Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about and have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released, but not necessarily. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, which was originally hosted at Breaking the Spine.
My pick for this week is the second book in a new series featuring archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, from Agent Pendergast authors, Preston & Child…

Title: The Scorpion’s Tail
Author: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: Jan. 12 2021
Genres: Horror
Shelves: Female-fronted
Following the acclaimed debut of OLD BONES, this second “happily anticipated” new thriller in Preston & Child’s series features Nora Kelly, archaeologist at the Santa Fe Archeological Institute, and rookie FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, as they team up to solve a mystery that quickly escalates into nightmare (Booklist).
A mummified corpse, over half a century old, is found in the cellar of an abandoned building in a remote New Mexico ghost town. Corrie is assigned what seems to her a throwaway case: to ID the body and determine cause of death. She brings archaeologist Nora Kelly to excavate the body and lend her expertise to the investigation, and together they uncover something unexpected and shocking: the deceased apparently died in agony, in a fetal position, skin coming off in sheets, with a rictus of horror frozen on his face.
Hidden on the corpse lies a 16th century Spanish gold cross of immense value.
When they at last identify the body — and the bizarre cause of death — Corrie and Nora open a door into a terrifying, secret world of ancient treasure and modern obsession: a world centered on arguably the most defining, frightening, and transformative moment in American history.
Oh wow, this isn’t the kind of book I would normally pick up, but I love the sound of it. Also two female MCs? That makes it better😁
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Ooooh I am loving the sound of this!! 😍
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I haven’t read one of their books in years–but oh, how I loved them! This sounds like a lot of fun and I like that the two protagonists are both female. I will definitely have to look for this one. I hope you enjoy it when you read it!
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I am too much of a wuss to fully appreciate the horror aspect of this one – but I love the idea of two female protagonists in a genre where the lead is usually male. I hope this one is as a really cracking read, Bob/Sally:)
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I got a copy of this the other day and can’t wait to read it! I quite liked the last one, so I’m hopeful this will be a good one too. So long as the pair don’t try too hard and introduce some ridiculous characters, y’know 😉
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You got a copy? Damn, now I’m jealous. I loved the first book except for the end – it rubbed me wrong that Pendergast had to solve the last mystery.
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Well, an ebook from netgalley. But still. And that didn’t get to me. Nobody can solve every mystery.
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I wished for it, but no approvals as of yet.
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Their books always sound so good! I’ve only read one of their books, but always wanted to read more.
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