Friday Book Cover: Old Bones by Preston and Child

/ Joan Hall

Happy Friday, SEers! It’s Mae again, second time this week, and today I get to trot out a favorite book cover. I always have a hard time with this because there are sooooo many good covers. It was agonizing trying to choose just one, but I finally decided on Old Bones (Nora Kelly Book 1).

book cover for Old Bones by Preston & Child shows hillsside with partially buried skulls, silhouette of woman highlighted in the titlePreston & Child are my favorite writing team, (Special agent Pendergast anyone?) and they’re gearing up to start a brand new series.

Museum curator, Nora Kelly, has appeared in several of the Pendergast novels, and now has a chance to shine on her own. I think the book cover is spectacular.

The half-buried skulls set a sinister vibe. With a single glance I know whatever Nora becomes involved in is sure to be dangerous. Turns out that danger comes in the form of an expedition to find the “lost camp” of the Donner Party.  I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

Add the landscape on the cover which conveys a harsh, rugged terrain, plus the red lettering—with an aged texture on the title—and I’m enamored. Best of all, A. X. L. Pendergast pops in for an appearance, along with another reoccurring character I love, Corrie Swanson.

If you’re interested in exploring this book further, I’ve included the blurb below along  with pre-order link. Old Bones releases on August 20th.

#1 bestselling authors Preston & Child bring the true story of the ill-fated Donner Party to new life in a thrilling blend of archaeology, history, murder, and suspense.

Nora Kelly, a young curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology, is approached by historian Clive Benton with a once-in-a-lifetime proposal: to lead a team in search of the so-called “Lost Camp” of the tragic Donner Party. This was a group of pioneers who earned a terrible place in American history when they became snow-bound in the California mountains in 1847, their fate unknown until the first skeletonized survivors stumbled out of the wilderness, raving about starvation, murder-and cannibalism.

Benton tells Kelly he has stumbled upon an amazing find: the long-sought diary of one of the victims, which has an enigmatic description of the Lost Camp. Nora agrees to lead an expedition to locate and excavate it-to reveal its long-buried secrets.

Once in the mountains, however, they learn that discovering the camp is only the first step in a mounting journey of fear. For as they uncover old bones, they expose the real truth of what happened, one that is far more shocking and bizarre than mere cannibalism. And when those ancient horrors lead to present-day violence on a grand scale, rookie FBI agent Corrie Swanson is assigned the case…only to find that her first investigation might very well be her last.

Preorder from Amazon or any  major bookseller

What do you think, SEers? I think  the cover is a perfect complement for the blurb. Do you agree? Would this book entice you?  Sound off below and tell me what you think.

Ready, set, go!
Bio box for author, Mae Clair

 

32 thoughts on “Friday Book Cover: Old Bones by Preston and Child”

  3. I’m another one who hasn’t read work by these authors, and from the sounds of things, I think I’d better remedy that immediately. Loving the cover, and with a blurb like that, I can’t resist it. I’m looking forward to August 20th.😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • YAY! I love these guys, Soooz, and am thrilled to introduce others to their work. I’ve hooked several friends on the Pendergast series, and I am excited about a new venture and new series. I’m glad I’ve intrigued you and hope you enjoy the books if you give them a try!

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  4. Can you believe I’ve never read their work? That cover is a work of art. From the dark, aged red of the title (with the woman looking locked in fear) to the bones on the mountain. And that blurb… I’ll definitely be giving this one a try.
    Quick question; can the books be read as standalones?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Isn’t the cover awesome, Jacquie? I positively love how creepy it is. This is a brand new series from the guys so you could pick this one up and dive right in without knowing anything about the characters or previous books. Most of the Pendergast books can be read as standalones but there are two “trilogies” within the series. The very first book I read was “Still Life With Crows” (a standalone) and I was immediately hooked. It was also the first time Pendergast was out on his own (before he was working with a New York detective).

      Still Life is the also the first book Corrie Swanson appears in and she gets a role in Old bones. I highly recommended Still Life With Crows as a place to start, and–of course–Old Bones is the start of a new series.

      If you try either, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Happy reading! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    • I can’t speak highly enough of their work. I love their style of storytelling which always blends the bizarre and unusual with history, murder and suspense. I ca’t wait for this release. I think you’d enjoy their books, Michele!

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Well, you already know I’m counting the days for this one, Mae, what with my Pendergast addiction and all. Like you, and like we’ve discussed via emails for some weeks, I adore A.X.L. Pendergast, and can’t wait for the next in that series to arrive (in March, I think). In the meantime, I’m willing to give Nora a chance, especially if it means a visit, however brief, from Pendergast, himself. The cover is wonderful, and I very much look forward to my SIGNED copy coming from B&N upon release. I’ll also have my pre-ordered Kindle version for comfortable reading. Woohoo! Happy August!

    Now, on this great cover? Do those skulls remind anyone else of Wes Craven version of Mt. Rushmore??? I mean, they do look larger than life, don’t they? Will have to see when I get the real thing in my hot, little hands! 😀 Nice surprise this morning, Mae. Thanks for a fun post! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Ahh! I was hopping you’d pop in. I need someone else to go all fan girl with over Pendergast and Doug and Linc’s latest release. 🙂
      I think it’s cool you’re getting all these signed hardbacks by the guys. I’m sure that cover is going to be extra dramatic on a full sized book. I don’t want summer and pool weather to end but I want August 20th so I can devour this thing. We’ll have to compare notes.

      Hmm.. I never heard of Wes Craven’s version of Mt. Rushmore. Sounds freaky!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Arrrrgggh. My whole comment disappeared. Let me try again.
        ahem
        No, no! I left out an “a!” It should have said “remind anyone else of a Wes Craven version of Mt. Rushmore?” It’s just that it looks kinda like four giant skulls carved out of a mountainside to me. 😀

        And I wish I had several books signed by Preston & Child, but Old Bones will be my first from them. I’m watching all the time for B&N to offer another, and I’ve gotten lots of other good authors’ signed works from them, but nothing from the actual Pendergast series. 😦 Yet. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      • Oh. I know you’ve been getting a lot of signed books. I got my wires crossed and thought you had some Pendergast novels in the mix. I know the guys always offer signed copies with each new release. They always mention how to get them in their newsletters. I think I’m going to have to take the plunge on the next Pendergast release in March of 2020. Your enthusiasm for signed books is wearing off on me.

        And now the Wes Craven thing makes sense. Yes, I can see that, LOL!

        P.S….so sorry about the comment. I’ve had that happen before and always feel the second time I comment I miss something from the first version. In your case, your comment is gold 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    • It was a tough choice on which cover to choose among the many I was considering, but this book really carries the creepy vibe of the blurb. It’s always fun to hear what others think.
      Thanks, Joan! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • Wow, that’s interesting. I’m going to have to check out the UK version just to see what it looks like.
      Thanks for the info, Harmony, and for the reblog. The Pendergast series of novels really rocks, and I’m excited the authors are starting a new venture with Nora Kelly!

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