by Michael Crichton

A posthumous release from Michael Crichton’s manuscripts… in the vein of The Great Train Robbery. In 1876 professors of paleontology are actively in the field, discovering new species all of the time. The main rivalry in these Bone Wars is between Marsh and Cope two professors who use every underhanded trick in the book to get the best fossils.

In the middle is student William Johnson, son of a rich magnate, who joins Dr. Marsh’s expedition on a dare. But what happens when the city is thought to be a traitor? And what will happen when the expeditions cross paths with the natives (who have recently defeated Custer)? Or when he reaches Deadwood?

This feels like it could have used another pass or two from Crichton. For me the story really took off when William arrived in Deadwood…. anyway, this feels like a good historical fiction novel, but with some work, could have been better.

295 pages

3/5