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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About this listen

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
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Great Series • Excellent Tale • Talented Authors • Favorite Characters • Informative Content • Binge-worthy Story
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This was by far the best Nora and Cory novel to date. I was never a fan of them working together but have changed my mind.
With Douglas Preston living in New Mexico and doing a lot of traveling around the state, it has helped this novel come to life.
I know that Lincoln Child also has a vast knowledge of the area so putting their heads together has made this an extremely enjoyable read.
I really felt like I was listening to a book of historical fiction.
So Thanks Gents, you did an amazing job.

Great novel about New Mexico and Native Americans

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if we get only one Nora Kelly book a year, it needs to be longer. This one was too short and too easily figured out.

good, but....

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Not as believable as other stories. I love the characters but didn’t like this story much

Too gruesome

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I loved the story. It was another great installment. My only complaint is I want Skip to grow up lol

Binged through

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Could not stop listening. A great story! The best Nora Kelly book in the series. Had me immediately looking for more like it!!

Best Nora Kelly Book Yet!

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Spoilers - Don't read any further if you haven't listened to the book.

Up to the usual excellent overall Preston & Child effort except for the last 20 or so minutes. 1), one of my own hangups - rich people NEVER talk with Law Enforcement without an attorney present, too many chances for an innocent remark to be misconstrued/misinterpreted. 2), instead of being promoted Sharpe would have been demoted for killing an agent, a pilot and destroying an FBI helicopter in weather unsafe to fly in with only a hunch Cory was in dire straits. He killed almost as many as he saved. 3) Cory would be lucky to have remained with the FBI after going solo to a dangerous situation without arranging backup or even telling anyone where or why she was headed plus bringing a non-FBI person along and 4)Thereby Cory essentially precipitated another FBI -Waco or Ruby Ridge fiasco when all the bodies of the cult members are discovered 5) That many people don't die without a lot of press coverage - the agent who doesn't get along with Cory likely would have leaked this fiasco, if nothing else brought it to light. 6) The snake hallucination(?) was a "jump the shark" moment along with Nora shaking off the drug effects in time to be the calvary 7) Skip is too outlandish and impulsive to be a credible character, he's thirty not thirteen.

Spoilers - Excellent P&C product until last 20 min

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The story is essentially a simple one, but despite the fact it’s (however many hours) long, time passed quickly. Never dull, great characters. Makes one mourn Bill Smithback a bit.

Story flew by, a good sign

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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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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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