Copyright 2006 - 2007 Susan Sleeman
 |
Fossil Hunter Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By John B. Olson / Tyndale House Reviewed by Cara PutmanIf you enjoy a suspense/thriller with international overtones, then get this book.In the desolate Iraqi desert, a lone shepherd stumbles across a whale fossil. Initial analysis indicates that it could be a new species-a discovery that could shed new light on the evolution debate. Paleontologist Dr. Katie James is asked to lead an expedition to recover the rest of the fossil before her archrival, Nick Murad, can find it first. The Fossil Hunter by John Olson is a really fun read filled with forays into science, international intrigue and hints of romance. If you're looking for romance, that is not the primary purpose of this book. But if you enjoy a suspense/thriller with international overtones, then get this book. Katie is in danger of losing her job at the university where she is a post-doc student. As a way to save her job, she is given the opportunity to go to Iraq and hunt for a pre-historic whale. Her crime? She's a Christian who's also a paleontologist. Now that she's been shipped to Iraq, she's racing against the man who took her job at another university. Nick doesn't want to compete, but Katie is left with no choice. I could taste the grit in my teeth as they dug for the fossils and hid from various factions who didn't want them to unearth the fossil. There were so many factions in this book, it was hard to know who Katie could trust and who she couldn't. While I liked Nick, a lot, I also felt very connected to Katie from the first couple pages and pulled for her as I flipped pages. The pacing was intense and for as little as I know about paleontology, the science seemed accurate. The plot twists into the final pages, making it a very enjoyable read. Especially for those who like a flash of international flair with their thrillers. |
 |
About Cara Putman whose very own suspense book, Deadly Exposure is soon to be released. View this review and more at: carasmusings.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Fossil Hunter Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By John B. Olson / Tyndale House Reviewed by Gail WelbornThe book's theme highlights the tension between the scientific and religious communities over evolution and creationism, sometimes called Intelligent Design.In collaboration with Premise Media, award-winning novelist, speaker and bio-chemist, John B Olson, wrote "The Fossil Hunter," a new romantic thriller. The books publication is coordinated with the release of Premise Media's documentary on Intelligent Design, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The book's theme highlights the tension between the scientific and religious communities over evolution and creationism, sometimes called Intelligent Design. The focus is paleontology, the study of ancient fossils. The protagonist, Dr. Katie James, is young and beautiful. Her arch rival, whom she first meets in Iraq, Dr. Nick Murad, is rugged and handsome. When Dr. James makes an unanticipated discovery, she defends her new find with the skills of a female "Indiana Jones." The result gives the reader nonstop action wrapped in mystery, adventure, and romance. When Dr. James leads an expedition into the arid Iraqi desert to find the rest of the ancient whale fossil a shepherd had found, she couldn't know her results would threaten the current theory of evolution, her employment, and prestige, and call her faith into question. She couldn't know that circumstances would bring her adversary and competitor, Dr. Murad, to Iraq when she discovers an ancient human fossil so controversial it puts her entire expedition in danger. Dr. James is accused of destroying the fossil after it mysteriously disappears. Dr. Murad, intrigued by the young doctor's attitudes, actions and looks, persuades James to join forces with him to find the fossil and discover who took it. The dangerous chase begins through the hot, dry desert, a chase where they soon become the pursued. They don't know if their pursuers are fossil smugglers, the Iraqi police, or government agents. They only know their search could cost them their jobs, their reputations, and their very lives. Olson chose paleontology over chemistry because he felt readers could relate to finding bones better than stolen genomes, something he's more familiar with. He holds a doctorate in biochemistry and recently quit his day job working for a major scientific software company to devote himself to a ministry of writing and speaking. His writing awards include a Christy Award, a Christy finalist, a Silver Angel award, and placement on the New York Public Library's list, Books for the Teen Age. If the documentary from Premise Media and Olson's book do as well as expected, plans to make Fossil Hunter into a major feature film will begin. Although the plot was interesting and the characters well-developed, I found a few clichés and overtones of sermonizing when the characters explained creationism. However, I read an advanced reader's copy and those minor flaws could be corrected when it is finally published. I recommend it. |
About Gail Welborn |
Christian Suspense
To Die For
         |
