The Paleontologist: A Novel

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars | 536 ratings

Price: 17.71

Last update: 12-25-2024


About this item

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.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Thicc & Ired
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4.0 / 5.0
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023
    The idea of this, a prehistoric detective unraveling the mystery of why certain spirits are unsettled and others not, prompted by the calling of his own ghosts, is very entertaining. The unreliable narrator and general chaos of the paranormal activities of this museum were not my favorite. I was also not a fan of the pandemic or current political atmosphere being used in the story for no reason in places. It felt like an attempt to ground the events to what was happening at the time, but it was done poorly in my opinion.

    Overall, not bad and even creative at times. If the end had a more concrete resolution (that a certain someone got their comeuppance) I probably would have enjoyed it more and it’d be a 5 star.

    Until Next Time,
    MC
  • Kindle Customer harolyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and informative!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
    Wow!!! This book is everything I want....it took me only hours to read...book is full of scientific info and the author "gives it a soul". It is full of twists and turns. What a great story!!!! Please write more like this!!!!!
  • George and Mary
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good Story Just slow getting there
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
    Takes a long time for the action to pick up. Kept waiting for something to happen sooner. Not a bad premise and overall a good story, just slow getting there. Also could due without the white privilege and woke references.
  • Serious Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Two murder mysteries solved.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024
    I've had the pleasure of accompanying my son, a paleontologist, on a number of digs. Though the book has a hint of sci to to it, the science is sound. The two murder mysteries nicely entwined to keep the reader guessing. I enjoyed it.
  • S. Jacobs
    5.0 out of 5 stars twisted!,
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
    I saw this book in my latest Barnes and Noble email. The blurb sounded interesting. It was a bit of a slow read but it did keep my interest. I was concerned 3/4 of the way through but then there was an unexpected twist and the ending was great. The author does a good job of describing the museum during the pandemic and I could picture it all in my mind. I don’t usually read books suggested in my emails but I am glad I bought this one!
  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Never really hooked me in..
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
    Was a tough read for me. Was really excited to read it, but it just never picked up for me.
  • Michael Purtell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Strangely conventional in an unusual manner. But worth the read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
    The narrator is not particularly likable/approachable which makes the book hard to get into. However once his counterpart is introduced, the book becomes engaging and enjoyable Comment purposely vague to prevent spoilers.
  • Steph
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    This story was so unique and different. I truly loved the authors voice and writing style, this book caused many strong emotions in me and im not sure how to tackle that yet.

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