Fossil Hunter (Paperback)

by John B. Olson (Author)
Key Phrases: tall minister, short minister, soft tissue samples, Fossil Hunter, Katie James, Nick Murad (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fossil Hunter is an Indiana Jones-style thriller that explores the Intelligent Design controversy from the points of view of two field scientists working in the strife-torn countries of Iran and Pakistan. When paleontologist Dr. Katie James leads an expedition to search for an ancient whale fossil rumored to be in the Iraqi desert, she has no idea her archrival, Nick Murad, will be searching for the same fossil. But then Katie makes a ground-breaking discovery and is forced to collaborate with Nick to analyze the find before it's destroyed by a fundamentalist government faction. Nick and Katie's initial results fly in the face of current scientific theory, and it seems the whole world turns against them, including those they thought they could trust. Then the fossil disappears, sending Nick and Katie on a chase that could cost them their reputations, their careers--even their lives.

From the Back Cover

In the desolate Iraqi desert, a lone shepherd stumbles across a whale fossil. Initial analysis indicates that it could be a new species—a discovery that could shed light on the evolution debate.

Paleontologist Dr. Katie James is asked to lead an expedition to recover the rest of the fossil before her archrival, Nick Murad, can find it first.

But while she’s there, Katie also uncovers the unexpected—a human fossil so controversial she’s forced to collaborate with Nick to analyze the find before it can be destroyed by a fundamentalist faction of the Iraqi government. Their initial results fly in the face of current scientific theory, and it seems the whole world turns against them, including those they thought they could trust most.

Then the fossil disappears, sending Nick and Katie on a chase that could cost them their reputations, their careers—even their lives.

Fossil Hunter is part of the Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed campaign. Look for the feature-length documentary—hosted by Ben Stein and produced by Premise Media Corporation—available now on DVD. Visit www.expelledthemovie.com for more information.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; First Edition edition (April 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414314590
• ISBN-13: 978-1414314594
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,460 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta love it!, April 23, 2008

By	Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

Paleontologist Dr Katie James has it all ~ beauty, brains, a successful career.....and a debilitating phobia! Determined to overcome her weakness, Katie devotes herself to the discovery and investigation of fossils, comfortable that her faith and profession can go hand in hand.

Dr Nick Murad is highly skilled, thorough and intent on beating Katie James to every fossil remaining undiscovered in the known universe! Uncompromising in his belief of evolutionary theory, Nick jumps at the chance to search for fossils in the previously prohibited hot spots in Iraq. He just didn't count on Katie James getting in his way.

Political intrigue and Iraqi governmental and religious rivalry set Nick and Katie against each other in a tantalising race to uncover the remainder of a whale fossil purported to be in the Al Muthanna desert. When Katie's team is attacked, Nick Murad is the last man on earth Katie wants to save her.

John B Olson's fourth novel is rip roaring hit! Katie is by no means your everyday heroine ~ she is gutsy, brilliant, passionate about her faith and career with a vulnerability brought about by her neurosis, which only adds to her appeal. Nick is an equally well drawn character, smart, attractive, fulfilled by his career, if not his choice of women, and requiring more than a brief pep talk to consider creation by intelligent design. Their interaction is entertaining and electrifying. Action, adventure and humour abound, scene descriptions are so detailed I felt myself sweating in the desert and the seamlessly interwoven discussion of scientific theory and intelligent design, stimulating and engaging. John's PhD in Biochemistry has been put to good use in this novel yet at no time did I feel confused by the jargon. Fossil Hunter will appeal to men and women and has my highest recommendation. I would love to see Katie and Nick hit the big screen one day ~ eat your heart out, Indiana!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and exciting romantic adventure!, April 23, 2008

By	Fiction Lover (Aiken, SC) - See all my reviews

There's nothing I like more than a fast-paced romantic adventure/suspense novel with a little humor thrown in. This book certainly did not disappoint. I have to admit to being somewhat skeptical of male authors writing female characters, especially if there is any romance involved. However, I have read all of John Olson's books, and I am always surprised at how perceptive he seems to be. I hope you will like this adventure as much as I did!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fossil Hunter Review, May 8, 2008

By	Janet Ann Collins "Writer and Speaker" (California, United States) - See all my reviews

What a great book! It's an exciting adventure, a surprising mystery, a good romance and even manages to be educational, all at the same time. John B. Olson has done it again!