Badlands Audiobook By Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child cover art

Badlands

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Badlands

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell
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The #1 New York Times bestselling authors Preston & Child return with a thrilling tale in which archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson, while investigating bizarre deaths in the desert, awaken an ancient evil more terrifying than anything they’ve faced before.

In the New Mexico badlands, the skeleton of a woman is found—and the case is assigned to FBI Agent Corrie Swanson. The victim walked into the desert, shedding clothes as she went, and died in agony of heatstroke and thirst. Two rare artifacts are found clutched in her bony hands—lightning stones used by the ancient Chaco people to summon the gods.

Is it suicide or… sacrifice?

Agent Swanson brings in archaeologist Nora Kelly to investigate. When a second body is found—exactly like the other—the two realize the case runs deeper than they imagined. As Corrie and Nora pursue their investigation into remote canyons, haunted ruins, and long-lost rituals, they find themselves confronting a dark power that, disturbed from its long slumber, threatens to exact an unspeakable price.

©2025 Douglas Preston (P)2025 Grand Central Publishing Horror Mystery Police Procedurals Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Scary
Engaging Storyline • Historical Accuracy • Strong Female Protagonists • Cultural Authenticity • Compelling Mystery
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I’m sure this lady is nice. But all her characters sound the same. When she uses a man’s voice it hurts my throat to listen to it. Please please either get a new narrator or get someone else to do the male voices.
The story, as always was great. If I didn’t have health issues with my eyes, I would not listen to this narrator again. But I love their books.

Bad narrator

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Enjoyed novel thoroughly Love series and it’s
expansion of characters and the story line. Development exciting to see and continue reading

Story original and creative

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I don’t know if I’m ever going to dislike this writing duo, but it’s definitely not starting with this book. Is it going to be seen by some in the cookie cutter style, for sure.

These guys have written a ton of books together and, though the Pendergast series will always be the best IMO, I like that they have broken Norah and Corrie out and created a mostly separate timeline for them.

Keep it up.

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Brush up on your New Mexico maps and take a few minutes to read up on the native history. You’ll enjoy the cadence of this story and the little Easter eggs will make you smile.

Another great addition to this series

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Not as complex as their normal storylines. I look forward to the Preston and Childs books but this was shorter than normal and was a little predictable in my own view.

Interesting area

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I really love the Nora Kelly series but for some reason the story took a while to really pick up and was missing the usual feeling of danger and intrigue until the last 20% of the novel. Skip is still a bit of an idiot. Regardless, I look forward to the next installment! Creature feature? sea coast town in danger on founders day? fingers crossed.

favorite characters are back but a bit of a slow burn to the suspense

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Voices all sound alike by this female narrator. Men's voices are grating on the ear. Detracts from enjoyment of audiobook.

Narrator does not enhance book

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Love Nora Kelly from her first appearance in the Pendergast series. I eagerly wait for each new book and struggle through each new book because of the reader. Please consider a new reader. Respects.

Reader

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the young FBI agent and the archaeologist deliver again.
easily understood, adventurous and full of mystery.

another solid read.

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I enjoyed the book and it kept me engaged. The premise was good and there was some good mystery to it all. There were some supernatural parts to this book which aren't my fav, but they didn't dominate the book and the supernatural parts did add to the story. The narration was done very well. Overall a good listen

A fun read

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