In 1979, a Houston-based geology firm sends a team into the Virunga volcanic region of the Zaire River basin to locate a rare site of blue diamonds, which are necessary for developing next-generation semi-conductors. After the first expedition is mysteriously slaughtered, a second group enters the jungle: Peter Elliot, a primatologist traveling with Amy, a mountain gorilla trained in American Sign Language; Karen Ross, a data-driven specialist managing satellite logistics; and Charles Munro, a mercenary guide. They discover that the ruins of the lost city of Zinj are guarded by a new, violent subspecies of gray gorillas bred for generations to kill intruders.
This thriller appeals to readers interested in technical details regarding primate linguistics, satellite surveillance, and remote sensing technology. It functions as a modern update to the classic lost-world adventure, grounding the survival narrative in geological science and animal behavior. Readers gain insight into how human technology and natural evolution intersect when scientific advancement requires high-stakes extraction from the wilderness. The story provides a clinical look at the logistics of jungle fieldwork and the biological limits of interspecies communication during a crisis.
Practical, outward-looking, growth-minded, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1980
- Language
- EN
