The Himalayan Codex: An R. J. MacCready Novel

The Himalayan Codex is an action-packed adventure thriller set just after World War II. The year is 1946, and American soldiers are slowly going back to normal. Meanwhile, a zoologist, Captain R. J. MacCready, is approached by a colleague at the Museum of Natural History who tells MacCready about an unusual set of jawbones believed to be from a dwarf mammoth. MacCready is intrigued and jumps at the opportunity. While searching for more dwarf mammoth bones, he and his team come across a codex written by an ancient Roman historian, Pliny the Elder. In the codex, Pliny describes a creature that is strikingly similar to the Yeti. However, as MacCready’s team explores further, they discover that Pliny actually discovered a whole new human race that would turn the theory of evolution upside down. Suddenly, the members of MacCready’s team find themselves at the mercy of Chinese and Soviet communist soldiers who are also after the discovery. Now he and his team must use their wits to not only survive but to ensure that their discovery doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

The Himalayan Codex is Bill Schutt’s and J.P. Finch’s second novel. Their first book, Hell’s Gate, dealt with MacCready’s expedition to the jungles of Brazil. While the second book deals with a different mission, it is helpful to have read Hell’s Gate in order to understand the characters and their motivations. Nevertheless, The Himalayan Codex doesn’t disappoint. The authors strike a balance between a suspenseful plot and character development. The authors’ depth of historical and scientific research is also a very strong point of the book, and it definitely shows. If you like Michael Chrichton’s thrillers and Indiana Jones movies, then you will enjoy The Himalayan Codex.