Author Douglas Preston’s latest novel, “Extinction,” fits comfortably into several genre spaces. It’s definitely a murder mystery, certainly a science fiction piece, and, eventually, absolutely a horror story which, incidentally, could quite easily be adapted as movie material.

The title accurately reflects the novel’s primary plot elements and main thematic issues, although the name of the book might even more accurately be “De-extinction.” Much of the suspense and plenty of the action revolves around the scientific methods and consequences of bringing extinct animal species like wooly mammoths back to life. The plot involves events that, unfortunately for many characters, take place at Erebus, a huge resort and de-extinction project on thousands of acres in Colorado, just made for ultra-rich clients who are looking for adventure. As the plot unfolds, many of those brave souls find the adventure they’re seeking — at ungodly costs to themselves.

The very beginning introduces us to a lovely young couple who meet their demise at the resort shortly after their arrival there. Their guide notices one morning that they have disappeared without a trace. The resort’s security team finds only pools of blood at their last location. It appears that their bodies have been dragged away and almost surely that they are murder victims. Finding the murderers will be nearly impossible because they have left no clues as to who or even what they are. A short time after the discovery of the crime, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is called in to help the resort’s security people investigate the crime and find the perpetrators.

The protagonist of the novel is the chief CBI investigator on the case. Her name is Frankie Cash; that’s either a man’s or woman’s name, and this Frankie is a female newly assigned to a normally male position. She’s not the typical female hero usually found in an action/suspense novel; that is, Frankie is not a beautiful blonde or a beautiful anything else. She’s slightly overweight; she has short hair instead of luscious long locks; she’s often brazenly and brassily outspoken and harsh; she’s impatient and short-tempered; and she’s tough, brave, and very smart. Frankie is, in short, every sexist’s worst nightmare. But like most of the other characters, she’s stumped by the strategies and undeniable intelligence of the killers.

Frankie’s partners in the investigation include several fellow CBI agents, several Erebus staff members, a SWAT team, and most importantly, Sheriff Joe Colcord, a country lawman from a nearby town. All those folks set out immediately to find the mysterious murderers: Was it a gang of some sort? How many participated in the killings? Were they men or monsters? Was the crime somehow related to the Erebus program of de-extinction? Could Erebus staff members themselves be involved? Could the murderers have actually been some kind of de-extincted animals? Could genetic manipulations be somehow responsible?

All kinds of roadblocks, unfortunate coincidences, and excuses disrupt and interfere with the investigation. Progress is slow, and every new clue causes new confusion. Erebus officials don’t want news of the crime to reach the press. It could ruin their business. A movie is being shot on the grounds. And worst of all, the murders multiply, virtually exponentially. And the new murders are gorier and grizzlier than the first ones. Evidence of cannibalism emerges as the situation worsens, becoming the very stuff of fear, disgust, and horror. But I must suspend details right here and now; more detailed descriptions would be sure-fire spoilers, so the plot summary ends here.

There is, however, one more character who must be mentioned, as his place and occupation are central to the climax of the novel. At first, Dr. Karman is a relatively minor character, the Erebus chief scientist and creator of the de-extinction program. Karman turns out to be a villain and a hero, a superb demonstration of the author’s creative imagination, and a necessary ingredient in the mixture of elements that comprise the extremely scary, horror-infused, suspenseful, and entirely satisfying climax. ‘Nuff said.

Preston is a clever and knowledgable author who obviously does ample research without which “Extinction” would be as lifeless as the original Pleistocene creatures it describes — and then updates. And at the book’s end, there is an invaluable and fascinating Afterword which clearly explains many of the scientific details that fill the pages of the novel. The entire reading experience is entertainingly, academically — and frighteningly — worthwhile.

This review by Jack Kramer.

Please note: This review is based on the final, hardcover book provided by Forge Books, the publisher, for review purposes.