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Cash & Colcord #2
Paradox
The new powerhouse team of Douglas Preston & Aletheia Preston are joining together to "enter the world" of the New York Times bestselling Extinction.
One of the holiest relics in Christendom, inexplicably defaced…
A paranoid old prospector, ritualistically murdered…
A controversial exobiologist, tortured and dismembered…
When a reclusive man is found dead under grisly circumstances in the Colorado wilderness, CBI Agent Frankie Cash and Eagle County Sheriff Jim Colcord, whom we met in the New York Times bestseller, Extinction, team up again on their most enigmatic and dangerous case yet. Their investigation uncovers a trail of bizarre killings, baffling money transfers, and a fanatical secret society.
And all the while, the resurrected Neanderthals, who vanished into the Colorado mountains, seem to be biding their time for something…spectacular.
One of the holiest relics in Christendom, inexplicably defaced…
A paranoid old prospector, ritualistically murdered…
A controversial exobiologist, tortured and dismembered…
When a reclusive man is found dead under grisly circumstances in the Colorado wilderness, CBI Agent Frankie Cash and Eagle County Sheriff Jim Colcord, whom we met in the New York Times bestseller, Extinction, team up again on their most enigmatic and dangerous case yet. Their investigation uncovers a trail of bizarre killings, baffling money transfers, and a fanatical secret society.
And all the while, the resurrected Neanderthals, who vanished into the Colorado mountains, seem to be biding their time for something…spectacular.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Douglas Preston
191 books13.7k followersDouglas Preston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956, and grew up in the deadly boring suburb of Wellesley. Following a distinguished career at a private nursery school--he was almost immediately expelled--he attended public schools and the Cambridge School of Weston. Notable events in his early life included the loss of a fingertip at the age of three to a bicycle; the loss of his two front teeth to his brother Richard's fist; and various broken bones, also incurred in dust-ups with Richard. (Richard went on to write The Hot Zone and The Cobra Event, which tells you all you need to know about what it was like to grow up with him as a brother.)
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
As they grew up, Doug, Richard, and their little brother David roamed the quiet suburbs of Wellesley, terrorizing the natives with home-made rockets and incendiary devices mail-ordered from the backs of comic books or concocted from chemistry sets. With a friend they once attempted to fly a rocket into Wellesley Square; the rocket malfunctioned and nearly killed a man mowing his lawn. They were local celebrities, often appearing in the "Police Notes" section of The Wellesley Townsman. It is a miracle they survived childhood intact.
After unaccountably being rejected by Stanford University (a pox on it), Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied mathematics, biology, physics, anthropology, chemistry, geology, and astronomy before settling down to English literature. After graduating, Preston began his career at the American Museum of Natural History in New York as an editor, writer, and eventually manager of publications. (Preston also taught writing at Princeton University and was managing editor of Curator.) His eight-year stint at the Museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by a rising young star at St. Martin's Press, a polymath by the name of Lincoln Child. During this period, Preston gave Child a midnight tour of the museum, and in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to Preston and said: "This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!" That thriller would, of course, be Relic.
In 1986, Douglas Preston piled everything he owned into the back of a Subaru and moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time, following the advice of S. J. Perelman that "the dubious privilege of a freelance writer is he's given the freedom to starve anywhere." After the requisite period of penury, Preston achieved a small success with the publication of Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado's search for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced on horseback 1,000 miles of Coronado's route across Arizona and New Mexico, packing their supplies and sleeping under the stars--nearly killing themselves in the process. Since then he has published several more non-fiction books on the history of the American Southwest, Talking to the Ground and The Royal Road, as well as a novel entitled Jennie. In the early 1990s Preston and Child teamed up to write suspense novels; Relic was the first, followed by several others, including Riptide and Thunderhead. Relic was released as a motion picture by Paramount in 1997. Other films are under development at Hollywood studios. Preston and Child live 500 miles apart and write their books together via telephone, fax, and the Internet.
Preston and his brother Richard are currently producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment, to be aired in the spring of 2000, if all goes well, which in Hollywood is rarely the case.
Preston continues a magazine writing career by contributing regularly to The New Yorker magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, Natural History, Smithsonisan, Harper's,and Travel & Leisure,among others.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/dougla...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
April 24, 2026
If anyone ever sees me log another Preston book you need to come over and beat my ass. Woof. Talk about a downgrade in plot and characters.
May 18, 2026
After the first novel called "Extinction" in which Douglas Preston full of fun, Neanderthalers and some Mammoths expectations were high. And When Douglas returned with a sequel cowritten with his daughter everybody expected the same. Except they did not chose that road.
A relic gets stolen from the Vatican and they respond by sending a cleric to kindly as the thief for its return.
In Colorado FBI agent Cash is called by her favorite sheriff Colcord and there has been a murder reported which seems to be strange in nature. So both hike up the Mountain to have a look and they find a hermit in his home indeed in strange circumstances and he is embalmed in his own cabin.
This fellow chose to life alone was a catholic and a strong believer in the unindentified Flying Object carrying folks from orher planets.
This is the start of a story about Faith and Aliens visiting earth.
But like most of Preston books he takes the farfetched and tells us an compelling story..I was somewhat taken aback at first but as always this story without Neanders & Big woolly elephants did deliver on its own merits.
That said the mentioned creatures did leave their mark on the world, and people are either happy with their earlier cousins or deadset against them.
There was the added bonus of a chapter of the next book in which the Neanderthalers feature in which seems chapter 1, so goodness gracious for 2027.
Once again a good thriller from mr. Preston with his daughter Aletheia, a name I has not heard before, and once again a partnership that does seem.to work for both I guess.
Recommended book.
A relic gets stolen from the Vatican and they respond by sending a cleric to kindly as the thief for its return.
In Colorado FBI agent Cash is called by her favorite sheriff Colcord and there has been a murder reported which seems to be strange in nature. So both hike up the Mountain to have a look and they find a hermit in his home indeed in strange circumstances and he is embalmed in his own cabin.
This fellow chose to life alone was a catholic and a strong believer in the unindentified Flying Object carrying folks from orher planets.
This is the start of a story about Faith and Aliens visiting earth.
But like most of Preston books he takes the farfetched and tells us an compelling story..I was somewhat taken aback at first but as always this story without Neanders & Big woolly elephants did deliver on its own merits.
That said the mentioned creatures did leave their mark on the world, and people are either happy with their earlier cousins or deadset against them.
There was the added bonus of a chapter of the next book in which the Neanderthalers feature in which seems chapter 1, so goodness gracious for 2027.
Once again a good thriller from mr. Preston with his daughter Aletheia, a name I has not heard before, and once again a partnership that does seem.to work for both I guess.
Recommended book.
April 23, 2026
If you, like me, really enjoyed Book 1 of the series (Extinction) and wanted more wooly mammoth and Neanderthal thrillers in your life… you’re going to hate this follow up that takes all those interesting plot threads and does absolutely nothing with them. Instead, you get warring Catholics, UAPs, and the Fermi Paradox.
February 12, 2026
“Paradox” is basically the second in a series, with Douglas Preston adding his daughter as a co-author after he penned “Extinction.” I really think you should read or listen to “Extinction” first, lest you are confused about why everyone is concerned about Neanderthals roaming around the Colorado Rockies (kooky Billionaire tried to Jurassic Park ancient humanoids and, of course, it got out of control). Two law enforcement characters, CBI agent Frances/Frankie Cash and County Sheriff Jim Colcord have returned (in my 5 star review of the horrifying first book, I said I didn’t particularly want a sequel, but I was emotionally connected to the survival of this pair).
Colcord and Cash (who are not romantic partners — yet) are both called in to investigate an isolated mountain cabin death which is eventually nicknamed the “Shrouder” murder. The death and surrounding mystery has elements of Spanish Inquisition torture, missing artificacts (alien and ancient Catholic), money laundering, and unidentifiable DNA. So, maybe not Jurassic people in this thriller, but enough spooky stuff to make this series worth continuing while making tourism in central Colorado risky. There’s also internal corruption in the law enforcement ranks which makes the pair even more vulnerable, but we still get two decent people to root for again.
Narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker is pitch perfect — delivering the necessary suspense and accompanying emotion that allows you to experience the breath-taking action as it happens. 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Deputy DA Euclid has fierce green eyes, as does the reporter.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But the dense cover of the Colorado forest hides all sorts of things (Neanderthals, aliens, crazy people).
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Colcord and Cash (who are not romantic partners — yet) are both called in to investigate an isolated mountain cabin death which is eventually nicknamed the “Shrouder” murder. The death and surrounding mystery has elements of Spanish Inquisition torture, missing artificacts (alien and ancient Catholic), money laundering, and unidentifiable DNA. So, maybe not Jurassic people in this thriller, but enough spooky stuff to make this series worth continuing while making tourism in central Colorado risky. There’s also internal corruption in the law enforcement ranks which makes the pair even more vulnerable, but we still get two decent people to root for again.
Narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker is pitch perfect — delivering the necessary suspense and accompanying emotion that allows you to experience the breath-taking action as it happens. 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Deputy DA Euclid has fierce green eyes, as does the reporter.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO But the dense cover of the Colorado forest hides all sorts of things (Neanderthals, aliens, crazy people).
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Did Not Finish
March 21, 2026DNF’d at 4%. Profanity including the Lord’s name in Vain.
April 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review
After reading this book, without having read the first book in the series, I’m honestly not sure what I just read. This was really out there. I do not think this has anything to do with having not read the first book in the series though.
This book was not for me, which is disappointing as I’m a fan of Douglas Preston, and found the premise interesting. Overall this book plodded along with a fairly weak plot at best with several tangents that did not seem to further the plot, if anything they detracts from the plot by focusing the reader on elements that didn’t matter. There were a lot of false starts, that had me thinking “oh there might be something here” but turned into “filler for page count” in my opinion.
Additionally it felt like the authors were trying to throw too many different elements and forced “plot twists” that towards the end left me shaking my head.
I wish I could say the craziest thing about this was the focus on UFOs, but that was one of the few parts that made sense here.
I do not plan to read the first book nor do I plan to read anymore if this series continues.
April 25, 2026
Let me start by saying I loved “Extinction”, the first book. I was so excited a second book was coming out. I didn’t want to wait in the library line so preordered the book. Big mistake. This book is horrible. It makes no sense. Poorly written, no continuity, scenes that do not move the story forward, ridiculous romance. Silly twist at the end, stupid revelation. There is an entire scene about a suspect being released from jail. Police standing around eating donuts, prosecutor and defense attorneys, main characters. Everyone chatting. Suspect comes out, gets in the truck, and drives away. That’s it. It’s like novel filler. This person and that person survive a (ridiculous, unbelievable) situation and start up a relationship. Not main characters, have nothing to do with the stupid main story, but hey, they’re now a couple. It’s as if this series will continue with the characters in the town with absolutely zero reason for existing in the story. Don’t bother with this one. It is absolutely terrible.
May 6, 2026
3.5 Stars
Agent Frankie Cash of the GBI and Sheriff Jim Colcord are pulled into a puzzling case when a reclusive mountain man is found brutally tortured and murdered in his remote Colorado cabin. The ritualistic, religious overtones are disturbing.
As they investigate, Frankie and Colcord find themselves battling fanatical protestors, relentless reporters, narrow minded clergy, and a dangerous figure hunting for an object worth killing for.
Some of the law enforcement procedure veers into the unbelievable, but that didn’t stop this from being an action packed, entertaining ride. The fun kind of popcorn thriller to plug into when you just want to be entertained!
I’ve enjoyed Stephanie Németh Parker’s narration before, and she once again delivers. She gives each character a distinct presence with appropriate emotions, elevating the entire experience!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Agent Frankie Cash of the GBI and Sheriff Jim Colcord are pulled into a puzzling case when a reclusive mountain man is found brutally tortured and murdered in his remote Colorado cabin. The ritualistic, religious overtones are disturbing.
As they investigate, Frankie and Colcord find themselves battling fanatical protestors, relentless reporters, narrow minded clergy, and a dangerous figure hunting for an object worth killing for.
Some of the law enforcement procedure veers into the unbelievable, but that didn’t stop this from being an action packed, entertaining ride. The fun kind of popcorn thriller to plug into when you just want to be entertained!
I’ve enjoyed Stephanie Németh Parker’s narration before, and she once again delivers. She gives each character a distinct presence with appropriate emotions, elevating the entire experience!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
May 6, 2026
This book is a follow-up to Extinction (5 stars for me) by the same authors and which was an exciting, smart, in-your-face, adventure story. Sadly, lightning didn't strike twice and this is a tepid, ordinary mystery that doesn't come close to the fast-paced rocket ride of Extinction. If there's a third book in this series I hope the authors find the magic again.
3 stars
3 stars
May 1, 2026
This book was super interesting. I thought it was going to continue with the mystery of the escaped Neanderthals, but it didn’t. It started one way, and then it went wild and in the complete opposite direction. Lol, should have maybe read the blurb beforehand.
Still, I really liked Cash & Colcord’s friendship and can’t wait to see what they do next.
Still, I really liked Cash & Colcord’s friendship and can’t wait to see what they do next.
April 21, 2026
This started out in one direction, veered to another and pretty soon I was so caught up I didn’t want to stop listening. I never would have guessed where this story was going to take me! I loved every mind blowing, intriguing revelation. With every twist I found myself more invested, anxious to see how it would all come together.
I loved every moment of this audiobook. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life and giving the story all the emotion I could ask for. Her delivery was perfectly in sync with the suspense as it ratcheted up, increasing the tension even more. I found it almost impossible to pause.
I went into this not realizing until I was a few chapters in that there was a previous book. Despite that, I never really felt lost. At one point I was curious about something that had been referenced a few times. A quick search about a particular part of the story and learned that it was included in the first book. Even without that I would have been okay.
I loved every moment of this audiobook. Stephanie Nemeth-Parker did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life and giving the story all the emotion I could ask for. Her delivery was perfectly in sync with the suspense as it ratcheted up, increasing the tension even more. I found it almost impossible to pause.
I went into this not realizing until I was a few chapters in that there was a previous book. Despite that, I never really felt lost. At one point I was curious about something that had been referenced a few times. A quick search about a particular part of the story and learned that it was included in the first book. Even without that I would have been okay.
February 9, 2026
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the second installment in this series. I’m so happy to return back to this world with Cash & Colcord. This was an addictive sci-fi thriller that kept me hooked till the very end. While this one was different from the first book, it still kept me on the edge of my seat. The ritualistic murders and some of the other scenes in the story definitely gave me goosebumps while listening. So good! I love how sci-fi elements were blended in with ancient beliefs. Aahh, so good!
The narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker did such a fantastic job. I was thoroughly engaged till the very end and note from the authors. It really makes you wonder what other people believe.
The stakes are getting dangerous for Cash & Colcord. Will they be able to solve the ritualistic murders before it’s too late and their next?
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.
The narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker did such a fantastic job. I was thoroughly engaged till the very end and note from the authors. It really makes you wonder what other people believe.
The stakes are getting dangerous for Cash & Colcord. Will they be able to solve the ritualistic murders before it’s too late and their next?
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.
May 10, 2026
The second book in the Cash and Colcord series doesn't start off so great, kind of all over the place but the authors brought it home with a fantastic finish.
The case starts with a hermit living alone in a cabin in the woods is not only murdered, but tortured. There are aspects l won't get into because spoilers. Along with investigating the murder they have to deal with protesters, both for and against the return of Neanderthals (for details of this read the previous book Extinction)
There's also involvement of the Catholic Church, searching for a stolen religious artifact.
I look forward to the next book in the series Resurrection.
The case starts with a hermit living alone in a cabin in the woods is not only murdered, but tortured. There are aspects l won't get into because spoilers. Along with investigating the murder they have to deal with protesters, both for and against the return of Neanderthals (for details of this read the previous book Extinction)
There's also involvement of the Catholic Church, searching for a stolen religious artifact.
I look forward to the next book in the series Resurrection.
May 5, 2026
I have been an enthusiastic fan of the books of Douglas Preston (and Lincoln Child) since I ran across The Cabinet of Curiosities many years ago. Naturally, I was looking forward to the release of Paradox and pre-ordered it.
Douglas and Aletheia Preston have produced another thriller around the characters of Frankie Cash and Jim Colcord. It starts with a murder that might be related to the case of the Neanderthals from their previous book. That red herring is quickly eliminated, and the pair move on through a twisted tale of intrigue and murder related to a renegade arm of the Catholic Church and a shadowy group of UPA (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) activists. The history seems to relate from events around the time of Jesus two thousand years ago.
The immediate murders do get resolved, but the Prestons have left plenty of hints that these two groups may reappear in future stories.
This is a delightful book to read if you like a truly fast-paced thriller like many of Douglas Preston’s previous books.
The book is dramatically less enjoyable if you happen to be a practicing Catholic. There have been hints in previous books that Douglas Preston is not fond of the Catholic Church. In this book his disdain could not be much clearer. It features an antagonistic sexist local priest, other clergy members who dislike Catholic teachings, and murderous Catholics from a secret society who are motivated to bring back the Latin Mass and reintroduce the Inquisition into modern society to save the world from heresy. Preston even works in a little nod to Dan Brown.
Time for me to move on to other authors now I think.
Douglas and Aletheia Preston have produced another thriller around the characters of Frankie Cash and Jim Colcord. It starts with a murder that might be related to the case of the Neanderthals from their previous book. That red herring is quickly eliminated, and the pair move on through a twisted tale of intrigue and murder related to a renegade arm of the Catholic Church and a shadowy group of UPA (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) activists. The history seems to relate from events around the time of Jesus two thousand years ago.
The immediate murders do get resolved, but the Prestons have left plenty of hints that these two groups may reappear in future stories.
This is a delightful book to read if you like a truly fast-paced thriller like many of Douglas Preston’s previous books.
The book is dramatically less enjoyable if you happen to be a practicing Catholic. There have been hints in previous books that Douglas Preston is not fond of the Catholic Church. In this book his disdain could not be much clearer. It features an antagonistic sexist local priest, other clergy members who dislike Catholic teachings, and murderous Catholics from a secret society who are motivated to bring back the Latin Mass and reintroduce the Inquisition into modern society to save the world from heresy. Preston even works in a little nod to Dan Brown.
Time for me to move on to other authors now I think.
April 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5 | 3.5 stars rounded down
This series follows Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff Jim Colcord as they investigate a series of ritualistic murders and a missing holy relic. This is a sequel, but I believe each could serve as a standaline.
The concept of a crime procedral set in a world where neanderthals have been resurrected is really unique and ambitious, so I was immediately intrigued 👀
I really enjoyed the character of Cash, even though I didn't always necessarily like her. She feels like a real person, who is unapologetically herself, instead of the charicature of a badass woman that we unfortunately see far too often. I didn't feel as connected to Colcord, so I would have loved more of his POV - but that may be because I didn't read the first book in the series.
The story was really fast moving and atmospheric. I really felt like I was in Colorado with all the characters. There are multiple points of view and short chapters, which lent itself to a very cinematic feel.
Although there are two authors, the voice throughout felt cohesive.
I would have loved to see more sci fi/fantasy throughout, as there was very little and I was VERY intrigued by mention of the neanderthals. I also found the link to the Inquisitions an interesting concept, but it didn't really stick the landing for me. It often felt very convoluted and I had several questions at the end that didn't feel answered. The ending also felt a bit over-the-top.
Overall, I think you enjoy crime thrillers, you'll like this - as long as you don't expect a huge amount of SFF throughout.
Thank you so much to Tor for the finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
This series follows Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff Jim Colcord as they investigate a series of ritualistic murders and a missing holy relic. This is a sequel, but I believe each could serve as a standaline.
The concept of a crime procedral set in a world where neanderthals have been resurrected is really unique and ambitious, so I was immediately intrigued 👀
I really enjoyed the character of Cash, even though I didn't always necessarily like her. She feels like a real person, who is unapologetically herself, instead of the charicature of a badass woman that we unfortunately see far too often. I didn't feel as connected to Colcord, so I would have loved more of his POV - but that may be because I didn't read the first book in the series.
The story was really fast moving and atmospheric. I really felt like I was in Colorado with all the characters. There are multiple points of view and short chapters, which lent itself to a very cinematic feel.
Although there are two authors, the voice throughout felt cohesive.
I would have loved to see more sci fi/fantasy throughout, as there was very little and I was VERY intrigued by mention of the neanderthals. I also found the link to the Inquisitions an interesting concept, but it didn't really stick the landing for me. It often felt very convoluted and I had several questions at the end that didn't feel answered. The ending also felt a bit over-the-top.
Overall, I think you enjoy crime thrillers, you'll like this - as long as you don't expect a huge amount of SFF throughout.
Thank you so much to Tor for the finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 1, 2026
Horrible
Don’t waste your time on this one. I’ve been a big fan and have read every book that Preston and his partner Child have written. They were all great books and I always looked forward to the next one. I also read every book Preston wrote on his own. The previous book Extinction was good but after reading this book (Paradox) I won’t be reading the next. I feel like I’ve been cheated and I really don’t know how much of this book Preston actually wrote.
Don’t waste your time on this one. I’ve been a big fan and have read every book that Preston and his partner Child have written. They were all great books and I always looked forward to the next one. I also read every book Preston wrote on his own. The previous book Extinction was good but after reading this book (Paradox) I won’t be reading the next. I feel like I’ve been cheated and I really don’t know how much of this book Preston actually wrote.
May 1, 2026
Recycled characters and plot lines from other books. A lot of filler not necessary for story advancement, such as courtroom scene trying to create clever moments that are pointless. Should bring Child in to help, but a lot of the newer Preston/Child books aren’t as good as the older ones.
March 10, 2026
I loved this sequel to Extinction so much more. You can read it as a stand alone but why would you, they’re both great.
The story follows Agent Frankie Cash & Sheriff Jim Colcord as they investigate ritualistic murders, secret societies & an ancient artifact.
This felt very Micheal Crichtonesque. I just watched Jurassic Park, this could be very cinematic! The characters get fleshed out which drew me in.
There’s such a grisly moment early on that I was hooked! Great horror, sci-fi, police procedural …
I loved that there’s prehistoric moments, religious zealots, forensic science, exobiology, Neanderthals plotting the end of humanity, a Vatican agent, holy relic, everything leading back to the multiple MDK, alongside a police procedural-like investigation all against the back drop of the Colorado Rockies.
I love a return to the supernatural!
On the edge of my seat! Listened to it strait thru, good choice of narrators, now I need to sleep ….
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley! I loved this sequel!
The story follows Agent Frankie Cash & Sheriff Jim Colcord as they investigate ritualistic murders, secret societies & an ancient artifact.
This felt very Micheal Crichtonesque. I just watched Jurassic Park, this could be very cinematic! The characters get fleshed out which drew me in.
There’s such a grisly moment early on that I was hooked! Great horror, sci-fi, police procedural …
I loved that there’s prehistoric moments, religious zealots, forensic science, exobiology, Neanderthals plotting the end of humanity, a Vatican agent, holy relic, everything leading back to the multiple MDK, alongside a police procedural-like investigation all against the back drop of the Colorado Rockies.
I love a return to the supernatural!
On the edge of my seat! Listened to it strait thru, good choice of narrators, now I need to sleep ….
Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley! I loved this sequel!
May 17, 2026
It starts with someone stealing a piece of the skull of Saint John the Baptist. Then an old coot in a shack in Colorado, believed crazy by the locals due to his UFO fascination, turns up dead after being tortured. CBI Agent Cash and local Sheriff Colcord come in on the case and find UFO belief organizations, a secretive and dangerous religious sect, money laundering schemes, nosy reporters and further brutal deaths as religion and aliens somehow come together in a small Colorado town that still fears the Neanderthals brought back to life nearby.
While the writing itself was as solid as anything with Douglas Preston's name, something about the book was just off. Maybe because it felt like Aletheia Preston may have done most of the writing? The plot, while intricate, was also pretty batshit crazy the farther the book went. The kind of undisciplined batshit crazy of some of Preston & Child's earlier books together. At the end, the authors explain the stories behind the ideas presented in the book, which does validate them as something based on reality, but they just didn't really work for making that great a read. And while I generally recall the previous novel, Extinction, which I mostly enjoyed, even after reading more about all the characters in this book I recall none of them from Extinction. Maybe I'm just spoiled from years of Pendergast and D'Agosta, but there's really no sync between Cash and Colcord - mostly because I found Cash to be pretty one-dimensional and not someone who held my interest or made me root for her. And Colcord wasn't that prevalent in a lot of the story. I feel like I should have liked this book more, but too many things fell disappointingly flat for me.
While the writing itself was as solid as anything with Douglas Preston's name, something about the book was just off. Maybe because it felt like Aletheia Preston may have done most of the writing? The plot, while intricate, was also pretty batshit crazy the farther the book went. The kind of undisciplined batshit crazy of some of Preston & Child's earlier books together. At the end, the authors explain the stories behind the ideas presented in the book, which does validate them as something based on reality, but they just didn't really work for making that great a read. And while I generally recall the previous novel, Extinction, which I mostly enjoyed, even after reading more about all the characters in this book I recall none of them from Extinction. Maybe I'm just spoiled from years of Pendergast and D'Agosta, but there's really no sync between Cash and Colcord - mostly because I found Cash to be pretty one-dimensional and not someone who held my interest or made me root for her. And Colcord wasn't that prevalent in a lot of the story. I feel like I should have liked this book more, but too many things fell disappointingly flat for me.
May 10, 2026
A good SF/Murder Mystery.
May 4, 2026
I had to give this one star to write this review. I am a big fan of Preston & Childs. This book is the worst book I’ve read in a long time. I hated the characters. I normally quit reading when a book is this bad, but because I read the Pendergast novels, I thought there might be a pleasant surprise coming. The difference could be the addition of his daughter as author. Her agenda was clear. Don’t waste your time.
April 30, 2026
Law was Distractingly Wrong
You only had 2 years with the state bar in CA. It shows. Ask someone to review your law and the actions of the DA. Because when the narrative turns on the law then it needs to be right.
Otherwise we'll written with a compelling story line and characters
You only had 2 years with the state bar in CA. It shows. Ask someone to review your law and the actions of the DA. Because when the narrative turns on the law then it needs to be right.
Otherwise we'll written with a compelling story line and characters
May 5, 2026
Another fine thriller by Douglas Preston written with his daughter Aletheia Preston, with just enough science to keep things interesting and make one ask "what if...?".
When an old prospector/squatter is found ritualistically murdered in the Colorado wilderness, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash and county sheriff James Colcord team up to make sure that this isn’t tied to the Neanderthals brought back from extinction in their last adventure. But it turns out to be something much weirder, as the investigation is tied to the desecration of a Catholic relic in Rome, a priest out to find a UFO researcher, and medieval instruments from the Spanish Inquisition used to torture the murder victims. Cash and Colcord are trying to stay a step ahead of a mysterious group that somehow is murdering anyone with knowledge of a potential UFO crash several years ago, a crash that supposedly left behind something from beyond this world. But what is the tie to St. John the Baptist? And will Cash’s past finally catch up to her before she can catch the killer?
You know that with Mr. Preston you are going to get some unexpected plot twist featuring something supernatural, and he definitely delivers in this one. The story itself is quite predictable, with the rich and powerful hiding secrets from the rest of us, secrets that spiral out of control and cause unintended consequences. But just because it's predictable and a bit formulaic doesn't mean it's not a fun read. Sit back and enjoy.
When an old prospector/squatter is found ritualistically murdered in the Colorado wilderness, Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash and county sheriff James Colcord team up to make sure that this isn’t tied to the Neanderthals brought back from extinction in their last adventure. But it turns out to be something much weirder, as the investigation is tied to the desecration of a Catholic relic in Rome, a priest out to find a UFO researcher, and medieval instruments from the Spanish Inquisition used to torture the murder victims. Cash and Colcord are trying to stay a step ahead of a mysterious group that somehow is murdering anyone with knowledge of a potential UFO crash several years ago, a crash that supposedly left behind something from beyond this world. But what is the tie to St. John the Baptist? And will Cash’s past finally catch up to her before she can catch the killer?
You know that with Mr. Preston you are going to get some unexpected plot twist featuring something supernatural, and he definitely delivers in this one. The story itself is quite predictable, with the rich and powerful hiding secrets from the rest of us, secrets that spiral out of control and cause unintended consequences. But just because it's predictable and a bit formulaic doesn't mean it's not a fun read. Sit back and enjoy.
May 13, 2026
I'd probably call this 2.5 stars I guess. As always, a page turner that moves quite fast. Almost a little too fast when it gets into the legal/police work stuff. I feel like that part takes place way more quickly than it actually would (and that's fine in general, I don't need to be subjected to preliminary hearings, status hearings, rescheduling of cases, etc., clogging up my thrillers), but I felt like this book was a little all over the place and tried to maintain some grounding in reality but also trying to move extremely fast and the two aspects got in each others' way. Still, I always enjoy books by Preston (or I should now say, the Prestons, as Douglas's daughter Aletheia is now onboard), so I am looking forward to the return of the Neanders.
April 27, 2026
It's a story about a stolen piece of a saint's skull, mysterious organization, the inquisition and nifty murders with medieval torture instruments. It's a perfectly okay ride and I sort of enjoyed the characters. Of course, with UFO crashes and aliens involved, plus a piece of an ancient artefact, you quite quickly put the storyline together. If you're really hard on the uptake, the author explains it to you at the end of the book.
The problem I have with audiobooks is when you don't pay well enough attention. If I am in very busy situations, such as traveling shortish distances by airplanes, I usually listen to audiobooks that I have already read. Otherwise, it ends up like this book, where I'd say about 30% of it I didn't really hear.
The problem I have with audiobooks is when you don't pay well enough attention. If I am in very busy situations, such as traveling shortish distances by airplanes, I usually listen to audiobooks that I have already read. Otherwise, it ends up like this book, where I'd say about 30% of it I didn't really hear.
May 16, 2026
Book#2 continues with a plot as incredible as the first book. The Vatican and UFO's. I still call them that. Lots of energy. Fast moving. The ending was a bit unbelievable but all is well and onto Book#3- Resurrection.
May 9, 2026
Audiobook. 3+ rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
This is the second book that features Agent Frankie Cash of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Sheriff James Colcord of Eagle County, Colorado.
Cash and Colcord first worked together in Extinction, when they investigated the disappearance of honeymooners from the Erebus Resort in the Colorado mountains.
The Erebus Resort featured 'de-extincted' Pleistocene animals, and a disaster resulted in the escape of a group of hostile Neanderthal hominids (Neanders).
That's all you need to know if you want to read 'Paradox' as a standalone.
*****
Early in 'Paradox', the body of a reclusive grizzled gold miner named Willy Grooms is found in his mountain cabin, near the town of Burns, Colorado. There's chatter about Neanders killing Willy, but that turns out to be a false assumption.
FBI Agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff James Colcord get the case, drop everything, and hike up to Grooms' remote cabin to observe the disturbing crime scene.
After the CSI team and medical examiner do their work, the investigators learn that Grooms' foot was crushed by an Inquisition torture device called a 'Spanish boot'; he was force-fed Catholic Communion wafers and red wine; he was embalmed perimortem; and his body was washed and dressed in a white shroud. Also, Willy's cabin was searched methodically and thoroughly.
The case gets stranger when Cash and Colcord learn Grooms had been sending large sums of money to an organization called Paradox, which researches UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, aka UFOs). Moreover, Grooms claimed to have SEEN a UAP crash in the Colorado mountains, and to have retrieved an alien artifact from the crash site.
Willy Grooms' bizarre death is getting a lot of publicity, and the director of the CBI - Blaisdell Holmes, and the District Attorney - Udoka Adewale, want a quick arrest.
With diligent police work, Cash and Colcord find a likely suspect. A good samaritan and financial planner called Margie Brooksfield had been bringing food to Willy Grooms and helping him with money matters. Bank records prove Margie stole $220,000 from Grooms (which she says was for her daughter's heart operation), and Margie is the sole heir to Grooms' fortune (which she claims is a big surprise). Regardless, Margie is arrested for Willy's murder, and part of the book revolves around the prosecution, defense, and court proceedings.
In the meanwhile, a Vatican monk called Brother Niall Armagh, from the Irish Pallottine Fathers of the Basilica, arrives in Colorado.
Brother Armagh tells the authorities that an important Christian relic, a small piece of the skull of Saint John the Baptist, was cut out of a Vatican display and stolen.
CCTV footage reveals the thief was Javier Castillo, an American exobiology professor who runs Paradox, and who recently visited Burns, Colorado. Castillo is known to collect evidence of UFO visits, sightings, and abductions from all over the world.
Brother Armagh's mission is to retrieve the precious relic and return it to the Vatican - and to do it quietly, with no scandal. Armagh hopes he can just ask Castillo for the relic back, with no fuss no muss.
I don't want to give away spoilers, but there are additional murders, and the religious relic and the alien artifact are important to the plot, as is the organization Paradox and a devout Catholic group called Devotio.
As always in Preston's thrillers, there's danger and action in the story, and Cash and Colcord have to be at the top of their game to succeed.
I enjoyed book, but would have liked to learn about the Devotio group earlier in the story, as I felt something was missing. That said, the novel is a fine addition to the Cash and Colcord saga. Highly recommended.
Note: In an afterword, the authors - who base the novel on real life beliefs - explain the rationale for the plot, and it's a fascinating tale.
Authors Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston
I had a digital copy of the book and the audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, who does a fine job.
Thanks to Netgalley, Douglas Preston, Aletheia Preston, Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for copies of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
May 4, 2026
Not what I expected. Not a continuation of Extinction. Sorry I won’t get those hours back, but lost to relics, aliens and torture.
May 1, 2026
This book is disgusting. I don’t want to read about torture.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I couldn’t finish this one. Sad
I really enjoyed the first book in the series. I couldn’t finish this one. Sad
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