Cold Burn

National Parks Thriller #2

By A.J. Landau (Jon Land, Jeff Ayers)

ISBN 9781250877369

Author’s website: jeffayersbooks.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Agent Michael Walker returns when multiple deaths at Glacier Bay National Park are just the first steps in a potential global disaster. In Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, a frozen woolly mammoth is uncovered by a geological survey team. When all of them are found dead at the site of the thawed-out carcass, National Park Service ISB special agent Michael Walker is called in to investigate. In Florida’s Everglades National Park, FBI special investigator Gina Delgado traces the murder of an environmental science intern back to another U.S. Geological Survey team’s ongoing experiments that are decimating the fragile ecosystem. Beneath the icy waters of Alaska’s Elfin Cove, the crew of a stranded Los Angeles class attack submarine is wiped out by a mysterious contagion, inexplicably causing their lungs to freeze. The link between these apparently disparate events lies in a deadly, prehistoric microbe that killed the mammoth the -same way it did the USGS survey team in Glacier Bay and the crew members of the submarine. A microbe that a rogue billionaire is desperate to attain, and a Russian strongman will do anything to weaponize to achieve even greater, wide-ranging power. Fighting a battle on several fronts—militarily, intellectually, and biologically—Walker and Delgado are running out of time to stop a devastating attack that would reshape the entire world.  (From Goodreads)

Review:

This lightning-paced novel is an electrifying sequel to Leave No Trace, the explosive first National Park Thriller. There is outstanding research and knowledge in this novel, with an    incredible imagination fueling it! Each chapter opens with a line or two regarding one of the national parks or the Tlingit tribe. Readers develop a greater appreciation for our national parks and the dedicated work of the National Park Service.

There is something of special interest for almost every reader. Climate change and experiments to reduce its effects on the world, theft of Native artifacts, scientists trapped in an avalanche, murder, an inventor seeking a lighter-weight fuel for the ultimate interplanetary rocket, the beauty of Alaska, a brief history and culture of the Tlingit Indigenous people, and a deadly intrusion from a madman intent on conquering the country.  I was happy to see Michael Walker and Gina Delgado return. Long time fans will be thrilled to see two heroic veterans who will never retire their dedication to their country.

Several unnatural deaths are discovered: one in the everglades, 21 in a lab, 120 in a submarine, two in a museum, one in the woods, a wooly mammoth and six humans in one cave, others without names throughout, and along the shores of a Tlingit island are thousands and thousands of fish. If identifying and deactivating the source isn’t done quickly, Alaska, the lower forty-eight, and certain European and Asian countries will be destroyed, with one evil man in charge of the known world.

Michael Walker, a special agent in the Investigative Services Branch (ISB) of the National Park Service, was sent to Alaska to find the theft of artifacts of the Tlingit indigenous people. Michael developed spreadsheets tracking pertinent data of every theft. When following what he thought was a major clue, Michael discovered far more than he imagined.

We meet a brilliant researcher in Alaska who tested and understands what seems to be at the heart of the case and its potentially lethal impact on the world. Amka Reynolds is the granddaughter of the ancient Tlingit Chief. At their initial meeting, Michael didn’t know who Amka was, but he quickly came to value her. I hope we will see much more of her in the future.

Gina Delgado, an FBI Special Agent assigned to the White House and the President, was sent to investigate a murder at Everglades National Park. The deceased was thought to be a short-term intern, working for the US Geological Survey where a special, top-secret experiment was underway. Gina is working with the local law enforcement Park Ranger, Clark Gifford, in the Everglades. His impressive work ethics, respect, and working use of crime scene techniques are an asset.

As they realize the potential damages, Michael, Gina, and Amka work around the clock to change the trajectory of the devastation about to be unleashed. Before they can stop it, they need to find who is behind it.

The characters, very well defined over the course of the action, are revealed as necessary for their roles. One of the keys to remember is that very few people in this novel are who they seem to be. We met both Michael and Gina in Leave No Trace. We are given brief reminders of their backstories and appreciate who they are now. When considering Michael’s extensive hard work and the length of time required to fit him with a new prosthesis, he should always have a backup when the current one is destroyed on the job!

Finding who has been responsible for the deaths and plans of destruction was no easy fete; they had covered their tracks well. Gina and Michael are at the top of their game, and Amka has proven herself as trustworthy and willing to do anything to save her people and their land. It was at once stunning and frightening to learn who was behind revealing the microbe to those who could act on it, and for him to know he still had power to control and terrify. I was fully satisfied with the resolution, and I highly recommend this thriller – it is not to be missed!