"Death, I find, always leaves traces."

Simon Nealy returns to the museum his sister disappeared from as a child to become the director of paleontology. At the museum, Simon begins seeing spirits--and not just human ones. Simon soon discovers that his sister's disappearance isn't the only mystery within the Hawthorne Museum.

Oh, what to say about this book? There's just so much I loved. This book enraptured and devastated me. The Paleontologist is like Night of the Museum reimagined as a murder mystery/horror novel, and I enjoyed nearly every minute of it (the beginning was a bit meh and sometimes I felt like I was reading a paleontology textbook). This had a very slow start, and I braced myself for a woe-is-me survivor investigating a cold case. Instead, dinosaur ghosts. Nearly everytime I thought I had something figured out, a new twist was revealed. Sure, the plot was far-fetched, but that's what suspension of belief is for. I genuinely adored this book, and I would recommend it for the unique concept alone.

The Paleontologist was an intriguing and well written mixture of dinosaurs and horror. The author’s writing is very accessible, I had no issues understanding the more technical aspects of the story. I personally liked that the author chose to do a modern pandemic setting, it added to the eerie atmosphere of the story. I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, he felt kind of flat. The plot was a bit slow and there were certain moments where there was a lot going on which made it feel slightly disjointed. Some aspects of the plot also felt a bit too far-fetched to be believable. The themes (childhood trauma, family dynamics, loss of a sibling) this author explores were well thought out and executed. If you’re a fan of horror and are looking for a spooky dinosaur/museum story I suggest giving this a try!

Thank you to Atria for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas. My Children have inspired in me a love and interest in all things dinosaur and prehistoric related so naturally I requested this book as I always enjoy a good thriller. This book takes you on a wild adventure trying to solve a 20 year mystery of what happened to the main characters sister when she suddenly disappeared from the very same museum that the main character works at. As the story unfolds this book will have you on the edge of your seat questioning everything. This is such a unique book I couldn't put it down. ⅘ stars thank you Netgalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read. It's full of mystery and paranormal. This is not my typical kind of read but I really enjoyed it.

It follows Dr. Simon Nealy, a paleontologist as he returns to the museum where his sister disappeared when he was 10. She was never found. She was 6 at the time and he was told to watch his sister. He swore he'd never return to the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History, but when a position opens, he decides to return in hopes of discovering what happened to his sister so many years ago.

He swears that he hears her and begins to see things that he cannot explain. He begins to think that he's going crazy, but then he starts to piece together what really happened, not realizing that he's putting his own life in danger.

I really enjoyed this book! I've recommended this to several friends!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria books for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

If you like mysteries/thrillers, suspense, and dinosaurs, then this book is for you! It has definite Jurrasic Park meets Night at the Museum vibes, which I loved and a whole bunch of dinos!

This book introduces us to Simon, a haunted paleontologist who has come back to his hometown to take a job at the museum where his 6-yo sister was abducted 20 years ago. Seems like a terrible idea if you ask me, but the pull of the job and his sister makes Simon do some crazy things. The Hawthorne Museum is no regular museum, as we find out pretty quickly, and there are plenty of ghosts haunting its halls.

Simon must prep and display a dino skeleton (Theo) started by his predecessor but also makes it his mission to try and solve the mystery behind his sister's disappearance. But neither the museum's executives nor their resident ghosts will make that easy for him. Simon's character is kind of boring, but does develop quite a bit as the story goes on. Theo was my favorite character, and his story was truly heart-wrenching.

Pros: Dinosaurs! A haunted museum; the unbreakable bonds between a brother and sister

Cons: This is another Covid-time book; while it shouldn't stop you from reading it, if is definitely becoming an overused and occasionally off-putting plotline. This book gets a slow start, but I promise it's worth it! The villain twist was unexpected but definitely good.

Definitely check this book out if you are a dinosaur fan like I am, and if you love a good thriller! I will definitely be recommending this book to my book club and Librarian coworkers! So good!

After reading A History of Fear, I was thrilled to receive access via Netgalley to read The Paleontologist!

This book is perfect for fans of dinosaurs, haunted museums, ghosts, or a combination of all three! Dumas does an excellent job of setting us up to feel each unnerving moment, and keeping us engaged with the story. That is especially the case for the big reveal involving Morgan's disappearance. So much so that when I reached that moment I audibly gasped.

I also really loved the relationships he drew between museums and graveyards and history itself. It was an enlightening take on the significance of museums, the study of dinosaurs, and the importance of finding answers in our personal histories.

The nitty-gritty: A haunted museum is the setting for Luke Dumas' latest, a solid mystery story with supernatural elements.

If you’re a dinosaur fan, and I mean if you love scientific facts about dinosaurs, you’ll probably enjoy The Paleontologist a lot. I thought I liked dinosaurs, but I have to admit parts of this book were downright boring to me, and I ended up skipping over some of the more dry observations of our protagonist Simon, who is obsessed with dinosaurs and has been ever since he was a young kid. Despite a few negatives, I loved the idea of dinosaur ghosts, and the museum setting was unique and fresh. Dumas did a great job at creating a creepy atmosphere, and while I wouldn’t call this book scary, there were definitely some unsettling moments.

The story takes place during the Covid pandemic in 2021, when things were starting to open up again but people were still required to wear masks. Dr. Simon Nealy has just accepted a job in Wrexham, Pennsylvania working for the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. He grew up in Wrexham and hasn’t been back in twenty years, not since his little sister Morgan disappeared from the museum’s Hall of Insects and Animalia. Morgan’s body was never found, and Simon feels terrible guilt for letting it happen, since he was supposed to be watching her at the time. Now that he’s back, he’s drawn into the mystery of her disappearance (her case was never solved) and is determined to find out what happened to her once and for all.

Meanwhile, the board of directors has given Simon the task of completing the display of the museum’s prize set of bones, a Ceratosaurus fondly referred to as Theo. And when he starts hearing strange noises in the dark halls of the dinosaur exhibit and later sees something impossible, Simon begins to wonder if something is trying to send him a message. Is the answer to Morgan’s fate somewhere in the museum? And will Simon be able to discover the answers before the thing lurking in the shadows stops him?

OK positives first. As I mentioned before, I loved the museum setting for several reasons. Simon spends a lot of late nights working by himself, and museums at night—even without dinosaur ghosts—are pretty eerie. Add in some otherworldly elements and it’s a nice set-up for one of the mysteries: why are dinosaurs haunting the museum? What do they want? And what do they have to do with Morgan’s disappearance? I was also fascinated by the ins and outs of running a museum. Simon is at the mercy of the board of directors to fund his projects, and it was eye opening to see how much the museum is struggling to stay open, especially in the middle of the pandemic. One of Simon’s coworkers is a woman named Fran who is responsible for fundraising, and let’s just say I wouldn’t want that job. One of the museum’s biggest benefactors is an elderly woman named Evie who befriends Simon and helps with his search for Morgan, and I really enjoyed their scenes together.

A lot of time is spent with Simon trying to solve the mystery of Morgan’s disappearance, and although I wanted more dino ghost action than I got, I did enjoy Simon’s dogged search for the truth. Dumas goes to some dark places as Simon dives into the journals of the man who held the position before him, Dr. Albert J. Mueller, and uncovers some terrible truths about his connection to Morgan. The author reveals that Simon and Morgan had a very unhappy childhood, and this plays into the story in several ways. Simon has come a long way after surviving parental neglect and substance abuse, but he still has a lot of baggage to deal with.

Which brings me to Simon’s character. Simon is a mess. His boyfriend Kai just broke up with him, and he’s not handling it well. (Kai was tired of dealing with Simon’s frequent night terrors, especially since he refused to get help). Being back in his hometown brings all his feelings of guilt over Morgan to the surface and those emotions start to take over. I get that Simon had a tough childhood, but some of his reactions seemed over the top to me. Simon cries a lot in this story, and instead of feeling sorry for him, those moments just left me puzzled. Let’s face it: I was expecting a scary dinosaur story but what I got was a somber, emotional story about a man who is having trouble coping.

Once the mystery of Morgan is solved, Dumas tacks on another mystery at the end which felt rushed and unnecessary (although I can see why he added it, but it threw off the pacing). There’s a lot going on here: child abduction, murder, museum politics, dealing with the pandemic, relationship issues, not to mention the long history of the Hawthorne Museum and the intricacies of putting a dinosaur skelton together. I was surprised that it took me a solid week to finish this book, but even though some parts were thrilling and fast-paced, the story didn’t always hold my interest and I kept putting it aside.

Still, I’m glad I read The Paleontologist, even though it was sort of a mixed bag for me. I’m very interested in catching up with Luke Dumas’ A History of Fear, which I hear is fantastic, and I’ll be curious to see what the author tackles next.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

A solid 4 ⭐ read :)

Thank you Net Galley and Atria Books for giving me an ARC to review!

During the pandemic, a renown paleontologist who is haunted by the childhood disappearance of his younger sister, returns to work at the museum of his childhood; the site of his sister's disappearance. Once there, he discovers that things at the museum are not as they seem; He hears growls in the dark halls of the museum, the current administration is putting up unnecessary roadblocks for him to do his work, even his predecessor was driven mad while working at the museum. What is making those growling sounds in the dark? Do the staff know more than they let on? Does any of this have to do with his sister's disappearance 20 years ago? I'll leave that, dear reader, for you to find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas. I loved diving into the world of academic paleontology and learning more about these awesome and mysterious creatures. It gave me the same depth and feel as a Michael Chrichton novel, but with a new twist. (high praise because Michael Chrichton was my all time favorite author!) The characters are well developed and definitely memorable, (I liked Evie, Maurice and Fran the best) and I really couldn't help sympathizing with the MC with some of his questionable choices, especially after everything he's been through.

Some minor gripes about the story. I wouldn't call this a horror/thriller story per say, more like informational mystery novel. There are moments of suspense, but it doesn't really have that tension and ramp up that most stories in those genres possess. Also while sympathizing with the MC, I did find him a bit whiny, especially with how sensitive he was about his size. I understand what it was for ultimately, but it seems so minor in the grand scheme of things, that the whole detail just seems superfluous. The only other gripe I have about this novel is that I still had questions at the end, that were never really answered (I won't posit them here because they are rife with spoilers), but hopefully I can find someone who has read it and can have a discussion about it :)

If you're looking for a read that's full of fascinating information about dinosaurs and Paleontology, with a touch of suspense and wrapped up in a tantalizing mystery, then The Paleontologist is right for you!

I really enjoyed this. I tend to really like stuff where paleontology is a theme, because I think that sort of thing is just so fascinating. Overall, I really liked the characters and the plot. I will say, though, that the pacing was a bit off. I felt like this story was a little too long. I liked the ending, though, so I wouldn't cut or change that. I think that the middle just felt a little too long-winded sometimes, and could have been more concise to help push the story along at a fast pace. I saw someone compare this to scarier Night at the Museum and I totally agree! I also think that the fall is such a great time for this book to come out and be read!

This book was a trip. Like the protagonist, I am a huge dinosaur fan (but not a paleontologist). I loved the Jurassic Park vibes of the story. Unfortunately, I felt the book was a little too long and it detracted from my enjoyment of some of the plot because it just kept going. However, the ending was worth the wait.

If you love dinosaurs, bones or Night at the Museum (but scarier) stories, this is definitely the book for you. It was quite the ride!

My thanks to Atria books and Netgalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

"The Paleontologist" by Luke Dumas opens with Dr. Simon Nealy returning to his hometown to work for the Hawthorn Museum, one of his childhood favorites that inspired his career. Although his intentions are more than just establishing a new Paleontology department within the rundown museum, he is also trying to solve the case of his missing sister that occurred at the museum when they were just children. But while working late at night, ghosts of the museum's permanent residents come alive. Between the distractions of a haunted museum and the secrets the staff is hiding, will Simon ever figure out what happened to his baby sister, Morgan?

Thank you Simon & Schuster, Bookclubfavorites, and Netgalley for the free book for review considerations. All opinions expressed here are mine alone.

There is a lot going on in this slow-burn thriller that might leave you a little overwhelmed, with multiple timeline subplots, mysteries, speculations, paleontological technical jargon, and terminology. All while being set during the loosening of lockdown recommendations in the U.S. However overwhelming it can be, it all ties together nicely in the end.


An excellent story to use your speculative skills because at times you will wonder if the protagonist was the culprit, or maybe there are a few other possible suspects or reasons for Morgan's disappearance.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to any dinosaur enthusiast who enjoys a nice slow-burn thriller. Please don't expect a fast page-turner.

Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

I suspect had I not already read several COVID-era novels and so many other novels that shared one or more of the plot elements of this book already this year (save the dinosaurs–that’s unique) that I might have enjoyed this book more. Maybe it’s a case of wrong time, right book. Maybe I’ll give this book a re-read in a few years and find it to be a better read than I do now. Right now, however, I found this book to be derivative, clunky, and very predictable.

Is it entertaining? Yes…in places. I didn’t enjoy it at first: I actually thought I was going to DNF it (I give novels up until the 15-20% mark to make enough impression before I DNF because life is too short to waste on mediocre books), but then it started to pull me in, bit by bit. It wasn’t total absorption, but it was enough to keep reading.

That’s the issue, though: I wasn’t absorbed by this book. I had to fight to keep focused on it. It was a little like that Taylor Swift refrain, “I think I’ve seen this film before…,” because I felt like I knew exactly where this book was headed all the time. It didn’t help that Simon, our protagonist, wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. I spent half of the time reading this book rolling my eyes at him.

For some reason I had hoped there would be a little more of a horror element and a little more of a paranormal element to this story. By the end the whole thing felt rather anticlimactic. I don’t know if that says more about me than the book, but there it is.

I’d say you’ll likely enjoy this if you aren’t sick of novels that take place during COVID, if you’re a huge dinosaur fan, and if you enjoy your horror very mild and leaning toward the metaphysical. If you’re a person who usually needs TW/CWs about stuff involving kids or animals, then please find them before you read.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. This review was provided without any recompense. Thank you.

File Under: Ghost Fiction/Historical Mystery/Murder Thriller/Paranormal Fiction/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Thriller

This book really pulls in a lot. A lot of light social commentary, a lot of academia and paleontology, a lot of non-profit administration, and a lot of theories and possible explanations for the unusual happenings at the Hawthorne. Parts of this book were intriguing and wanting to put all the pieces together to solve the mystery pushed me along. I had a hard time with how everything wrapped up because it included so much and so many of the hints for possible explanations dropped along the way. I loved the premise and thought the execution could have been better but ultimately liked the book.

At first glance, I wasn't sure how I would feel about The Paleontologist. Would it be too dinosaur-ish, something I'm really not all that interested in? What a surprise! It isn't a "dinosaur book", despite the first impression I got from the cover. It's so much more. It's about a missing child, ghosts, and secrets. For a while, I wasn't sure where it was going, and I didn't care, because the storyline is so compelling. Simon is a complex character with a lot of issues, but he's also a brother who is looking for answers, a son who has disappointed his mother, and a paleontologist who just might be in over his head. I loved this unique haunted museum story!

Dumas’s debut was one of my favourite books last year! just like with his previous book, I really enjoyed the way he sets up his atmospheric, slow burn horror-tinged stories with focus on the lead character. this one was solid and i thought all the dinosaur/palaeontology was really unique and well researched despite being info-dumpy at times. this one didn’t quite hit as hard as his previous book for me (I just personally found it less interesting and captivating), but i’m still excited for whatever Dumas comes out with next

This was a super fun and unique read. I really enjoyed the mystery and the dinosaurs! I haven't read anything quite like this before and I enjoyed my time getting to know the characters and the different dinosaurs. A good Halloween ready!

This story is told in third person and follows Simon who recently took a job as Director of Paleontology at the struggling Hawthorne Museum of Natural History in Wrexham, Pennsylvania, which is currently closed due to Covid. The chapters are interspersed with entries from the journal of the previous Paleontologist to hold the position.

While Simon is working alone in the museum at night, he hears strange screechy noises and upon investigation, sees horrific monsters moving throughout the shadowy exhibits. Are the creatures real or hallucinations? Simon has struggled with nightmares for years after his six-year-old sister disappeared from the museum on a visit by the siblings. He feels guilt over leaving his sister in the Hall of Insects while he went to the dinosaur exhibit which is only compounded by their neglectful mother’s blame.

I found the setting to be atmospheric and suspenseful. I especially enjoyed the back and forth over whether the monsters were human, animal or imaginary. It was reminiscent of The Relic but with a psychological component that stemmed from domestic and childhood trauma. Simon’s position also leaned towards more research than field study, so I found it more suspenseful than adventurous.

Recommended to readers who enjoy a jaunt to the Natural History Museum, dinosaurs and suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

I tried. I really did. I loved Dumas' debut, A History of Fear, and I was very much looking forward to this even though this is based on dinosaurs, which admittedly aren't my thing. I was banking on Dumas' phenomenal writing skills to exceed my need for a realistic plot.

This book didn't fail, I failed this book. I was expecting this author to work a miracle knowing full well that I would never be able to suspend my disbelief enough.

Between ghost dinosaurs, a boring protagonist, and the constant mentions of Covid I have decided to set this one aside at 45%. (DNF, no rating)

So many other reviewers are loving this so do not let my review sway your decision to pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my complimentary copy.

Luke Dumas' debut novel A History of Fear was one of my favorite books of last year, and I was so excited to read The Paleontologist. Dumas's second novel is a very different book from his first, but shares many of the same characteristics: polished prose, vivid atmosphere, an intriguing blend of supernatural and psychological horror, and an engrossing, immersive narrative.

Dr. Simon Nealy never thought he would return to his hometown of Wrexham, Pennsylvania, or to the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. When he was just a child, his six-year-old little sister Morgan was abducted from the museum while he was supposed to be watching her. Morgan was never found, and Simon has never been able to overcome the guilt. When he is offered a position at the museum as their curator of paleontology, he sees an opportunity to investigate his sister's disappearance -- and to finish work on a dinosaur skeleton that was vacated by his predecessor, who is said to have lost his grip on reality.

When Simon arrives, he finds that the Hawthorne, closed due to the ongoing pandemic, is in dire straits. The exhibits have fallen into disrepair, and financial catastrophe is looming due to a lack of funding. And then there are the strange animal sounds he hears when he's alone in the museum after hours, the pink eyes that stalk him from the shadows...

Richly-researched and vibrant, The Paleontologist is a ghost story unlike any I've ever read -- one that explores both literal and figurative hauntings in fascinating, unique ways. The dinosaur research is well-integrated; I never felt like I was reading a research paper, but I also learned a lot about dinosaurs and also about the discovery, preparation, and display of their fossilized remains. If you're into dinosaurs, there's definitely a lot here to enjoy -- there are even some amazing illustrations, so I'd say the print version is a must.

Dumas explores lots of non-dinosaur topics, too: the effects of childhood trauma, the complexities of familial relationships, the joys of found family. The narrative is intricate, weaving several different threads into one overall thematic story that I found incredibly affecting. Dumas brings the atmosphere of the spooky, crumbling museum completely to life with his rich, compelling storytelling. The Paleontologist was both a darker and more moving story than I expected it to be -- a worthy follow-up to A History of Fear and a book that makes me eager to read whatever Dumas comes up with next. Thank you to Aria Books and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.

Morgan disappeared from the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. Paleontologist Dr. Simon Nealy carried the grief and responsibility for his sister's disappearance for 20 years. When a position opened at the Hawthorne Museum, he returned to the place of his nightmares to find answers. Instead, he found a new terror stalking the musuem. Could his predecessor's journals reveal the truth or madness?

I was enthralled by this book. Though it was a little slow and moody in places, it is a thrilling story for anyone with a love of dinosaurs, paleontology, and scary museums. The crumbling building created a perfect for atmosphere for the mystery. The story also reflected the impact of grief on an individual and his relationships. I definitely recommend this book.

I would like thank NetGalley and Atria books for an early copy.