Bad Brains

A Psychological Thriller

De: Joe Prosit

Narrado por: Sloane Valentine

Ashton is an electrician. Julie waits tables. Both are broke and trapped in their dead-end jobs, rundown apartment, and bitterly cold hometown of Fridley, Minnesota. There’s nothing they could want more than to escape to someplace warm and sunny. So, when they find an ad in a magazine offering them one thousand dollars each and an all-expenses paid trip to a “tropical destination” for participating in a research study, they both jump at the opportunity.

It sounds like the run-of-the-mill timeshare scam, but when Ashton and Julie wake up in a pair of luxurious over-the-water bungalows on an idyllic island, they quickly realize there was more to the deal than they first expected. The only problem? They’re separated, expected to answer to names other than their own, and married to two people they’ve never met before.

As they search for each other and explore this exquisite island and its alluring inhabitants, they hear rumors of brains going bad and frauds being executed. They have to play the roles they’ve been given, especially after the corpse of a beautiful woman washes up on shore.

Can they reconnect and solve the mysteries of this perilous paradise, or will they lose themselves to their strange new identities?

©2023 Joe Prosit (P)2025 Joe Prosit

Quick, fun listen

Rating on a curve, since the author isn’t well known.

The science aspects required a suspension of disbelief, but this is a novel, not a scientific journal. I thought that the motivations of the characters made sense, and that there was enough setup to explain some specialized skills. One of the major revelations of the story was pretty obvious early in the novel, but the main characters weren’t overly bright.

The pace is quick, and I enjoyed following the flawed protagonists through their adventures.

Looking forward to another book from this author that is currently on my bookshelf.

gripping story, relatable characters, great premise

only thing that I can say that isn't racing is it took some time to adjust to the pitch of the rates voice, so give it a chance, totally worth it!

Story line was fun to listen to.

Narrator’s voice was perfect for the story. Very clear and understandable. I really enjoyed listening to her tell the story.