Dan Abnett is a great fit for this world, being the kind of writer who is able to tightly focus his imagination, and squeeze the most out of characterisation. Although using a main cast that is not his own, the characters he adds have substance and purpose. No cardboard cut-outs here, and surprisingly few red-shirts. In this version of Primeval, the scientist Nick Cutter and his wayward, time traveling wife, Helen, are both still pursuing their own agendas. On the printed page, the Cutters are well drawn as vibrant people, brilliant and passionate about their views, yet poles apart. The sidekicks, Connor and Abbey, play effective supporting roles, if somewhat predictably. Only the crew of the ARC are pedestrian, but Abnett does what he can with limited material, and the result is acceptable. Where this book shines, is in how the building blocks of the story are put together, and in its visualisation. Abnett has the skills to make the less than original scenario of man versus dinosaur seem fresh, visceral and gloriously cinematic. The extinction event of the title refers to is the big one; the comet strike that ended the reign of the dinosaurs. Why is that important to the events in the here and now? Because, in Siberia, specifically the Tunguska region, a giant, semi-permanent anomaly is connecting the days directly before the end of the dinosaurs, to the present. The details are slowly revealed as Cutter and crew, kidnapped by Russian special forces and flown to Siberia, use their specialist expertise to uncover a deadly truth. What follows is a race, literally against time, to save the future from the past.

Extinction Event reminded me of all that originally appealed about the TV show, but with the unlimited budget of imagination based special effects. This, combined with Abnett's tight plotting and pacey story telling, made it a cracking read. The book can be read as part of a collection, but also works as a stand-alone story. I can recommend it to existing fans of Primeval, those looking for an introduction to the world, and to readers who simply enjoy man versus dinosaur adventures.

For readers who are interested in authors, Dan Abnett has one of the more unusual and entertaining biographies, available on his web site.