I appreciate NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Cold Burn by A.J. Landau. A.J. Landau is a writing duo - Jon Land and Jeff Ayers. I wanted to read this book because I LOVE visiting parks and areas under the National Park Service. Having visited Glacier Bay, Sitka, and Everglades National park I couldn't wait to dig into this story. The book follows two characters Michael Walker and Gina Delgado. One is sent to Alaska to figure out who was stealing Tlingit artifacts, and the other to solve a murder in the Everglades. Both agents quickly find themselves trying to solve a crime involving ancient organisms, Russians, and a Billionaire who thinks he is above the law. The story was interesting, and the science, which there was quite a lot of, was shared understandably. The amazing backdrops of Alaska and Florida added to the story. I can't wait to go read the first novel in this series (this was the second)

A.J. Landau’s “Cold Burn” is yet another compelling novel in the National Parks Thriller series, boasting a highly sophisticated and terrifying premise with plenty of twists and turns along the way. It is well written and quite detailed, with historical facts seamlessly interspersed to truly bring this story to life. And while it is, indeed, the second novel in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone for those who are just discovering it for the very first time.

Though several aspects of this story appeared unrelated initially, it eventually became clear that everything was interconnected in ways I had not even begun to imagine. I did grapple some with the scientific and cultural jargon, as well as the various agencies and their respective acronyms, but not so much that it deterred from my overall understanding and enjoyment of this book.

So, If you are looking for a unique and intelligent spin on the typical procedural thriller, then look no further. “Cold Burn” promises to deliver this and so much more.

Cold Burn is the second in a series featuring FBI agent Gina Delgado and National Park Ranger Michael Walker. I read this without reading the first book, and I definitely missed some context. For example, there is a pair of men who make an entrance late in the book but are never introduced. I assume they were introduced in the first book.

The premise of this book intrigued me- stolen artifacts, a murder, and a deadly microbe that could sweep the world. Theresa execution did not work for me. There were too many things going on, and I didn’t think the military or scientific jargon was well explained. I had a hard time finishing.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to the author. The publisher, and to Netgalley.

"Cold Burn" is to second book in this series. This story was well written and made you want to keep reading to find out how everything is connected.
Michael is drawn into a case to figure out who is taking Native American artifacts from Alaska. When he starts to investigate it turns into something much bigger than steal artifacts. Gina is investigating a murder in Florida, before she is relocated to Alaska. As both Michael and Gina investigate their separate cases they find things that link the cases together. As they are working against time and other people they will need to pull all their resources together to save many people.
Recommend for those that like save the world stories.

I always love a National Park Thriller and this one did not disappoint.
It did take some time and rereading to understand what was happening at the beginning. Towards the end the thriller aspect really picked up and took off. There were a lot of parts to pay attention to and remember when reading.
Overall a good enjoyable read!

My thanks to Net Galley and St Martin's for allowing me this arc. Unfortunately I could not get through this and dnf.. It was a heavy read and all the navy terms and climate issue was hard to keep focused.

3.75 Stars

Michael Walker is an investigator for the National Park Service, and is hot on the trail of thieves that have been stealing native artifacts for the last three years. He thinks he has those responsible in his sights, when they are murdered in a museum in plain sight. But he is puled off of this case to get to Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska because a USGS team has disappeared.

Gina Delgado, a special FBI investigator assigned to the White House, has been sent to the Everglades National Park to investigate the murder of a USGS intern. She too is pulled from this mid-investigation, and sent to Alaska to learn how all of the people on a US Submarine died.

Michael and Gina worked together in the first book of this series, and they find their cases colliding again. They must find a way to stop what is happening in order to stop the potential threat to all humans.

This is the second book in the National Parks Thriller series. The settings being in the National Parks, I expected to have more interactions with the Parks themselves. Admittedly, the harsh climates did play a role, but they were not as central as I would have liked. The two main characters are interesting and well written, and the story was fairly fast paced. If you like political intrigue with a unique setting, add this to your TBR!

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and authors for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for a copy of this book!

A pulse-pounding eco-thriller with high-stakes suspense, this gripping novel follows National Park Service investigator Michael Walker and FBI special agent Gina Delgado as they race against time to stop a global catastrophe. From the icy expanse of Alaska’s Glacier Bay to the swamps of the Florida Everglades, the story blends scientific intrigue, environmental urgency, and political tension with a terrifying twist: a deadly prehistoric organism reawakened by climate change. With rogue billionaires, geopolitical threats, and an ancient enemy unlike any other, this is a fast-paced, high-concept thriller that fans of Michael Crichton and James Rollins will devour.

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.