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Old Bones Audiobook
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(4.33) - 3 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The #1 NYT bestselling authors Preston & Child bring the true story of the ill-fated Donner Party to new life in this thrilling novel 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.
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"Loved the story and the tie in to the Donner saga made the story feel real. The characters are great especially the colorful minor cast of cowboy folk. Everybody loves a ghost story on the side, too."
— Linda (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“From the best writing team out there, you do not want to miss this book.”
— Suspense Magazine -
“Their writing talent shines as this mix of history, exploration of nature, and crime…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 -
“From the thriller world’s dynamic duo comes a new work of archeology, murder, and the Donner Party. This one should please long-time 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.”
— Crime Reads -
“The two women are smart, likable characters…[and] Special Agent Pendergast takes a break from his own series to make a brief, consequential appearance. Like other Preston and Child adventures, this is a smart, satisfying read.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #333333}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}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 -
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 -
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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}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 -
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.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Red Carpet Crash -
EXTRAORDINARY ACCLAIM FOR PRESTON & CHILD: "There's nothing else like them.
— p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 13.3px Times; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Washington Post -
Mystery thriller writing of the highest order.
— Providence Sunday Journal -
Consistently exciting and never predictable.
— Associated Press
Awards
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A Barnes & Noble Pick of Best New Thrillers of the Month
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New York Times bestseller
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A New York Times audio bestseller
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An iBooks bestseller in Mysteries and Thrillers
Old Bones Listener Reviews
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Deborah, 2/1/2021
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" At first I was ready to DNF it. It was a little slow for my taste and nothing was going on, but I'm glad I kept listening because it wasn't that bad. I loved the ending of this story. It ended perfectly. "
— Hannah Dixon, 7/29/2020
About the Authors
Douglas Preston has published forty books of both nonfiction and fiction, of which over thirty have been New York Times bestsellers, several also reaching the #1 position. He is the co-author, with Lincoln Child, of the Pendergast series of thrillers. He also writes nonfiction pieces for the New Yorker magazine. He worked as an editor at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and taught nonfiction writing at Princeton University. He is president emeritus of the Authors Guild and serves on the advisory board of the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe.
Lincoln Child is the New York Times bestselling author of The Forgotten Room, The Third Date, Terminal Freeze, Deep Storm, Death Match, and Utopia, as well as coauthor, with Douglas Preston, of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Fever Dream.
About Cynthia Farrell
Cynthia Farrell, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a singer and voice actor best known for her roll as Catalina in the video games Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. She has also performed off Broadway and has released a number of records.