Cavern

by Jake Page

A secret: Jack Whittaker, master caver, has found an enormous cavern to rival famous Carlsbad Caverns, a place of pristine darkness, astonishing beauty—and unpredictable peril. Whittaker needs to keep the cavern a secret until he can get the rights to develop it. But his ex-wife, scientist Cassandra Roberts, has another idea for the cavern, thanks to an ancient footprint found in its depths, near an emerald-like pool of water that has been undisturbed for millennia—or has it?

Another secret: In another cavern, this one man-made, patiently scoured from a 2,000-foot-deep salt deposit to house radioactive nuclear waste, government employees have started to disappear. Are these mysterious vanishings a conspiracy? Enter T. L. Smith, chief of security for the Department of Energy, a man given to lies and subterfuge and, whenever needed, violence.

Yet another secret: Here under the arid reaches of the New Mexican desert, evolution has produced something marvelous, something unknown to the world, something that should have disappeared with the end of the last Ice Age, a force so dangerous that once all the secrets in Carlsbad are revealed, and all the depths plumbed, more lives and even the great works of man and of nature are at risk.

292 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Jake Page was a celebrated editor, science writer, and novelist who made complex topics accessible through wit and clarity. Though he never studied science formally, his role editing Natural History Books at Doubleday sparked a lifelong passion for explaining science to general readers. As science editor and columnist at Smithsonian magazine, he wrote with elegance and humor on a wide range of subjects, from aspirin to Zane Grey. Page authored dozens of books, including works on birds, earthquakes, and Native American history. His fascination with the American Southwest led to a mystery series featuring a blind sculptor-detective. Collaborating with his wife, photographer Susanne Anderson, he produced detailed cultural studies like Hopi and Navajo. His major nonfiction achievement, In the Hands of the Great Spirit, traces 20,000 years of American Indian history. Whether exploring anthropology or writing fiction, Page championed curiosity, clarity, and the belief that science was too important to remain only in expert hands.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at the Carlsbad Cverns bookstore. It's really a good read, page-turner. Better than I anticipated! Interesting characters and solid research to give it some substance. I started looking up information on Short-Faced Bears after reading it.

[Allison White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining in a ridiculous way, but loses points for mis-using the word “spelunking” and making up a bunch of stuff about my hometown when it’s already got all the color it needs and then some

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read! Thrilling and the right amount of scary! Great characters and so fun to read a book set in the southwest.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ridiculous. The only reason why I read it is that I live in Carlsbad, NM, where the book takes place, and I always enjoy reading books about places I have experienced firsthand.

The book centers around Jack Whittaker, a caver who discovers a giant new cavern in the New Mexico desert. Unfortunately, this cavern contains a vicious Paleolithic bear who has found a way to tunnel into the WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, where nuclear waste is stored) salt tunnels. Almost 11 feet tall on its hind legs, this (or rather, these) bears have found a tasty food source in WIPP employees.

Besides the premise of the novel being completely unbelievable, this book could have benefited from some heavy editing and fact checking. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Page did most of his research on the internet, as the book is peppered with unnecessary detail likely intended to add authenticity; but, the attempt achieves just the opposite effect.

Perhaps the worst thing about this “thriller” is that Page devoted several sections to describing the thoughts and emotions of his vicious bear. “She stops, sniffing deeply. Something is different. Irritation turns to anger, and she rises up on her back legs, threatening the new.”

If you’ve lived near Carlsbad, or are a caver, this book may be interesting for its gross inaccuracy. Otherwise, leave it alone.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a surprisingly good, actually, very good, read. The action moved along rapidly with a lot of good descriptions. So often authors get carried away with such lengthy prose, that it becomes a hindrance to the story's pace. Page maintained excellent control over this temptation.
All of the characters developed nicely and maintained their integrity of character.
And lastly, a great ending. I can imagine a sequel with Cassie and Jack fending off intruders. A lot to choose from; government, cavers, hunters...

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, action packed, and full of scary things for different people. Caves, bears, radioactive waste, murder mystery... I happen to like caves and geology and prehistoric creatures and salt domes - all of which make an appearance. This was a good thriller, right up my alley. Even though it was somewhat predictable and highly improbable, it makes you think: huh, what if?

[Cindy Veneris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was an entertaining read. Good characters, a bit melodramatic, but what do you expect with giant cave bears terrorizing folks?