I was really excited to see this title described as "a Jurassic Park" like story. I miss Michael Crichton so finding a novel in his style was very intriguing.
Overall this book delivered on the promise. A new technology has allowed us to "un-extinct" animals like Wooly Mammoths. (Fun fact in the end chapter author Preston explains this technology exists and is being studied now). This book gives you the combination of exciting technology with amazing possibility mixed with greed and bad luck. I don't want to spoil the story but as you imagine bringing back a extinct species brings complications with it.
I honestly did not want to put this down and found some of the characters worth rooting for. I think this book will be a hit, it definitely checks all the boxes for a exciting bestseller.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW/CW: Death, murder, brutality, violence, language

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Extinction is a mystery novel that takes place after the murder of two hikers in a Jurassic Park-like refuge that has brought wooly mammoths and other large mammals back to life.

This is a fast-moving and entertaining novel, and I enjoyed reading it. It’s a unique story, and although I figured it out well before the end, it was still interesting to read.

My biggest problem with this book is the almost complete lack of character development. While the story was interesting, I sadly did not find the characters to be so at all. They simply were not 3D characters, and the lack of development made the characters difficult to tell apart.

This book would probably appeal more to people who enjoy mysteries more than I do. While having its faults, this is still an enjoyable book.

Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

This book was an addicting read; that hasn't happened to me in a while.

Basic premise: a wealthy young newlywed couple is murdered while camping in the Colorado mountains on a private reserve. The reserve is a park dedicated to "six de-extincted species of Pleistocene megafauna;" with all modern predators removed.

Involved in the solving are the owners & scientists running the park, the incoming state investigators and local sheriff. All fairly predictable characters; flawed, or power hungry, or local do gooders. A fun side plot is a nearby movie crew, providing an entertaining diversion.

While there's no cliffhanger, there is room for a series to develop with the main character, should the author choose.

Any more details would spoil the plot. There is no supernatural aspect to this book, just science gone awry. A Michael Crichton comparison is reasonable, though it's stated at least twice that this is "not Jurassic Park!"

Preston is always good for fast moving, scientific adventures, and this one does not fail. While I had an inkling of who the "baddies" were fairly early on, he fleshed it out to be more than I anticipated.

Thoroughly enjoyable, 4 stars!

A fantastic read with amazing possibilities for what well could be our near future with plausible creatures brought back from extinction. Preston once again develops a techno-thriller with edge of the seat page turning plot lines reminiscent of Michael Crichton from years past. Think Jurassic Park with murders, terrorists, and a surprising antagonist of ancient roots. Anyone looking for a great read will want to check out the recent addition to Preston's great library of techno-scientific thrillers.

As per all of Douglas Preston‘s book, I found this one to be hard to put down. The premise that an exclusive resort has de-extincted (a clumsy term) prehistoric fauna, for the entertainment of the elite is compelling and fraught with potential disaster. Preston is able to write about blood and gore with talent. There was a wealth of people in this book, which got to be a bit confusing as more and more hierarchical characters were introduced.
As in previous books, Preston (and Childs) has yet to find the voice of today’s woman; and seems to be stuck in the previous century writing about a pregnant woman’s horniness level (I almost stopped reading at this point) and a police director’s dieting concerns (should she eat half of a cinnamon bun?).
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The latest book by Douglas Preston is an exciting read. With touches of Jurassic Park but with a murder investigation as part of the package, I enjoyed it tremendously. Just when you think you have all the answers to the murder, the investigation there is another twist. With a cast of characters that includes incompetent bureaucrats and secretive executives those working the investigation have challenges to surmount. The ending leaves us with the possibility of a sequel, we will see.

Initially I was "meh, Douglas Preston is rehashing Jurassic Park. How unimaginative." I should have known better.

Preston is too good of a writer to just take an old plot and rehash it. While the general concept is the similar (bringing back extinct species) the plot and delivery is pure Preston. There's action, there's adventure, there's wit, and there's just plain good, terrifying fun!

Make this your holiday gift to your friends & family who enjoy action & adventure.

Fans of Preston will not be surprised by this thrillers writing style. In the theme of Jurassic Park, Wooly Mammoth’s and other animals have been de-extinct for the ultra rich to faun over at a resort. When newlyweds vanish, the professionals are brought in. Main character Agent Frances Cash is steadfast in her leadership and fair in her relationship with the local sheriff. Other than the obvious outlandishness of the plot ending, I had a real issue with the descriptions and remarks on Cash’s physique. Very readable, just not my favorite addition to their usual fare.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to call in sick so that you can finish the book. Our bookstore has always done well with books by Douglas Preston and this one has not disappointed. The characters are real , the premise is interesting and it is a true whodunit.

We will definitely be carrying this title

Fans of Jurassic Park and Douglas Preston will be thrilled with this new look at bringing back the past. The plot is quick-moving and entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of the mountain scenery.

I must start by thanking NetGalley as well as the publisher Tor, for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. Fast paced thriller that could become reality? Another wonderful novel by Douglas Preston who digs up fantastical what-ifs and weaves them into amazing mysteries.

<b>Thank you to Forge Books, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will release April 24, 2024.</b>

This is the most scared I’ve been reading a Preston and/or Child book since, I think, <i>Cemetery Dance.</i> Which I find fascinating because when taking into account what actually transpires, it is far from terrifying, especially compared to some of my favorites by this author. Like, <i>Extinction</i> has nothing on <i>Still Life with Crows</i>, for instance.

And yet.

There is just <i>something</i> about the killers in this book, from the way they their voices are described, to the disguises they don and the symbolic tokens they leave behind, that is absolutely freakin’ <i>bone-chilling</i>. That’s probably not going to be everyone’s experience, but for me, it definitely evoked a primal “THAT’S BAD” response. At the same time, this is a part I wish I could have seen more of—how did they come to develop this? What does it <i>mean</i> to them? It would be so cool to get insight into that aspect of the story.

Of course, the other bit of this book that is truly frightening is the ethics, or lack thereof, displayed by the scientists at Erebus. I mean, the book itself points out its similarities to <i>Jurassic Park</i>, and it doesn’t stop with de-extinction—it carries right on through to the iconic exhortation “you didn’t stop to think if you should.” And these scientists REALLY should have thought this through better by a factor of like, a thousand.

I will admit that this book started off rather slow for me, and it took a little while to engage my interest—because there was quite a gap between the inciting murders and the first appearance of the killers that mainly focused on introducing the main players—but once the investigation begins in earnest and the incidents start increasing, it’s gripping. Maybe a little too much so, if me looking over my shoulder at three o’clock in the afternoon is any indication.

Extinction is a fun science fiction mystery/thriller. It's somewhat of a mashup between Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and Relic, one of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's earlier novels. Fun read, I will recommend it to the patrons at my library.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

This is a fun book that is fast and full of action/adventure. It reminded me of Jurassic Park (even though in the book we’re reminded several times this sanctuary of animals is no Jurassic Park.

Preston, Douglas, Extinction.

Situated on a 100-acre valley high up in the Colorado Rockies, Erebus Resort have created a new technology called CRISPR to de-extinct woolly mammoths, Irish elk, giant sloths, and other extinct creatures. With Erebus’ unique experience grabbing their attention, a young, newlywed couple chooses to spend their honeymoon at the resort. While out camping with their guide, the young couple disappears. The only clue left behind is a pool of blood. CBI Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff James Colcord are called in to help investigate the young couple’s disappearance. Soon, violent events start spiraling out of control. What is really going on at Erebus Resort? What happened to the young couple? Can Cash and Colcord figure it out before it’s too late?

The plot is well-written, intense, and captures the reader easily. The characters are likable. The pace is quick and keeps the reader turning the page. The author incorporates real science to give credibility and depth to the story. A must-read for fans of Michael Crichton, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and scientific thrillers. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, ADULT

A quick and exciting speculative fiction thriller - think Jurassic Park with woolly mammoths.
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A resort with de-extinction of woolly mammoths and other creatures is hiding a secret. When a couple is killed, the CBI and local sheriff is called in to investigate. Interesting premise.

Being a fan of Douglas Preston books I wasn’t expecting this to disappoint and it didn’t. Nicely paced and page turning once you get past the scene setting in the beginning. A Jurassic Park style story with a few twists and some gruesome scenes is always a winner!

High in the Colorado Rockies, a genetics and scientific laboratory has unbelievably, through genetic manipulation, ‘de-extincted’ the woolly mammoth, giant sloths, and other prehistoric mammals.
When the extremely gruesome and unfathomable double murder of a billionaire’s son and his pregnant wife, takes place within the property of the lab/resort Erebus, everyone wonders was it a killing perpetrated by these giant beasts …or worse.
CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) agent Cash arrives to try to solve the killings, along with local sheriff Colcord, and before they know it, violent events spiral out of control and when Agent Cash and Sheriff Colcord realize what is actually taking place at Erebus, it is a far worse scenario than they had imagined.
Initially thought to be a group of eco-terrorists (now hunting ANY humans in the area), it slowly becomes clear that someone, or something, else is behind the murders.

This harkens back to Jurassic Park, but with mammoths. It was a fun science fiction novel and was an interesting read. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.