The Paleontologist

A Novel

De: Luke Dumas

Narrado por: Graham Halstead

USA TODAY BESTSELLER
2024 ITW Thriller Award Winner
Esquire “Best Horror Books of 2023” Pick

A haunted paleontologist returns to the museum where his sister was abducted years earlier and is faced with a terrifying and murderous spirit in this chilling novel.

Curator of paleontology Dr. Simon Nealy never expected to return to his Pennsylvania hometown, let alone the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. He was just a boy when his six-year-old sister, Morgan, was abducted from the museum under his watch, and the guilt has haunted Simon ever since. After a recent breakup and the death of the aunt who raised him, Simon feels drawn back to the place where Morgan vanished, in search of the bones they never found.

But from the moment he arrives, things aren’t what he expected. The Hawthorne is a crumbling ruin, still closed amid the ongoing pandemic, and plummeting toward financial catastrophe. Worse, Simon begins seeing and hearing things he can’t explain. Strange animal sounds. Bloody footprints that no living creature could have left. A prehistoric killer looming in the shadows of the museum. Terrified he’s losing his grasp on reality, Simon turns to the handwritten research diaries of his predecessor and uncovers a blood-soaked mystery 150 million years in the making that could be the answer to everything.

©2023 Luke Dumas (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"...narrator Graham Halstead captures the frenzy of Simon’s grief-driven investigation and the menacing atmosphere of the museum, still shuttered because of the pandemic. He expertly delivers the paleontological information woven into the novel, allowing the narrative to flow effortlessly, even when supernatural elements ratchet up the drama." (Beth Farrell)

Riveting Mystery Tale

The story was a well-written mystery taking place with the backdrop of a museum. Ultimately a “whodunit” story of murder with a paranormal aspect. I enjoyed the story as well as the performance on the audiobook. The narrator was cast well for the voice of the main character, in my opinion. The only negative, for me, was the unnecessary political commentary inserted periodically by the author. If it has no bearing on the story, you should leave it out. Reading is escapism for me and I don’t want politics force fed to me while I’m trying to get away from the nonstop garbage we hear and see daily on social media. In spite of this, I do recommend this title.

Entertaining Listen

The narration of this story is fantastic and really brings to story to life. While I was able to figure out the ending halfway into the story, the journey and character development made it worthwhile. It's a great story and the writing allows you to picture what is happening in the moment.

More sci-fi than mystery

Too unbelievable to be a mystery. Hard to listen to a child murderer. Plot twists were expected and I could figure out the villain easily

It was…”meh”

The book had an ok story line for major parts with some very random twists and turns that eventually came together in the end. The book was definitely different and if you’re looking to change up your usual pace, this one is an okay choice.

Good story

I really enjoyed this. The narrator was a perfect fit for the character in my opinion. I found the story very entertaining and captivating. My only complaint is the ending, it was a bit predictable at some point and a little underwhelming given the other fun parts of the story. I still find this to be a good read as a dinosaur lover lol.

Different, unique twist on a thriller

I enjoyed this. The music was eerie. I liked the chapter headings. I liked the weaving of the dinosaurs (every kid liked dinosaurs) and I liked that it didn't go to the level of Night at the Museum. Didn't guess who dun it. I definitely liked it and recommend it.

Plodding along

Story spent too much time in the first few chapters just plodding along. Could have used the condensed version.

A good story with great narration

I enjoyed listening to this book. It kept my interest and it had a good ending. It kept me wondering and after the final twist, it made me think that I should’ve pick up on the little crumbs and clues that the author was leaving along the trail. It was an enjoyable listen!

A great novel for Dinosaur Enthusiasts

The Paleontoligist was a very enjoyable novel about a paleontologist who is Haunted by his past and the pasts of others.

This is a difficult book to categorize and explain as it draws on multiple genres of literature to tell a truly unique tale. The best way I can describe it is if a Michael Chrichton (author of Jurrassic Park) Novel had ghosts in it.

I greatly enjoyed this novel as it was a horror mystery novel that was heavily influenced scientific facts discovered through paleontoogy.

This book is not for everyone but it hit several key niches that I enjoy, mystery, horror, and dinosaurs. But if you are someone who does not care much dinosaurs this will bot likely be an enjoyable read.

The only reason I am giving this four stars instead of five is because Dumas focused a very large portion of the book to talking about political beliefs and the evil nature and privilege of white males. While the museum in the story was run by elitists since it's founding I did not feel that the amount of text spent on this topic and social inequalities did much to enhance a horror story about ghosts and dinosaurs. The corruption of the institution was something I felt added to the story, but the constant groveling and preaching of the author felt unesssary and did little to add to the story.

While I really enjoyed this novel it is not without it's flaws and it is not for everyone. But if you enjoy history, dinosaurs, mystery, and horror, than this book will be a great fit.

The Haunted Museum

As an amateur paleontologist I really enjoyed listening to a story about a paleontologist and his work at the museum, enjoyed the murder mystery in the story. I really enjoyed this story