Old Bones

by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Narrated by Cynthia Farrell

Overview

Number one best-selling authors Preston & Child bring the true story of the ill-fated Donner Party to new life in a thrilling blend of archaeology, history, murder, and suspense.

Nora Kelly, a young curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology, is approached by historian Clive Benton with a once-in-a-lifetime proposal: to lead a team in search of the so-called "Lost Camp" of the tragic Donner Party. This was a group of pioneers who earned a terrible place in American history when they became snow-bound in the California mountains in 1847, their fate unknown until the first skeletonized survivors stumbled out of the wilderness, raving about starvation, murder — and cannibalism.

Benton tells Kelly he has stumbled upon an amazing find: the long-sought diary of one of the victims, which has an enigmatic description of the Lost Camp. Nora agrees to lead an expedition to locate and excavate it-to reveal its long-buried secrets.

Once in the mountains, however, they learn that discovering the camp is only the first step in a mounting journey of fear. For as they uncover old bones, they expose the real truth of what happened, one that is far more shocking and bizarre than mere cannibalism. And when those ancient horrors lead to present-day violence on a grand scale, rookie FBI agent Corrie Swanson is assigned the case...only to find that her first investigation might very well be her last.

Editorial Reviews

SEPTEMBER 2019 - AudioFile

This audiobook launches a new series from the Preston-Child writing team but is a challenging listen. The opening chapters are disjointed, and the narration often lacks variation. Narrator Cynthia Farrell paces the story well but struggles with voicing the characters and injecting enough distinction in conversations. The premise is promising. Archaeologist Nora Kelly is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to lead the search for the lost camp of the Donner Party. When Nora teams up with historian Clive Benton, the unearthing of the sad history leads to present-day violence and the arrival of young FBI agent Corrie Swanson. The story itself is compelling, but the narration doesn't do it justice. K.S.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

06/10/2019

Archeologist Nora Kelly takes center stage in this intriguing series launch from bestsellers Preston and Child (the Aloysius Pendergast series, in which Kelly’s been a supporting character). She is contacted by historian Clive Benton, who claims to have located a diary written by the wife of George Donner, who led the doomed Donner Party in 1847. Benton believes that entries in the diary could identify the location of a lost third camp set up by some of the Donner Party, and hopes that Kelly will lead a search for it. As Kelly and her team begin their work in the California mountains, fledgling FBI agent Corrie Swanson, another member of the Pendergast-verse, looks into the murder of a man found in the exposed grave of Florence Regis, who also has a link to the Donner Party. Swanson’s inquiries lead her to Kelly, and the suspense rises as they get closer to the truth. The two strong female protagonists share a dynamic reminiscent of that between Pendergast and his friend on the NYPD, Vincent D’Agosta. Preston and Child have recaptured some of their old magic. Agent: Eric Simonoff, WME. (Aug.)

From the Publisher

PRAISE FOR OLD BONES



"Long-time readers of Preston and Child will love to see the beloved characters of Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson take center stage in what is a terrific start to a new series. Their writing talent shines as this mix of history, exploration of nature and crime will without a doubt land on the top of the best-seller lists. Though some of the historical facts have been tweaked a bit for the story to work, a note to the reader from the authors at the end reveals what is true and what they made up, and is sure to lead to a surge in attention for non-fiction accounts of what really happened that horrible winter."— Associated Press

"The two strong female protagonists [Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson] share a dynamic reminiscent of that between Pendergast and his friend on the NYPD, Vincent D'Agosta. An intriguing series launch."

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— Publishers Weekly



"Old Bones exceeds expectations at every juncture, a thriller extraordinaire that turns history upside down in forming the basis of a riveting and relentless tale."—Providence Sunday Journal

"A smart, satisfying read."—Kirkus



"This outing belongs to two dedicated women, whose future adventures will be happily anticipated."— Booklist



"Preston & Child is one of those "names" on a book that make you want to set everything else aside in order to read what amazing words they've written [...] From the best writing team out there, you do not want to miss this book."— Suspense Magazine

"From the thriller world's dynamic duo comes a new work of archeology, murder, and the Donner Party. This one should please longtime fans of Preston and Child, as well as new devotees drawn in by that ever-appealing set up of a past crime coming back to haunt the present."—CrimeReads



"Preston and Child have created a fine mix of fiction and historical fact. The story is peopled by complex and engaging characters with sometimes murky ambitions. . . The ending, which seems far-fetched, is definitely, disturbingly possible."—Booktrib


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"Old Bones has it all: chills, thrills and a blend of history, along with archaeological expertise you can only get from a Preston & Child novel. I loved spending time with Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson, and look forward to seeing them in future adventures. Longtime readers will be rewarded not only by this pairing but by some other surprises leading up to the conclusion of this exciting read."—Bookreporter


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"Though the story of the Donner Party and its gruesome cannibalism has been told and retold, this masterful examination of the perplexing events offers a fresh take that carries meaning for contemporary readers. The launch of the Nora Kelly series is to be applauded."— Washington Independent Review of Books

"Preston and Child's cast of characters spin off in their latest, starring Nora Kelly and ex-distinguished youth-turned-FBI agent Corrie Swanson. Kelly leads an expedition to excavate the Donner Party camp, while Swanson investigates a series of grave robberies. The longtime writing team yet again seamlessly merges science and suspense."—Newsweek


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"Preston & Child can write like no others. They have well-written and defined characters and easy to read stories. You are never disappointed by one of their books."— Red Carpet Crash

EXTRAORDINARY ACCLAIM FOR PRESTON & CHILD:




"There's nothing else like them."— Washington Post

"Mystery thriller writing of the highest order."—Providence Sunday Journal

"Consistently exciting and never predictable."—Associated Press

SEPTEMBER 2019 - AudioFile

This audiobook launches a new series from the Preston-Child writing team but is a challenging listen. The opening chapters are disjointed, and the narration often lacks variation. Narrator Cynthia Farrell paces the story well but struggles with voicing the characters and injecting enough distinction in conversations. The premise is promising. Archaeologist Nora Kelly is approached with the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to lead the search for the lost camp of the Donner Party. When Nora teams up with historian Clive Benton, the unearthing of the sad history leads to present-day violence and the arrival of young FBI agent Corrie Swanson. The story itself is compelling, but the narration doesn't do it justice. K.S.M. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172893391
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	08/20/2019
Series:	Nora Kelly & Corrie Swanson Series , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	677,241

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