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Thunderhead
Unavailable
Thunderhead
Unavailable
Thunderhead
Audiobook17 hours

Thunderhead

Written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Narrated by Scott Brick

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

Archaeologist Nora Kelly is adrift in her career and her personal life when a violent, inexplicable incident leaves her in possession of a mysterious letter. Written by her father, who vanished sixteen years ago in the remote desert, the letter reveals the location of a legendary site hidden in the red rock canyon country of southern Utah: Quivira, the Anasazi Indians' wondrous lost city of gold.--BOOK JACKET. "Convinced that her father truly had found Quivira, Nora puts together an expedition and takes a team up Lake Powell to the mouth of Serpentine Canyon. In the stark labyrinth of canyons and slickrock desert she will find the answer to both her greatest hopes and her deepest nightmare. For hidden in the shadows of the sunbaked cliffs are untold treasures, the solution to the greatest riddle of American archaeology - and implacable, suffocating death."--BOOK JACKET.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 3, 2010
ISBN9781607884750
Unavailable
Thunderhead
Author

Douglas Preston

Douglas Preston writes about archaeology for the New Yorker and National Geographic magazines, as well as novels and nonfiction works (such as The Lost City of the Monkey God). With Lincoln Child, he writes international #1 bestselling thrillers, including the Agent Pendergast adventures.

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Reviews for Thunderhead

Rating: 3.7840501935483872 out of 5 stars
4/5

558 ratings22 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was very exciting and interesting from start to finish. The characters were very compelling and believable. [SPOILER ALERT] In particular, Sloane's actions were so despicable, I wanted to reach through the pages and throttle her! [END SPOILER]

    If have any interest in archaeology, Native American cultures, or just a good thriller you will enjoy this story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    One of the few books that you both enjoy and learn something new, a trademark of Preston and Child novels.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Nora Kelly, an archaeologist, wants to follow in her father's footsteps to find the ancient city of Quivira after being attacked by Skinwalkers at her childhood ranch outside of Santa Fe. No one knows the city's location, but a letter she found after the attack and some high-tech mapping from a satellite provide her with enough data to go in search of the city. Her team is an odd mix of people, including her boss' daughter, archaeologists with more experience than she has, a cook, a medicine man, technologists, a journalist, and a man to handle the horses. They know they must get our of the canyon before the floods set in so they must work quickly. Each person has his or her own agenda, and they are in danger from the skinwalkers. It's an archaeological thriller. I listened to the audio version, and the reader did a good job. This is a bit outside my normal genre of books, but it was an interesting setting and plot. It is a bit frightening in places. There's even a bit of romance for those who enjoy that element, although the very nature of the book makes that element take a back seat to everything else.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a fantastic read, and great story by Preston & Child, who are certainly at the top of my favourite authors list.It's a fast paced, adventure/treasure hunter that incorporates a sense of dread as well as long for past family secrets. Throw into the mix is some great Anasazi folklore that is set in the canyons and valleys and plateaus of the American southwest - pictographs, legends abound.It's hard to classify this as a horror novel, because it also falls into the thriller and adventure genre.If you haven't read Preston & Child - this is a good place to start as it is stand-alone novel, unlike the Pendergast series of fantastic books.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book had me rolling my eyes at first. When a young woman is attacked by men dressed as animals at a vacant ranch house, she doesn't call the police, or ask questions, or follow up in any way. Then when she discovers her home has been broken into, AND HER DOG IS MISSING, she doesn't call the police, or ask questions, or follow up in any way. Nope, doesn't even look for the dog beyond calling her brother to ask "is the dog with you?". But upon finding a letter that hints at a possible "lost city", she gets a logistical-nightmare of an archaelogical expedition funded, populated, coordinated and moving in just a few weeks. So yeah, eye roll.Add another eyeroll for the only women in this book being young, beautiful, smart, and incredibly accomplished. And prone to cat-fights.But I was soon swept up in the fast-paced drama and thrill of the expedition. It was great fun. And I may even read another by this author.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    3.5 starsNora is an archaeologist, as was her father. Her father disappeared when she was younger, on a quest to find the lost city of Quivira. When - years later - Nora receives a letter from him, outlining where the city is, Nora must find it, despite some weird things happening at home. I liked it. I liked the archaeological stuff and the exploration, and it did get better in the second half of the book. It was a much faster pace towards the end.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    One of my favorite places to read about is the American southwest. Thunderhead takes place in the remote canyons there. Archaeologists are seeking the lost city of Quivera, a city sought by Coronado, and rumored to be filled with gold.The tale is full of native lore, archaeological tidbits, and southwestern scenery. Nora Kelly's team sets out to find a mythical (although they hope it isn't) Anasazi city. Soon they are beset by troubles brought on within and without. I could wish I had more affection for Nora the leader, but she never took on the shape of a real person for me. Nor did the others. The best I can say is that they were players on a stage, and the show was fun to watch.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Archeological expedition to find the fabled Anastazi city of Quivira. I always think I am going to like Preston and Childs works more than I actually do, and this was no exception. The premise is fascinating but somewhere midway I lose focus. The characterizations are a bit shallow, but the descriptions of the scenery are remarkable and I always learn a lot. All in all, meh.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Exciting archeological adventure in the Utah desert. A different take on the search for the Lost City of Gold.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Archaeologist Nora Kelly's father disappeared years ago when he set off to find the mythical lost city of Quivira, in the desolate desert canyon country of southern Utah. When she inexplicably receives a letter written by him 16 years ago, giving clues to his successful quest, she mounts an expedition to retrace his steps and find a legendary ancient city filled with untold treasures. Unknown to her, malignant and ancient forces are poised against her and her expedition. This story includes Bill Smithback, the New York journalist from "Relic" and "Reliquary", and introduces Nora Kelly as a recurring character in some of the later Pendergast novels. Another fine and harrowingl book by the two authors that effectively melds science and suspense.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It has all the elements of a good adventure thriller -- an archaeological expedition to find an Anasazi ruin in the remote southwest, interesting characters & elements of the supernatural. But hackneyed writing and an uninspired reading by the audio narrator combine to make Thunderhead more tedious than exciting.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A brilliant mix of archeology and suspense, Thunderhead is a page-turner that makes you wosh you could read faster. The plot was intriguing and the characters captivating. I was lost in the action and relectently interrupted my reading before finishing it for a first time.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is definitely one of the best non-Pendergast novels by these authors! It deals with archaeology and Anasazi ruins, and brings Nora Kelly and Bill Smithback together for the first time. Very suspenseful (except of course we know that neither Nora nor Bill can get killed!) and well-plotted. Even when you know what's bound to happen, you still can't turn the pages fast enough. A good read!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    After receiving letter addressed to her 16 years ago by her father (long believed to be dead) Nora Kelly finds herself involved into adventure that may finally reveal the secret behind the one of the most advanced Native American nations.Writing style is great, action is well paced and characters are not shallow. If you like Indiana Jones style adventures (and who does not if i may ask :)) give this one a try. You'll love it.Recommended.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a spellbinding tale of archaeological intrigue and the ever present menace of ancient evil in the isolated desert canyons of Utah. Nora Kelly believes that a letter that she received from her father, who has been missing and assumed dead for 16 years, describes how to reach Quivera, the rumored City of Gold. With an elite team of archaeologists, she goes on an expedition into the remote desert of Utah in search of the truth. Evil and supernatural horrors await them as they reach the long-forgotten city. I enjoyed this novel tremendously, it was an exciting rush from beginning to end. Several of the characters were well developed, especially for this type of novel, the desert canyon setting was exquisitely drawn, and the plot was exciting and full of adventure. There was history, archaeology, ancient mythology, supernatural evil, bravery, treachery, sacrifice, and even redemption. All in all, a great story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I didn't find this one quite up to the level of the Pendergast books--certainly not to the level of Relic and Reliquary--but it doesn't disappoint. Though it's a little slower getting started than their best, it's still a good, original page-turner that keeps you guessing. Dan Brown only wishes he could write thrillers that moved at this pace.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Nora Kelly, a young archaeologist, receives a letter from her long-missing father that she believes will provide clues to the location of the legendary city of Quivira. As Nora struggles to obtain funding, and then to lead her troublesome expedition into the mountains of New Mexico, she and her crew are threatened by sinister, seemingly supernatural figures. The book is entertaining, if a bit silly in places. The two male authors fall a bit short in bringing authenticity to the rivalry between Nora and Sloane. This book would make a terrific movie in the tradition of Indiana Jones. Good visuals withlots of scope for great photograpy and special effects.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book, co-authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, is an archeological thriller. The heroine, Nora Kelly, leads a team in search a lost city of early inhabitants of North America. Ms. Kelly is also on a personal mission as she hopes to find an explanation for the disappearance of her father many years before.The archeology is spiced with the supernatural, science and some romance. Even though the plot, including some of the twists and turns, is predictable, I still found this book to be an irresistible page turner.This book is good entertainment, even if the minor romance thread borders on silly and is a stereotypical middle age male fantasy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    n years after the disappearance of her father, archaeologist Nora Kelly receives a letter from him giving directions to his last find. Rounding up a team, she sets off into the back country of Utah to find a lost city of the Anasazi Indians. But someone is out to stop the group in this fast paced book by the Preston/Child team.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A young archaeologist leads a dangerous expedition looking for Quivira, the fabled Anasazi "Lost City of Gold," after receiving a mysterious letter from her father who has been missing for sixteen years. Spellbinding! Preston and Child have set the standard in defining the page-turner. Best adventure book I've read in years!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The story takes place in Utah and New Mexico, and focuses on Nora Kelly (who is also in Cabinet of Curiosities), a young archaeologist who receives a letter from her father, who had been dead for years, telling her that he has found a fabled lost city in the desolate canyons of Utah. Then at her family's deserted ranch, she is set upon by two people wearing wolf skins who obviously mean her harm.She is able to get an expedition together and the group sets out in search of the lost city. It is not an easy trip; the canyons are narrow, water is scarce, and the group of people that are traveling together are diverse in their expectations of what will happen once they find their target. However, once they do reach the lost city, weird things start happening with deadly consequences. There is more than a hint of the supernatural in this story; actually what is weird is that I read it after finishing Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman and skinwalkers play an active role in this story. (Think Twilight Zone theme song)Mystery and suspense fans will LOVE this book. There is fast-paced action, the characters are believable and the book will keep you turning page after page.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    All the ingredients of a first-rate thriller: Ancient civilisation, hidden treasure, stunnign landscapes, lost castles, secret guardians and dastardly villains. Well seasoned and expertly prepared. Bravo.