It is a puzzling death in the New Mexico badlands. The victim went out into the desert, shedding clothes as she walked, and died a horrible death of heatstroke and thirst. When her skeleton is found, her bony hands are clutching two incredibly rare lightning stones, stones that the ancient Chaco people used to summon the gods.
When FBI Agent Corrie Swanson is assigned to the case, she can't quite believe that someone would choose to commit suicide in that manner. With the presence of the rare artifacts, she calls in archaeologist Nora Kelly to help her investigate.
Then a second body is found-- in exactly the same circumstances. Corrie and Nora pursue their investigation into remote canyons, finding haunted ruins and learning about long-lost rituals. They have awakened a dark power that will put their lives in danger.
~
I have been a fan of Preston and Child's Nora Kelly series from the very first book (Old Bones). I have learned so much about the landscape and history of New Mexico in reading the series, and Badlands is no exception. This fast-paced tale had me exploring remote areas along with Nora and Corrie and learning more about the Pueblo and Navajo cultures. (Never skip the Author's Notes at the end of the books.)
The progression of the lives of the characters has completely won me over. Corrie continues to grow as an FBI agent, and Sheriff Homer Watts, with his immaculate cowboy hat and pearl-handled six-shooters, tries his best to always ride in to save the day whenever his damsel, Corrie, is in danger.
I do have to admit that I did get annoyed with Nora, as she knowingly put herself in danger (what I call a TSTL Moment-- Too Stupid To Live), and her feckless brother, Skip, never ceases to amaze me. Is his luck ever going to run out? Especially when he becomes friends with the local law unto himself rich guy.
As much as I enjoyed the characters, the story, and all the things I learned, I couldn't totally buy into what caused the women's deaths. It was a tad too far-fetched and had my suspension bridge of disbelief swaying wildly in the breeze. Is that going to keep me from reading the next book in the series? Of course not! I'm ready to read it right now.
Badlands by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
eISBN: 9781538765852
Grand Central Publishing © 2025
eBook, 362 pages
Thriller, #5 Nora Kelly & Corrie Swanson
Rating: B+
Source: Net Galley
Oh, as soon as I read about that TSTL moment, Cathy, I knew exactly what you meant, and it gave me pause. Why do characters do those things? Anyway, I like the New Mexico setting, and I enjoy learning as I read. I often think I've learned at least as much from the fiction I've read as any non-fiction book I've read.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe the number of times I've been watching quiz shows like Jeopardy! and !mpossible and had the correct answer because of the mysteries I've read!
DeleteI've been a fan of Preston's and Child's books since they wrote Relic. I'm looking forward to reading this one. And what a cool setting! :D
ReplyDeleteIt is a great setting. Ever since Denis and I spent a week in Santa Fe, I've often thought if I hadn't moved here to Arizona, it would've been New Mexico.
DeleteMy husband has been the one that has read a bunch of books by these authors. I'll tell him about this new one. As to TSTL moments - yep, know exactly what you mean. Ha!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the outcome of the TSTL, I think the authors were just toying with me. Shame on them! ;-)
DeleteI always enjoy the diversion of another novel from these two, and already have my hold in at the library for a fun summer read. I'm likely to join you in not letting the TSTL moment put me off reading more - I'm usually willing to let the Authors' Notes balance one of those out
ReplyDeleteTheir Authors' Notes are always worth the read.
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