Thursday, May 08, 2008

John B. Olson's Fossil Hunter ~ Reviewed




Fossil Hunter
By John B. Olson
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN# 13-978-1-4143-2195-0
355 pages

Back Cover:

Only the fittest will survive.When Paleontologist Dr. Katie James leads an expedition to search for an ancient whale fossil rumored to be in the Iraq desert, she has no idea her archrival, Nick Murad, will be searching for same fossil.

But then Kathie makes a groundbreaking discovery and is forced to collaborate with Nick to analyze the find before it’s destroyed by a fundamentalist government faction.

When Nick and Katie’s initial results fly in the face of current scientific theory, it seems the whole world turns against them, including those they thought they could trust. Then the fossil disappears sending Nick & Katie on a chase that could cost them their reputations, their careers – even their lives.

Review:

Reader Beware this is one breathtaking ride. Better buckle up get ready for some wild adventures. Author John B. Olson’s book is filled with suspense, action and drama. Watch out Indiana Jones fans; Dr. Katie James will capture your heart! She is working at University of Mexico and is a legend in her own time. Katie James is a woman who really knows her stuff, works harder than most in the male dominated field she is in; and is being blackmailed by the head of her dept. to go to Iraq to make the biggest find in history which will allow the University to keep it’s grant money.

Dietrich her Dept. head had given her strict orders not to share her faith with anyone anywhere. Can Katie take on this new assignment and not talk about how she feels regarding God? She soon will find out. “This was concerning her career which happened to be her only means of supporting her father. After what happened in Peru this was also Katie’s only avenue in which she would be able to clear her name. She didn’t have a choice.” Or did she?

Katie James races to Iraq ahead of schedule. She is desperate to make the find of the century when she bumps into Dr. Nick Muard. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he in Pakistan? How did he get to Iraq and why? It was her job – her discovery! It had to be that way – she needed the money. The competition was on. She had to find this fossil first so she could keep her grant. Katie was not afraid to go out and get what she wanted. She would follow her instincts and find that fossil – so much depended on her. Indiana Jones was afraid of snakes. Katie James was terrified of one thing and that was crowds. She feared lots of new people in the same location – shouting questions at her. The thought was frightening. She’d gladly take on a room full of snakes than a room full of people.

Nick and Katie are about the start the biggest challenge of their lives when the minister yells a warning , “Remember…you are in Iraq now. Nothing is ever easy, and nothing is ever what it seems!!”

Nick and Katie will keep you up late reading about their amazing fossil search; as they try to stay alive in such awful conditions. I totally enjoyed their adventures and think this book would make a GREAT movie. A female Indiana Jones I can see that and you will too after you read this exhilarating book.

Reviewed by:
Nora St. Laurent
Book Club Servant Leader

No comments: