Badlands

Badlands, Book 1

By: Morgan Brice

Narrated by: Kale Williams

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Medium and clairvoyant Simon Kincaide owns a Myrtle Beach boardwalk shop where he runs ghost tours, holds seances, and offers private psychic readings, making a fresh start after his abilities cost him his lover and his job as a folklore professor.

Jaded cop Vic D'Amato saw something supernatural he couldn't explain during a shootout several years ago in Pittsburgh and relocated to Myrtle Beach to leave the past behind, still skeptical about the paranormal. But when the search for a serial killer hits a dead end, Vic battles his skepticism to ask Simon for help.

As the body count rises, Simon's involvement makes him a target and a suspect. But Simon can't say no, even if it costs him his life and heart.

©2018 Gail Z. Martin (P)2019 Tantor

Really good!

I've decided to listen to 1 'new to me' author once a month, and lucky me, I picked a good one to start!
The story was really interesting, I liked both Simon and Vic immediately, add in the secondary characters and the story, I was hooked.
The narration by Kale Williams kept me listening well into the wee hours. He is really good! I plan on looking for more audiobooks by either Morgan Brice or narrated by Kale Williams (both together would be an added bonus!👍)

Awesome Listen

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this one. I love this author. The story truly comes to life digitally.

A promising start to a new series

A promising start to a new series I wish there were an easy way to give constructive feedback to a writer, rather than just reviewing the book and not knowing if the writer ever sees it. So I’ve never been to Myrtle Beach, so I don’t know if the setting is accurate but it sounds believable, the weather seems accurate as I live in North Carolina and it’s very similar. The dialogue is good believable, the characterization is great And not to stereo typical. The plot could use a little bit of work in my opinion; I know on one hand the writer has to create drama and suspense, but I think these to do that and still make the plot progress without the stereo typical genre specific actions and reactions. The problems I had with this story were Mostly based on usage. The writer had some issues in my opinion with her using the past tense when the past participle should’ve been used and a couple of discrepancies. I’ve mentioned this in other reviews and it must be a genre-specific thing but why do writers in this paranormal/Urban fantasy feel the need to recap the previous book in the series? How many times do we have to be reminded that the detective came from Pittsburgh? How many times do we have to be reminded that the bookstore owner used to be a professor? How many times do we have to be told that your thighs are muscular? How many times do We need to be told that the coffee went cold and they drink it anyway? When does the writers job end and the editors begin? For most readers, these “small“ issues can be overlooked but for others these mistakes can slow down the progress of the story and detract from its overall quality. Also also this writer tends to use the wrong case as do many other riders these days. Neither and none is singular; saying “neither were“ is incorrect. In case you care, these kind of basic mistakes detract. If this is just a light romantic gay MM story that’s based on fluff, then you’ve done a great job. Also one last commentEnd it would be nice if you created the words of a spell rather than just saying that a character said a banishment spell. It’s not difficult you can do two or three lines of doggerel and it would improve in my opinion always the quality of the writing. Thank you

Such a cute love story!

I love the serial killer story and how the love story flows in and out of the case. Really well read, too! Kale Williams is a very talented barrator for such an amazing story written by Morgan Brice. Would definitely recommend.

Loved this pnr police mystery romance.

This was a fun and entertaining story, about Simon who is a medium with other psychic talents who meets Vic, a cynical police detective.
Simon and Vic meet over the subject of murder, Vic may be skeptical but he seeks out Simon's psychic opinion on a serial killer stalking Myrtle Beach.
I like to both Simon and Vic. I have to admit I did feel like Simon had a couple of "TSTL" moments, but overall both likeable characters.
I enjoyed the ghosts and pnr storyline.
I like this author's writing style, And I will look for the next in series.
Narrator Kale Williams did a great job.

Nice mystery

This is a mystery with little magic thrown in. The two main characters come from a palace of mistrust and skepticism of how they approach several murders and each other. I haven't read anything by this author but have now several books on my wishlist. Kale williams is a wonderful narrator, his voice is pleasant and there is enough variation to each character to tell them apart. This story takes place in Mrytle Beach SC. He doesn't try to layer on the accent which being from the south I appreciate. Some narrators miss the mark with southern accents so thick it sounds cartoonish or like a hick. Different states have their unique qualities and if you don't spend time with these people you may make someone from SC sound like a Texan. This is not the case with the native characters.

Fun mystery, great narrator!

Really enjoyed this! The story was compelling, loved Vic and Simon and I've always enjoyed listening to Kale Williams. Looking forward to more in this series.

It was an enjoyable read

It was a fun read. I don’t like most gay paranormal series because they focus too much on erotica, but this I enjoyed.

One thing that almost caused me to stop listening was the use of the word “clean” to denote that the characters were HIV negative. As an HIV positive man I consider that to be disgustingly offensive. The opposite of “clean” is “dirty”. I am not nor is my blood dirty. I have a virus that is suppers by medication to the point we’re I am undetectable so I can not transmit the virus to others.
I understand that sadly this term is thrown around within the gay community, which is worse. It was said twice and each time it made me cringe. Nothing can be done about it’s use but know that it is a demeaning way to denote HIV status.

Myrtle Beach with a supernatural twist

Loved it!!! Worth the read AND the listen!!!! Kale has a nice reading voice, ya'll

great start

welcome to the Badlands of Myrtle Beach! Simon Kincaide is psychic medium who helps the people of Myrtle Beach with their ghostly while also running Grand Strand Ghost Tours. Vic D'Amato is a Myrtle Beach Homicide Detective who goes to get a reading to hopefully get some help with a confusing case where he meets Simon. it doesn't go well at first for him not being a true believer. Separately they try to solve the Slitter case when all comes to head Vic needs to accept what is happening or loose Simon forever.

Kale Willams does a great job bringing this story to life.