This is the kind of book that makes you want to call in sick so that you can finish the book. Our bookstore has always done well with books by Douglas Preston and this one has not disappointed. The characters are real , the premise is interesting and it is a true whodunit.

We will definitely be carrying this title

Fans of Jurassic Park and Douglas Preston will be thrilled with this new look at bringing back the past. The plot is quick-moving and entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of the mountain scenery.

I must start by thanking NetGalley as well as the publisher Tor, for my eARC in exchange for my honest review. Fast paced thriller that could become reality? Another wonderful novel by Douglas Preston who digs up fantastical what-ifs and weaves them into amazing mysteries.

<b>Thank you to Forge Books, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will release April 24, 2024.</b>

This is the most scared I’ve been reading a Preston and/or Child book since, I think, <i>Cemetery Dance.</i> Which I find fascinating because when taking into account what actually transpires, it is far from terrifying, especially compared to some of my favorites by this author. Like, <i>Extinction</i> has nothing on <i>Still Life with Crows</i>, for instance.

And yet.

There is just <i>something</i> about the killers in this book, from the way they their voices are described, to the disguises they don and the symbolic tokens they leave behind, that is absolutely freakin’ <i>bone-chilling</i>. That’s probably not going to be everyone’s experience, but for me, it definitely evoked a primal “THAT’S BAD” response. At the same time, this is a part I wish I could have seen more of—how did they come to develop this? What does it <i>mean</i> to them? It would be so cool to get insight into that aspect of the story.

Of course, the other bit of this book that is truly frightening is the ethics, or lack thereof, displayed by the scientists at Erebus. I mean, the book itself points out its similarities to <i>Jurassic Park</i>, and it doesn’t stop with de-extinction—it carries right on through to the iconic exhortation “you didn’t stop to think if you should.” And these scientists REALLY should have thought this through better by a factor of like, a thousand.

I will admit that this book started off rather slow for me, and it took a little while to engage my interest—because there was quite a gap between the inciting murders and the first appearance of the killers that mainly focused on introducing the main players—but once the investigation begins in earnest and the incidents start increasing, it’s gripping. Maybe a little too much so, if me looking over my shoulder at three o’clock in the afternoon is any indication.

Extinction is a fun science fiction mystery/thriller. It's somewhat of a mashup between Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and Relic, one of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's earlier novels. Fun read, I will recommend it to the patrons at my library.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

This is a fun book that is fast and full of action/adventure. It reminded me of Jurassic Park (even though in the book we’re reminded several times this sanctuary of animals is no Jurassic Park.

Preston, Douglas, Extinction.

Situated on a 100-acre valley high up in the Colorado Rockies, Erebus Resort have created a new technology called CRISPR to de-extinct woolly mammoths, Irish elk, giant sloths, and other extinct creatures. With Erebus’ unique experience grabbing their attention, a young, newlywed couple chooses to spend their honeymoon at the resort. While out camping with their guide, the young couple disappears. The only clue left behind is a pool of blood. CBI Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff James Colcord are called in to help investigate the young couple’s disappearance. Soon, violent events start spiraling out of control. What is really going on at Erebus Resort? What happened to the young couple? Can Cash and Colcord figure it out before it’s too late?

The plot is well-written, intense, and captures the reader easily. The characters are likable. The pace is quick and keeps the reader turning the page. The author incorporates real science to give credibility and depth to the story. A must-read for fans of Michael Crichton, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and scientific thrillers. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, ADULT

A quick and exciting speculative fiction thriller - think Jurassic Park with woolly mammoths.
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A resort with de-extinction of woolly mammoths and other creatures is hiding a secret. When a couple is killed, the CBI and local sheriff is called in to investigate. Interesting premise.

Being a fan of Douglas Preston books I wasn’t expecting this to disappoint and it didn’t. Nicely paced and page turning once you get past the scene setting in the beginning. A Jurassic Park style story with a few twists and some gruesome scenes is always a winner!

High in the Colorado Rockies, a genetics and scientific laboratory has unbelievably, through genetic manipulation, ‘de-extincted’ the woolly mammoth, giant sloths, and other prehistoric mammals.
When the extremely gruesome and unfathomable double murder of a billionaire’s son and his pregnant wife, takes place within the property of the lab/resort Erebus, everyone wonders was it a killing perpetrated by these giant beasts …or worse.
CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) agent Cash arrives to try to solve the killings, along with local sheriff Colcord, and before they know it, violent events spiral out of control and when Agent Cash and Sheriff Colcord realize what is actually taking place at Erebus, it is a far worse scenario than they had imagined.
Initially thought to be a group of eco-terrorists (now hunting ANY humans in the area), it slowly becomes clear that someone, or something, else is behind the murders.

This harkens back to Jurassic Park, but with mammoths. It was a fun science fiction novel and was an interesting read. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

A billionaire and his company have de-extincted multiple Pleistocene Age animals on a massive ranch in Colorado. A kidnapping and possible murder of a couple on vacation brings Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff James Colcord in to investigate.

This was a fun read and I enjoyed looking up what the animals looked like. Science is going to take the world into interesting moral quandaries. I liked Cash/Colcord but Cash's boss was so tedious.

An active, capable young newly wed couple take a honeymoon trip to an exclusive resort in a secluded valley where scientist have cloned and resurrected woolly mammoths and other per-historic animals. They have hiked with a guide to a campsite where these animals can be closely observed. The first night their tent is ripped and when the husband goes out to investigate the wife hears an sound and follows to see if something happen to him, her scream is cut short and the guide who was camped further away finds only a puddle of blood on the ground. The state CBI is called in and the search for the missing couple begins.
This is the opening to a bizarre thriller that becomes more and more suspenseful as the characters search for answers. This is a fantastic read! Thriller readers will appreciate the fast pace and the incredible unfolding of the plot. There is some gratuitous profanity totally character and incident specific. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Being a fan of Michael Crichton I was eager to read this book. Loved that they referenced Jurassic Park. Fast paced and ab enjoyable read.

Genetic engineering has brought back -- "de-extincted" -- wooly mammoths and other dramatic extinct creatures and set them up in a wilderness park in a remote valley in Colorado. "This is not Jurassic Park" say all of the people involved: herbivores only, genetically manipulated to be non-aggresive and unable to breed. But when a pair of honeymooning tourists disappear in the back country, leaving behind only large pools of blood, the investigating team begins to believe that the company is hiding something. Could they have brought back predators as well? Or is it ecoterrorists? Or something worse?

Exciting, but needs a high tolerance for gore.

3.5 stars
I'm all in for prehistoric creatures colliding with modern times. Jurassic Park is my favorite movie and Steve Alton's Meg is high on my list of favorite adventure/thrillers. Though it may seem outlandish to have de-extincted mammoths and other megafauna roaming around on the grounds of an elite resort in Colorado, in the hands of Preston, it's not only is it believable, but likely to be not that far off in the future.
If you're a fan of Preston (and his collaborations with Lincoln Childs) you know not to get too attached to characters introduced in early chapters. Extinction starts fast and furious, then slogs a bit as the main characters are introduced and developed. About a third of the way in the action takes off and does not slow down. I would have enjoyed more attention paid to the de-extincted species and the motivation to bring them to life. Agent Cash and Sheriff Colcord are characters I would be happy to see again in the Preston/Childs universe.
I would be surprised if the movie rights to the book aren't snatched up soon. High action, smart dialog, and ethical tension make this a fun read and (I hope!) eventually, an enjoyable movie.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the digital ARC.

Another smash hit from Douglas Preston! Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Douglas Preston for this digital ARC. As a long-time Douglas Preston fan, I was extremely eager to get started with this one. The premise is interesting, and did not disappoint with its fast-paced/thrilling storyline.

Erebus is playing God... and offers a resort for those rich enough to come see the results. They have started de-extincting different prehistoric animals such as the Wooly Mammoth. As a young couple on their honeymoon at Erebus go missing, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is brought in to investigate. Agent Frances Cash pairs up with local sheriff James Colcord to investigate the disappearances.

Quickly it becomes obvious they are investigating two murders, not disappearances. Violence begins flaring up, but the biggest question isn't who is hellbent on revenge, but what? Can Cash and Colcord solve the mystery and manage to escape? Don't hesitate - read this today.

It appears that Douglas Preston has another hit on his hands with EXTINCTION, at least as far as this reader is concerned. The story title does not do justice to the "extinction" idea. What the story is actually about is the de-extinction of various herbivorous mammals from the Pleistocene Epoch including ground sloths, Irish elk, giant rhinos, and others.

The main attraction of the Erebus Corporation’s park are the woolly mammoths. And they are amazing creatures to behold. Genetic manipulation using CRISPR technology and DNA extracted from bones, particularly the cochlear ear bone makes this possible, along with a cooperating female elephant as an incubator for the embryos.

A billionaire’s son and his wife disappear on a honeymoon camping trip through the Colorado wilderness where the mammoths live. Special Agent In-Charge Frances Cash of the CO Bureau of Investigation is called in to help find what happened. Here the mystery begins!! A local county sheriff, James Colcord, is also called on to assist in the search as all of the Erebus security force join in the search. No trace is found of the two newlyweds leading to great consternation and pressure being put on the agent and sheriff.

Then things start to go off the rails including a visit by the man's billionaire father who is incensed and very vocal and obnoxious. The billionaire founder of the project comes and seems like a reclusive-type and only reluctantly agrees to an interview. Something does not seem right to Agent Cash--how right she is going to be. Can there be something in the interaction of the two billionaires? What else can be at issue?

The two "disappearing" honeymooners are not the only ones who seem to vanish. Others join in this “act.” Who or what could be involved and causing this? These are the questions that need to be answered. One theory is a group of eco-terrorists may be at work here. Only time will tell if this is a correct assumption. What else could there be?

Lots of adventure and plot twists await the reader and if they are like me will have a very difficult time putting this book down. As is pointed out, this story may seem a bit like "Jurassic Park" but is not the same at all not in the least—no megafauna running rampant here.

Killings do, however, mount and some are found to be very gruesome. Will Cash and Colcord be able to find the perpetrator(s), or will they be caught up in some sinister ending costing one or both of them their lives? Read this delightful book to find out.

Extinction by Douglas Preston Epic thriller that explores the methods, benefits, and drawbacks to de-extinct the woolly mammoth and other Pleistocene-era megafauna Jurassic Park this not, as one scientist repeatedly states. The woolly and other gigantic species brought back to life are awe inspiring. One does grow quite fond of Tom Thumb, the baby woolly. However, there is a extremely dark side that has emerged out of the science. One that takes an unexpected turn of events and alters the tone of the story and starts a thrilling, fast paced, mysterious, horror filled hunt. Information on the period and the inhabitants are both interesting and horrific. Finding out about the hierarchy of cannibalism produced many EWW! moments. The afterword was educational and made the history of the time period intriguing. It is a extremely fast-paced and riveting read that is not for the faint of heart.
Thank you to the author, Douglas Preston, publisher, Forge, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.