History and gore meet in this entertaining archaeological mystery.
An archaeological expedition turns into a horror story in a remote area of Nova Scotia in this novel.
Wilderness guide and professional hunter Jack Steward struggles to live his life under the weight of the memories and guilt he carries after a hunting accident that cost him his leg and his best friend. Years later, he receives an invitation to join an archaeological expedition in Nova Scotia in exchange for enough money to help atone for his past. The dig is deep in some cave systems, and the expedition leader is Bill Emery, an eccentric millionaire with a bad reputation in the archaeology community and an even worse track record of going after nonsensical historical artifacts. But this time, Bill may be on to something. Sophie Kensington, the young, smart archaeologist whose research is the basis for the dig, is convinced that what they are about to find will change history. But there is something not quite right with the rest of the team, a ragtag bunch of misfits that includes archaeologist Margaret Simmons, engineer Greg Gupta, physician Emilio Bianchi, and former SEAL Kevin Halberd. They all have secrets that may tear the expedition apart—if what they find doesn’t get to them first. Hoover’s mystery blends elements of paranormal horror novels and classic psychological thrillers in a tense and engaging tale that deftly develops most of its main characters. The villains may be too one-note and unscrupulous, but Jack’s struggle with shadows from the past, Sophie’s passion for her work and frustration with having to depend on money from such an unpleasant source, and the secrets kept by the other members of the group sustain a gripping story. The tale evolves as each character chooses whom to trust and side with. One of the book’s highlights is the developing nerdy bond between Sophie and Margaret, whose understanding of their field allows for some of the most intriguing conversations in the story. The discussions verge on exposition but never fully cross the line.
History and gore meet in this entertaining archaeological mystery. (Mystery. 14-Adult)Pub Date: July 12, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-99-940749-3
Page Count: 392
Publisher: BlackPit Publishing Group
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A standout in the series.
The sixth adventure of Harvard symbology professor Robert Langdon explores the mysteries of human consciousness, the demonic projects of the CIA, and the city of Prague.
“Ladies and gentlemen...we are about to experience a sea change in our understanding of how the brain works, the nature of consciousness, and in fact…the very nature of reality itself.” But first—Langdon’s in love! Brown’s devoted readers first met brilliant noetic scientist Katherine Solomon in The Lost Symbol (2009); she’s back as a serious girlfriend, engaging the committed bachelor in a way not seen before. The book opens with the pair in a luxurious suite at the Four Seasons in Prague. It’s the night after Katherine has delivered the lecture quoted above, setting the theme for the novel, which features a plethora of real-life cases and anomalies that seem to support the notion that human consciousness is not localized inside the human skull. Brown’s talent for assembling research is also evident in this novel’s alter ego as a guidebook to Prague, whose history and attractions are described in great and glowing detail. Whether you appreciate or skim past the innumerable info dumps on these and other topics (Jewish folklore fans—the Golem is in the house!), it goes without saying that concision is not a goal in the Dan Brown editing process. Speaking of editing, the nearly 700-page book is dedicated to Brown’s editor, who seems to appear as a character—to put it in the italicized form used for Brownian insight, Jason Kaufman must be Jonas Faukman! A major subplot involves the theft of Katherine’s manuscript from the secure servers of Penguin Random House; the delightful Faukman continues to spout witty wisecracks even when blindfolded and hogtied. There’s no shortage of action, derring-do, explosions, high-tech torture machines, attempted and successful murders, and opportunities for split-second, last-minute escapes; good thing Langdon, this aging symbology wonk, never misses swimming his morning laps. Readers who are not already dyed-in-the-wool Langdonites may find themselves echoing the prof’s own conclusion regarding the credibility of all this paranormal hoo-ha: At some point, skepticism itself becomes irrational.
A standout in the series.Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
ISBN: 9780385546898
Page Count: 688
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
A grim yet gleefully gratifying tale of lost innocence and found family.
A woman fears she made a fatal mistake by taking in a blood-soaked tween during a storm.
High winds and torrential rain are forecast for “The Middle of Nowhere, New Hampshire,” making Casey question the structural integrity of her ramshackle rental cabin. Still, she’s loath to seek shelter with her lecherous landlord or her paternalistic neighbor, so instead she just crosses her fingers, gathers some candles, and hopes for the best. Casey is cooking dinner when she notices a light in her shed. She grabs her gun and investigates, only to find a rail-thin girl hiding in the corner under a blanket. She’s clutching a knife with “Eleanor” written on the handle in black marker, and though her clothes are bloody, she appears uninjured. The weather is rapidly worsening, so before she can second-guess herself, former Boston-area teacher Casey invites the girl—whom she judges to be 12 or 13—inside to eat and get warm. A wary but starving Eleanor accepts in exchange for Casey promising not to call the police—a deal Casey comes to regret after the phones go down, the power goes out, and her hostile, sullen guest drops something that’s a big surprise. Meanwhile, in interspersed chapters labeled “Before,” middle-schooler Ella befriends fellow outcast Anton, who helps her endure life in Medford, Massachusetts, with her abusive, neglectful hoarder of a mother. As per her usual, McFadden lulls readers using a seemingly straightforward thriller setup before launching headlong into a series of progressively seismic (and increasingly bonkers) plot twists. The visceral first-person, present-tense narrative alternates perspectives, fostering tension and immediacy while establishing character and engendering empathy. Ella and Anton’s relationship particularly shines, its heartrending authenticity counterbalancing some of the story’s soapier turns.
A grim yet gleefully gratifying tale of lost innocence and found family.Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781464260919
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Poisoned Pen
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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