I was really excited to read this book, and it was just a massive disappointment. The book is not really what it purports to be, and is advertised as something it very much isn’t.

If you’re looking for a fun and adventurous Jurassic Park like novel, look elsewhere. I had thought, based on the publishers summary, that this would be like Jurassic Park with megafauna. In reality, it functions more like a procedural, and there isn’t much fun to be had in terms of the elements involving the animals.

About halfway through the book, there is a grotesque and unnecessarily upsetting butchering of a baby mammoth. It felt like a mean thing to do to the reader, and wasn’t necessary to drive the plot where it ultimately ends up going. And it is most definitely not in the spirit of Jurassic Park, as the book and its publisher so adamantly advertise it as.

Perhaps It’s largely meant as a cautionary tale about why zoos are bad in any form, and while I certainly appreciate that sentiment, the people who will be affected empathetically by this type of approach to that warning are not the people who still need to be convinced.

Preston is a good writer and I dearly loved his recent nonfiction collection The Lost Tomb, but this one is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and very different from what it claims to be.

Extinction by Douglas Preston had me wanting to book in at the exclusive Erebus Resort, tucked into the Colorado Rockies, to view some re-extinct animals in the worst way - I just didn’t want to meet the same demise as the honeymooning couple at the start of the book!

Straight up, this book gave me the heebie jeebies! Imagine a cloning and genetic altering science experiment determined to bring once extinct mammals back to life... now set that in a remote mountainous location... and you've got the backdrop of Preston's new thriller! The descriptions, setting, and just how real the possibility that this could happen was simply terrifying. My fear and claustrophobia were real as I read, all being attributed to Preston's incredibly atmospheric writing! A full cast of characters, strong female representation, and beautiful scenery perfectly round out this book.

The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way was how the physical appearance was mentioned about the female officer (more than once); honestly, I could have overlooked this issue if it wasn't for the final mention on the last page.

Narrator David Aaron Baker was absolutely phenomenal! Are there audiobook narration awards? Because he absolutely deserves one! The speech narration flowed so smoothly, with natural hesitations and pauses as if the conversation were organically unfolding. I'm not sure I've ever heard an audiobook performed this way before, conveyed this true to real life, but I wish more audiobooks were like this - especially ones with so much reactionary narration!

Four thrilling and scientific (but approachable!) stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Fast paced, suspenseful and action in this investigation mystery!!

Some have an issues with third person story telling but I didn’t mind at all.

Who isn’t curious about extinct animals?!?!

Extinction
Author: Douglas Preston


I'm going to be open and honest from the start. Douglas Preston is one of my favorite authors. I've read his collaborations, fiction, non-fiction...and loved it all. If he wrote a trilogy on the joys of stereo ownership and installation, I would buy it and love it. Preston is one of the few authors that I eagerly await new books from and jump at the chance to read them early or I binge read on publication day. I can't help it.

When I first read the blurb for this new book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on an ebook copy and the audio book. I'm fascinated by stories that involve the re-creation or discovery of species we thought were extinct. This time it's not dinosaurs or megalodon...but the woolly mammoth. I knew from the moment I read about the basic plot of this book that I had to read it. Mostly because scientists are actually working right now to re-create the woolly mammoth using DNA extracted from dead specimens found preserved in permafrost and modern day elephants.

This story also mentions many other long-gone creatures -- giant beaver, the ground sloth, a woolly ancient ancestor of the rhinoceros, giant armadillos, and Irish Elk to name a few. Can you imagine? And I know without a doubt if this park existed I would go there, buy a season pass, and the t-shirt. Probably a travel mug and a stuffed mammoth at the gift shop as well. Yep....I'd be all in. So, of course, I had to read this book. :) It's as close to the real thing as I'm going to get!

The story is set in the Colorado Rockies at a resort. The Erebus Resort has 144 square miles of land surrounded by high mountains in the most beautiful and rugged area in Colorado. Huge extinct animals need a lot of space after all. I live in Denver Metro....so it was like reading about Woolly Mammoths coming to life and grazing in my backyard! But, I kept hearing that line from Jurassic Park in my head "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

The truth of it is (like a lot of tourist and travel destination places in the real Colorado) Erebus is a vacation for the wealthy. "Normal" people don't travel to Erebus. Only the privileged can afford it. And, it's worth the cost to have the chance to travel up into the mountains and see a wide range of animals who have been "de-extincted."

A honeymooning couple books a guided hike up into the mountains to see the mammoths in their "natural" habitat instead of sticking around the more touristy parts of the resort, but they both disappear in the middle of the night. The only signs left of them is their torn tent and two bloodstained patches on the ground. This tale doesn't become some Missing 411 lore.....the case blows up immediately because the man who disappeared is the son of a tech industry billionaire.

This is the first case Detective Frankie Cash works as a senior detective with the CBI Major Crimes Division. Not only did this happen at a major tourist destination like Erebus Resort, but one of the victims is a billionaire's son. Very high profile case. Cash is a wonderful main character. She is a skilled detective and a strong, independent woman. She isn't intimidated by a high profile case or a park filled with huge formerly extinct animals. And this case takes all of her skills. What a wild ride! Loved it!!!!

This story would be so visual and awesome as a limited film series or movie. I would so binge watch this on Netflix or another streaming service!!!

I read a review copy of the ebook (Tor Publishing) and also listened to a review copy of the audio book (Macmillan Audio). The audio is just over 12 hours long and narrated by David Aaron Baker. This is the first time I've listened to a novel narrated by Baker. Great performance! He reads at a nice steady pace. His voice is pleasant and easily understandable. I thoroughly enjoyed the audio. I read the ebook while listening....there's just something about having a thrilling story read out loud. Loved it when I was a kid and love it now! There were a few edits between the review ebook and audio versions, but just a word or phrase here or there. There were no big differences.

Great story!!

NOTE: I only have one complaint about this book. Douglas refers to a mountain in Colorado by the wrong name. Mount Evans was renamed Mount Blue Sky in 2023 due to its being named after former territorial governor John Evans, who in 1864 signed a proclamation allowing Coloradans to shoot and kill "hostile Indians." This led to the infamous Sand Creek Massacre where 230 Native Americans from the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Tribes, mostly women, children and elderly, were murdered.After the killings, the regiments responsible for the murders also desecrated the dead bodies. It was horrific and barbaric. The mountain should only be referred to by its new name, and I hope this is corrected in later editions of the book as the events in the story are not openly dated before the name change.

Another great book!! I was totally mesmerized by this story, and the investigation kept me guessing. Lots of twists and turns. Just a totally cool premise and a very intense case! Preston Douglas did it again! :)

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book and listened to a review copy of the audio book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

One of the best books I've listened to all year. Douglas Preston never disappoints and "Extinction" is no exception. Within the first thirty minutes I was hooked and the book kept my attention all the way through. Newlyweds go missing from the exclusive resort where they are spending their honeymoon. The resort is proving to be very helpful in trying to find the couple - or are they? Officer in Charge Cash is not so sure.

This was an entertaining read. The narrator was great. As a scientist I found some details problematic from an accuracy perspective but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

Extinction
by Douglas Preston
Narrated by David Aaron Baker

Rating: 3.6/5.0 Stars

I've long been a fan of Douglas Preston. Especially his Preston & Child novels. I was so beyond excited to get approved for this next book of his. The Jurassic Park movies are favorites of mine, and I was ready to be blown away. Except I wasn't. What started out as a really promising novel quickly got weighed down with just a lot of unnecessary details, and I was disappointed. If you're expecting to read a story featuring prehistoric creatures, don't be. This story is mainly about people and doesn't feature the animals much at all.

**SPOILER ALERT**

The Neandertals was a different aspect that I hadn't seen coming, but by that point in the book, I just had lost interest. Is this the worst book I've ever read? No. Am I a bit disappointed? Yes. Thankfully, I'm a big enough Douglas Preston fan that I'm happy that I was able to listen to and review this ARC and I won't give up on his books in the future. I thought that the narration was done really well and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mr. Baker's performance.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to and review this title!

This was an insane ride. It went from these sweet creatures being brought back from extinction to what the hell is this.

Douglas Preston gives us a glimpse at everything that can go wrong when you play God. The book is like a new version of Jurassic Park. Humans think they know better and that we can control other species, it is never a good ending. I loved the lead characters of this book. Frankie is a great leading lady.

I loved the narrator of the audiobook. Very well done. If you liked Jurassic Park, you will enjoy this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5558720710I’m

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy. Preston’s books are always reliable fun read, whether it is his solo books or collaborations with Lincoln Child. Extinction is no exception.

"Extinction" by Douglas Preston is a speculative fiction thriller and a bit of a crime procedural. Set in the Colorado Rockies is a place called Erebus where several extinct species have been resurrected. There are Wooly Mammoths, giant ground sloths, giant Wooly Rhinoceroses, and a few other previously extinct species from the Pleistocene Epoch.

The story starts with a couple on their honeymoon hiking through Erebus to observe the de-extincted species. At night, they are attacked and disappear. This starts a criminal investigation with Francis (Frankie) Cash from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation as lead, working with County Sheriff Colcord. These characters are well developed and reasonably likable.

The missing couple are the son and daughter-in-law of millionaire Gunnerson, an arrogant, blustering, narcissistic man. So, he's entertaining, but not at all likable.

This thriller gets more and more interesting and exciting. There are some violent and gruesome parts. It's very hard to put it down. If you like exciting thrillers and the idea of resurrected species of animals, check it out! This one is bound to become a movie.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 5/5

Thank you to Netgalley, MacMillan Audio, and Douglas Preston for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

As a fan of Michael Crichton and Jurassic Park, was glad that Douglas Preston chose to borrow from him for this latest book. Story kept me involved and the narrator was good.

Another excellent book by one of my favorite authors.

Set in the Colorado wilderness, a mega wealthy couple has vanished without a trace. Will CBI agent in charge Frances Cash be able to uncover the secrets?

The things modern technology could be capable of is a bit terrifying!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

A newlywed couple disappears while staying at the Erebus Resort, an exclusive property located in a huge (100,000 acres) valley in the Colorado Rockies. The Erebus Resort is home to a number of prehistoric animals (woolly mammoths, giant sloths, huge elk, and so on) that have been resurrected from extinction through the magic of modern science - genetic manipulation. When the newlyweds’ bodies are found, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash is called in to lead the investigation. She soon partners up with the local sheriff, James Colcord as early evidence points to eco-warriors. But Cash and Colcord soon come to realize that they are looking for someone much bigger than some climate activists. As the number of deaths rise, so do the stakes as Cash’s hands are tied by an incompetent (at best) superior, a cast of characters that challenge her in many ways, and an environment that is daunting. As the end of the book approaches and the truth about Erebus is revealed, Cash and Colcord must be lucky as well as skillful to end the threat. The truth may be stranger than fiction, but in this world of modern technology, anything is possible.

This is the first book I have read by Douglas Preston despite having seen his name often in the past, and I was not disappointed. The book was well paced, with plenty of mystery, but could have also been classified as science fiction, thriller, or police procedural. While the idea may seem far-fetched, there is a modicum of reality given the advances in genetic engineering and DNA technology - and Preston does not get bogged down in lengthy scientific discussions.

I was provided with the audiobook version of this novel, and, in general, the narration was very good - some of the voice inflections were irritating, but overall, easy to listen to. My thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to "read" and review the ARC of this book.

Extinction combines scientific wonder, suspense, and creative storytelling, making it a thrilling read! Preston tweaks the ‘resurrected species go haywire’ trope with a series of ingenious plot twists, and his well-rounded characters make this more than a knowing genre exercise. It kept me enthralled from the first to the last page

I was able to review the audiobook version of Extinction. I have been a fan of Preston & Child and was excited to preview Extinction by Douglas Preston.
This book is set in the mountains of Colorado, at a resort where previously extinct animals are being de-extincted and patrons are paying bundles of money to view them at the resort. After a kidnapping at the resort, the police and CBI are called in to investigate. What they find defies expectation and threatens their very lives.
I had ideas of what I thought was happening as I read this book and was prepared to gloat that I got it right when i reached the big reveal. However I was completely wrong and was pleasantly surprised as I continued the story.
Preston writes so well, that you become engrossed in his stories. The scenery, the sounds, scents and characters are so compelling. His descriptions of the action forces you to reach the end. You cannot stop partway through.
There is a lot that happens near the end of this book as the story begins to wrap up that you have to keep straight. Some scenes are duplicated from a different perspective to help you understand what is happening. There are others that jump that you find out the result partway in. Both methods are pleasant and keep you engaged.
Because this was the audiobook version, I do want to comment that there is much to be gained by listening to this book. It is the narrator's interpretation, but his voices of characters added to the story. You feel differently about parts as you listen. The finale is engrossing.
Another excellent book.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was well produced and the voice actor was great. The story itself was riveting too. I called the twist, but that didn't make it any less fun.

Extinction brought together a murder mystery and the thrill of a Michael Chrichton best seller. Preston brought forth all sorts of ethical dilemmas that will live with the reader for quite some time!

Extinction is a throughly enjoyable action suspense novel involving genetic manipulation and the morale dilemmas that go along with it. Douglas Preston's style of writing is similar to the late Michael Crichton, who frequently wrote about scientific "progress" that eventually turns horribly wrong.

Extinction begins with a couple on their honeymoon at an exclusive resort in the Colorado Rockies where they experience real life woolly mammoths and other once extinct mammals roaming free in the wilderness. After they are kidnapped and murdered, a Colorado Bureau of Investigation detective is brought in to investigate. With the help from the local county sheriff, what they discover is not as they expected: the ransom of a wealthy couple gone south. Rather the company that brought back to life extinct giant mammals also recreated other mammals with far more intelligence, dexterity, and sinister agenda.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story narrated by David Aaron Baker. He did a stellar job, providing unique voices for all the characters, and providing the appropriate amount of suspense, wonder, and shock befitting this story. I highly recommend this audiobook to fans of scientific thrillers.

Audiobook/unabridged/pseudoscience: I am marking this pseudoscience instead of science fiction because too many people think space.
I really enjoyed listening to this book. There were a lot of parts I liked. There were some I hated like the killing of a helpless animal. I guess this will be part of an ongoing series, or I hope it will be because I want to know what happens to the descendants.
To me, there wasn't enough pseudoscience. I wanted to hear how all the animals were kept alive in this habitat as they are so large. The corporation running the park was so secretative that we really learned nothing. In Jurassic Park, there were eggs. I want to know how all these huge fetuses were incubated; like the rhino thing.
I liked the narrator. There were a lot of characters, a lot, an the narrator got the personality and inflections of so many of them that the narration flowed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC of Extinction in exchange for an honest review.

A billionaire builds a tourist resort and populates it with “de-extincted” animals who went extinct long ago. A death at the resort brings outside scrutiny, something unexpected happens with the park’s creations, and soon everyone’s lives are in danger.

Now, I know you’re thinking “that sounds just like the plot of Jurassic Park,” and you’re thinking that because … Extinction borrows heavily from that classic. Erebus Resort in Colorado might as well be Jurassic Park on Isla Nublar, except that the South American island made sense for cost and liability reasons; no one would ever be able to build a park of extinct animals inside the United States. The characters in Extinction repeatedly argue that the science of Jurassic Park is garbage compared to the science here that would resurrect Pliocene-era mega fauna like woolly mammoths, Irish elk, and giant sloths. And the science here probably is more realistic to a degree, but 1) the extent of the gene editing here—breeding characteristics like aggression out of these animals—does not seem very realistic, and 2) resurrecting woolly mammoths may be more realistic than resurrecting dinosaurs, but which set of animals makes for a more exciting thriller?

A thriller often has a character you are hoping will get their comeuppance, like Nedry in Jurassic Park or Dr. Chilton in The Silence of the Lambs. But outside of the main character, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash, her partner Eagle County Sheriff James Colcord, and maybe two other characters, I was kinda rooting against every other person in Extinction. The movie subplot was absurd, largely present so the villain could get their hands on a particular object (though I have no idea how they knew it would be there and were able to work that into their larger plan). The identity of the real villain in the story was fairly obvious and probably should have been figured out by Cash and Colcord long before it was. And the delayed reveal of the villain threw off the story’s pacing quite a bit, as the true stakes were not revealed until very late.

A word about the audiobook. It’s … ok. Most of the voices were fine, but a couple of the male voices (I’m thinking in particular of the oft-intoxicated elder Gunnerson) veered into parody. It’s a perfectly fine way to read the book, but it’s also not a particularly enhancing way either as great audiobooks can be. There’s also apparently an afterword where the author breaks down what’s fact v. fiction in the story. It sounds interesting, but was not included in my audiobook copy.

I didn’t love Extinction, obviously, but I didn’t hate it. It’s fine. It’s just that it suffers in comparison to other similar works like Jurassic Park or Relic.