I was hesitant to read this since these authors have ruined my favorite character, Agent Pendergast for me, but my second favorite is Corrie, so I read it. It was actually pretty good in my opinion, although I thought the prion bit was a bit of a stretch ( )

Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson join forces again. This time they are researching the Donner Party and looking for lost treasure. ( )

This was my re-introduction to the works of Preston & Child, having read The Relic and perhaps two others many years ago. Old Bones is the first in a series revolving around archaeologist Nora Kelly, based out of New Mexico.

In the early 90's, I had participated in an archaeological dig in southeastern Kansas which eventually led to my taking formal classes at UNM in Albuquerque. While there, I met a few FBI agents who worked out if the Field Office there. I have also had a long-standing interest in the history of the American West.

Thus, this novel piqued my curiosity on a number of different levels. It was merely a bonus that it's a great story with enough suspense to make it difficult to put down when one needs to sleep, etc.

I had never read much about the tragedy of the Donner party but now I am intrigued enough to -- as suggested at the end of the book -- to read one of the non-fiction accounts as well.

This novel was as much about FBI agent Corrie Swanson as it was about Nora Kelly. The historian who sets everything into motion -- Clive Benton -- is also prominent and fully characterized.

The novel's conclusion is satisfying and also leaves a bit of mystery for the reader to wonder about.

Well done!

I will definitely read the next installment in the Nora Kelly series when it appears. In the meantime, I want to seek out and read as many of the previous Preston & Child novel's as I can.... ( )

Love this series. I read book 2 first. Live how Pendergast visited the scene. ( )

Book on CD narrated by Cynthia Farrell.

First book of the Nora Kelly series. (Note: She has made previous appearances in the Pendergast series.)

Nora is a curator at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute and is approached by historian Clive Benton with an opportunity to lead an expedition to find the Donner Party “Lost Camp.” The hook is the rumor of millions of dollars in gold coins buried at the camp site.

Meanwhile, novice FBI agent Corinne Swanson has been assigned the odd case of a grave robbery cum murder. Researching further she finds several other grave robberies, as well as a missing (and presumed murdered) young woman which all have the same connection: the victims were all descendants of one of the Donner Party members.

The body count goes up as a major spring storm is about to completely cut them off. Is the killer one of the archeological team? Someone from the wilderness outfitter’s team? Has someone been following them? And what about the ghost(s)?

Preston and Childs are great thriller writers. They keep the reader turning pages with short sentences and chapters. They increase the tension and suspense by moving back and forth between the two story lines, until they inevitably intersect.

I really liked Nora as a central character, and hope that she continues to work with Special Agent Swanson, too. And now I really need to start reading the Pendergast series! ( )