In this second installment of the paleontological adventures of Moreland and Jessica, the intrepid two are trying to help a fellow paleontologist on a dig deep in the Amazon jungle. This time just getting to the dig site seems to be riddled with misadventure and deadly encounters. Despite the significance of the paleontological find, Moreland and Jessica's participation in the dig will depend on them not getting eaten, shot or becoming someone's jungle bride. It is another wild ride for the snarky academics.
Follow the danger and misadventures of Dr. Aurelia Moreland, a paleontologist, and her grad assistant Jessica as they try embarking on paleontological digs only to spend most of their time desperately trying to stay alive. From the Antarctic to the Amazon jungle they struggle to avoid being shot, eaten, freezing to death or dying from disease. This is not how scientific expeditions are supposed to go.
Nick Raven has superpowers. With them he has become the greatest spy and soldier for the Americans. His powers allow him to go anywhere and do anything to the Russians. He is protected by an energy shield that makes him impervious to anything the Russians can throw at him, but the Russians have come up with a new weapon that can penetrate Nick's shield. It goes straight to Nick's heart. Now Nick has to protect himself from an enemy he never knew he'd have to face. One he's not sure he will survive because love can be far more dangerous than bullets.
A prehistoric mystery surrounding a massive fossilized grave site...a modern mystery involving a bloody murder spree at a fog enshrouded remote Antarctic site...a race to stop an apocalyptic horror that would wipe out humanity...
In a trench carved out of the Antarctic ice a paleontologist and her grad assistant struggle to understand what could have killed so many dinosaurs in one place. Little do they know that the icy fog holds a horrifying secret that is closing in on them and if it can't be stopped it will kill us all.
Reviews for The Heart of a Monster...From LibraryThing Early Reviewers...April 22, 2025
I do like superpowers, so I opted for this book at LibraryThing, Early reviewers. And yes, Nick Raven does have superpowers.
I liked those superpowers and I liked the way the story was built: with different points of view. Points of view from Nick, from his ‘handlers’, from the women he slept with and from various Russian people. They are nicely interwoven too.
But it took a long time before I liked reading the book. That was after two third.
Why?
Partly, I think, because there was a lot of violence. I know Nick did not like that always, but still. Partly also because the pace was a bit slow.
The ending, however incredible, was just to my liking.
--- Corrie57
Reviews for The Trench of the Dead...From Goodreads...December 6, 2024
Whoa- a super intense, in depth short story. Enjoyed the details and the suspense. Not since THE THING (wow I'm dating myself here) have I enjoyed the atmospheric dread of unknown in the arctic.
For a book under 250 pages, it packs a punch and really delves into what makes humans ticks in the face of choas. I loved it!
Thank you to the author and LibraryThing giveaways for the chance to read and review, these are my honest opinions.
--- Bonnie Smith
November 23, 2024
Unearthing the Frozen Past in K McConnell's - "The Trench of the Dead" where the story starts with icy depths of the Antarctic, where time itself feels frozen, an extraordinary trench reveals a haunting enigma-a fossilized graveyard of massive proportions. For palaeontologist Moreland and her team, this discovery promises to rewrite prehistoric history, with advanced tools like Ultrasonic Radar illuminating a world long buried. Yet, this isn't just a tale of ancient mysteries; the escalating tensions among the team, as they navigate the eerie, fog-shrouded camp, pull readers into a modern-day nightmare. The combination of groundbreaking science and atmospheric suspense hooks you from the start, as the unease of the past begins to bleed chillingly into the present.
As the team delves deeper into their research, chaos erupts. A murder spree unfolds within their isolated camp, setting off a chain reaction of paranoia, illness, and desperate survival tactics. Dr. Laurence Palfrey's death is just the beginning, as an unseen killer stalks through the fog. The layered tension builds masterfully, blending the high-stakes drama of a survival thriller with the creeping dread of a whodunit. The characters grapple not only with the brutal environment but with their fears and suspicions, creating an electrifying dynamic that keeps you guessing. Moreland's resolve and Jessica's growing unease paint a vivid picture of determination amidst spiralling disaster, while the mysterious deaths hint at something far more sinister than mere human conflict.
The book crescendos into a nail-biting finale, as Moreland, Devon, and Jessica confront physical and psychological challenges that test their very limits. From treacherous ice climbs to an escalating viral threat, their harrowing journey becomes a race against time to uncover the truth and escape the camp's deadly grip. The tension is relentless, with moments of breathtaking action punctuated by unsettling revelations about the contagion and its horrifying implications. By the end, this tale isn't just about survival-it's a chilling exploration of humanity's fragility when faced with both ancient mysteries and modern horrors. A must-read for fans of atmospheric thrillers and scientific intrigue, this story will leave you frozen in awe and desperate for answers.
Recommended!-- Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe )
