It’s not often that I’ll read recent releases that I’ve never heard about beforehand. The Paleontologist is one such book I saw randomly on a shelf at Barnes and Noble and decided to give it a shot. Written by Luke Dumas, The Paleontologist was published by Atria Books in October of 2023.

The plot of The Paleontologist follows a young dinosaur expert, Dr. Simon Nealy, who returns to his hometown to become the director of paleontology at the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. Tragically, Simon’s sister disappeared at this very museum when he was a child under his watch. He now returns to the museum hoping to uncover more about her disappearance. However, he finds that the museum is certainly far from normal as prehistoric spirits stalk the halls after dark.

I’ve always had a profound fascination for Dinosaurs and the ancient world in which they lived. The Paleontologist appears well-researched, though I’m no expert in Paleontology, I enjoyed being able to learn a few new facts from spending time within our main protagonist’s head. While The Paleontologist isn’t necessarily a story that places a huge focus on the scientific framing device, the underlying mystery that comprises the core of the narrative is certainly enough to keep you entertained.

You won’t find yourself bogged down by pages of scientific terminology and extensive fossil preservation techniques, which makes this a very approachable narrative for the average person. It also helps the story keep a good pace.

I enjoy how Dumas can tie the supernatural elements in with Simon’s character arc by crafting a parallel mystery surrounding a certain prehistoric specimen. Other positives for this story include the cast of characters themselves: All are fleshed out quite nicely with distinct personalities and flaws that help them feel more real. As mentioned before, the mystery surrounding the sister is engaging, and Dumas always manages to bestow just enough clues to keep you guessing.

Even once the supernatural aspects come into play it’s still unclear as to whether the spirits are responsible or if there is a more tangible threat still out there. I also found Dumas to be quite strong at crafting an atmosphere, layering intense descriptions into the prose that insert vivid pictures into your mind.

As far as weaknesses go there are a few things that could have been improved in my eyes. There’s a certain side character introduced towards the second half, which becomes hugely important during the climax. However, up until this point, you’ll often be questioning the point of their interactions with the protagonist or overall relevancy in the plot.

Another decision that didn’t quite hit the mark for me is the inclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout The Paleontologist. I feel this element is simply extraneous, and though relevant now, I feel it will simply date this novel in the future. This is more of a personal nitpick for me so other readers might not have an issue with it. I do acknowledge that it at times does help enforce the protagonist’s sense of loneliness or the financial burdens of the museum. On the other hand, I feel you could still easily convey these plot details without the pandemic as a catch-all reason for every problem we face.

Much of the marketing behind The Paleontologist compares it to the Night at the Museum film series. This is certainly an apt comparison, though this story is much more sinister in tone. Still, it manages to capture the same energy at points, hiding fantastical elements within the mundanity of our everyday world and leaving our main character with an expanded worldview.

The final ending of the book is a perfect example of this as our protagonist utilizes his newfound knowledge to give himself an edge in his professional life. If you want a quick, fun read that will keep you guessing at times then certainly give The Paleontologist a shot.

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The Paleontologist

$16.99

7

Score

7.0/10

Pros

• Intriguing mystery
• Fun setting
• Likable characters

Cons

• Needs better execution in places
• Reading about Covid isn't fun