I found this softcover on the book swap shelf of the Tyngsboro MA post office while dropping off some books of my own. I've read other works by Preston and Child, but this one, part of a series featuring Nora Kelly, a curator at the Santa Fe Institute of Archaeology, is new to me. The story features the search for more relics of the doomed (and real-world) Donner Party, which sounds intriguing.

Later: This book's part of the "Agent Pendergast" series, though Pendergast himself only plays a small part here - but the two main characters, archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI agent Corrie Swanson, have both had dealings with Pendergast in the past, and their team-up looks to be part of a new sub-series.

I enjoyed much of the book, being a fan of all things Donner Party, and if the truth behind the mysteries here did fizzle a bit by the end, there were some great historical bits, archaeological scenes, and hints of the supernatural mixed in.

[For another look at the tragedy of the Donner Party, check out Nathan Hale's graphic-novel version, The Donner Dinner Party.]

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in the Little Free Library, just ahead of a snowstorm; hope someone enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2021 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes challenge. ***