The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins (Sigma Force Series #11)

The Bone Labyrinth is the 11th and latest novel in the Sigma Force series by James Rollins. A new book will be released end of the year with the title The Seventh Plague, and I honestly can’t wait for it!

James Rollins is one of my all time favorite authors, ever since I’ve first read Subterranean, an early standalone novel, back in the day. His Sigma Force series is one that I never miss reading and I hope it will never end.

In this latest story, an ancient Neanderthal woman’s bones are discovered in a hidden underground Catholic chapel in Croatia mountains. The walls surrounding the bones are painted depicting a ferocious battle between Neanderthal men and some kind of shadowy monsters of unknown origins.

While the team is trying to find answers to this historical question, they are attacked, the artifacts are stolen and the scientists are kidnapped. But so is attacked a research facility in Atlanta, US, and soon enough we are to learn that there is a mysterious connection between the two attacks and places.

As usual, James Rollins takes us on a tour de force not only back to the early humans, lost cities and ancient secrets, but also to the modern science of genetics and its manipulation with its evil results. Shady figures, giants and Chinese military are all involved in mysterious ways that the Sigma Force agents are left to figure out before it is too late.

The story is told in alternating chapters focusing on two different teams, each of which includes one of the two twin sisters, American scientists set on learning the human intelligence evolution. Of course each team has also a couple of Sigma Force members. Kowalski, Gray Pierce and Seichan are at centerpoint (Kowalski in one group, the two others in the second), each trying to save the day in their own particular ways.

I think my favorite of the two teams was the one with Baako, the intelligent gorilla who can literally steal everyone’s heart. That gorilla can put many, many people to shame at any time of day, especially the Chinese who are hell bent on experimenting on said gorilla – unethically of course – for their own twisted reasons involving genetic engineering.

The story reads at its usual fast pace, so common with James Rollins. The twists and turns are every step of the way, and while a seasoned reader who knows all his previous books can figure out the main plot parallels, there is still plenty enough for everyone to discover within its pages.

Science, history, religion and the trek to different parts of the world including the US, South America and China converge in a terrific story which you will not be able to put down. The writing as usual is top notch, the plot has the suspense, mystery and thrill going which makes for some exciting hours of non-stop reading. And let’s say the end of the book might possibly leave you with a tear or two sneaking down your face.