bones will be the first official book of the Nora Kelly series, the first novel to actually feature Kelly as the main protagonist was 1999's Thunderhead. Dr. Nora Kelly is an archaeologist associate of Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. Her last appearance came in the novel called Cemetery Dance. Cemetery Dance was the ninth book in the Agent Pendergast series.

Most recently a curator in the Anthropology Department of the New York Museum of Natural History, Nora now works for the Santa Fe Archaeological Institute. Nora is approached by Dr. Clive Benton, a California historian from Stanford University who has a proposition for Nora and her employer. Clive wishes for the institute to become involved in the search for The Lost Camp. The Lost Camp is part of Clive's determination to find one of the Donner Party's last known locations.

To make things even more interesting for Nora's boss Dr. Jill Fugit, Clive claims that according to Tamsen Donner's journal, one of the men on the Donner expedition, Jacob Wolfinger, had been carrying quite the fortune in Liberty Head gold eagle coins which has never been found. The deal is done and the die is cast. For Nora, the lost money is a nice reward, but being the first to find the Lost Camp, can make her already impressive career a huge boost.

Corrine "Corrie" Swanson is also an an associate of Special Agent Pendergast. She's a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is now a new agent of the FBI. Corrie first appeared in Still Life with Crows and was the featured protagonist in the Pendergast novel White Fire. While working for her new boss, Corrine uncovers a curious mystery in that those with the same name have either had their graves robbed, or have been kidnapped. But, what do they have in common? What are the perps searching for? Can Corrie put the pieces together before she has to hand off her case to someone more experienced?

While Nora and her team are uncovering history, as well as dealing with murder, Corrie is trying to prove herself to small minded sheriff's who believe she is too young to be leading any investigation. She also has to deal with a supervisor who allows her just enough room to hang herself before believing that she is better off dealing with other less important cases. Corrie and Nora aren't much of friends in this book. Not until they are both sort of pushed into realizing this Lost Camp search was much more than either of them could have imagined.

Overall, the story was just fine, but the ending was really off the rails. Obviously, the co-authors had to have a Pendergast sighting since this series is a spin-off from his own. As always with the Preston & Child’s books, there is a lot of history to be gleaned and history to be researched more fully. The Donner Party horror has been in the minds of historians and history lovers since 1847. There is an unresolved issue that I am hoping gets more explanation in the sequel. It would explain who the real villains are that are off screen causing so much pain and suffering.

The first chapter was good but the second chapter hooked me completely.

The story felt very steady. Not really a thriller but a steady line of suspense throughout. Nora and Corrie were interesting and I enjoyed how their mysteries came together. I found myself constantly thinking about the book throughout my day and itching to pick it up where I left off. This book did leave me with a few questions but I will read more of the series and even go back and check out the Pendergast series where both of these characters make their debut as side characters.