Fun, dynamic, engaging read. I am always intrigued by this author and his out of the box storylines. The book is thought-provoking while being delightfully entertaining. I would recommend this read to anyone that would like a fast-paced, light, yet conversation invoking read.

Extinction of the first book I’ve read by Douglas Preston, and it didn’t disappoint. I wouldn’t really compare it to Jurassic Park too much, but if you loved Jurassic Park you’ll like this one. This is more of a mystery. Who’s the bad guy/bad guys? In Jurassic Park, the enemy was always clear, because they weren’t the main point of the story. In Extinction, the story starts with mysterious killings, and it builds from there. I loved the imagery of the mammoths and other prehistoric mammals. It was written beautifully.

This story was very well told. Especially since it was told from multiple perspectives which can sometimes get messy. This one was put together nicely. It did drag in areas, but when it was going, it really went. There were brutal bits, but they were mainly left to the imagination rather than a full description. Sometimes less is more, and while I’m not one to get queasy, I feel like if you do, this style wouldn’t be as hard on you. It was interesting! You can tell the author did some research here, and that makes it all the better.

Even though it never ends well, fictionally speaking, I’ve gotta say I’d line up to see these creatures. Dinos. Mammals. It’d be worth the risk to see them. Sign me up!

This reminded me so much of a Michael Crichton book and I absolutely loved it. I love books that have a sci-fi twist that really make you contemplate the morality of scientific progress and make you ask "Just because you can do something, should you actually do it, and what are the possible ramifications?'

I have read every Michael Crichton book and loved them. A cover with a woolly mammoth, the title hinting at a Jurassic Park vibe, and a sci-fi thriller description made me want to dive into this book. The hook is great. Preston does a great job giving you vivid detail to paint the idyllic scene of a baby woolly mammoth playing in the water at sunset. You are immediately hit with the thriller part of the story very 1980s style couple left alone and why would you go out into the dark. Now we introduce the investigator, a female who seems very disconnected from the world and has some past "moment" that she will need to reconcile with during the story. Kinda cliche. From there a ton of characters get introduced and it seems to just muddy the storyline, but I assume they are meant to bring in red herrings. The twist is odd and hard to believe. The investigator figures it all out and we all go home with a smile. This felt to contrived for TV or film and it would have really great imagery, but the story has some plot holes that was disappointing, and the science needs some scientific review for accuracy and terminology use. Overall, it was a fun ride but not a Michael Crichton adventure which is sorely miss.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. This is a thriller with some twist and mystery thrown in with the historical animals was a masterpiece. Chef’s kiss!

I ARC reviewed this for Netgalley and this is my honest opinion. I was not paid for this review. Thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this masterpiece.

5 Stars.

This gripping thriller, filled with hidden dangers and twists, kept me hooked. The search for missing campers leads to shocking discoveries. I highly recommend this thriller.

This is a novel that I approached with high hopes, especially as a big fan of Jurassic Park. The idea of bringing back extinct animals from fossilized DNA is an exciting concept that immediately drew me in. However, while the premise was intriguing, the execution left me with mixed feelings.

The novel’s central plot revolves around the cloning of Neanderthals, a concept that, while ambitious, felt a bit far-fetched for my taste. Unlike the more grounded approach seen in Jurassic Park, the science in Extinction sometimes stretched the limits of believability, making it harder to fully immerse myself in the story.

Additionally, the characters involved in the secretive cloning experiments came across as somewhat cliché. The "mad scientist" trope is well-worn, and in this case, it felt a bit overdone. The characters lacked the nuance and depth that could have made their motivations more compelling, instead leaning heavily into the stereotypes of unethical scientists driven by hubris.

That said, Extinction wasn’t without its merits. The pacing was solid, and there were moments of genuine tension and excitement that kept me engaged. If you’re a fan of science fiction thrillers with a focus on genetic experimentation, there’s certainly some entertainment to be found here. However, if you’re looking for a story with the same level of scientific plausibility and character complexity as Jurassic Park, you might find this one falls a bit short.

Douglas Preston's Extinction is a gripping blend of scientific intrigue and pulse-pounding adventure. The novel deftly intertwines cutting-edge genetic research with a suspenseful narrative, keeping readers on edge from start to finish. Preston's meticulous attention to detail and compelling characters make this a standout thriller in the genre.

Wow, what a page-turner! I loved the Jurassic Park-type plot mixed with the police procedural aspects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book.

A valley in Colorado contains a safari-style experience with de-extinct herbivores such as the woolly mammoth. This spectacular location serves as the backdrop for a shocking double homicide.

This was a promising set-up; I’m a sucker for books that incorporate science, and especially books that explore the implications of scientific progress. I was however disappointed by its execution. I don’t think its marketing as Crichton-esque is helping its case - Preston’s work is more action movie than science thriller.

The first half was fun and well-paced, but it began to drag when characters started making majorly stupid decisions that resulted in predictable consequences. It ended up feeling unrealistic for something based off of scientific research.

This book also suffers from the main female lead being written quite poorly. She constantly thinks about her weight and wishes she was skinnier. She even skips meals and thinks longingly of sweet treats. This was not a point of character development or a commentary on the expectations women place on themselves - it just reads like what a man thinks might be relatable funny moments for women reading.

I also thought the central plot was in poor taste. I didn’t enjoy the big reveal. The novel felt unresolved at the end, but I don’t know if I actually wanted Preston to actually try to wrap up the plot he’d created.

I was having a lot of fun with the ‘police procedural’ at the start, and I wish the book had stuck with that feeling. It was an easy read that pulled me through and did keep me intrigued for a good chunk. Definitely fun, but didn’t quite deliver on its promises.

This was a quick read and I found the writing to be very basic with a plot that was easy to follow. This sounds like I should have given it a four star rating, but I found the mystery to be quiet easy to figure out so that really was a drag for me. With that said, the science inside the book and the concept were intriguing and that kept me rating this in a solid three star category.

If you a looking for a good beach read or vacation book this will keep you engaged when read without hijacking the whole vacation.

Thank you Net Galley and Tor Publishing for the ARC I read

Douglas Preston's "Extinction" is a gripping thriller that marries cutting-edge science with relentless suspense. Set in the awe-inspiring Erebus Resort in the Colorado Rockies, the novel plunges readers into a world where woolly mammoths and other prehistoric creatures roam once more, thanks to advanced genetic engineering.

When the son of a billionaire and his new wife are brutally murdered, Agent Frances Cash and Sheriff James Colcord are tasked with uncovering the truth. What begins as a hunt for eco-terrorists soon reveals something far more sinister lurking in the shadows of Erebus. Preston masterfully builds tension as the body count rises, and the true threat becomes chillingly clear.

"Extinction" is not just a nod to Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park" but a thrilling exploration of its own unique horrors. Preston's meticulous research and vivid storytelling create a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. While some elements may feel slightly implausible, the fast-paced action and well-crafted suspense make this a compelling read. A solid 4-star thriller that will leave you both entertained and thoughtful about the potential consequences of genetic manipulation.

As always Preston has written a firecracker of a book. I love his breathtaking adventures. Highly recommend.

Absolutely loved this one!

When campers go missing in the Colorado wilds, Agent Cash is brought in to investigate. Along with the sheriff, they begin to uncover something more than just a wild park with prehistoric creatures. There is something dark going on, and they are determined to figure it out.

As the case begins to develop, Cash realizes they are dealing with something a lot more dangerous than ordinary killers. They are literally being hunted to extinction...

Fantastic read! I was hooked from the beginning and could not put the book down! I look forward to seeing more in this series. Douglas Preston is one of my top authors.

This book was an adventure. Douglas Preston revisits the ideas behind Jurassic Park and takes the de-extinction further. This book sets your imagination on fire and is a rollicking read. It is so action-packed and fast-paced, you will race your way to the end and be left with a feeling of wonder.

The blurb was giving big "Jurassic Park" energy, so I downloaded this and read it pretty quickly. It's something that's an easy recommended library purchase, and will find tons of happy readers who're looking for thrillers with high-tech overtones, and the concept is great. There is nothing wrong with the execution--this is content from a seasoned author who knows how to pace a book--but it may not stand the test of time. That is okay. It is the literary equivalent of a nice big bag of Doritos. I enjoyed it while reading, but it wasn't terribly nutritious. Take it to the beach!

The book is a gripping thriller that explores genetic manipulation and murder at an exclusive resort where extinct animals are brought back to life. The story follows Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff James Colcord as they investigate the brutal murder of a billionaire's son and his bride. The plot is intricate and suspenseful, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The author's use of factual background information on genetic manipulation adds realism to the story, making it even more chilling. While some parts of the story feel slightly implausible, the book is a masterfully crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. The author's writing style is engaging, and the pacing is expertly managed, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Overall, this book is a thought-provoking and suspenseful read that will keep you up past your bedtime. Thank you both Tor publishing group and NetGalley for providing this amazing ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group as well as the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
#NetGalley #TorPublishingGroup #Extinction #DouglasPreston

Title: Extinction
Author: Douglas Preston
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Publication Date: April 24, 2024

Themes: paleontology, biologic/genetic horror, genetic engineering, thriller, crime, police procedural, science fiction
Trigger Warnings: gore, murder, animal death, death of a pregnant woman, cannibalism, genetic engineering/cloning

It never ceases to amaze that Douglas Preston hasn’t run out of ideas yet. He puts out amazing book after amazing book andI can’t get enough. I’m thrilled to say that this holds true with “Extinction” as well. Actually, it may even be better!

Erebus Resort has done the impossible! Through cutting edge technology and genetic engineering, it has managed to bring back mammoths and some other animals from extinction. (Does no one learn?! Have they not seen Jurassic Park?!) Also, a wealthy man and his son have been kidnapped and gruesome murders are taking place in the valley. Enter FBI agent Frances Cash, and county sheriff, James Colcord. They form an alliance to solve these crimes before another occurs.

This is a fast paced book. I loved every second of it. I love learning about genetics and paleontology. I love the gore and horrifying murders! I LOVED Cash and Colcord! I hope this book marks the start of a new series featuring these two characters. Cash’s rough-around-the-edges personality fits perfectly with quiet, polite, easy-going Colcord. Together, these two people face a lot of grisly and nausea-inducing scenes.

I loved the main storyline, of course, but I enjoyed the side plots and fluff bits just as much. I loved reading about the animals, particularly the mammoths, and I loved the imagery that the author created. I felt this book was cinematic in its imagery. There was so much going on that it almost could have been two books.

Overall, this book was compelling, fast-paced, interesting and fun. I can’t help but hope for another in this vein.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Publishing and Douglas Preston for the opportunity to read an ARC of Extinction. This is my honest and unpaid review of the book. This book was a great read for when you want a bit of action to pull you out of a reading slump. It would be an awesome summer read, but maybe not while you're camping in the forest or mountains. You'll see why. There were some great twists and turns and some very suspenseful moments that made this book hard to put down! I did enjoy exploring the thoughts the book brings up about the de-extinction of species and the repercussions of that process.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm.... 3.25-3.5 stars out of 5 so rounding up to 3.5 then rounding up to four. I don't know why this rating system is so dang hard for me.

I have been a fan of Douglas Preston for a while. His collabs with Lincoln Child in the Agent Pendergast series were some of my favorite books in my 20s. I adore Lincoln Child’s solo books, also. I believe this might be the first solo Douglas book I have read, though don’t quote me on that.

Extinction begins with a newlywed couple in the Colorado Rockies at a place called Erebus Resort. They have hired a guide, but they are both experienced hikers. In the middle of the night, though, something slashes through their tent. The husband goes out to investigate, and the sounds that the wife hears prompt her to follow. Her screams wake the guide, who is a little ways off to give them privacy, but by the time he arrives, there is nothing but two rather large puddles of blood.

In her first venture as Agent in Charge, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Cash initially assumes this will be an open and shut case. Erebus Resort has been de-extincting creatures from the Pleistocene period and editing out their aggressive traits. Erebus has been getting threats and complaints from persons unhappy with their ventures.

But the more layers Cash and local Sheriff Colcord peel off, the more curious and disturbing the case becomes.

I liked the book. I didn’t love it like I thought I would, but it was definitely interesting. The one thing that irked me was the book’s insistence that it was NOT JURASSIC PARK!!