Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is their new thriller and the first starring Nora Kelly as the series protagonist. Nora is the archaeologist tapped with locating the lost camp of the infamous Donner Party. Nora is approached by historian Clive Benton who has uncovered the long-lost diary of one of the camp's victims. The diary points to the previously undiscovered third camp that may hold archaeological treasures. In addition, it may also hold lost gold.

Nora, Clive and the archaeological expedition search for the camp. Along with gold and further evidence of the cannibalism that struck the doomed party, there may be more sinister secrets hidden. And Nora and her team may not be the only ones searching for them.

I've always enjoyed Preston and Child's one-off novels. Nora Kelly is a great character previously seen in other Pendergast novels and is more than capable of carrying a series by herself. Old Bones is atmospheric and suspenseful. An intersecting storyline featuring another character from the Pendergast novels, Corinne Swanson, is an FBI agent pursuing her own investigation of grave robbing and murder that leads her to Nora's expedition and the site of the Donner Party camp.

Preston and Child keep the tension ratcheting up as mishaps and unexplained deaths befall the expedition. They cast enough doubt on what may be really happening and who the guilty party may be. The backdrop of the real-life Donner Party and the horrifying circumstances of their ordeal in the mountains lend an eerie atmosphere to the whole affair. Preston and Child inject enough doubt about the present-day accidents so as to make it unclear as to whether there is a human hand at work or a malevolent purpose guiding them.

Preston and Child deliver another great story and a promising start to a new series. They both know how to provide the thrills and keep you guessing with twists and turns at every step along the way. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of both Nora Kelly and Corinne Swanson in future adventures.

This is a great entry point for new readers of Preston and Child as well as a fun story for long-time fans. Highly recommended

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

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