Posted by your average book addict with a taste for mystery and mayhem.
If there’s one thing Nora Kelly knows how to do, it’s stumble straight into danger with a shovel in one hand and a sarcastic quip in the other. In Badlands, our favorite badass archaeologist gets roped into another mess, courtesy again of FBI agent Corrie Swanson. When two mysterious deaths rock the eerie, wide-open wasteland of New Mexico’s Badlands, Corrie taps Nora for help—because apparently no murder case is complete without some ancient curse vibes and a few rotting corpses in awkward positions.
We’re blessed (and mildly cursed) with the return of the usual suspects: Nora’s walking disaster of a brother, Skip (still making poor life choices), the ever-reliable Sheriff Homer Watts (Corrie’s not-so-secret crush and hero with a badge), and a handful of newbies who exist just long enough to meet truly horrific ends. And I do mean horrific. Let’s just say these deaths are not your cozy mystery variety—unless your cozy mystery involves blood, bone, and one stomach-churning twist after another. (Seriously. Don’t snack while reading the last few chapters. I tried. Regret.)
Preston and Child do what they do best: mix historical lore, detailed Native American cultural references, and just enough fantasy to make you side-eye your hiking boots. You can tell these two have spent serious time exploring dusty trails and museum basements. The plot races forward like it’s got a caffeine addiction, and as usual, the drama escalates until you’re screaming at the pages and texting your book club “WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” If you’re a fan of action, creepy folklore, complicated family dynamics, and women who can outsmart both criminals and condescending men, Badlands delivers. As always, buckle up. It’s one wild ride through the desert.
If you like smart thrillers with archaeological twists and sharp characters, Badlands is a must-read. Grab your copy here.
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