Badlands

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

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

Great novel about New Mexico and Native Americans

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.

good, but....

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.

Too gruesome

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

Excellent!

I enjoyed this very much, all aspects and can't wait for the next book in this series.

Binged through

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

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

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.

Narrator does not enhance book

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

another solid read.

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

Romance with a twist.

Loved the character development. A romance but not one too explicit for young readers or sedate older audiences.

A fun read

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