A moon rock missing for thirty years...
Five buckets of blood-soaked sand found in a New Mexico canyon...
A scientist with ambition enough t... read full description
Five buckets of blood-soaked sand found in a New Mexico canyon...
A scientist with ambition enough t... read full description
reviews
Dec 20, 2008
Mike
rated it: 
I am a big fan of Douglas Preston as well as the Preston-Child books that he coauthors with Lincoln Child. This is not one of my favorites, though he certainly kept things moving. The main problem I had with it was the lack of believable motivations for the characters. One of the primary villains is obsessed with getting tenure! I can sympathize, but I'm not out hiring ex-cons to kidnap people to ensure that I come up with quality publications. Also, it features a rogue CIA agent turned m More...
Jun 21, 2011
Tony
rated it: 
Douglas Preston- Tyrannosaur Canyon (Forge Books 2006) 3.75 Stars
When a dinosaur hunter is found dying from bullet wounds in a New Mexico canyon, the veterinarian who found him is given a mysterious book. An ex-CIA monk may be the only way to understand this mystery, which may be leading towards a huge scientific discovery. A man wants this discovery all to himself and will do anything to prevent others from laying claim to it, even if it means murder.
The introduction fo More...
When a dinosaur hunter is found dying from bullet wounds in a New Mexico canyon, the veterinarian who found him is given a mysterious book. An ex-CIA monk may be the only way to understand this mystery, which may be leading towards a huge scientific discovery. A man wants this discovery all to himself and will do anything to prevent others from laying claim to it, even if it means murder.
The introduction fo More...
Mar 30, 2011
Enrique
rated it:
The novel was interesting in plot and storyline. Just finding a T. Rex skelaton because it has something to due with mankind is complex, but the fact that the characters are very realistic makes things more able to relate with.
My favorite character that just grew on me would be Whyman Ford. Now I read the little teaser description on the back saying "A monk will redeem the world" and I initially thought "Oh great. Another crazy monk that does something catoshtrophic." More...
My favorite character that just grew on me would be Whyman Ford. Now I read the little teaser description on the back saying "A monk will redeem the world" and I initially thought "Oh great. Another crazy monk that does something catoshtrophic." More...
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Sep 24, 2009
Mary
rated it: 
I just finished Tyrannosaur Canyon, by Douglas Preston, clearly my favorite book of his so far. I think. I am always excited when I am reading a good book, but I think this was the best yet. My reasons are partially negative ones. There were no gory, gruesome murders in this one, and fewer killings than in the others I've read. However, I think he still describes dying in a lot more detail than is necessary.
The story begins with a murder--just not a terribly gruesome one. Bad More...
The story begins with a murder--just not a terribly gruesome one. Bad More...
Jan 07, 2012
Tanja
rated it: 
I picked this book up expecting to be entertained. I'm perfectly able to suspend disbelief if they story is good enough. Oh my was I disappointed. This book was about as interesting as watching paint dry. This author is - according to the blurb "...hailed by "Publishers Weekly" as 'better than Crichton'." My ass. I've read most of Cricthons books and although not all of them were to my liking, not one of them came close to this in sheer stupidity.
If you hate somet More...
If you hate somet More...
May 27, 2010
Jay
rated it:
I've now read three books by Douglas Preston this Spring: "Impact" A+; "Codex" B; T-Rex Canyon, A. Pretty impressive ratings. In fact, reading "Tyrannosaur Canyon" and growing to enjoy the main character -- Thomas Broadbent -- made me re-think upward my rating for "The Codex."
Preston does a wonderful job of placing science fiction in very believable settings. Not permitting the distancing from the "what if" questions that less bel More...
Preston does a wonderful job of placing science fiction in very believable settings. Not permitting the distancing from the "what if" questions that less bel More...
Jan 24, 2011
Daniel
rated it:
After finishing Impact, I was intrigued enough to try another book by Preston Douglas. I selected Tyrannosaur Canyon on the basis of the reviews on Goodreads.
I felt Tyannosaur Canyon was a much better book -- even though it was written before Impact .
I loved the irony of the plaque in Beezon's office of a minnow in the belly of a fossilized fish, itself in the belly of an even larger fossilized fish. It cleverly foretold of predators chasing victims in the plot only More...
I felt Tyannosaur Canyon was a much better book -- even though it was written before Impact .
I loved the irony of the plaque in Beezon's office of a minnow in the belly of a fossilized fish, itself in the belly of an even larger fossilized fish. It cleverly foretold of predators chasing victims in the plot only More...
Mar 26, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
I like Douglas Preston. I read another of his books called The Codex which I really enjoyed and I thought I would enjoy this as well - which I did. This has two characters from The Codex returning. The book moved along nicely and kept the tension high. I like the way he's able to include all the research he's done in a way that doesn't seem like he's just trying to show off his research. It all fits into the story well and doesn't feel like some kind of monologue of intelligence. I listene
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Jan 10, 2012
Graham
rated it:
Really enjoyed this, a real page turner. It wasn't until I finished that I realised I had read it out of sequence but it in no way affects the story. As per, I won't go into the story as others do that elsewhere. I enjoyed virtually all the characters and there was a real sense of individuality with each of them. It doesn't let itself get bogged down in the science and, as I have noticed in other DP reads, the fiction doesn't stray too far from the believable. All that stopped me from giving 5 s
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Dec 06, 2008
Molly (Surrounded By Words)
rated it:
It was good. I definitely want to read the one that came before and the one that comes after. I felt like it took awhile to get into it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it. The reviews on the book itself compared Preston to Crichton. I would say there are marked differences between the two authors writing style. I feel like the content is what makes someone draw the comparison. I enjoyed Preston's writing style, but I had been set up expecting Michael Crichton. No one
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Sep 09, 2011
Batsap
rated it:
I like dinosaurs. As I believe I have mentioned before in my reviews, dinosaurs are cool.
But, despite what the reviews plastered all over this book say, this was not better than Crichton's Jurassic Park, which is of course the T. Rex of all dino-fiction.
Anyway. Fun, pacey thriller with the right amount of craziness. At times, motivations and actions seemed a bit flimsy, but the plot was interesting and fast-moving enough that I didn't mind. It's not the kind of book in which you ling More...
But, despite what the reviews plastered all over this book say, this was not better than Crichton's Jurassic Park, which is of course the T. Rex of all dino-fiction.
Anyway. Fun, pacey thriller with the right amount of craziness. At times, motivations and actions seemed a bit flimsy, but the plot was interesting and fast-moving enough that I didn't mind. It's not the kind of book in which you ling More...
Jul 13, 2011
Nuno
rated it:
Está aqui outro grande romance de Douglas Preston, um dos meus autores favoritos; é um daqueles livros que nos prende a atenção na primeira página e não nos larga até acabarmos de ler o último parágrafo. Para além disso, desperta em nós ideias, pensamentos e reflexões que nos acompanham muito para lá de termos terminado a leitura do livro. Douglas Preston é definitivamente um mestre na construção de histórias que combinam ciência, religião e as implicações do confronto entre ambas. Neste livro,
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Feb 21, 2010
Haku
rated it:
Tardé en leerlo debido al poco interés que despertaron en mí sus primeras páginas pero ahora lo reseño porque resultó ser una gran historia. Se cree que en tiempos prehistóricos un asteroide impactó la Tierra y provocó la extinción de los dinosaurios. Millones de años después, cuando una nueva y contundente evidencia de ese cataclismo se da a conocer, las noticias viajan veloces. Y entonces se desata la carrera por reclamar lo que promete ser el descubrimiento paleontológico de la era. Es notabl
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Jun 25, 2009
L
rated it:
Preston is great! I've never been out west to the high mesas, much less out there one foot, 20 miles from water, sucking on a stone, with an injury, but he had me feeling some of what that might be like.
Beyond the landscape, you've got a greedy, unethical scientist whose ambition way outreaches his ability; a man who takes a promise to a dying stranger very seriously; a vicious, scum-bag ex-con; a careful, thoughtful dreamer of a scientist; a rogue secret agency; and a monk with a CIA More...
Beyond the landscape, you've got a greedy, unethical scientist whose ambition way outreaches his ability; a man who takes a promise to a dying stranger very seriously; a vicious, scum-bag ex-con; a careful, thoughtful dreamer of a scientist; a rogue secret agency; and a monk with a CIA More...
Aug 16, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
Not one of my favorites from Preston. The book felt like it was going in one direction at the beginning - tenure obsessed curator hires a con to find a notebook which will tell him where the dinosaur find of the century can be found. Con kills man with notebook, local horse vet stumbles into picture but he cannot tell the cops about the notebook for one of the slimmist rationales devised ever ...thriller ensues. Then a little more than halfway through a black ops governmental agency suddenly pop
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Jun 06, 2009
Jim
rated it:
A book by Douglas Preston which follows after The Codex (a wonderful book!). We follow Thomas Broadbent thru another exciting and surprising adventure. It all starts out with a crazy old treasure hunter in the lost valleys of New Mexico. Of course there is a treasure map which falls into Thomas' hands when the crazy old guy dies. OK, by now you are saying, sounds stupid. Well, let's just say that the CIA becomes part of the story and there is a Sci-Fi twist in the plot. Sound better?
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Aug 13, 2010
Ed
rated it:
This story is too far fetched to earn high praise. A loner veterinarian who prefers sticking his elbow up a cow's ass to spending his $100M inheritance? An ex-CIA operative and cryptologist who aspires to be a monk? A mad scientist who runs a black ops team who has unlimited authority to commandeer and kill the residents of any community in America without explanation? I mean, wouldn't there be some government forms required to do that?
This book has two things going for it. First, More...
This book has two things going for it. First, More...
Dec 04, 2008
Patrick
rated it: 
Some of Doug Prestons fantacy adventure books take place in parts of New Mexico (and Utah) that come very close to existing in real life. Tyrannosaur Canyon is fictional place but Preston gives actual directions to places north of Santa Fe. There is a vast tract of of land with canyons and without roads. I've hiked this area often and by golly there are some spots that are dead ringers for Prestons adventure. As a private guide, I have taken a few people into this remote area (mostly photographe
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Aug 08, 2011
Joe
rated it:
A fictional account that leaves a "what if" question. The book is loosely based on real contemporary theories concerning the decline of the dinosaurs.
As a fictional piece, it begins with a singular focus involving confrontation, and proceeds to build from there with multiple characters in actions simultaneously. The pace is set so well that jumping around is not a distraction. The inter-meshing works well to re-blend scenes.
Except for one governmental character, I thought th More...
As a fictional piece, it begins with a singular focus involving confrontation, and proceeds to build from there with multiple characters in actions simultaneously. The pace is set so well that jumping around is not a distraction. The inter-meshing works well to re-blend scenes.
Except for one governmental character, I thought th More...
Dec 27, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
What does the moon mission, a murdered prospector, a monk, a business man, a lonely archeologist/geologist, a gun for hire, a local cowboy, and a secret government strike force have in common? Why, a T. Rex fossil, of course.
We're on Crichton ground here, but this I liked better than his. It's so obviously genre--the bad guy's last name is Corvus, for pete's sake--but it isn't as bad as tv. It actually kept me interested for most of it (drahs a bit in places as he intercuts thi More...
We're on Crichton ground here, but this I liked better than his. It's so obviously genre--the bad guy's last name is Corvus, for pete's sake--but it isn't as bad as tv. It actually kept me interested for most of it (drahs a bit in places as he intercuts thi More...
Oct 02, 2011
Bronwyn
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 28, 2009
Beth
rated it:
I still have about 20 pages left, but my general feeling about this book is that the plot "tipped" about halfway through. I try not to do spoiler reviews, so I will just say this: a science thriller can only have so many plotlines going on with so many characters. This one had too many. At the point I thought it tipped, I thought, "oh for God's sake, you couldn't just stop at 'greatest fossil discovery of our time?' You had to go over the edge with the [spoiler:]."
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Dec 07, 2010
Steve
rated it:
I would love to tell you that I loved Douglas Preston's thrillers, but I don't. I think by and large that they are good-not-great page-turners. Fun, but his characters are just a little too cliché to take his books to the next level. His “Pendergast” books — about an exceptionally and perhaps supernaturally gifted investigator, which he co-writes with Lincoln Child – have left me ever-so-slightly-disappointed.
Which leads to last month when I was scouting around for another audiobook More...
Which leads to last month when I was scouting around for another audiobook More...
Apr 10, 2010
Lady Ethereal Butterfly
rated it:
Tyrannosaur Canyon by Douglas Preston simply blew me away! The story starts off with a brutal but fascinating murder in the New Mexico desert. When I say starts off, I mean within the first ten pages. You don’t have to wait for the action to begin in Tyrannosaur Canyon! The story then progresses to the search for a mysterious item that the murder victim was searching for. Many diverse characters are introduced throughout the course of the novel, but they all have a very important part to play in
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Feb 12, 2008
Nancy
rated it:
If you read The Codex, another novel by Preston, you'll recognize the character Tom Broadbent. He is now married to Sally Colorado (who I really wanted to slap in the Codex) and even though he's inherited millions from his dad, he and Sally are living a very simple life out in the desert of New Mexico. He's still a vet along with his partner Shane; nothing much has really changed since he made it back to New Mexico from the jungle. Out on a ride one day in the desert near Tyrannosaur Canyon, Tom
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Aug 15, 2009
Craig
rated it:
I enjoyed this more than Lincoln Child's solo outing, but still less than any of their joint ventures. The plot is ambitious, and I will admit that I spent a good portion of the book engaged in trying to figure out how it was all going to tie together. Unfortunately, when the resolution comes, it comes quickly and without as much payoff as you would like after all the buildup. Even still, it's a fun easy beach ride with enough twists and thrills to entertain, especially if you are a fan of sci-f
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Oct 31, 2010
Greer
rated it:
A good mystery story, well written and easily readable. A slightly different story theme, dealing with dinosaur hunters and the competition between them for new finds. Of particular interest to those familiar with the Yucatan/Progreso/Chicxulub area is the Part entitled "Chicxulub", included of course because of its relation to dinosaur extinction.
My sincere thanks to Janet for getting this book to me when she had to leave Progreso for Canada on short notice for health reas
My sincere thanks to Janet for getting this book to me when she had to leave Progreso for Canada on short notice for health reas
Jun 22, 2008
jeannie
rated it:
I would be ashamed to acknowledge that I read this novel, if it were not for the fact that my story may serve as a cautionary tale for others.
I have never read Douglas Preston before this book. I likely will never again read Douglas Preston. The blurb on the cover states, "If John Grisham had written Jurassic Park, he couldn't do better than Tyrannosaur Canyon."
I think, if John Grisham chose to sue for libel he would have a compelling case. This book was m More...
I have never read Douglas Preston before this book. I likely will never again read Douglas Preston. The blurb on the cover states, "If John Grisham had written Jurassic Park, he couldn't do better than Tyrannosaur Canyon."
I think, if John Grisham chose to sue for libel he would have a compelling case. This book was m More...
Jul 30, 2007
John
rated it:
Douglas Preston's Tyrannosaur Canyon is unfortunately compared to Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, which does neither book good service. Preston's book has no living dinosaurs, except for the flashbacks to 65 million years in the past that follow the life of a female t-rex. Where Crichton's book was a clever way to get people to understand cloning research, Preston's is all about paleontological speculation, with strangely less hard biology. So Tyrannosaur Canyon is an ultimately simpler, pulpi
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Oct 27, 2011
Steve
rated it:
This is a fun and interesting thriller that includes moon rocks, dinosaurs and dinosaur hunters, murder and black ops. While some of this story may seem far-fetched, the thread regarding moon rocks and alien pathogens made me wonder about the "rest of the story" behind the extinction of the dinosaurs. The story is set in northern New Mexico, an area I find both fascinating and beautiful. Reading this book has me yearning for a return trip sometime soon.
