A relentlessly suspenseful high-concept thriller set in a world where science has run amuck and the key to unlocking a terrifying secret lies in the hands of one man
Paul Carlson, a brilliant young scientist in Baltimore, is summoned from his laboratory job to the remote Indonesian island of Flores to collect DNA samples from the ancient bones of a strange, new species of tool user unearthed by an archaeological dig. The questions the find raises seem to cast doubt on the very foundations of modern science, but before Paul can fully grapple with them, the dig is violently shut down by paramilitaries.
Paul flees with two of his friends, but within days one has vanished and the other is murdered in an attack that costs Paul an eye, and very nearly his life. Apprehended by Indonesian authorities and deported back to America, Paul tries to resume the comfortable life he left behind, but he can't cast the questions raised by the skeletons on Flores from his mind. Searching for answers, Paul begins to piece together a puzzle which seems to threaten the very fabric of society, but the status quo, in the form of the world's governments and Martial Johnston, the eccentric billionaire who finance Paul's dig, will stop at nothing to silence him.
Industry Reviews
A masterwork of intrigue and menace. I couldn't put "Prophet of Bones" down until I reached the climax An eye-opening and page-turning read without parallel. "Clive Cussler" Ted Kosmatka is both an excellent writer and a hell of a storyteller Prophet of Bones is truly hard to put down. This is what a novel is about "Nelson DeMille" Written with confidence, in a sure hand, the tension leaps from the page. All of the right elements combine--danger, treachery, and action. Buckle up, hunker down, and get ready for an all-nighter. "Steve Berry" "Prophet of Bones" contains some incredibly tantalizing glimpses of hard science in a world constrained by theological received truth, and the detailed discussions of scientific methodology just add to the fascination. "i09" A near-perfect blending of traditional thriller and alternate-reality scientific and theological fantasy has best-seller written all over it. "Booklist, Starred Review" An expansion of one of Kosmatka's most compelling stories offers a good deal of fast moving fun. "Locus Magazine" Gripping, dark, and well written Kosmatka paints in broad strokes yet still nails the details this is a compelling juggernaut of a read. "Library Journal" An exciting alternate-universe thriller readers will gulp this on down. "PW" "Prophet of Bones" is what happens when you start with a foundation of Harry-Turtledove-style alternate-history science fiction, throw in some Dan-Brown-ian theology-tinged conspiracy theory, add a dash of Jurassic-Park-era Michael-Crichton-esque bio-thriller and top it all off with some Elmore-Leonard-y dark humor. The result is some truly unique and uniquely awesome--classification-defying, boundary-pushing fiction, and I, for one, couldn't be more thrilled. "criminalelement.com" Meshes realistic science with fast paced thrills It will keep you guessing, straight till the end and you'll love every minute of it. "gamesfiends.com""
