Extinction

A Novel

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

With Extinction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston has written a binge-worthy thriller in the Michael Crichton mode that explores the possible and unintended dangers of the very real efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth and other long-extinct animals.

Erebus Resort, occupying a magnificent, hundred-thousand acre valley deep in the Colorado Rockies, offers guests the experience of viewing woolly mammoths, Irish Elk, and giant ground sloths in their native habitat, brought back from extinction through the magic of genetic manipulation. When a billionaire's son and his new wife are kidnapped and murdered in the Erebus back country by what is assumed to be a gang of eco-terrorists, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash partners with county sheriff James Colcord to track down the perpetrators.

As killings mount and the valley is evacuated, Cash and Colcord must confront an ancient, intelligent, and malevolent presence at Erebus, bent not on resurrection—but extinction.

©2024 Douglas Preston (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

An April 2024 Library Reads pick

An April 2024 best new science fiction book at New Scientist

“A thriller as breathlessly riveting as you would expect from a genre master like Douglas Preston, but much more too: it's meaty and thought-provoking, and tells us a lot about our distant past—and our immediate future. Spectacular!”—Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Preston’s latest thriller, Extinction, is Jurassic Park for the Pleistocene Era—and that’s no exaggeration. It’s got everything I love: fantastic creatures, wild adventures, and dynamic heroes. But most frightening of all, it shines a disturbing light on where the science of genetic engineering might be venturing next. Read at your own risk!”—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Doug Preston is a master storyteller. I’m still thinking about Extinction—which is both entertaining and frightening—every page like a tasty treat. You have to read this!—Steve Berry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Solid until the end!

Great story and premise but lost momentum for me at the end. Fine storytelling throughout the entire book and it’s exactly what I’ve come to expect from such a great author. I just wanted something a little more at the end.

Finally someone is addressing the awful possibility of caveman cloning. We, as humans have a lot to answer for. However …

I was disappointed in the language. Mostly profane. In my collection I have almost 40 Preston&Child…Preston…Child books and have loved most of them. Never before have I felt an assault of profanity to this degree. I’m a Catholic and saddened by the blasphemous use of the name of God and his Son. Douglas, please consider returning to using language more appropriate of the gift you possess.

Man vs ?

So much to like… Vibrant and imaginative setting,beautifully described and immersive…. Sets a good hook and keeps up a nice pace… Payoff was a little predictable, but that doesn’t hurt the read…. Narration solid if not spectacular…. Ended kinda abrubtly, but w/ pretty obvious path to the continuation of the story…

I would reccomend it

This audio book was suggested by audible saying it was similar to Jurassic Park. I knew nothing about this book before buying it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This story is a crime drama laced with some prehistoric creatures.

Don't waste your credit

I'm very disappointed in this book, I have read almost all of the author's other books and have been very happy with them. this one is just boring and very poorly narrated. I do not care for it. I'm going to ask for a refund on my credit and next time they send out a book. I'm going to be very careful before I buy it if this is the quality he has come to

Strong Sci-Fi book

Well written and I enjoyed the pacing of the novel. A nice homage to Jurassic Park. I could visually imagine every part of the story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

loved it

Kept my interest through out the book. Very entertaining. I would most heartily recommend it.

Trying to make it to the end

I am on Chapter 11 and struggling to keep going. A big part of the problem is the main character is so unlikable, I’m rooting heavily for the dinosaurs to take her out. The sooner the better. This in and of itself would improve the story immensely. Besides that, the story is dragging, with little happening to hold my attention. The narrator isn’t helping things. Sigh. I was really looking forward to this book. I would save your credit and find something else.
Update: It has not improved. Will try to get my credit back. Also - if you are here looking for dinosaurs - this isn’t Jurassic Park by the furthest stretch of your imagination.

What a disappointment!

A horribly undeveloped plot, a cast of thoroughly unlikeable characters, and no real ending. To say that reading this book was a waste of time is nearly complementary, as many time-wasting activities are actually enjoyable, whereas this was a heavily burdened, forced march from beginning to end.