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Secrets of Mars #3
The Fossil 3: Secrets of Mars, Book 3
It’s been 20 years since the first manned mission to Mars discovered a human fossil on the Red Planet.
Now, the democracies of the West are buckling under a new crisis emerging from 10,000 liberated Builders, now fully grown and no longer protected by the UN, are forced to flee. One country is ready to receive the descendants of the Special Administrative Region of South Africa, where a lone Builder, Hortat, is running for president. The situation is unprecedented and around the world is giving rise to as much distress as it is hope for a better future for humanity.
Hortat wins but is mysteriously assassinated on election night.
To unravel the mystery, head of the Human Foundation Luther Karlhammer calls in a familiar former investigator Pano Hofer. He’s long since walked away from his old life as an investigator, but another name from the past, Agatha Devenworth, lures him out and draws him into a deadly plot.
Now, the democracies of the West are buckling under a new crisis emerging from 10,000 liberated Builders, now fully grown and no longer protected by the UN, are forced to flee. One country is ready to receive the descendants of the Special Administrative Region of South Africa, where a lone Builder, Hortat, is running for president. The situation is unprecedented and around the world is giving rise to as much distress as it is hope for a better future for humanity.
Hortat wins but is mysteriously assassinated on election night.
To unravel the mystery, head of the Human Foundation Luther Karlhammer calls in a familiar former investigator Pano Hofer. He’s long since walked away from his old life as an investigator, but another name from the past, Agatha Devenworth, lures him out and draws him into a deadly plot.
- GenresScience Fiction
Audible Audio
Published November 30, 2021
702 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Joshua T. Calvert
51 books237 followersJoshua T. Calvert has traveled the world--on foot, by Jeep, by bicycle, by motorcycle, and lots of other ways besides. As you might imagine, he's seen many things most people never see - including an Iranian prison cell, from the inside! In Kyrgyzstan, he fared slightly better, narrowly avoiding being kidnapped for ransom. Skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, adventurer - his goal is to experience everything possible, and then make it real to you in his books. And he's made a good run of it so far: in the Philippines, he did police training on multiple types of firearms (despite being no fan of guns himself); dove in Asian waters among sharks and shipwrecks; and patrolled with Sumatran jungle rangers.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
That's what defines Calvert's approach to method writing: pushing himself beyond his own limits, to experience first-hand what his characters experience, to make your immersion in his stories as deep as it can be.
For Ganymede Rises, after a slight detour with some smugglers in the deserts of Uzbekistan and the steppes of Mongolia, he traveled by dogsled and snowshoe to the Arctic Circle to experience first-hand what it's like to be utterly isolated in the coldest place on Earth. For his book The Fossil, he sat with professional pilots in flight simulators for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft to learn what it's like to fly a passenger jet. His latest adventure: a parabolic flight with European Space Agency astronauts, to experience zero-gravity. All so he can describe it to you, in his own words.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 10, 2024
I kept getting lost with the time jumps
Honestly, this book turned into more of a political speech about our current society masked as a tale in the future and at several times I just skimmed over the long winded speeches. Not even sure if I want to see if book 4 exists. I can't think of a better way to express my disappointment
Honestly, this book turned into more of a political speech about our current society masked as a tale in the future and at several times I just skimmed over the long winded speeches. Not even sure if I want to see if book 4 exists. I can't think of a better way to express my disappointment
August 10, 2021
Great first book
The first book was great, and the second book was good but the afterword warned me. After 30 pages, I am putting it down. The builder has become jarjar binks
The first book was great, and the second book was good but the afterword warned me. After 30 pages, I am putting it down. The builder has become jarjar binks
April 20, 2022
Action to the end
Really different feel from the other two books. Action packed and thought provoking but is in need of character development and complexity. Overall, I enjoyed the journey and the characters I met along the way. Every now and again, a character that doesn't seem to reflect the straight white male point of view would be refreshing and bring clarity to the political aspects of the tale.
Really different feel from the other two books. Action packed and thought provoking but is in need of character development and complexity. Overall, I enjoyed the journey and the characters I met along the way. Every now and again, a character that doesn't seem to reflect the straight white male point of view would be refreshing and bring clarity to the political aspects of the tale.
December 20, 2022
Not as strong as book 1 and 2
I was a little disappointed to say the least after finishing the 3rd book in the series. The story skips a good portion of time between 2 and 3 and we lose touch with one of the main characters from book 1 - also disappointing. I was not that fond of where the plot went and ultimately finished.
I was a little disappointed to say the least after finishing the 3rd book in the series. The story skips a good portion of time between 2 and 3 and we lose touch with one of the main characters from book 1 - also disappointing. I was not that fond of where the plot went and ultimately finished.
June 22, 2021
I read the first two books of this series a little while back, liked the first one, the second not so much. This one I quit on about a 1/4 way in. It's that bad.
May 27, 2021
Brilliant Trilogy - Total new take on alien invasion and man's distant past
It's not often, as an avid reader of the sci fi and alien history genre, that I experience a totally new take on the idea nor the monolith of Mars given such an inventive twist. Joshua has managed to wrap a story of man's pre historical distant past into one of his distant future with such talent, creating a tale with breathless depth and breadth filled with action and emotion. A thoroughly enjoyable table that I read from book to book without stopping over 2 days!
This trilogy is definitely one to be enjoyed by every lover of a well written romping good story and I look forward to more from this brilliant young writer
It's not often, as an avid reader of the sci fi and alien history genre, that I experience a totally new take on the idea nor the monolith of Mars given such an inventive twist. Joshua has managed to wrap a story of man's pre historical distant past into one of his distant future with such talent, creating a tale with breathless depth and breadth filled with action and emotion. A thoroughly enjoyable table that I read from book to book without stopping over 2 days!
This trilogy is definitely one to be enjoyed by every lover of a well written romping good story and I look forward to more from this brilliant young writer
December 20, 2022
Sometimes I get carried by my curiosity.
In this case, how this "trilogy" would end.
It should have ended in the 2nd book... in fact, ENDED in the 2nd book... but, for some weird reason, the author decided to write a 3rd one, maybe because "duologies" are not fashionable.
Well, the 3rd book has all the problems from the 2nd and 1st with way more... mostly, a total lack of plot.
AND, it is important to say, the author understands NOTHING about "ancient astronauts theory", probably he saw 1 or 2 episodes in History Channel and started to ... "write".
Well, maybe I got some lessons about how NOT TO WRITE FROM HIM, so, much obliged.
In this case, how this "trilogy" would end.
It should have ended in the 2nd book... in fact, ENDED in the 2nd book... but, for some weird reason, the author decided to write a 3rd one, maybe because "duologies" are not fashionable.
Well, the 3rd book has all the problems from the 2nd and 1st with way more... mostly, a total lack of plot.
AND, it is important to say, the author understands NOTHING about "ancient astronauts theory", probably he saw 1 or 2 episodes in History Channel and started to ... "write".
Well, maybe I got some lessons about how NOT TO WRITE FROM HIM, so, much obliged.
February 21, 2025
First book- Interesting
Second book- Tedious
Third book- Good
A rollercoaster of a series. The first book did a good job at sinking its baby teeth into you. If this genre interests you, you’ll probably want to know how the story concludes, however be prepared to trudge through the mud in the second book. You could’ve removed a couple chapters worth of filler material in there.
For better or worse, the third book does not begin where the second book leaves off. So don’t expect a neat conclusion to some of the events at the end of book two, however after the first few chapters book 3 ramps up and becomes something you don’t want to put down until the end of the book.
Second book- Tedious
Third book- Good
A rollercoaster of a series. The first book did a good job at sinking its baby teeth into you. If this genre interests you, you’ll probably want to know how the story concludes, however be prepared to trudge through the mud in the second book. You could’ve removed a couple chapters worth of filler material in there.
For better or worse, the third book does not begin where the second book leaves off. So don’t expect a neat conclusion to some of the events at the end of book two, however after the first few chapters book 3 ramps up and becomes something you don’t want to put down until the end of the book.
August 8, 2021
So good!
This was such a good read it brought light to current political issues we’ve had to deal with in today’s society. So many great conversational points. The author did a fantastic job mingling sci-fi and politics with a thrilling aspect to it all. I enjoyed the playback of the main event, the intensity of what could happen to be the end of Hortat increased with each chapter. An enjoyable and masterfully written trilogy.
This was such a good read it brought light to current political issues we’ve had to deal with in today’s society. So many great conversational points. The author did a fantastic job mingling sci-fi and politics with a thrilling aspect to it all. I enjoyed the playback of the main event, the intensity of what could happen to be the end of Hortat increased with each chapter. An enjoyable and masterfully written trilogy.
September 12, 2021
Heartwarming story.
I’ve been hooked into end of days sci-do for a few years now. I thought I’d give this series a try and really liked books 1 and 2. Book 3 was not as interesting to me and was hard to get into. They’re pretty long books, and I’ll admit I almost put #3 down several times. I am so glad I finished it because the ending was spectacular. Definitely worth your time to read!
I’ve been hooked into end of days sci-do for a few years now. I thought I’d give this series a try and really liked books 1 and 2. Book 3 was not as interesting to me and was hard to get into. They’re pretty long books, and I’ll admit I almost put #3 down several times. I am so glad I finished it because the ending was spectacular. Definitely worth your time to read!
May 3, 2022
Book three review
Book three hats a little confusing and hard to follow near the end. Over all, together with all three books the story is creative and for the most part plosiable. I did like how the author finally explained how the oxygen content didn't just change but the builders DNA changed to allow for reduced oxygen. I was wondering how that happened. Overall story I would recommend to any science fiction reader.
Book three hats a little confusing and hard to follow near the end. Over all, together with all three books the story is creative and for the most part plosiable. I did like how the author finally explained how the oxygen content didn't just change but the builders DNA changed to allow for reduced oxygen. I was wondering how that happened. Overall story I would recommend to any science fiction reader.
May 21, 2021
Fossil 3
I am blown away by this story! I never imagined a sci- film novel to be so entertaining and still manage to incorporate all of this planets people and political issues with such ease. The author is indeed gifted with an imagination capable of engaging the reader to imagine a new world full of possibilities and hope for a wonderful new future.
I am blown away by this story! I never imagined a sci- film novel to be so entertaining and still manage to incorporate all of this planets people and political issues with such ease. The author is indeed gifted with an imagination capable of engaging the reader to imagine a new world full of possibilities and hope for a wonderful new future.
July 26, 2022
The first and second book were good. But it established a builder who is more aloof. That did not continue on in the third book where the builders became comedic like characters. It's like he didn't have a real ending but he had contracted to write three books and you just threw one together. I'm going to try to read one of his other books but I hope this doesn't happen again.
February 18, 2025
Cambio en el enfoque de las historias anteriores, la historia se convierte en thriller policiaco con temática secundaria de ciencia ficción. Resultado aceptable.
Disminuyeron las circunstancias/eventos que exceden la supresión de la incredulidad.
Ojala exista una futura 4arta parte de esta saga.
Thriller policiaco : 4/5
Ciencia ficción : 3/5
Trama : 3/5
Desenlace : 3/5
Disminuyeron las circunstancias/eventos que exceden la supresión de la incredulidad.
Ojala exista una futura 4arta parte de esta saga.
Thriller policiaco : 4/5
Ciencia ficción : 3/5
Trama : 3/5
Desenlace : 3/5
April 24, 2025
Great book
This was the best ending novel to a series that anyone could've ever written. Fast paced and full of action. The continuation of characters was spot-on. Mr Calvert is an amazing author. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction, read the whole series, they're all great.
This was the best ending novel to a series that anyone could've ever written. Fast paced and full of action. The continuation of characters was spot-on. Mr Calvert is an amazing author. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction, read the whole series, they're all great.
June 3, 2021
Marvelous
This was a great story. A bit of imagination that keeps you enthralled and eventually reveals the truth of the human spirit.... Hope. It dwells in each of us to some degree. Some more than others.
This was a great story. A bit of imagination that keeps you enthralled and eventually reveals the truth of the human spirit.... Hope. It dwells in each of us to some degree. Some more than others.
June 8, 2021
Fantastic reading
This three book series was unique and a strong condemnation of our current world societies. For anyone needing a succinct and thoughtful summary of the human condition, this story will help.
This three book series was unique and a strong condemnation of our current world societies. For anyone needing a succinct and thoughtful summary of the human condition, this story will help.
June 30, 2021
The future?
Are we going in the right direction to live in a world of hate and war? We need to see the future that we are creating. Stop the violence and be humans together instead of the riots and bloodshed.
Are we going in the right direction to live in a world of hate and war? We need to see the future that we are creating. Stop the violence and be humans together instead of the riots and bloodshed.
July 2, 2021
Great reads!
Loved all three books though the first two actually finish the story and this one picks up a couple of decades later. Great mysteries, adventure, and thrills intermixed with some telling social commentary. Long winded at times but a great summer read.
Loved all three books though the first two actually finish the story and this one picks up a couple of decades later. Great mysteries, adventure, and thrills intermixed with some telling social commentary. Long winded at times but a great summer read.
July 10, 2021
Fossil 3
Compelling and a joy of discovery after discovery. Well written and the delivery well constructed. I’ll find other books by this author and devour them as I did all 3 of this set.
Compelling and a joy of discovery after discovery. Well written and the delivery well constructed. I’ll find other books by this author and devour them as I did all 3 of this set.
July 30, 2021
Wonderful series
I don't normally enjoy a series of books but this one was really super enjoyable. The story needed more than one book in order to tell the story sufficiently and end on a positive note. Anyone who enjoys sci fi will like this story a great deal.
I don't normally enjoy a series of books but this one was really super enjoyable. The story needed more than one book in order to tell the story sufficiently and end on a positive note. Anyone who enjoys sci fi will like this story a great deal.
November 8, 2021
Definitely the most boring of the three books. What made the first two books interesting to read completely disappeared in the third one, becoming a sort of investigative book that I could not wait to finish.
You can definitely stay away from this third chapter!
You can definitely stay away from this third chapter!
November 22, 2021
Compared to the first two books in the series, I felt like this one moved a lot slower and was harder to be engaged in. As a “closure” on the series, it adds a completely new plot that is more confusing and completely different than where I believed the first two books were leading.
December 12, 2021
Strange Story...
Some reviews have accused the writer of being "liberal" & dismissed the book. Have they not read & watched Star Trek?
I found volumes 1, 2 & 3 containsing excellent new ideas. Vol 3's structure is odd & challenging. Twist & turns abound. Enjoy 😉.
Some reviews have accused the writer of being "liberal" & dismissed the book. Have they not read & watched Star Trek?
I found volumes 1, 2 & 3 containsing excellent new ideas. Vol 3's structure is odd & challenging. Twist & turns abound. Enjoy 😉.
January 29, 2022
A well crafted, intimate story. Excellent no nonsense scifi
Joshua Calvert has come a long way, and has really upped his game with this series. GREAT characters, excellent use of time and perspective, deep characters and a far reaching plot. Read it!
Joshua Calvert has come a long way, and has really upped his game with this series. GREAT characters, excellent use of time and perspective, deep characters and a far reaching plot. Read it!
May 13, 2022
Great action and plot line throughout
At first, it seemed difficult to follow the different plot lines but found myself flying through each book to see what was going to happen next. The series was a great read. Thank you!
At first, it seemed difficult to follow the different plot lines but found myself flying through each book to see what was going to happen next. The series was a great read. Thank you!
January 24, 2023
Good!
Nice to follow the previous two tomes twenty years later and see the conclusion of that adventure which goes in an another direction. Too bad that one of the main character wasn't there...
Nice to follow the previous two tomes twenty years later and see the conclusion of that adventure which goes in an another direction. Too bad that one of the main character wasn't there...
April 21, 2023
Interesting finale
This saga very confusing, with so many switching back and forth who was the good guy, who was the bad guy. I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. Nice and clean without the usual bedroom scenes. This could make a nice movie.
This saga very confusing, with so many switching back and forth who was the good guy, who was the bad guy. I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. Nice and clean without the usual bedroom scenes. This could make a nice movie.
September 25, 2023
Totally enjoyed the story
I really enjoyed the story I loved the characters, I really loved the whole notion about builders,but it does give you something to think about, well off to the next book
I really enjoyed the story I loved the characters, I really loved the whole notion about builders,but it does give you something to think about, well off to the next book
August 4, 2024
Hard to follow
Interesting reversals of who are heroes and villains. Confusion heightened by unclear pronoun references. Interesting premise. After awhile you just give up on whose doing what to whom and just slog on through.
Interesting reversals of who are heroes and villains. Confusion heightened by unclear pronoun references. Interesting premise. After awhile you just give up on whose doing what to whom and just slog on through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews