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Raising Abel
When Veronica Tremain's anthropologist brother is brutally murdered, both she and the FBI try to make sense of a bizarre conspiracy that seems to be targeting genetics professors--and one unusual child who may hold the secret to an ancient mystery.
688 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
43 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
181 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 6, 2020
This is a really good book....as much as I’ve read of it anyway. It’s just TOO long. At 67% I was over it and skipped through over half the ending. There’s just so much detail that doesn’t need to be included to make this a good story. It would’ve been fine without all the random information about anthropology and paleoanthropology...that was made it seem more like a nonfiction book rather than fiction, and why I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted too and skipped through a lot of it. It only needed enough detail to go with the cases of the murders, but instead this book had whole sections on it and it was just...too much. It was a great story otherwise.
September 30, 2017
Review of Raising Abel
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
Raising Abel is a great story it is a fast paced thriller starting with a dynamic thrill. In general it is about genetics and the potential thought that Abel was destroyed because he was a Neanderthal and mankind destroyed its brother race, not Cain who destroyed his brother. The idea is that if we can genetically bring back Neanderthals would we start to question what is the label of human. Current stories have questioned if genetically the Neanderthal was not a dead end as we believed. It has been found even in Michael and Kathleen’s dna that the Neanderthal genes are present. Michael likes to talk about his occipital bun, what is funny when they run the dna Kathleen had more Neanderthal dna markers. The reader of this story will question how we manipulate our human story, and create a flow that makes the survivors the story we hear.
by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
Raising Abel is a great story it is a fast paced thriller starting with a dynamic thrill. In general it is about genetics and the potential thought that Abel was destroyed because he was a Neanderthal and mankind destroyed its brother race, not Cain who destroyed his brother. The idea is that if we can genetically bring back Neanderthals would we start to question what is the label of human. Current stories have questioned if genetically the Neanderthal was not a dead end as we believed. It has been found even in Michael and Kathleen’s dna that the Neanderthal genes are present. Michael likes to talk about his occipital bun, what is funny when they run the dna Kathleen had more Neanderthal dna markers. The reader of this story will question how we manipulate our human story, and create a flow that makes the survivors the story we hear.
April 2, 2022
W Michael Gear – Raising Abel – Reviewed 4/1/22 – Read 3/27-28/22
Her nightmare began with an innocent ring of the phone, but she was stunned – Your brother is dead!
Veronica Tremain was a little wild when she was younger, but her brother was always there for her. Then one call changed her life forever, she answered her phone, and the man from the FBI told her, “Dr. Tremain, your brother is dead.” She thought that was the worst that could happen to her until she went in to identify him and what she saw was worse. He had been tortured and murdered; then, his mutilated body had been torched in his own home. Now she wanted to know why. But the nightmare had only begun; she was told that even his girlfriend and one of their best friends had also been brutally murdered. Later returning home, she noticed that she had a blinking light on her answer machine, stunned to hear a message from Scott, the mutilated body that she had just viewed! His voice instructed her to check the hiding place at the condominium; she would find copies of his work, and the story begins.
Join Veronica and her brother’s friend Bryce, along with Scott’s son, Abel, as they search and find incredible answers…
What did I like? As we all know, books written by Gears, every one of them, have been exciting and unforgettable! So is this one, for sure!!
What will you like? The characters are utterly unique, the storyline is incredible, and the exhilaration will have your heart racing. The exciting and astonishing ending will stun you! It would be a crime not to have this fantastic book in your library; W Michael Gear’s latest book, “Raising Abel,” is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09PMDBCWM
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 2/16/2022
• File Size: 4550 KB
• Print Length: 625 pages
• Genre: Technothrillers Genetic Engineering Science Fiction
Her nightmare began with an innocent ring of the phone, but she was stunned – Your brother is dead!
Veronica Tremain was a little wild when she was younger, but her brother was always there for her. Then one call changed her life forever, she answered her phone, and the man from the FBI told her, “Dr. Tremain, your brother is dead.” She thought that was the worst that could happen to her until she went in to identify him and what she saw was worse. He had been tortured and murdered; then, his mutilated body had been torched in his own home. Now she wanted to know why. But the nightmare had only begun; she was told that even his girlfriend and one of their best friends had also been brutally murdered. Later returning home, she noticed that she had a blinking light on her answer machine, stunned to hear a message from Scott, the mutilated body that she had just viewed! His voice instructed her to check the hiding place at the condominium; she would find copies of his work, and the story begins.
Join Veronica and her brother’s friend Bryce, along with Scott’s son, Abel, as they search and find incredible answers…
What did I like? As we all know, books written by Gears, every one of them, have been exciting and unforgettable! So is this one, for sure!!
What will you like? The characters are utterly unique, the storyline is incredible, and the exhilaration will have your heart racing. The exciting and astonishing ending will stun you! It would be a crime not to have this fantastic book in your library; W Michael Gear’s latest book, “Raising Abel,” is available NOW!!!
• ASIN: B09PMDBCWM
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 2/16/2022
• File Size: 4550 KB
• Print Length: 625 pages
• Genre: Technothrillers Genetic Engineering Science Fiction
April 12, 2022
* Deep & Emotional *
I've always been drawn to prehistory and Neanderthal / Cro-Magnon... well, everything, really. Add to that my love of genetics and genealogy - Um, I think you just found this book!
The Gears masterfully take a sci-fi mystery and weave it with a crime thriller in such a beautiful way. It is deep and dark, but moving - it literally haunted me. The story stays with me even almost a decade after reading it, it is that good!
What I liked was the questioning of what it means to be human. I like that it reminds us that no one and no thing can truly fit into a box. We are all dynamic and special. I love that the Gears remind us that nothing is linear. We are a continuation and a compilations of our past. There's no "missing link" because we are all connected in ways we have yet to figure out.
What I didn't like... playing God. There are many concerns with gene-manipulation and whether or not we should try to bring back something that has gone extinct. I think that is the most relevant aspect of horror in this story - the human desire to be God and yet, not realize what, who, or where we actually are in the universe overall.
I definitely recommend this book. It is powerful, entrancing, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It appeals to an array of readers because it crosses so many genres while giving so much to its audience. Excellent book!!!
I've always been drawn to prehistory and Neanderthal / Cro-Magnon... well, everything, really. Add to that my love of genetics and genealogy - Um, I think you just found this book!
The Gears masterfully take a sci-fi mystery and weave it with a crime thriller in such a beautiful way. It is deep and dark, but moving - it literally haunted me. The story stays with me even almost a decade after reading it, it is that good!
What I liked was the questioning of what it means to be human. I like that it reminds us that no one and no thing can truly fit into a box. We are all dynamic and special. I love that the Gears remind us that nothing is linear. We are a continuation and a compilations of our past. There's no "missing link" because we are all connected in ways we have yet to figure out.
What I didn't like... playing God. There are many concerns with gene-manipulation and whether or not we should try to bring back something that has gone extinct. I think that is the most relevant aspect of horror in this story - the human desire to be God and yet, not realize what, who, or where we actually are in the universe overall.
I definitely recommend this book. It is powerful, entrancing, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It appeals to an array of readers because it crosses so many genres while giving so much to its audience. Excellent book!!!
August 23, 2018
Heart stopping, fast paced thriller
This book, just on its premise was intriguing, but is so well written, I happily got lost in its pages. Following along as we find murders across the globe, that have unsettling implications and similarities.
Starting with Avi Raad and Dr. Scott Ferris, are brutally murdered.
Scott's sister, Veronica and coworker of the research, Dr. Bryce Johnson, are running, from unknown bad guys, with Scotts son. They need to find out, who wants them dead, before the killer finds them. It a race to an explosive ending.
This book, just on its premise was intriguing, but is so well written, I happily got lost in its pages. Following along as we find murders across the globe, that have unsettling implications and similarities.
Starting with Avi Raad and Dr. Scott Ferris, are brutally murdered.
Scott's sister, Veronica and coworker of the research, Dr. Bryce Johnson, are running, from unknown bad guys, with Scotts son. They need to find out, who wants them dead, before the killer finds them. It a race to an explosive ending.
April 12, 2022
This novel just moved me! Not only was it intelligent and entertaining, it was though-provoking as to what it truly meant to be human. The hatred and violence of the fanatical believer was truly troubling because it depicted human nature at it’s worst, but in an honest way. I loved this story and definitely recommend it to everyone. The expression of tolerance and the rights we all have to exist is profoundly presented and I found it hard to put this book down!
June 5, 2025
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I loved the intellectual side of it. They weren’t trying to dumb it down or over intellectualize the subject matter either. There were some interesting and unexpected twists within the story, and I truly enjoyed both of these author’s writing styles/flair so to speak.
September 10, 2018
Good story and good information. But why so many typos?
Love the Gears books and the historical, cultural, and scientific info included in great story telling. But I don't understand them having to be published with so many printing errors as in this particular book.
Love the Gears books and the historical, cultural, and scientific info included in great story telling. But I don't understand them having to be published with so many printing errors as in this particular book.
September 11, 2020
Plain Wire Generally enjoy W Michael Gear,s stories and I did enjoy it although it was probably too long but just too many spelling mistakes in the kindle edition . I stopped noting them in the end . They definitely lower the brand name.
April 16, 2022
Great book
Read it in one day could not put it down! A very interesting topic which held my interest which happens to wonder at times. Authors I had never read before but will definitely read more of their books!
Read it in one day could not put it down! A very interesting topic which held my interest which happens to wonder at times. Authors I had never read before but will definitely read more of their books!
October 20, 2023
Terrific!
One of my favorite books this year. A great storyline with believable complex characters. There's danger, romance, good versus evil and it's all wrapped up in a unique well thought out tale. I highly recommend it!
One of my favorite books this year. A great storyline with believable complex characters. There's danger, romance, good versus evil and it's all wrapped up in a unique well thought out tale. I highly recommend it!
September 18, 2024
Wonderful story. I want more.
Great, factually based novel, based on technical, realistically told details. The people are believable and well-rounded. Enough action to have you on the edge of your seat. I've read this book three times and I've wanted more each time!
Great, factually based novel, based on technical, realistically told details. The people are believable and well-rounded. Enough action to have you on the edge of your seat. I've read this book three times and I've wanted more each time!
June 14, 2025
such a good book!
I would rate it a 10 if I could, it was that goood!! Well written & articulate. Wonderful story that is hard to put down. Keeps you involved and anxious for the main characters. Go for it! You won’t regret it…
I would rate it a 10 if I could, it was that goood!! Well written & articulate. Wonderful story that is hard to put down. Keeps you involved and anxious for the main characters. Go for it! You won’t regret it…
March 13, 2018
Good story. A bit long, but a good story.
September 13, 2019
Too much science and a predictable plot.
May 28, 2020
Absolutely amazing book. Could hardly put it down to get anything done at home.
March 13, 2021
I got to page 220 with about 999,999,999 pages left to go and I just wasn’t enjoying it at all. Time to move on...
March 8, 2022
A decent read. Could have done without the occasional F-Bomb.
April 12, 2022
* Deep & Emotional *
I've always been drawn to prehistory and Neanderthal / Cro-Magnon... well, everything, really. Add to that my love of genetics and genealogy - Um, I think you just found this book!
The Gears masterfully take a sci-fi mystery and weave it with a crime thriller in such a beautiful way. It is deep and dark, but moving - it literally haunted me. The story stays with me even almost a decade after reading it, it is that good!
What I liked was the questioning of what it means to be human. I like that it reminds us that no one and no thing can truly fit into a box. We are all dynamic and special. I love that the Gears remind us that nothing is linear. We are a continuation and a compilations of our past. There's no "missing link" because we are all connected in ways we have yet to figure out.
What I didn't like... playing God. There are many concerns with gene-manipulation and whether or not we should try to bring back something that has gone extinct. I think that is the most relevant aspect of horror in this story - the human desire to be God and yet, not realize what, who, or where we actually are in the universe overall.
I definitely recommend this book. It is powerful, entrancing, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It appeals to an array of readers because it crosses so many genres while giving so much to its audience. Excellent book!!!
I've always been drawn to prehistory and Neanderthal / Cro-Magnon... well, everything, really. Add to that my love of genetics and genealogy - Um, I think you just found this book!
The Gears masterfully take a sci-fi mystery and weave it with a crime thriller in such a beautiful way. It is deep and dark, but moving - it literally haunted me. The story stays with me even almost a decade after reading it, it is that good!
What I liked was the questioning of what it means to be human. I like that it reminds us that no one and no thing can truly fit into a box. We are all dynamic and special. I love that the Gears remind us that nothing is linear. We are a continuation and a compilations of our past. There's no "missing link" because we are all connected in ways we have yet to figure out.
What I didn't like... playing God. There are many concerns with gene-manipulation and whether or not we should try to bring back something that has gone extinct. I think that is the most relevant aspect of horror in this story - the human desire to be God and yet, not realize what, who, or where we actually are in the universe overall.
I definitely recommend this book. It is powerful, entrancing, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It appeals to an array of readers because it crosses so many genres while giving so much to its audience. Excellent book!!!
October 22, 2012
This suspense has a great mix of current issues in genetics and archaeology along with a thrilling mystery. I love books with an ongoing "chase" theme where innocent people must stay one step ahead of a killer. In this case, two adults and a child find themselves running for their life.
August 14, 2008
I just finished this afternoon and really enjoyed the writing of this husband and wife team. It's a well-thought out, balanced novel with a thought provoking idea. Characters seemed primarily from a man's POV with well paced action too.
Read
July 21, 2012This is different from the Indian archaeology books. This looks into re-creating a Neanderthal through gene manipulation and cloning. Interesting and very exciting. Caveat--it is very much against very conservative religion.
September 13, 2012
This book was suggested to me by Beth Corry, a friend from church, and I am enjoying it so far. I am on page 577 and can't wait until I finish it. I love the character Abel, I hope all works out well in the end.
March 27, 2009
Interesting idea, well written, very informative and technical,far too long.
September 23, 2010
WOW WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK.. LOVED IT.
January 25, 2011
wow, couldn't put this one done. fantastic!!
Read
February 9, 2014Regardless of your stance on evolution vs. creationism, it's a fantastic read. This is a non-stop, action packed, thrill ride! I place this on my list of best reads. Ever.
September 7, 2014
Just ok book
August 26, 2019
Wow
A thriller from page one. Almost impossible to lay down. Able is such a sweet boy. A must read book!
A thriller from page one. Almost impossible to lay down. Able is such a sweet boy. A must read book!
February 4, 2011
This is a great book. The idea of a Neanderthal child is intriguing. I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews