The Furies' Bog by Deborah Jackson

 

Archeology student Felicity Crachett is sent to Alaska to retrieve some bodies found in a bog there.  Another student, Frank, is sent to Florida on the same mission.  Both are students of professor Dayna Lugan and are rivals to become her top student.  Both are astounded when their respective bodies turn out to come from a common geographical location and even more astounded to find out that these bodies are evidence of a new type of humanoid, one with its beginnings in Aftica.  

Meanwhile, on Mars, the first astronauts have landed.  Scientists believe that Mars will be the next planet for humans to inhabit and have started changing its environment so that there are lakes and rivers and plant life.  The three astronauts have landed without permission and explore until a simmering argument breaks out between them.  These two plotlines intersect as the book goes on but how?

Deborah Jackson is fascinated by science and the frontiers being pushed back in various fields.  This novel is perhaps a bit ambitious and covers several continents and even planets to bring a story of scientific discovery and jealousies.  The book could have used some editing to make it tighter and bring the various storylines together more quickly but science fiction readers will find it an interesting premise.  This book is recommended for science fiction readers.