17.1.25

"Extinction" by Douglas Preston (2024)

 


I have never read Douglas Preston before. Probably because he belongs in the group of best-selling American authors are so ubiquitous that the sheer volume of their titles puts me off - just like Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler or David Baldacci I am aware these people are very successful but their body of work is intimidating and I wouldn't know where to start. However, since I started New Year very strong with my reading and for a change was focused on some recent titles published in 2024, the choice fell on the latest Preston. I am glad it happened, because it was a fast-paced thriller that I could not put down.


Since this is my very first introduction to Preston, I can't say how much this novel is representative of his style but it was a solid entertainment. "Extinction" is happening in a luxurious mountain resort in Colorado, where big company "Erebus" has re-reconstructed some long-extinct animals like wooly mammoths - the wealthy visitors are invited to visit the park and gaze at the animals from the safe distance. Kind of Jurassic park. When unexpected (and very brutal) murder happens, agent Frances Cash is invited on her very first case and most of the book is about her overcoming all sorts of obstacles & misogyny - in fact, her constant struggle with authorities around her (even though she HERSELF is an authority) almost completely takes over the book and sometimes slows down the story. It all does tie up neatly towards the end and while I found it hard to put the book down, I have feeling too much time was wasted on agents manoeuvring administration/bureaucracy. The payback was that I learned about the real-life company that does de-extinction - their name is "Colossal" and they have fascinating web site. 

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