From New York Times bestsellers Preston and Child, archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson are tasked with the mysterious deaths of two people found at a site where a UFO allegedly crashed decades before.

Lucas Tappan, a wealthy and eccentric billionaire and founder of Icarus Space Systems, approaches the Santa Fe Archaeological Institute with an outlandish proposal—to finance a careful, scientific excavation of the Roswell Incident site, where a UFO is alleged to have crashed in 1947. A skeptical Nora Kelly, to her great annoyance, is tasked with the job.

Nora's excavation immediately uncovers two murder victims buried at the site, faces and hands obliterated with acid to erase their identities. Special Agent Corrie Swanson is assigned to the case. As Nora’s excavation proceeds, uncovering things both bizarre and seemingly inexplicable, Corrie’s homicide investigation throws open a Pandora's box of espionage and violence, uncovering bloody traces of a powerful force that will stop at nothing to protect its secrets—and that threatens to engulf them all in an unimaginable fate.

Published
February 15, 2022
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Nora Kelly

The series

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In the world of archaeology, few discoveries are as perilous as those tied to the past's darkest secrets. This is the world of Nora Kelly, a brilliant archaeologist whose expeditions often take her far beyond academic curiosity into the realm of gripping mystery and untold danger. Her journey begins with the search for the legendary remains of the Donner Party in Old Bones, a mission that plunges her deep into a world of historical intrigue, betrayal, and hidden truths.

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As Nora navigates ancient ruins and untangles the threads of forgotten histories, she finds herself drawn into deadly situations where the line between scientific exploration and life-threatening peril blurs. With each new mystery, she uncovers more than just lost artifacts; she unearths dangerous secrets that others would rather keep buried. The series moves seamlessly from one gripping adventure to the next, from the chilling discoveries in The Scorpion's Tail to the high-stakes action in Diablo Mesa.

Set against stunning backdrops—whether it's the rugged desert of New Mexico or the eerie remnants of ancient civilizations—Nora Kelly immerses readers in a world where the past and present collide. With its sharp focus on historical suspense, dynamic characters, and nail-biting thrills, the series weaves a complex web of danger and discovery. Each book unravels a unique puzzle, leading Nora into deeper, darker territories.

If you're drawn to tales where archaeology meets the unknown, where every dig brings new dangers, and where strong-willed protagonists navigate both physical and intellectual challenges, Nora Kelly will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.

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