Paradox

Cash & Colcord #2

by Douglas Preston, Aletheia Preston

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.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Science Fiction, Action, Audiobook

13 pages, Audiobook

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Douglas 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...

Reviews

[Grandma Susan]

DNF’d at 4%. Profanity including the Lord’s name in Vain.

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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!

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Twainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

So: what do holy relics, Neanderthals, UFO researchers and secret societies all have in common? They’re all in the latest book by Douglas Preston!

Does the name sound familiar? Douglas has been a consistent best-seller writer since the mid-1990’s, perhaps best known for writing nearly 30 crime fiction novels with Lincoln Child, although he has written many books on his own. Extinction, the first book in this particular series, for example, was a solo project written by Douglas. This second novel is co-written by Douglas’s daughter Aletheia, and continues the story a few years after the events of Extinction.

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.

When a beloved author brings a new writer to their existing series or work as a co-author, long-time readers might be concerned. There are worries about whether the writing, the plot, the characters would be as good, whether it would have all the elements that readers liked before, or turn off into something new but unreadable. It doesn’t help that sometimes the gamble doesn’t work, although writers such as James Patterson and Wilbur Smith (as well as many others) have managed it for years. As Douglas has written with many others before, this should be less of an issue.

The good news is that here it seems to also have worked, as the book feels pretty much the same in terms of tone and setting as did Extinction, and therefore it is pretty much what you might expect. It is solid writing, in lots of short chapters that keep the pages turning.

There’s a certain Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, Andromeda Strain) feel about these books to me, with a fair bit of grounding in science, firmly set in the now (or near future) but with elements that feel a little bit out-there, as it did with the first book, with the genetic regeneration of Neanderthals.

In fact, as the first book centred on the return of the Neanderthals to Colorado, I was expecting to see them here. It was a little surprising to discover that other than occasional brief mentions they are not really part of the plot. This book focusses upon a different story.* It does mean that you can read this book without having read Extinction.

As you might expect in a police detective drama, the murder scenes are appropriately both gruesome and inventive, and as a result there’s a lot of detail about post-mortem exams. There’s also a fair bit of history to make the story seem plausible, and for those who have read the previous book there’s the death of a character that has far-reaching consequences.

What was interesting to me was that this book felt much less about Cash and Concord this time around. Although there are undoubted moments where the two show their magic, particularly at the end, for a lot of the book they are separate and at odds with each other, even when they don’t show that to others. Concord in particular seems to spent a lot of time out of the way or in the background in this one.

The initially seeming disparate parts (see above) all connect in the end, although for me parts of the ending were a little too convenient - one character seemed to have an almost miraculous change of opinion and so save the day, whilst the solution to a major plot point problem felt unrealistic. Of course, others may think differently.)

Perhaps the biggest issue, and where I think the book will either succeed or fail, is in the BIG central premise of the book - which I’m not going to mention here. But I’m not sure whether traditional crime readers will buy it. I suspect it may be a step too far. However, if you can go with it, there’s a lot to enjoy in this book.

In summary then, Paradox is a solidly entertaining read that seems to have on the whole managed the task of two writers writing together for the first time well. Its combination of crime thriller with X-Files vibes, and with a touch of Dan Brown added for good measure** is unusual, but I think that for me that’s what made it readable, although I did have issues with the ending and others may too. Nevertheless, I absolutely expect to see this one as the holiday reader’s beach-read this year.

 

*If the extract at the end of the book is correct, Neanderthals will be the centre of the plot in the next book, entitled Resurrection.

**He’s even mentioned by one of the people in this book, too!

[Blaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I know the alien stuff sounds ridiculous. I hardly believe it myself. But these killings are real. And the only motive tying them together involves rumors of an alien artifact and a saint’s DNA.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC of Paradox in exchange for an honest review.

Paradox takes place eight months after the events of Extinction. But please note that this novel is not being positioned as a true sequel. Instead, you are being invited to “enter the world” of Extinction. And that’s important, because you would be forgiven if you assumed—especially given the mention of the Neanderthals in the Goodreads description—that the Neanderthals would appear in this book. I apologize to people who may consider this a spoiler, but to me, this is about truth in advertising: the Neanderthals may be “biding their time for something spectacular,” but whatever that something is, it doesn’t happen in this book. Here, they are never seen, and are simply one of several red herrings.

In addition to not being a true sequel to Extinction, Paradox is thematically quite different as well. Extinction was a Jurassic Park-style thriller. And Paradox contains the science, strangeness, and the potentially supernatural that I had expected. But for long stretches it reads more like a police procedural or an episode of CSI. It is kind of gory in places, with lots of evidence being collected from corpses. There are courtroom scenes, and an important change of venue motion. Perhaps that’s your cup of tea, but it’s not really mine, and it’s definitely not what I was expecting.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash teams up again with Eagle County Sheriff James Colcord, and that’s nice. I continue to enjoy both characters, individually and as partners. But like Extinction, this book waits way too long to reveal the villain and the real stakes. I would argue that if you have to write a ten-page afterward to explain a lot of details behind your story, you failed to put adequate information into the story itself. Paradox desperately needed some chapters from the villains’ perspective that could have provided the explanations for what they were doing without revealing their identity. Dan Brown is a master of this technique, and this book literally referred to The Da Vinci Code, so I know the authors have seen how it’s done.

I have a long history with Douglas Preston books, so I will probably give the third book in this series a try, even though at this point, there hasn’t been anything special to recommend about either of the first two books.

P.S. A word about the audiobook. It’s well done, and an improvement on the one for Extinction, which had a couple of the male voices that veered into parody.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Paradox by Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston

This was my first time reading anything by Douglas Preston, despite seeing his name everywhere—especially working in a library where the first book in this series, Extinction, was incredibly popular. Going into Paradox with very little background, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up pleasantly surprised.

One of the biggest strengths of this book is how accessible it is, even if you haven’t read the first installment. Paradox does an excellent job reintroducing the characters and providing just enough context to keep you grounded without overwhelming you with backstory. There are still a few lingering mysteries, but they never feel essential to understanding or enjoying the plot. In fact, the way it’s handled made me want to go back and read Extinction.

The pacing is another standout. This is a book that gets straight to the point—no overly flowery descriptions or drawn-out exposition. It’s very much a “this is happening, let’s go” kind of story, which I appreciated after reading some slower, more heavy novels recently. The writing keeps things moving, and the plot unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged without feeling rushed.

The characters are well-developed, particularly Cash and Colcord. I really enjoyed their dynamic—it's refreshing to see a strong partnership that doesn’t rely on forced romantic tension to drive interest. Their relationship feels grounded and lets the story stay focused on the bigger picture.

Speaking of the plot, it’s built around a fascinating concept that blends conspiracy theories, secret societies, and even elements inspired by historical practices like those from the Spanish Inquisition. The ideas are intriguing, and I highly recommend reading the afterword, which dives deeper into the theories explored in the book—it adds another layer of appreciation for the story.

That said, this book may not be for everyone. Readers who are particularly religious might find some of the themes uncomfortable. Without giving too much away, the narrative challenges certain beliefs in ways that could be off-putting depending on your perspective.

I could easily see Paradox being adapted into a movie or limited series—it has that cinematic quality, with well-timed tension and scenes that know exactly when to linger.

Lastly, if you’re an audiobook listener, the narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker is fantastic. She truly elevates the experience and brings the story to life in a way that makes it even more engaging.

Overall: A fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller that’s easy to jump into and hard to put down—definitely worth checking out, especially if you enjoy conspiracy-driven plots with a historical twist.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this ARC!

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series, of which this is the second, because it’s a bit off center, if you will – the stories cross over the line of believability a titch but do not destroy it, because there’s research (as well as plenty of general public speculation) that lends credibility. The first book, “Extinction,” focused on reconstituting long-gone Neanderthal parts that became alive through genetic manipulation, understandably were wild and nearly destroyed main characters Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frankie Cash and Colorado Sheriff James Colcord.

This one is more reminiscent of a Dan Brown novel, starting with the theft of a fragment of a part of the biblical John the Baptist’s head, which has been locked in a case at the Irish Pallottine Fathers of the Basilica for safekeeping. Needless to say, it’s a priceless relic, and it’s caused consternation all the way up to the Pope, who resides not far away, and one of the Brothers is charged with finding and returning it to its rightful place.

Meantime, over in America, Cash gets a call from Colcord telling her there’s been a murder in Flat Tops Wilderness – near where those aforementioned Neanderthals escaped from a laboratory into the wilderness. For now, they seem to be on the lam, so for now, at least, Colcord doesn’t consider them to be the culprits. The victim is William Grooms, an illegal squatter. The murder itself, though, suggests some sort of ritual that may be related to Catholicism (I’d mention some of them, but they’re pretty gruesome and besides, that would spoil the impact for other readers).


Back in Rome, the person who ripped off John the Baptist’s body part is identified – an exobiologist from San Francisco. One of the Brothers is sent to find him and retrieve the relic on personal order of the Pope.

If all this sounds strange, it is; but most readers will conclude early on that the two cases are somehow related. And of course, the “somehow” is for Cash and Colcord to discover and pass on to readers – I’m out of that equation because I won’t spoil the story for others. Suffice it to say things get even stranger as the investigation – and search for poor St. John’s head fragment – starts to pick up steam.

Definitely worth reading, and don’t miss the section at the end where the author explains some of the research from which the story was born. As for me, I’m looking forward to the next one – and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to spend time with this one by way of a pre-release copy. Quite engaging!

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Thanks to Net Galley for the early preview of this audiobook.

I was not aware that Douglas Preston (along with his daughter) was going to write a sequel to the book Extinction. I mean, the door was left open for this, but I guess I wasn’t fully expecting it. I did not remember much about the first book and wisht there was a little more ‘review’ of this to help me jog my memories. But I do remember enjoying it.

This book was just ok and I mostly enjoyed it. I feel like way too many characters were introduced to where it got a little confusing, especially all these ‘agents’ and such from the CBI and other law agencies. I am not sure what I am supposed to take away from the relationship building between the two main characters, but maybe this is a ‘slow burn’ for future books? I am not sure. I also did not like how the personal point of view would change so easily and frequently. This to me is a personal preference, but I like it when the POV stays with one character, so I feel like I am living through this character’s eyes. When we keep shifting points of view, it distracts me a little to where I lose focus on the book.

I did enjoy the speculation of the idea of Jesus and his disciples being aliens and the author’s note at the end was definitely interesting. Having all these different parties (alien hunters, Catholic leaders, super traditional and old-fashioned priests, and of course the whole thing with the neanderthals) all converging together was fun. But I feel like we definitely could use more neanderthal action and keep that story line going (I was a little disappointed that we were neglected of that).

But it was fun and not too long. I am not sure I will read another book but maybe I will!

Audiobook narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker rating: 4 stars
The narrator was pretty good at reading this book and I see why she was chosen. I would listen to more books from her.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradox AUDIO by Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston is primarily a police procedural. We re-meet Agent Frankie Cash of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Eagle Count Sheriff Jim Colcord again. Frankie has a bad reputation but Colcord couldn’t understand why. She is a good cop, although sometimes acted without thinking. They are investigating the murder of an old man who was mostly a hermit, although the state in which they found the body was odd: in a white shroud and a last meal of Communion wafers and win and he had been embalmed while still alive. At the same time, in Ireland, someone had stolen the small bone fragment from the skull of John the Baptist. How these two crimes are to meet in the middle is the bulk of the story. As it turns out the victim, and the next, are followers of an organization called Paradox which investigates instances of extraterrestrial intrusion. Frankie is skeptical; Colcort is absolutely a non-believer.

This is the second in the series; the first being Extinction, in which a group of scientists have facilitated the re-emergence of Neanderthals. Anyone in the neighborhood were quick to blame this new murder on them, despite the facts. The story came together when the second death turned out to be the man who had stolen the relic. This is a terrific police procedural/investigative book, despite whatever one thinks of the topic. Cash and Colcord are both excellent characters, respectful of one another despite their differing viewpoints. The mystery was a good one, again, despite the topic. The end of the book included an author note explaining some of the groups that are, fictionally, portrayed in this book and that brings it all a little more in focus. Don’t skip it.

Stephanie Nemuth-Parker who does an excellent job, both in keeping an even keel as the story gets more desperate and able to differentiate between characters without resorting to over-blown theatrics. She makes a terrific book better.

I was invited to listen to Paradox by MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley @MacmillanAudio #StephanieNemuthParker #DouglasPreston#AletheiaPreston #Paradox

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was invited by Macmillan Audio to listen to the new book in the Cash and Colcord series, I was excited. I listened to the first book, Extinction, and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to jumping in!

I didn’t know this would be a series when I read Extinction. I very much enjoyed the premise of that one, which was a bit reminiscent of Jurassic Park. When I heard about this book, I assumed that the story would be somewhat related. I was wrong. Cash and Colcord are back, but this case was a lot more mysterious and widespread than Extinction.

A murder victim is found and his body shows signs of torture. Later, it is learned that his stomach is filled with communion wafers and wine. This leads into an investigation involving the Catholic Church, the UFO, excuse me, err… UAP community, conspiracies and infidelities. Through the rest of the book Cash gets into trouble again and again, and Colcord just tries to withstand the tornado that is Cash. Their relationship is a bit different than the usual fare, they are not partners; one represents local law enforcement, (Colcord), and the other the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.The mystery was fairly decent and the story entertaining.

I must admit, Paradox did not knock my socks off. At times I felt like the narrative was too convoluted- what with the UAP community, and various factions of the Catholic Church, as well as some action with the town locals. At times the whole thing felt a bit silly and not really believable. Oddly, I think the first book was more believable than this one.

Once I did manage to ignore my disbelief, I enjoyed this a bit more. I found humor in Cash’s and Colcord’s banter, and the final 20% was very exciting and compelled me to continue. The narrator did a fine job, but her voicing of some of the men was a little off-putting at first, but I got used to it.

Overall, this was a fun read and would be especially good for beach reading this summer!

*ARC from publisher

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to learn that Cash & Colcord were returning after the excellent “Extinction.” Douglas Preston always delivers fast-paced, suspenseful thrillers. A harmless old conspiracy theorist was painfully tortured and murdered. Money wasn’t the motive, so C&C need to follow more unusual clues that take them from the Catholic Church to UFO enthusiasts. I enjoyed the fringe science aspect, the alien theories and one very suspenseful confrontation involving our heroes against the baddies. I didn’t care for the preachy political correctness that I had never noticed in Preston’s books before (I don’t know for sure, but I blame Aletheia Preston, Douglas’s daughter). There is an irrelevant conversation about preferred pronouns shoehorned in the middle of an otherwise interesting side plot, as well as a Catholic priest with very progressive views on established doctrine. Mostly, as a Catholic, the way my Church is portrayed is offensive. Cash’s viewpoints are her own and, despite my bristling at her treatment of a priest, I could live with that. It’s the whole position of the novel with regards to Catholicism that goes out of its way to gratuitously compare a whole subset of my church to the Spanish Inquisition. Literally. This probably won’t be a problem for readers of other faiths, but it affected my enjoyment of this book. Back to Stephanie Németh-Parker, her impeccable narration gives every single character a distinctive voice, which is important when trying to follow so many storylines. I enjoyed the suspense, I just hope that Preston goes back to simple, entertaining stories without social commentary.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Macmillan Audio.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slight spoilers for the first book, Extinction, ahead!

Paradox is the second installment in the Cash and Colcord series by Douglas Preston and his daughter Aletheia Preston, picking up several months after Extinction, and somehow managing to get even stranger.

Once again, CBI Agent Frankie Cash teams up with Eagle County Sheriff Jim Colcord, this time to investigate a series of deeply unsettling events: a man living off the grid found dead in what appears to be a ritual-like murder, the theft of a holy relic, and the brutal killing of an exobiologist who insisted that aliens are real. Meanwhile, the Neanderthals who vanished in the Colorado mountains are still out there-somewhere.

I really enjoyed this book. While Extinction leaned more heavily into sci-fi thriller territory (which I personally prefer), Paradox kept me on the edge of my seat in a different way. The mystery is layered and strange, and I found myself genuinely invested-not only in the unfolding case but in the characters themselves. Cash and Colcord work well together, and it was fun to see them back on the page as a team.

I was also surprised by how engaged I became in trying to solve the mystery on my own. I correctly guessed some things, missed others entirely, and appreciated how the story kept me guessing. The book embraces the bizarre, weaving together elements ranging from the Catholic Church to extraterrestrial life, and somehow making it all feel like a wild but cohesive ride.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic; it added a lot to the story and pacing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

[Eric Sullenberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Up front disclaimer - I won a free copy of the audiobook through Storygraph.

I had read the first book in the series and it started out great, but I did not like the twist or the end. I wasn't planning on reading a sequel but won a free copy of the audiobook and decided to give it a chance. 

Like many other mystery thrillers this is action-packed and fast paced. That certainly held my attention, and the short chapters made it easy to not put the book down. It reminds me a lot of Dan Brown's early books. However, I distinctly recall when I was about 60% through the book I'm thinking, "When is something going to happen?" And unfortunately the answer was not until about 80%. There was action, but it just felt like it was all set up. More and more mystery building. And as it got further along it became obvious that there wasn't really a connection to the prior book other than the main characters being the same. The good news there is that you could certainly read this one as a standalone novel. 

I tried hard to like this book, but the twist this time was weirder, the climax too big, the ending was too abrupt, and there were too many loose ends. It did seem a little bit like it might be setting up for a sequel, but the loose ends aren't good Cliff hangers or something that you would really want to base another book on. It's also annoying that there's a very strong anti-religious theme to the book and for me some of the torture was too extreme. After all, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

I appreciate the free audiobook, and it was good enough that I listen to it all the way through, but in the end I'm not a fan.

[Linda]

Sometimes a secluded cabin is not so secluded after all.

Especially when its occupant is found murdered in a highly ritualistic manner. Willy Grooms had an awful fear of technology. He did everything the old-fashioned way. That included his manner of mining in which he garnered quite a killing.....but the killing seemed to have flipped back on him.

Senior Detective of the CBI, Frankie Cash, is called in to investigate. Sheriff James Colcord of Eagle County is right by her side. How did anyone even know of Willy's presence since he kept to himself? And who would go to the bother of presenting him fileted on his kitchen table with silver dollars placed on his dead eyes? This beats a message in a bottle.

Switch gears over to Brother Niall Armagh who is relegated to the task of retrieving the prized relic of St. John the Baptist. It was stolen cleverly by a known thief. Niall must convince Javier Castillo to give it up. And Niall must do it without making waves of scandal. No authorities must be contacted.
And this all leans into a religious world conspiracy in the making.

I absolutely enjoyed the first book in this series, Extinction. Douglas Preston presented that one solo without his daughter, Aletheia, riding shotgun. It was a splendid ride with Neanderthals and Woolly Mammoths involved. The science was solid without the injection of social topics singeing the edges. There was only a slight mention of the Neanders in this one. Out of sight. Out of mind.

Paradox is still a good read. It just seemed to meander in a wide scope with taking on even UFO's in the process. You can count on the wild and woolly happening in the Colorado Rockies. I'll be ready for the next one though.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Tor Publishing and to Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston for the opportunity.

[Danita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the free audiobook of Paradox. All opinions in my review are completely my own.

I was excited to read this book since I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Extinction, but I ended up being a bit underwhelmed. Paradox is following some of the same main characters from Extinction, but I thought the feel of this book was very different and didn't appeal to me as much. Even the characters felt different from how they previously were, and almost all the characters were unlikable. The plot didn't tie in too much to what happened in the first book, though there are enough references that might be confusing if you haven't read it. Through this book there were so many characters and storylines that I started to lose track of what was going on, then my mind would wander and I'd lose interest. It also seemed to focus heavily on police procedure, with suspect interviews, investigation, autopsies, and even some legal proceedings, more than I would have preferred. The plot went into some directions I wasn't expecting, with alien conspiracies and a lot of ties to religion and Catholicism. Some things that happened toward the end just felt weird and not explained well. As far as the crimes, I thought I knew for sure who was behind everything, but I ended up being surprised. I guess you could say it at least wasn't predictable.

I read the audiobook version of the book, and I really liked the narrator. Characters had different voices and some even had accents. I thought the pacing was great too.

[Laurie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Paradox (Cash Coldcord #2)

Audiobook ARC provided by Macmillan Audio

Paradox is the second book in the Cash Coldcord series, and as soon as I saw Douglas Preston attached to a new project, I knew I needed to dive in. After receiving the audiobook ARC from Macmillan Audio, I went back and listened to Extinction first so I could fully appreciate the continuation.

One thing that surprised me was the change in narrators between books—Extinction features a male narrator, while Paradox is performed by a female narrator. Both delivered strong, engaging performances, each bringing a different but effective tone to the series.

This instalment tackles bold and often controversial themes, and the authors do an exceptional job presenting all sides without pushing the reader toward a particular viewpoint. Cash and Coldcord’s investigation leads them deep into the worlds of Catholicism, ancient artifacts, the Inquisition, and the ongoing debate around alien existence and UAPs. The plot is twisty, well‑constructed, and consistently compelling.

The afterword is especially impactful, tying together the novel’s many threads and leaving you with plenty to think about. This is a story that lingers long after the final chapter—whether you agree with the ideas presented or not, the journey is fascinating and thoroughly entertaining.

A thought‑provoking, well‑paced thriller that expands the series in all the right ways.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power packed mystery that is propulsive, gripping and a dandy of a thriller. This is the second book in the Colcord-Cash series - I wished I had known about it and the first book, Extinction) - but it can be read as a stand alone.

Agents Jim Colcord and Frankie Cash are in Colorado and face a series of grizzly, ritualistic murders. The murders themselves suggest a fanatical society at work. As they investigate they turn up that the victims were tortured medieval style which turns the investigation global. Additionally a Vatican investigator arrives and shows that the defacement of a holy relic matches the ritualistic deaths in Colorado. The book twists and turns - aliens are thrown in the mix. As investigative joins forces, the discovery at the end is a shocker. No spoilers here.

I like this father-daughter combination. It’s my first read of their books. As one reviewer noted they combine Preston’s scientific realism with a “layer of social commentary and modern character dynamics.” Certainly Cash is a spit fire (loved the scene with this misogynist priest), nothing like Pendergast.

I listened to this book. Loved the narration. Whether you read or listen to the book, it’s a fast-paced, plot driven thriller that keeps you going because you just have to know.

Highly recommend.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC.

[Melissa Widener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paradox by Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston
Cash and Colcord #2
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.2/5
Cursing: mod-
Format/Source: audio from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
Genres/Tropes: mystery, suspense, sci-fi
Audience: Adult
Setting: Colorado
Characters: Frankie, Jim, Romansky, Wiley, Horton, Caldas, Margie, Paul, Euclid
👍 short chapters, multi POV, forensics,
👎 cursing, slow at times

Description:
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.

I enjoyed this novel especially the forensis aspect. I did nor care for the excessive cursing. I would recommend it to those who likes refreshing crime mysteries and don't mind cursing.
#bookstagram #booklovers #mysterybooks

[ShersBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

Stephanie Németh-Parker brings Paradox alive with her clear, steady narration and her ability to distinguish characters throughout the book, which makes it an easy and engaging listen. Don’t let that ease fool you, though as the subject matter is layered and complex. The title alone hints at the twists and turns ahead and I found myself second guessing every conclusion I tried to draw. I was consistently wrong in my assumptions and absolutely thrilled by the many paradoxes woven through the story. The book is full of contradictions that hide the truth until the very end.
This is the second time Cash and Colcord have teamed up and I genuinely enjoy them together. Coming from different departments; Colcord with the Sheriff’s Office and Cash with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Together they bring distinct strengths, instincts, and personalities that make their partnership compelling. I hope that we get to see them again in the future.
The Afterword is a must listen. It’s packed with background, context, and a wealth of ideas that illuminate the core concepts explored in Paradox, offering examples and hypotheses that deepen the experience.
A fascinating, thought provoking listen.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and the authors for the advanced listening version. All comments are mine alone.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

CASH & COLCORD:
PARADOX, #2 - The hunt for the Neanders continues and they're getting blamed for everything. Add a bit of the Spanish Inquisition, the involvement of the Holy Roman Church, a UAP (formerly known as UFOs), a church lady with skills, and a rich, old coot and the hunt changes. The author's notes after the story is interesting on its own. Source: NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group. 4*

EXTINCTION, #1 - I enjoy this genre and love reading books by Crichton and Cook. Add this author to that list with Extinction, which transports the reader into the world of genetics and the engineered return of extinct species. Interesting, intriguing, intense and scary, the possibilities of de-extinction and genetic engineering are explored by the author, the good and not so good. Man is going to step in it and make evil, of course, all in the name of power and profit. Source: Netgalley. 5*
CASH & COLCORD end.

PENDERGAST: The Beginning - An interesting read with plenty of humor, bad things and bad people, good characters, and a good pace. I like Pendergast, he's complex. This story is a bit wordy, but doesn't take away from the experience. Source: NetGalley and HEAD OF ZEUS. 4*

GUARDIANS OF THE HOLY GRAIL - An interesting, action packed adventure with intriguing story lines and a variety of characters. Source: The author. 4*

[Krysti Kois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paradox is book two in the Extinction (or Cash and Colcord) series. Reading Extinction first is recommended as it gives you all the back story on the main characters and the setting, making the events that happen not seem as far fetched since you already know what you're getting into. My only concern was that Douglas co-wrote this, but thankfully the writing style and the pacing seem to be on par with his other books.

Sadly, this book does not center on the Neanders like the last book, but they do make an appearance. This book has a new crime scene to decipher as there is a new case with twists and turns that aren't fully apparent until the end. There was one part that was a little off the wall that I didn't feel made a lot of sense. A character acted in a manner that was opposite of his previous stance and came in clutch at the end. I didn't find that too believable, but in a story where most of it has you suspending belief, it wasn't too bad.

It would be interesting to see how many feathers are ruffled over the supposed conspiracy towards the end. True believers might be a little miffed. About both sides actually. According to the back of the book, book three is titled Resurrection and vows to show us more of our resurrected ancestors. Thank you, NetGalley and the Prestons, for this eARC. I can't wait for the sequel.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

There have been a few books or audiobooks that I have read (or listened to) that I have finished and thought to myself, “What in the world did I just experience?” while laughing. It was odd and quirky and thoroughly enjoyable. I just finished “Paradox” and thought, “What in the world did I just listen to?” and it was not in a good way.

I had never read or listened to any of Douglas Preston’s work before I was chosen to listen to the audiobook of “Paradox” by the publisher. Realizing this was the second book in a series, I quickly found the audiobook of “Extinction” (book #1) and listened before starting this audiobook. The difference between the two novels is so vast, that you will have no problem understanding that Aletheia apparently wrote this with Douglas’ name associated or writing a small portion at best.

“Extinction” was a really good thriller that had a few moments of making a point. “Paradox” is a point being made with a really shallow “thriller” wrapped around it. It fails on both parts. It’s just bad.

The only positive is Stephanie Nemeth-Parker as the narrator. As always, she does a phenomenal job. But even she can’t save this hot mess.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Happy Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paradox, by Douglas Preston and his daughter Aletheia Preston is a thrilling ride into the past while staying in the present as we follow CBI Agent Frankie Cash and Eagle County Sheriff Jim Colcord.. They team up again in this second in the series of Preston's latest novel featuring Cash and Colcord in the Colorado wilderness discovering a secret society. In the first of this series, Extinction, Cash and Colcord find scientists have brought back Neanderthals still living in the same wilderness. No need to read the first in the series as both Prestons refer to the events and the aftermath with the Neanderthals from the previous book looming in the background. I found myself riveted as the thrill ride began from the first chapter with the plot thickening to the end of the novel, References to St. John the Baptist's relic from a Catholic Church, a reclusive man who is tortured with a boot from the Spanish Inquisition, and don't forget the Neanderthals, this book has it all and much more! Highly recommend for those who like to read thrillers, history, science, and conspiracies.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillian Publishers, Douglas and Alethia Preston for granting me this advance reader's copy for my honest review.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to adventure thrillers, Douglas Preston has always been a favorite of mine. He has a real knack for writing in such a way that you feel like you’re in the adventure with the characters. The writing also moves in such a way that you can’t tell that the story is a co-written novel. Which is awesome, because a lot of times that’s not the case. I love the relationship that has developed between Cash and Colcord, as they seem to have pretty easy friendship and they work well together. This story was about as odd as the first one. Even though I’m far more spiritual than religious, I do enjoy reading books about religion in an adventure setting such as this one. Add to that that this one was part adventure thriller part procedural, and it was right up my alley. Really, the only issue I had with this one is that the Neanders were only briefly mentioned, but still very much a part of the overarching world in this series. I had hoped there would be more of their story now that they’ve expanded beyond their original location. Hopefully in the next one we get to see more of what exactly the Neanders are up to with their newfound freedom!

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of Paradox, which is the first book in the Cash & Colcord series. When I listened to its predecessor, Extinction, little did I know that it was the first book in a series. In Extinction we meet the two protagonists, a Colorado County Sheriff Jim Colcord and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frankie Cash. Colcord is a middle aged man who subscribes to the philosophy of slow and steady wins the race. Cash on the other hand is a smart young woman who is impetuous and goes off on her own whenever the feeling strikes. The two made a great pair investigating genetic manipulation in Extinction and in Paradox, they investigate a few ritualistic murders, baffling money transfers, and a fanatical secret society with ties to the Catholic Church.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. Shee did a stellar job, providing unique voices for all the characters, and providing the appropriate amount of suspense, wonder, and shock befitting this story. A big thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy. I highly recommend this audiobook to fans of scientific or religious thrillers, like James Rollins and Steve Berry. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Keegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a classic, high-stakes police procedural with a twist, Paradox by Preston and Preston fits the bill. It feels very much in the vein of a standard Douglas Preston or Dan Brown novel—fast-paced and full of intrigue.

The story kicks off with a puzzling premise: an elderly man is found in the woods under very unique circumstances. From there, the plot really takes off, unraveling into a wild romp that involves everything from secret societies and the Pope to hints of UFOs. It’s definitely an adventurous ride!

I really liked the main characters. The female protagonist is very easy to appreciate, and her partner feels like he stepped right out of a classic Western, which makes for a fun dynamic. The book also weaves in some heavy religious themes that add to the mystery.

One thing to keep in mind is that while this book functions as a standalone, it felt like a lot of the character development was tied to the first book in the series. Since I haven't read the first one, I felt like I was missing a bit of the deeper background for the duo. It’s still a good read on its own, but you would probably get even more out of it if you’ve read the previous installment.

Thank you to #MacmillianAudio #netgalley for an advanced copy of this.