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A Dangerous Fossil
Fossils aren't dangerous, are they?
Jemma didn't think so.
When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne finds an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder.
As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself.
Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her?
You’ll love this gripping mystery, because everybody loves reading a book that they can’t put down.
Jemma didn't think so.
When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne finds an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder.
As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself.
Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her?
You’ll love this gripping mystery, because everybody loves reading a book that they can’t put down.
- GenresMystery
Audiobook
Published February 9, 2023
18 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
John J. Delaney
3 books20 followersSince 1999 John has written plots for forty murder mystery party games (boxed and downloadable) with considerable worldwide sales, mainly in the UK and USA. The games are all now available as downloadable games from www.playmurdermystery.com.
John has written the book for three musicals (Directions, Dream Home and 68 The Musical ) and a pantomime. Directions had its world premiere at the Lichfield Garrick in 2015 and 68 the Musical had its world premiere in Leeds in 2023. He has also written the libretto for an opera called Tir na Nog composed by Oliver Davis and one of the arias from the piece, This Mortal Man, was included on Oliver’s album Solace, which reached number 1 on the Classical charts in the UK and number 18 on the USA Billboard chart.
John published his first novel, A Dangerous Fossil in 2022. It is a mystery/thriller which features sassy fossil hunter ‘Jurassic’ Jemma Thorne. A tale of discovery, greed and murder set on Dorset’s Jurassic coast. After a great response to his first book John has now released a sequel called Jurassic Jemma and the Mysteries of Time, with more adventures for Jemma and her dog Dino. The third instalment in the trilogy, Jurassic Jemma and the Trail of Evil has now been published
John has written the book for three musicals (Directions, Dream Home and 68 The Musical ) and a pantomime. Directions had its world premiere at the Lichfield Garrick in 2015 and 68 the Musical had its world premiere in Leeds in 2023. He has also written the libretto for an opera called Tir na Nog composed by Oliver Davis and one of the arias from the piece, This Mortal Man, was included on Oliver’s album Solace, which reached number 1 on the Classical charts in the UK and number 18 on the USA Billboard chart.
John published his first novel, A Dangerous Fossil in 2022. It is a mystery/thriller which features sassy fossil hunter ‘Jurassic’ Jemma Thorne. A tale of discovery, greed and murder set on Dorset’s Jurassic coast. After a great response to his first book John has now released a sequel called Jurassic Jemma and the Mysteries of Time, with more adventures for Jemma and her dog Dino. The third instalment in the trilogy, Jurassic Jemma and the Trail of Evil has now been published
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book so much!
A Dangerous Fossil took me back to the days of spending lazy weekends searching for fossils in the river hills of Alberta with my dad. Such happy memories, and great finds too!
Imagine finding a dinosaur skeleton on the beach!? The thought of that is unreal. The excitement and adrenaline rush would be out of this world! Now imagine someone would kill to get their hands on it? PLOT TWIST!
A solid mystery that will keep you guessing. Great pace and interesting storyline with a unique cast is characters. I can't wait to see what's next for Jurassic Jemma!
Read if you like:
Dinosaurs
Complex characters
Mother/Daughter relationships
Doggie sidekicks
Mystery
Love triangles
My thanks to the author, John J. Delaney for this gifted copy!
A Dangerous Fossil took me back to the days of spending lazy weekends searching for fossils in the river hills of Alberta with my dad. Such happy memories, and great finds too!
Imagine finding a dinosaur skeleton on the beach!? The thought of that is unreal. The excitement and adrenaline rush would be out of this world! Now imagine someone would kill to get their hands on it? PLOT TWIST!
A solid mystery that will keep you guessing. Great pace and interesting storyline with a unique cast is characters. I can't wait to see what's next for Jurassic Jemma!
Read if you like:
Dinosaurs
Complex characters
Mother/Daughter relationships
Doggie sidekicks
Mystery
Love triangles
My thanks to the author, John J. Delaney for this gifted copy!
June 5, 2023
I absolutely loved this book Jemma has to be my absolute favourite character. Jemma an archaeologist finds a plesiosaur on the beach of Lullcombe, UK. Seeing that she left the police baffled with what she was doing in order to solve the mystery of what happens to her beloved dinosaur find at the beach gives her a run for her life. The book left me hanging for more of each chapter everyday as I devoured this book with 3-4 chapters a day and seeing what happens to Jemma totally had me mind blown by what she was going to do next.
February 12, 2023
Jurassic fan? Not this girl. A reptile fan? Not this girl. And a marine reptile in fossil form? YES! If it is a plesiosaur discovered by a border collie named Dino, and brings kudos and trouble too for Jurassic Jemma Thorne.
Jemma is the head of geology and paleontology at Swanbourne University and a trustee of Lulcombe Museum on the Dorset coast. But even her nephews know she prefers to be outside with her rucksack filled with tools for digging fossils.
A reader friend’s favorite expression to describe a good book was to share, “It draws you in.” From the first page, I was drawn into the story. I loved Jemma as soon as she promised Dino a bone from the butcher to replace his discovery. I became so engaged in the mystery I wished I had started reading earlier in the evening.
I highly recommend this well-written mystery. The characters captivate, the setting is appealing, the investigation intrigues, the former lover returns, and a secret of the past could unfurl and change everything.
Imagine reading outside your comfort zone and wondering if the author has started on Book 2.
Jemma is the head of geology and paleontology at Swanbourne University and a trustee of Lulcombe Museum on the Dorset coast. But even her nephews know she prefers to be outside with her rucksack filled with tools for digging fossils.
A reader friend’s favorite expression to describe a good book was to share, “It draws you in.” From the first page, I was drawn into the story. I loved Jemma as soon as she promised Dino a bone from the butcher to replace his discovery. I became so engaged in the mystery I wished I had started reading earlier in the evening.
I highly recommend this well-written mystery. The characters captivate, the setting is appealing, the investigation intrigues, the former lover returns, and a secret of the past could unfurl and change everything.
Imagine reading outside your comfort zone and wondering if the author has started on Book 2.
July 28, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this cosy crime/cosy mystery.
All the characters are really well developed and I can see this being a fantastic series.
Jemma is my favourite character even though she has her flaws like everyone else she tries her best.
The book is filled with lots of mystery and revelations that kept me on my toes!.
The only criticism I have is that I felt that it could have been slightly shorter but that’s just my opinion.
I really enjoyed this cosy crime/cosy mystery.
All the characters are really well developed and I can see this being a fantastic series.
Jemma is my favourite character even though she has her flaws like everyone else she tries her best.
The book is filled with lots of mystery and revelations that kept me on my toes!.
The only criticism I have is that I felt that it could have been slightly shorter but that’s just my opinion.
December 15, 2022
John J. Delaney’s murder mystery, A Dangerous Fossil (a Jurassic Jemma Mystery), is set in the small coastal town of Lulcombe, England where two-hundred-year-old seams of fossil-filled rocks from the early Jurassic period attract fossil hunters and tourists. When native-born, 43-year-old Jemma Thorne and her Springer Spaniel, Dino, head out to scour the beach for fossils following a storm, she has no idea how it will change her life.
Dressed in heavy boots and a long-waxed coat she steps out into the dark of a windy, rainy early morning with her rucksack, dog, and hopes of beating the local fossil hunters to what the waves have kicked up on shore. Dino’s barking draws her attention to a large section of cliff that slipped during the storm, and Jemma makes a lifetime discovery. A plesiosaur skull. And it gets better. The whole skeleton is preserved. And it is huge. A major find. “Jurassic Jemma” is excited. Not only will it put Lulcombe on the map but it will also save the museum from being bought out and replaced by a large development that would ruin the sleepy little town. But time is not on her side. The tide is rising.
This cozy mystery murder takes place in the museum. Delaney masterfully weaves a tangle of complicated relationships linking several people with possible motives in this entertaining whodunit. Jemma’s independent lifestyle becomes cramped with surveillance. All she wants is her independence back. When the police can’t come up with answers, Jemma makes a plan of her own. It puts her life at risk, but she’s willing to take the chance if she can get her life back and, if she’s lucky, get “Plessie” back in the process.
A Dangerous Fossil features a strong independent female protagonist in Jemma Thorne. Fossils are her passion and her home life as a divorced, single mom with a college-aged daughter and detective boyfriend let her personality, independence, strengths, and weaknesses shine. I recommend this page-turner to fans of cozy mysteries, detective novels, and soft-boiled mysteries. If you enjoyed reading the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths or Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie, this book is for you. Delaney provides plenty of neatly packaged clues for readers to follow. A Dangerous Fossil is a five-star cozy mystery winner filled with layers of enigmas and secrets ready to be unraveled.
Dressed in heavy boots and a long-waxed coat she steps out into the dark of a windy, rainy early morning with her rucksack, dog, and hopes of beating the local fossil hunters to what the waves have kicked up on shore. Dino’s barking draws her attention to a large section of cliff that slipped during the storm, and Jemma makes a lifetime discovery. A plesiosaur skull. And it gets better. The whole skeleton is preserved. And it is huge. A major find. “Jurassic Jemma” is excited. Not only will it put Lulcombe on the map but it will also save the museum from being bought out and replaced by a large development that would ruin the sleepy little town. But time is not on her side. The tide is rising.
This cozy mystery murder takes place in the museum. Delaney masterfully weaves a tangle of complicated relationships linking several people with possible motives in this entertaining whodunit. Jemma’s independent lifestyle becomes cramped with surveillance. All she wants is her independence back. When the police can’t come up with answers, Jemma makes a plan of her own. It puts her life at risk, but she’s willing to take the chance if she can get her life back and, if she’s lucky, get “Plessie” back in the process.
A Dangerous Fossil features a strong independent female protagonist in Jemma Thorne. Fossils are her passion and her home life as a divorced, single mom with a college-aged daughter and detective boyfriend let her personality, independence, strengths, and weaknesses shine. I recommend this page-turner to fans of cozy mysteries, detective novels, and soft-boiled mysteries. If you enjoyed reading the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths or Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie, this book is for you. Delaney provides plenty of neatly packaged clues for readers to follow. A Dangerous Fossil is a five-star cozy mystery winner filled with layers of enigmas and secrets ready to be unraveled.
March 9, 2023
This is John J. Delaney’s first book.
Is you love mystery, crime books then this is for you.
Jurassic Jemma finds a fossil called plesiosaurus macroephalus short for ‘plessie’ within the beach caves of Dorset town she doesn’t realise that it will lead to one of her friends been thrown of a cliff accidentally mistaking her as Jemma or her daughter nearly blown into pieces by a bomb.
Brad her ex helps Jemma with the fossil trying to get it ready for show at the local museum. But a few wine bottles in jemma wakes up in his bed.
Dave, Jemma’s bf works for the police and they are trying to find who is wanting to kill Jemma. Unfortunately for her it’s the people that want to buy the museum and turn it into flats.
As the guilt of Jemma’s past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her friend and family and the town and of course herself. Can she escape the danger that is surrounding her
Is you love mystery, crime books then this is for you.
Jurassic Jemma finds a fossil called plesiosaurus macroephalus short for ‘plessie’ within the beach caves of Dorset town she doesn’t realise that it will lead to one of her friends been thrown of a cliff accidentally mistaking her as Jemma or her daughter nearly blown into pieces by a bomb.
Brad her ex helps Jemma with the fossil trying to get it ready for show at the local museum. But a few wine bottles in jemma wakes up in his bed.
Dave, Jemma’s bf works for the police and they are trying to find who is wanting to kill Jemma. Unfortunately for her it’s the people that want to buy the museum and turn it into flats.
As the guilt of Jemma’s past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her friend and family and the town and of course herself. Can she escape the danger that is surrounding her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
This story follows Jemma, who makes a great discovery of a Plesiosaurus fossil on her local beach. An amazing find, which she is certain, will help her to save the local museum from the property developers, who want to knock it down for a snazzy hotel spa & casino.
Things start to head south when secrets from the past are threatened to be exposed, murders start taking place, and jealousy kicks in!
I really enjoyed this story. There were so many twists - they just kept on coming! I found the first half a little slow, but the second half, I absolutely flew through!
I would definitely recommend this book, a great suspenseful, cosy, murder mystery.
Things start to head south when secrets from the past are threatened to be exposed, murders start taking place, and jealousy kicks in!
I really enjoyed this story. There were so many twists - they just kept on coming! I found the first half a little slow, but the second half, I absolutely flew through!
I would definitely recommend this book, a great suspenseful, cosy, murder mystery.
April 2, 2023
Feel very flat at the end of this, it was not very thrilling and there were no twists or turns unfortunately. 3 stars for being just Ok
September 14, 2023
4.5⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
Delaney sure knows how to write an engrossing mystery! 😍
Wow! I loved this debut novel with short chapters, multiple POVs, a unique topic and a medium pace that starts predominantly with character building. Who knew that murder, jealousy, theft, fossils and palaeontology worked so well together?
Set on the Dorset Coast, this read had an array of likeable characters and a touch of humour that really gripped me to the pages. Jurassic Jemma was a lovely main character and I gelled with her straight away. Her past was haunting her and she was going through a very rough time, yet she still persevered through. I loved how all the characters bounced off one another too.
I enjoyed the fluctuating predictability of the book as some chapters I could tell what would happen or who was to blame, but others took me by surprise. As multiple things were happening, I had no idea how they would connect and this was very engaging.
Overall, I loved how enjoyable this book was to read and I couldn’t wait to pick it up each day. I’m actually quite gutted it had to end and I’m hoping we will hear from Jurassic Jemma again.
A huge thank you to Delaney for providing me with this signed copy of A Dangerous Fossil. I highly recommend this read which is also available on Kindle Unlimited. 🔥
💬: ‘And remember, don't bottle things up’, he said. ‘If you feel like a good cry, go for it.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
Delaney sure knows how to write an engrossing mystery! 😍
Wow! I loved this debut novel with short chapters, multiple POVs, a unique topic and a medium pace that starts predominantly with character building. Who knew that murder, jealousy, theft, fossils and palaeontology worked so well together?
Set on the Dorset Coast, this read had an array of likeable characters and a touch of humour that really gripped me to the pages. Jurassic Jemma was a lovely main character and I gelled with her straight away. Her past was haunting her and she was going through a very rough time, yet she still persevered through. I loved how all the characters bounced off one another too.
I enjoyed the fluctuating predictability of the book as some chapters I could tell what would happen or who was to blame, but others took me by surprise. As multiple things were happening, I had no idea how they would connect and this was very engaging.
Overall, I loved how enjoyable this book was to read and I couldn’t wait to pick it up each day. I’m actually quite gutted it had to end and I’m hoping we will hear from Jurassic Jemma again.
A huge thank you to Delaney for providing me with this signed copy of A Dangerous Fossil. I highly recommend this read which is also available on Kindle Unlimited. 🔥
💬: ‘And remember, don't bottle things up’, he said. ‘If you feel like a good cry, go for it.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
December 11, 2023
Fantastic read! I had my doubts about liking this at the beginning as it seemed a bit too scientific for my tastes but damn was I surprised! 5/5 for this one, I felt like I was hanging on the edge of my seat all the way though and while I had an idea of what was going to happen by about half way through it didn’t matter because the writing is just so well done it kept me entertained and engaged throughout. There are somehow so many elements to this yet it wasn’t confusing or padded out at all in fact I throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend if you like murder mysteries with a twist!
November 19, 2024
When archeologist Jemma and her dog Dino discover a giant dinosaur fossil on the beach, she starts a chain of events that lead to unexpected mayhem.
This had many layers of mystery, including a sinister stalker, museum break ins, crimes, repeated attempted murder, and digging up secrets of the past.
There's also a touch of romance, drama with the return of exes, and a constant sense of unease and suspense as the threats increase.
This is a delightful cosy mystery where you get insight into all the characters including the 'villains' as they plot their nefarious schemes.
This had many layers of mystery, including a sinister stalker, museum break ins, crimes, repeated attempted murder, and digging up secrets of the past.
There's also a touch of romance, drama with the return of exes, and a constant sense of unease and suspense as the threats increase.
This is a delightful cosy mystery where you get insight into all the characters including the 'villains' as they plot their nefarious schemes.
November 10, 2023
I am KICKING myself for not reading this book sooner. I was hooked from the very beginning. I had absolutely no idea what direction the book was going to go take, and every twist brought me in more and more! I have never read a book like this before, combining crime with fossils! The research into palaeontology and geology is so obvious, which made me love it even more!
At 363 pages long, this took me just under 4 hours to read. I highly recommend this, and as at the time I’m writing this review - I’ve almost finished book 2!
9/10
At 363 pages long, this took me just under 4 hours to read. I highly recommend this, and as at the time I’m writing this review - I’ve almost finished book 2!
9/10
September 1, 2023
A fun fossil mystery!
When ��Jurassic” Jemma Thorne finds an incredible plesiosaur fossil on Dorset beach, she doesn’t realize how dangerous it could be.
I love dinosaurs and fossils so this book kept my attention very easily! The story was fun, and the pacing was solid. I did feel like the characters could have been developed a teeny bit more, and the ending left several things unanswered, but that just means a sequel could tie those things up nicely!
There is a dog in this, and there are a couple close shaves, but don’t worry, he survives :)
The author messaged me to tell me about this book, but it’s free on kindle unlimited!
When ��Jurassic” Jemma Thorne finds an incredible plesiosaur fossil on Dorset beach, she doesn’t realize how dangerous it could be.
I love dinosaurs and fossils so this book kept my attention very easily! The story was fun, and the pacing was solid. I did feel like the characters could have been developed a teeny bit more, and the ending left several things unanswered, but that just means a sequel could tie those things up nicely!
There is a dog in this, and there are a couple close shaves, but don’t worry, he survives :)
The author messaged me to tell me about this book, but it’s free on kindle unlimited!
December 18, 2025
A non-stop story of adventure, and excitement. I struggled to put this one down, and was VERY quick to pick it up every chance I had.
August 1, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! It was such an easy read and the setting and characters really captivated me from the start.
When Jemma, or more precisely, her dog Dino, discover an amazing find in the fallen rocks on the beach after a big storm, she knows that it can only mean good things are ahead.
Lecturer at the local uni and on the board of the museum where lots of her grandfather's finds are displayed - she's determined to put them back on the map.
But fighting demons from the past, seeing an old flame and discovering others will go to any lengths to prevent her goal, mean that there's trouble ahead.
I adored the setting of this one. Living in the Jurassic coast myself it was so easy to picture the landscape, hear the sea, feel the wind and drizzle - but the amazing descriptive writing would help anyone to visualise this themselves too.
I thought Jemma was so easy to connect with. Very down to earth and relatable. Working hard for the good of the museum and the village was her only goal. It was lovely to see her develop through the book and also to hear more of her backstory too.
The side characters all stood out as well thought out characters too who all played their part and fitted into the plot well.
I actually want to say this felt like a lovely cosy mystery - it felt quite comfortable reading - but there was a lot of sinister goings on happening which should have pushed it beyond that genre.
Packed with intrigue, adventure, dodgy characters and many suspects - this was one I couldn't put down.
I am not certain but definitely get the feeling that this could be the start of a whole new series where we can follow Jemma through more adventures.
I really hope so!
I can't wait to read more and see what lies ahead for Jemma and the gang.
When Jemma, or more precisely, her dog Dino, discover an amazing find in the fallen rocks on the beach after a big storm, she knows that it can only mean good things are ahead.
Lecturer at the local uni and on the board of the museum where lots of her grandfather's finds are displayed - she's determined to put them back on the map.
But fighting demons from the past, seeing an old flame and discovering others will go to any lengths to prevent her goal, mean that there's trouble ahead.
I adored the setting of this one. Living in the Jurassic coast myself it was so easy to picture the landscape, hear the sea, feel the wind and drizzle - but the amazing descriptive writing would help anyone to visualise this themselves too.
I thought Jemma was so easy to connect with. Very down to earth and relatable. Working hard for the good of the museum and the village was her only goal. It was lovely to see her develop through the book and also to hear more of her backstory too.
The side characters all stood out as well thought out characters too who all played their part and fitted into the plot well.
I actually want to say this felt like a lovely cosy mystery - it felt quite comfortable reading - but there was a lot of sinister goings on happening which should have pushed it beyond that genre.
Packed with intrigue, adventure, dodgy characters and many suspects - this was one I couldn't put down.
I am not certain but definitely get the feeling that this could be the start of a whole new series where we can follow Jemma through more adventures.
I really hope so!
I can't wait to read more and see what lies ahead for Jemma and the gang.
November 9, 2024
This murder mystery book was a fun read. Action and dialogue driven, I would have liked to see a little bit more character development, world building and description of the location. However, despite that, this was a very entertaining, suspenseful and fast moving book.
After finding a dinosaur fossil, things start to go a little crazy in the town of Lulcombe. People are being murdered and they all have ties to Jemma, the one who found the fossil. What exactly is going on? What follows is an action packed, exciting book that has you on the edge of your seat as you read to find out who is behind everything.
Overall, a fun book. Would definitely read more by this author.
After finding a dinosaur fossil, things start to go a little crazy in the town of Lulcombe. People are being murdered and they all have ties to Jemma, the one who found the fossil. What exactly is going on? What follows is an action packed, exciting book that has you on the edge of your seat as you read to find out who is behind everything.
Overall, a fun book. Would definitely read more by this author.
July 14, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this book, the plot was very predictable, not well written and the decisions and actions of the protagonist were baffling and frustrating at times.
August 19, 2024
Thank you john.j.delaney.author for sending me a copy of A Dangerous Fossil to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A murder mystery set on the Dorset coast this was an easy gripping read
A murder mystery set on the Dorset coast this was an easy gripping read
February 5, 2023
Title: A Dangerous Fossil
Author: John Delaney
Pages: 398
Genre: Mystery
Format: Kindle
Goodreads Rating: 4.33 ⭐️
Amazon Rating: 4.75 ⭐️
My Rating: 5.0 ⭐️
First of all, please tell me that this is the start of a series!!! 🤞🏼 If so, I’ll be the first in line for the next book! From early on you’re immersed into the life of Jurassic Jemma, a fossil hunter living in Lulcombe, England and her journey after finding a mega fossil that will soon change her life for the better, worse and in between. The characters were well thought out, each playing a significant part throughout the entire book. All too often you find books that drag out scenes or they are too wordy but that’s not the case here, John nailed the sweet spot. This one was a page turner down to the very end. If you like steady paced, action packed mystery’s, I highly recommend you grab A Dangerous Fossil and join Jurassic Jemma and Indiana Jones on their journey of a lifetime.
•••••••••
Fossils aren't dangerous, are they? Jemma didn't think so. When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne and her dog, Dino, find an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder. As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself. Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her?
Author: John Delaney
Pages: 398
Genre: Mystery
Format: Kindle
Goodreads Rating: 4.33 ⭐️
Amazon Rating: 4.75 ⭐️
My Rating: 5.0 ⭐️
First of all, please tell me that this is the start of a series!!! 🤞🏼 If so, I’ll be the first in line for the next book! From early on you’re immersed into the life of Jurassic Jemma, a fossil hunter living in Lulcombe, England and her journey after finding a mega fossil that will soon change her life for the better, worse and in between. The characters were well thought out, each playing a significant part throughout the entire book. All too often you find books that drag out scenes or they are too wordy but that’s not the case here, John nailed the sweet spot. This one was a page turner down to the very end. If you like steady paced, action packed mystery’s, I highly recommend you grab A Dangerous Fossil and join Jurassic Jemma and Indiana Jones on their journey of a lifetime.
•••••••••
Fossils aren't dangerous, are they? Jemma didn't think so. When 'Jurassic' Jemma Thorne and her dog, Dino, find an incredible fossil on a Dorset beach, she doesn't realise that it will lead to a trail of greed, jealousy and murder. As the guilt of her past comes back to haunt her, Jemma must fight to protect her family, her friends, her town and herself. Can she overcome her demons and escape from the danger surrounding her?
March 6, 2023
Thank you to the author for the audiobook in exchange, for my honest review.
Jemma Thorne is a workaholic. Divorced for years, she’s dating a sweet man and sometimes help raise her teen daughter, but largely throws herself into teaching and administration at the local university while sitting on the board of her town museum and getting out to hunt fossils any time she can.
When a chance moment on the beach with her sweet dog leads her to discover an intact plesiosaur fossil, Jemma becomes the belle of the ball, earning praise in the fossil hunting community and beyond. However, her career-boosting fame comes with a price as greedy folks seek to steal Plesi and profit from her.
Full of a wide range of characters, A Dangerous Fossil takes the reader on a journey to the English seaside. There are moments of suspense, moments of mystery, and a bit of romance sprinkled in as well. I really enjoyed Jemma and her daughter, while other characters were easy to hate (and rightly so!) An engaging, quick read with lots of intrigue. I found the nicknames given to a few characters a bit squeamish, and there was a lot more violence than I anticipated, but overall a lovely listen.
Jemma Thorne is a workaholic. Divorced for years, she’s dating a sweet man and sometimes help raise her teen daughter, but largely throws herself into teaching and administration at the local university while sitting on the board of her town museum and getting out to hunt fossils any time she can.
When a chance moment on the beach with her sweet dog leads her to discover an intact plesiosaur fossil, Jemma becomes the belle of the ball, earning praise in the fossil hunting community and beyond. However, her career-boosting fame comes with a price as greedy folks seek to steal Plesi and profit from her.
Full of a wide range of characters, A Dangerous Fossil takes the reader on a journey to the English seaside. There are moments of suspense, moments of mystery, and a bit of romance sprinkled in as well. I really enjoyed Jemma and her daughter, while other characters were easy to hate (and rightly so!) An engaging, quick read with lots of intrigue. I found the nicknames given to a few characters a bit squeamish, and there was a lot more violence than I anticipated, but overall a lovely listen.
January 15, 2023
"Jurassic" Jemma Thorne with the help of her dog, Dino, finds a fossil which might save not only the local museum but the whole fictional village of Lulcombe; however, nobody was ready for what this discovery would cause. Old memories, old acquaintances, and new opportunities will take place fighting to turn Jemmas' world around. And not necessarily in the good way...
After finishing this book I have to recognize I have mixed feelings. Overall, this book was fantastic. I loved the mystery, the writing, the adventure, the different situations that were developing throughout the whole book, and Jemma itself (the main character). I was able to relate with most of what she was feeling/living. However, there were some things I couldn't fully understand because there was not enough context, the resolution of something made no sense at all to me, or the decision taken by a character was completely nonsense. Other that that, this was a good read and I truly enjoyed it. Totally recommend: 4.5/5 stars.
After finishing this book I have to recognize I have mixed feelings. Overall, this book was fantastic. I loved the mystery, the writing, the adventure, the different situations that were developing throughout the whole book, and Jemma itself (the main character). I was able to relate with most of what she was feeling/living. However, there were some things I couldn't fully understand because there was not enough context, the resolution of something made no sense at all to me, or the decision taken by a character was completely nonsense. Other that that, this was a good read and I truly enjoyed it. Totally recommend: 4.5/5 stars.
May 14, 2023
After Jemma finds an incredible fossil on the beach, she’s sure her struggling museum will be saved. But this rare find brings nothing but trouble…
This was a slow cozy mystery that started out interesting but unfortunately fell a little flat for me. While there were some hints of intrigue and danger early on, it took until the 30% mark to get to the first crime.
It felt more like a thriller by the end than a mystery. There wasn’t a batch of clues to sort through as the multi-POV progression of the story revealed the identity of the criminals well ahead of the climax.
The romantic side plots felt abrupt and underdeveloped, and I would have enjoyed more character development in general. I had trouble continuing to root for Jemma as she began to self-sabotage under all the stress and proved to be romantically fickle.
This one had a promising start but was unfortunately overall 2 stars for me.
Ebook provided by the author. Opinions are my own.
This was a slow cozy mystery that started out interesting but unfortunately fell a little flat for me. While there were some hints of intrigue and danger early on, it took until the 30% mark to get to the first crime.
It felt more like a thriller by the end than a mystery. There wasn’t a batch of clues to sort through as the multi-POV progression of the story revealed the identity of the criminals well ahead of the climax.
The romantic side plots felt abrupt and underdeveloped, and I would have enjoyed more character development in general. I had trouble continuing to root for Jemma as she began to self-sabotage under all the stress and proved to be romantically fickle.
This one had a promising start but was unfortunately overall 2 stars for me.
Ebook provided by the author. Opinions are my own.
December 17, 2022
A Dangerous Fossil is an exciting read with engaging characters and plenty of twists and turns.
Set in the fictitious, cosy town of Lulcombe, we follow 'Jurrasic' Jemma Thorne through the events that follow the discovery of a once-in-a-lifetime fossil. Jemma is an excellent leading lady who put me through the whole spectrum of emotions and, along with a host of well-written supporting characters, really brought the story to life.
Love affairs, theft, murder - I'm sure that the quiet seaside town will never quite be the same again!
Set in the fictitious, cosy town of Lulcombe, we follow 'Jurrasic' Jemma Thorne through the events that follow the discovery of a once-in-a-lifetime fossil. Jemma is an excellent leading lady who put me through the whole spectrum of emotions and, along with a host of well-written supporting characters, really brought the story to life.
Love affairs, theft, murder - I'm sure that the quiet seaside town will never quite be the same again!
June 4, 2023
A Dangerous Fossil is the first in the Jurassic Jemma series and is a mystery/thriller/crime novel with an Indiana Jones twist.
Inspired by Mary Anning, Jemma Thorne has loved digging up fossils for her whole life however when she discovers her biggest find yet on the coast of Dorset, she uncovers far more than just bones!
A chilling tale that had me on the edge of my seat right until the end. I can’t wait to read more in the series!
Inspired by Mary Anning, Jemma Thorne has loved digging up fossils for her whole life however when she discovers her biggest find yet on the coast of Dorset, she uncovers far more than just bones!
A chilling tale that had me on the edge of my seat right until the end. I can’t wait to read more in the series!
December 17, 2022
Loved reading this first book and I’m hoping it’s the start of a series.
There are several plot twists amidst interesting characters with back stories I’m looking forward to exploring in the future.
Overall, a pacy, exciting and compelling read.
There are several plot twists amidst interesting characters with back stories I’m looking forward to exploring in the future.
Overall, a pacy, exciting and compelling read.
February 13, 2023
Amazing storyline
This book was great! It kept me interested and I loved the characters. I really appreciate John Delaney s writing style and all the details he included. Can't wait to read more Jurassic Jemma stories in the future!
This book was great! It kept me interested and I loved the characters. I really appreciate John Delaney s writing style and all the details he included. Can't wait to read more Jurassic Jemma stories in the future!
March 6, 2023
excellent book!
What a good read from this first time novelist.
I enjoyed it very much. Thanks John, and very well done!
What a good read from this first time novelist.
I enjoyed it very much. Thanks John, and very well done!
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July 30, 2023I absolutely loved this book! It was such an easy read and the setting and characters really captivated me from the start.
When Jemma, or more precisely, her dog Dino, discover an amazing find in the fallen rocks on the beach after a big storm, she knows that it can only mean good things are ahead.
Lecturer at the local uni and on the board of the museum where lots of her grandfather's finds are displayed - she's determined to put them back on the map.
But fighting demons from the past, seeing an old flame and discovering others will go to any lengths to prevent her goal, mean that there's trouble ahead.
I adored the setting of this one. Living in the Jurassic coast myself it was so easy to picture the landscape, hear the sea, feel the wind and drizzle - but the amazing descriptive writing would help anyone to visualise this themselves too.
I thought Jemma was so easy to connect with. Very down to earth and relatable. Working hard for the good of the museum and the village was her only goal. It was lovely to see her develop through the book and also to hear more of her backstory too.
The side characters all stood out as well thought out characters too who all played their part and fitted into the plot well.
I actually want to say this felt like a lovely cosy mystery - it felt quite comfortable reading - but there was a lot of sinister goings on happening which should have pushed it beyond that genre.
Packed with intrigue, adventure, dodgy characters and many suspects - this was one that kept you guessing to the end and that I just couldn't put down.
I am not certain but definitely get the feeling that this could be the start of a whole new series where we can follow Jemma through more adventures.
I really hope so!
I can't wait to read more and see what lies ahead for Jemma and the gang.
When Jemma, or more precisely, her dog Dino, discover an amazing find in the fallen rocks on the beach after a big storm, she knows that it can only mean good things are ahead.
Lecturer at the local uni and on the board of the museum where lots of her grandfather's finds are displayed - she's determined to put them back on the map.
But fighting demons from the past, seeing an old flame and discovering others will go to any lengths to prevent her goal, mean that there's trouble ahead.
I adored the setting of this one. Living in the Jurassic coast myself it was so easy to picture the landscape, hear the sea, feel the wind and drizzle - but the amazing descriptive writing would help anyone to visualise this themselves too.
I thought Jemma was so easy to connect with. Very down to earth and relatable. Working hard for the good of the museum and the village was her only goal. It was lovely to see her develop through the book and also to hear more of her backstory too.
The side characters all stood out as well thought out characters too who all played their part and fitted into the plot well.
I actually want to say this felt like a lovely cosy mystery - it felt quite comfortable reading - but there was a lot of sinister goings on happening which should have pushed it beyond that genre.
Packed with intrigue, adventure, dodgy characters and many suspects - this was one that kept you guessing to the end and that I just couldn't put down.
I am not certain but definitely get the feeling that this could be the start of a whole new series where we can follow Jemma through more adventures.
I really hope so!
I can't wait to read more and see what lies ahead for Jemma and the gang.
December 18, 2023
This review was originally posted at bit.ly/3RM7KGV.
Jemma had always loved fossil hunting, making it the focus of her life. She had found many smaller fossils, but when she and her dog, dino, went looking after a storm on the beach she uncovered something extraordinary. With the help of her nephew and a few trusted colleges Jemma unearthed and transported the largest plesiosaur ever found, nicknaming her Plessy. Once Plessy was displayed at the local museum the true trouble began. Breaking and entering, theft, and attempted murder are not too drastic. Can Jemma survive with Plessy still in tow?
I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I can't say that I have read a lot of dinosaur books that are for adult audiences. Most of them have been children's books for my 6 year old son. Still, this was a thrilling mystery.
While the author does let the reader know who the culprit is behind the heinous acts rather early the process of finding out if they will get away with their plan is exciting. The 'villain' fulfills the role in a way that could be possible and the acts are largely well thought out. I enjoyed most of this book, although I could have done without the cheating aspect. It was just as pointless as the act itself.
My favorite character was easily dino, even though he was a dog. He played a big part in the book from the location of the prized fossil to leading Jemma back to the scene of a crime. If you are looking for an interesting and unique mystery this could well be your next choice! The book is well-written with characters that are largely relatable, if sometimes annoying.
Jemma had always loved fossil hunting, making it the focus of her life. She had found many smaller fossils, but when she and her dog, dino, went looking after a storm on the beach she uncovered something extraordinary. With the help of her nephew and a few trusted colleges Jemma unearthed and transported the largest plesiosaur ever found, nicknaming her Plessy. Once Plessy was displayed at the local museum the true trouble began. Breaking and entering, theft, and attempted murder are not too drastic. Can Jemma survive with Plessy still in tow?
I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I can't say that I have read a lot of dinosaur books that are for adult audiences. Most of them have been children's books for my 6 year old son. Still, this was a thrilling mystery.
While the author does let the reader know who the culprit is behind the heinous acts rather early the process of finding out if they will get away with their plan is exciting. The 'villain' fulfills the role in a way that could be possible and the acts are largely well thought out. I enjoyed most of this book, although I could have done without the cheating aspect. It was just as pointless as the act itself.
My favorite character was easily dino, even though he was a dog. He played a big part in the book from the location of the prized fossil to leading Jemma back to the scene of a crime. If you are looking for an interesting and unique mystery this could well be your next choice! The book is well-written with characters that are largely relatable, if sometimes annoying.
September 11, 2024
Thank you John for introducing me to your Jurassic Jemma series! This mystery thriller was a fun read, full of so many twists and turns that will leave you guessing what will happen next!
&Who didn’t want to be a fossil hunter growing up?! I know I was obsessed with paleontology 🦕
I loved the relationships Jemma had with everyone!
QUOTES:
“You shouldn’t feel guilty. You can’t resist your American beefcake.”
“Isn’t she beautiful,” Jemma said. “I think the skeleton is female because of the layout of the pelvic bones.”
“Not because she’ll take ages to get ready?”
She laughed and punched his arm. “As if.”
“It’s only because people care about you. Sometimes you’re so obsessed with your fossils, you forget to tell them what’s going on.”
“But I love the excitement!”
“I know. Like what I do in a way.”
“What?”
“I dig and delve to solve a case. You dig and delve to find your fossils.”
She smiled. “So I’m not a palaeontologist, I’m a rock detective.”
LIKES: Jemma, Ellie, Brad aka Indiana Jones, Christie, Fossil Hunting, Billy, Plessie, the action
TROPES/THEMES:
Close proximity
Love triangle
Old Flames
Murder Mystery
Independent FMC
Fossil hunting
Stalkers at large
High Stakes Heist
Mini Blurb: Jurassic Jemma is thee fossil hunter in Lulcombe. When Jemma’s dog Dino uncovers Jemma’s greatest fossil of all time, it sends the town and everyone close to Jemma in a whirlwind of danger! Jemma needs this find to help save the museum she grew up collecting fossils for with her grandfather! Nothing and no one is safe in this mystery/thriller!
&Who didn’t want to be a fossil hunter growing up?! I know I was obsessed with paleontology 🦕
I loved the relationships Jemma had with everyone!
QUOTES:
“You shouldn’t feel guilty. You can’t resist your American beefcake.”
“Isn’t she beautiful,” Jemma said. “I think the skeleton is female because of the layout of the pelvic bones.”
“Not because she’ll take ages to get ready?”
She laughed and punched his arm. “As if.”
“It’s only because people care about you. Sometimes you’re so obsessed with your fossils, you forget to tell them what’s going on.”
“But I love the excitement!”
“I know. Like what I do in a way.”
“What?”
“I dig and delve to solve a case. You dig and delve to find your fossils.”
She smiled. “So I’m not a palaeontologist, I’m a rock detective.”
LIKES: Jemma, Ellie, Brad aka Indiana Jones, Christie, Fossil Hunting, Billy, Plessie, the action
TROPES/THEMES:
Close proximity
Love triangle
Old Flames
Murder Mystery
Independent FMC
Fossil hunting
Stalkers at large
High Stakes Heist
Mini Blurb: Jurassic Jemma is thee fossil hunter in Lulcombe. When Jemma’s dog Dino uncovers Jemma’s greatest fossil of all time, it sends the town and everyone close to Jemma in a whirlwind of danger! Jemma needs this find to help save the museum she grew up collecting fossils for with her grandfather! Nothing and no one is safe in this mystery/thriller!
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