Title: Cold Burn
Author: John Land, Jeff Ayers, and AJ Landeau
Series: National Parks Thriller Book #2
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: St Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books
Pub Date: April 29, 2025
My Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 368

In this story Agent Michael Walker is joined by another park ranger in a complexly different location.

In Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, a frozen woolly mammoth is uncovered by a geological survey team. When all of them are found dead at the site of the thawed-out carcass, National Park Service ISB special agent Michael Walker is called in to investigate.

In Florida’s Everglades National Park, FBI special investigator Gina Delgado traces the murder of an environmental science intern back to another U.S. Geological Survey team’s ongoing experiments that are decimating the fragile ecosystem.

Story took me awhile to get into it. I did enjoy the first in the series and do like these characters so am sure I will love book Three 3!

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Book for this this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 29, 2025.

Something sinister is afoot, encompassing the globe and balancing on the knife’s edge of ecological climate change, and nothing is as it seems. Seemingly unrelated events, in different forms and in different locations, tie together in a horrifyingly realistic way, made even more so when realizing that we’ve done this to ourselves.
There are some heady events happening within these pages, both thought provoking and fascinating, and the smallest incident cannot be overlooked or you may miss the big picture. The threads of Environmental and Biological Science, US Intelligence, Native Alaskan culture, wealthy madmen running amuck and covert Russian forces come together in a timely, quite realistic novel.
This is the second book of the AJ Landau duo I’ve read and I appreciate the focus on National Parks and the factual information provided in the snippets that begin each chapter. Cold Burn, as well as Leave No Trace, are intelligently and intricately written, a treat for any adventurous mystery lover.

For me this was not a bad book, but this book just was not for me.
I had a hard time reading the navy talk and keeping up with that was going on.

I liked the plot and enjoyed reading about Tlinglet culture, very interesting.

The going back and forth between the myriad of things happening at once got a little distracting. The last bit of the book was very thrilling and I kept wanting to turn pages.

I loved this fast paced thriller that mixed a bit of science, action and played out like a movie or the show CSI. A survey team is found dead in Alaska’s icy waters, followed by another mysterious death in Florida’s Everglades—now, two investigators must join forces to uncover the truth. Loved the action and twists throughout—I was definitely hooked and binging to see if they would be able to stop the villain before the looming global threat becomes unstoppable? Read this one if you like: science blended with suspense, quick paced, feels like an action movie. This was a solid 4-star experience for me—I really enjoyed it! Such a fun, wild ride packed with twists and action Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A second novel in a series but still worked well as a standalone. Two mysteries between Alaska and Florida weave together in an unusual way.

This was all over the map for me. Might try another time. I have tried several times but can’t get into it. I see others have good ratings so don’t take my word for it.

Cold Burn by A.J. Landau is the second installment in the National Parks Thriller series, featuring Agent Michael Walker. In this adventure, Walker investigates multiple deaths in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, leading him to uncover a potential global disaster. The story weaves together various plotlines, including the discovery of a frozen woolly mammoth and a deadly prehistoric microbe, creating a complex and engaging narrative.​
goodreads.com

Landau's writing vividly captures the essence of the national parks, immersing readers in the diverse and treacherous landscapes. The characters are well-developed, with Walker portrayed as a determined and resourceful protagonist. The pacing is brisk, maintaining suspense throughout the novel.​

Overall, "Cold Burn" is a thrilling read that combines mystery, science, and environmental themes. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find it an exciting addition to the National Parks Thriller series

Cold Burn by by A J Landau

Cold Burn takes place in several U S National Parks. AJ Landau always has meaningful quotes by famous lovers of nature and the natural treasures that are our parks. There is also a blurb about each park and its beauty, and value to our people and nation as a whole.

There is a strange force killing people and fish, which connects the Everglades in Florida to different sites in Alaska. Michael Walker, our beloved detective, is on the move. He has help from some,including Amka, a Native American of the Tlingit tribe in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and opposition from many as well. There are some exciting action scenes and behind-the-scenes deception going on by national elected US officials and foreign evil doers.

I am frightened for Alaska. Much of this story took place in our 49th state. It’s beauty could be destroyed worse than in this book by our current president, if drilling, mining and deforestation limits are rescinded. The abuse of these American Native lands will destroy them forever. No recovery will ever be possible. The timing of this book is unbelievable.

There are many moving parts to this story, but it’s well worth it. Five stars.

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>Cold Burn</i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This novel is the second in a series set mostly in national parks. National parks investigator, Michael, returns to discover who has been stealing cultural artifacts from museums in Alaska. FBI agent Delgado is tasked with investigating the murder of a scientist in Florida. These two soon find that their crime investigations are linked to a potential eradication of fish, oceans, and, eventually, life as we know it.
The setup in the first few chapters seemed like lots of loose events since the authors slowly linked the plot lines. This is a fun read.

I loved the first book in this series and have been highly anticipating the latest installment. More great settings, returning characters, and overall a thrilling read. I'm not typically a fan of magical realism but it works here with the indigenous characters.

This is the 2nd book in a series about a National Parks Investigator and an FBI agent whose separate investigations once again cross. I did not read the first, but had no problem following along. The premise is timely; a substance from millions of years ago is being defrosted and all sorts of characters are trying to get their hands on it for good and nefarious reasons. Right out of a Michael Crichton novel, but unfortunately, not as well written. On the surface, it is a procedural following two investigations, but in reality it's an action packed thriller bouncing from one violent episode to the next. It's very exciting if you don't think about it too much. I found it too over the top to get involved in it. I especially had issues with the portrayal of the Tlingit tribe, supernatural wunderkinds of the Native American world evidently. When the young man, supposedly genetically able to track, begins tracking the movements of a group of people under an avalanche (he was on top, brushing aside a little snow from time to time), I was pretty fed up. Respect for the people and their religion is excellent, but endowing them with magical abilities (and they are PILED on) as the only way they can survive is rather demeaning. I suspect the Tlingit will find it hilarious. Of course, the speed with which a certain cure was created was pretty magical too.
If you don't mind suspending a lot of disbelief, you'll have a great time.

Provocative, sobering and potentially prescient, Cold Burn is a compelling combination of thrilling action, Native American culture, and climate science. A.J. Landau (pseudonym for the writing team of Jon Land and Jeff Ayers), delivers a thought-provoking and heart-pounding novel that exercises your mind and your nerves in equal measure.

Theft of Native American artifacts. Suspicious deaths in the Everglades and Alaska. The mysterious deaths of a submarine crew. A billionaire with designs on getting to Mars. A Russian general with grandiose plans. It’s all connected, and only National Park Service ISB special agent Michael Walker and FBI special investigator Gina Delgado can put the pieces together and stop catastrophic events that would reshape the world…and possible end life on Earth as we know it.

On its own, the murder and theft investigations and military action storylines would hold their own against any traditional thriller. However, Cold Burn differentiates itself by interweaving those elements in a bigger story about humanity’s connection to nature and how ambitious pursuits that don’t consider the consequences can kick off an irreversible chain of events that could have dire long-term consequences. And adding in the juxtaposition of modern military operations and aerospace pursuits versus indigenous worldviews and sacred relationships with the land, result in a book that carves out its own unique, intriguing niche in the genre.

This is the book for readers looking for something more than just a thriller. It’s pensive, spiritual, scientific and suspenseful. An exciting and frightening adventure that you’ll hope isn’t a glimpse into our future.

I read this as a standalone, but after reading this one, I'll go back to read the first in the series. The opening Prolog had me hooked, it was intense with an avalanche and creatures, it kept me wanting more from the beginning. The story is a police procedural but it takes place with the National Parks Service. This is timely in our political environment and kept me interested as I was not aware what all duties are up to the National Park Service. This is not a story to skim as it gets a little complicated with all the different agencies, acronyms, and locations in the story. If you enjoy Michael Crichton you will enjoy this story as science is very much involved. I look forward to reading more of this series.

This is a fast moving story that jumps between a murder in the Everglades and mysterious deaths in Alaska. They're connected, but how and why? It's a pleasure to see Michael Walker, Special Agent of the National Park Service, and Gina Delgado, FBI Agent, working together again on an explosive case with international ramifications.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 29, 2025
A.J. Landau has created a police procedural series with a twist- his protagonist, Michael Walker, is an agent for the National Parks Service. In “Cold Burn”, the second novel in the series, the mystery Michael is investigating spans all the way from the Florida, Everglades, to the Arctic tundra of Alaska.
Michael Walker is called to Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska after a group of scientists disappear. On the other side of the country, FBI agent Gina Delgado is investigating the death of an environmental science researcher. Somehow, though thousands of miles apart, the two mysteries appear to be connected to an extremely deadly material that has the possibility to change the world, especially in the hands of the wrong people.
A.J. Landau is a pseudonym for a pair of authors, Jon Land (author of the Caitlin Strong series of novels, among others) and Jeff Ayers. Together, they have used their combined experience and writing talent to create a taut, pulse-pounding crime thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
“Burn”, similar to the previous novel in the series, “Leave No Trace”, is not a novel you can skim (not that you’d want to). There are so many government agencies at play here, with all of their acronyms, and all of their important players, plus the residual scientific organizations and multi-billionaires across the globe that take part in the plot, it is definitely one of those “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” type plots. Although the characters are plenty, they are also all relevant to the detailed, yet well-crafted, plot.
“Burn” has a scientific component that fans of Michael Crichton will adore, and with its modern and relevant focus on environmental climate change, it is definitely an engaging and informative story with powerhouse characters.
There are police procedurals aplenty out there, and I have been known to enjoy many, but Landau’s National Park Services novels provide an enjoyable new spin on the genre. Not only is the plot full of non-stop action and plot twists, but “Burn” also served the dual purpose of teaching me quite a few things, without burying me in scientific or technical jargon (something that is difficult to do). Landau’s “Burn” is a great addition to the Michael Walker series and I look forward to hearing more from these authors.

Talk about high octane! This read allows you no rest. It starts with a bang and just increases in speed. Multiple points of view, multiple settings, finishing off with a shocking result. This book had me sweating in the Everglades, to feeling the icy burn of the cutting wind in Alaska. It left me jumping around the National Parks learning tidbits at every start of the chapter.

The book begins with a strange death in the Everglades and a possible smuggling ring of Native artifacts in Alaska. From this point on I was on a crime fighting spree. The cast is fantastic and leaves you rooting for them. There is a ton of science to decipher. Which made me feel like I was part of the team and helped figure out why people were dying in this strange way and why!

Thank you to A.J. Landau and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy of this pulse pounding read.

An ancient microbe has been re-released into the world after millions of years. It shows up in the Florida Everglades first, then in a small village in Alaska. A millionaire wants the contaminant because a very small particle can run cars or rockets for a long while and if he has control, he can be the worlds first trillionaire. Russia has found out about it and wants it for a whole other reason.

I liked the plot and enjoyed reading about Tlinglet culture, very interesting.

The going back and forth between the myriad of things happening at once got a little distracting. The last bit of the book was very thrilling and I kept wanting to turn pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Amazing read! Really makes you think about what could happen and you might never know anything about it. Very interesting! Highly recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This second book in the National Park series hits the ground running. An avalanche, a sinking stealth submarine, exploding WWII bombs, and stolen native Alaskan artifacts - all in the first few chapters. Park Service Investigator Michael Walker is called to Alaska to investigate a potential artifact smuggling ring. At the same time, FBI agent Gina Delgado is working on a murder case in Florida's Everglades National Park. Once again, their cases converge in a shocking coincidence involving an ancient organism that could potentially eliminate all life on earth. Racing against an egocentric billionaire, Russian agents, and even members of their own government who want to exploit and weaponize the organism, Michael and Gina must find a way to stop them all before armageddon is unleashed. A fun action-packed read! #NetGalley #ColdBurn