The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins
HarperCollins: 12/15/15
eBook review copy, 496 pages
hardcover ISBN-13: 9780062381644
Sigma Force Series #10
http://jamesrollins.com/
The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins is a very highly recommended
action/adventure thriller. This latest novel represents Rollins at his
best; the plot is complex and the action non-stop, but I flew through
the almost 500 pages at a breakneck pace trying to find out what
happened next in all the various plot threads. In some ways I don't want
to give away too much of the story, except to encourage fans and anyone
who enjoys a great techno-thriller to pick this novel up for a great
holiday novel.
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and the Sigma force is
back on the trail of a historical mystery that could give us answers to
several questions about the evolution of human intelligence which
geneticists and other scientists are seeking the answers to today. An
archaeologist discovers in Croatia a subterranean cave that contains
amazing paintings and treasures, but it also contains a Catholic chapel
that holds the bones of a Neanderthal woman. Sigma members assist
scientists as they try to uncover the mystery. Who were the people who
created these works of art and why did a Catholic priest hide his
discovery?
The problem is that the Chinese military wants the discoveries/treasures
for an entirely different reason: to continue with a series of
unethical experiments they are conducting in genetic engineering. They
also want a few scientists taken as hostages, but the Sigma force dead.
Additionally they want a young gorilla, which is being raised and
studied in the USA for the rate of growth of his of intelligence,
captured and brought in for their cruel experiments. And that is just a
small part of this globe-trotting thriller.
The writing is impressive. Rollins keeps the various plots moving along
quickly while proving information-packed storylines that are
ripped-from-the-headlines fresh and topical. The key is the great job he
does researching the ideas behind his plot. It all results in a great
balance of action, science, and history. Rollins always includes a list
of other books you can read if you want more information. He also makes
it clear what is fact and fiction in his stories.
I think The Bone Labyrinth could be enjoyed by anyone who likes a
good thriller. Now I'm pretty sure I have read all the Sigma Force
novels so I know the characters, but I don't think that any exhaustive
background knowledge matters that much in this outing. Rollins gives you
enough information on the characters for you to enjoy the novel. The
real treat is the science/history/non-stop action he presents with his
complex plots. I've said it before, and I'm going to repeat myself here,
but I appreciate the fact that Rollins treats his readers with respect
and a nod to their intelligence and ability to comprehend a complex
plot.
This is a stuck-over-night-at-the-airport book. Really. Get it if you
are planning to fly anywhere for the holidays. It will keep you awake
and entertained. Time will fly by even if you are delayed somewhere.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy
of HarperCollins for review
purposes.
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