The Paleontologist Audiobook By Luke Dumas cover art

The Paleontologist

A Novel

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Paleontologist

By: Luke Dumas
Narrated by: Graham Halstead
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.24

Buy for $20.24

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

USA TODAY BESTSELLER
2024 ITW Thriller Award Winner
Esquire “Best Horror Books of 2023” Pick

A haunted paleontologist returns to the museum where his sister was abducted years earlier and is faced with a terrifying and murderous spirit in this chilling novel.

Curator of paleontology Dr. Simon Nealy never expected to return to his Pennsylvania hometown, let alone the Hawthorne Museum of Natural History. He was just a boy when his six-year-old sister, Morgan, was abducted from the museum under his watch, and the guilt has haunted Simon ever since. After a recent breakup and the death of the aunt who raised him, Simon feels drawn back to the place where Morgan vanished, in search of the bones they never found.

But from the moment he arrives, things aren’t what he expected. The Hawthorne is a crumbling ruin, still closed amid the ongoing pandemic, and plummeting toward financial catastrophe. Worse, Simon begins seeing and hearing things he can’t explain. Strange animal sounds. Bloody footprints that no living creature could have left. A prehistoric killer looming in the shadows of the museum. Terrified he’s losing his grasp on reality, Simon turns to the handwritten research diaries of his predecessor and uncovers a blood-soaked mystery 150 million years in the making that could be the answer to everything.

©2023 Luke Dumas (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio
Horror Psychological Suspense Scary Fiction Museum Paleontology Exciting
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"...narrator Graham Halstead captures the frenzy of Simon’s grief-driven investigation and the menacing atmosphere of the museum, still shuttered because of the pandemic. He expertly delivers the paleontological information woven into the novel, allowing the narrative to flow effortlessly, even when supernatural elements ratchet up the drama." (Beth Farrell)

What listeners say about The Paleontologist

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    74
  • 4 Stars
    63
  • 3 Stars
    46
  • 2 Stars
    24
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    105
  • 4 Stars
    60
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    67
  • 4 Stars
    57
  • 3 Stars
    39
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    11

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting Mystery Tale

The story was a well-written mystery taking place with the backdrop of a museum. Ultimately a “whodunit” story of murder with a paranormal aspect. I enjoyed the story as well as the performance on the audiobook. The narrator was cast well for the voice of the main character, in my opinion. The only negative, for me, was the unnecessary political commentary inserted periodically by the author. If it has no bearing on the story, you should leave it out. Reading is escapism for me and I don’t want politics force fed to me while I’m trying to get away from the nonstop garbage we hear and see daily on social media. In spite of this, I do recommend this title.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining Listen

The narration of this story is fantastic and really brings to story to life. While I was able to figure out the ending halfway into the story, the journey and character development made it worthwhile. It's a great story and the writing allows you to picture what is happening in the moment.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Plodding along

Story spent too much time in the first few chapters just plodding along. Could have used the condensed version.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A good story with great narration

I enjoyed listening to this book. It kept my interest and it had a good ending. It kept me wondering and after the final twist, it made me think that I should’ve pick up on the little crumbs and clues that the author was leaving along the trail. It was an enjoyable listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dinosaur Murder Mystery

This book was so much fun to listen to. Mystery and Dinosaurs? What could get any better. A refreshing take on dinosaurs expertly complimented with an unsolved murder and a touch of crazy. Absolutely loved this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

I loved the descriptions. The story is also very good as c keeps you interested

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and Eerie

The writing was original and kept me on my seat. Amazing voice acting and was an extremely enjoyable read/listen! I finished this book in less than a week because it was so good!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Obsession

The author delved into the psyche of this young paleontologist quite deeply. It was a slippery slope. There should have been more regarding the last 3 weeks of his employment. I enjoyed the book and have recommended it to others.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting, a bit predictable

Enjoyed this one enough to make it through, though I sorted the twists out early. Entertaining enough!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It was…”meh”

The book had an ok story line for major parts with some very random twists and turns that eventually came together in the end. The book was definitely different and if you’re looking to change up your usual pace, this one is an okay choice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful