Review: Dead Mountain by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Author: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date:  August 2023

In 2008, nine mountaineers failed to return from a winter backpacking trip in the New Mexico mountains. At their last campsite, searchers found a bizarre scene: something had appeared at the door of their tent so terrifying that it impelled them to slash their way out and flee barefoot to certain death in a blizzard. Despite a diligent search, only six bodies were found, two violently crushed and inexplicably missing body parts. The case, given the code name “Dead Mountain” by the FBI, was never solved.

Now, two more bodies from the lost expedition are unexpectedly discovered in a cave, one a grisly suicide. Young FBI Agent Corrie Swanson teams up with archaeologist Nora Kelly to investigate what really happened on that fateful trip fifteen years ago—and to find the ninth victim. But their search awakens a long-slumbering evil, which pursues Corrie and Nora with a vengeance, determined to prevent the final missing corpse from ever coming to light.

Dead Mountain is the fourth book in the Nora Kelly/ Corrie Swanson series.  This time around, they are trying to figure out what really happened to nine climbers back in 2008.  It seems the government and possibly other groups don't want the truth to come out.  I have been a big fan of this series, so my expectations were really high here.  I will admit, this was probably my least favorite of the series.

I loved the mystery part. Following along with Corrie as she put the pieces of the puzzle together was enjoyable.  I also liked how Corrie is growing as an FBI agent.  And her relationship with a certain Sherriff was fun to watch.  What I wasn't a fan of was the side plot involving Nora's brother.  It was unnecessary and should not have been included.  It really added nothing the the story.  It was also unrealistic in how it all played out. I also wanted more of Corrie and Nora working together.  There was a huge lack of that in this book.  Their relationship and interactions are what I really like about this series.  I would still recommend this one as a part of the overall series. It just wasn't my favorite.