The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner is a mystery thriller that takes you on a roller coaster ride from the beginning. This thriller is action packed, starting from the very beginning when the main character, Teagan, is trapped in a Paris hotel room while armed terrorists are hunting her down. As the story unfolds, you discover just how she ended up being targeted and hunted by a terrorist group
The story switches from the present to the past several times due the story, revealing layers of Teagan’s personality and the reasons behind some of her decisions. After her ordeal in Paris, she becomes embroiled in a man hunt for a scam artist that is wanted by multiple agencies. But this puts her , her husband, and their unborn child in jeopardy. The story is fast paced for the most part, the center of the book slows down, but quickly picks back up at the end.
Danger mystery and suspense come at you from beginning to end, constantly revealing new information about Teagan and those around her. I’m definitely interested in seeing where the author plans to take the series and what other things will happen to and with Teagan.
The narrator for the audiobook was easy to listen to. He is very easy to listen to.

Teagan and Todd have been trying to have have a baby for years but unfortunately they have been unable to conceive. Teagan needed something else to focus on so she started a fund to help kidnapped girls but unfortunately the funds are taken by a greedy partner. When Teagan travels to Paris, she finds herself in a terrorist attack at the hotel she's staying at which started a terrifying but new time in her life.

I thought this was a great concept for a book and I found it engaging and easy to follow. I thought the characters were very well developed and the settings were very descriptive. I enjoyed the thrill of the book, it was very fast paced and actioned packed entangling mafia and terrorists. I did have a hard time with the talk about miscarriages and that could be a potential trigger for people but I DO understand why there was continual talk about it. I liked that the book goes back and forth between the past and the present, it helps develop the characters and setting. I really enjoyed the narration by Braden Wright, I found it easy to distinguish the characters and I enjoyed the voices.

This is the first book I've read by Michael Ebner but it will not be the last. I'm excited to see the next installment of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pen and Picture for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm typically a thriller and espionage person and have read others like Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, Ben Coes, David Baldacci (to name just a few) quite faithfully. I had high hopes for Ebner's The New Bad Thing but have to admit that I had a really hard time following the narrative. I'm not sure if this was because of the audiobook and the flashback and present not being marked really well, whether it was just relatively hard to follow, or whether it just didn't keep my attention and so my mind wandered, but I struggled to make sense of the various plot lines in the book. The characters were likable enough, but I just couldn't fully understand their motivation. The MC Teagan Penn is a reporter living a seemingly quiet life and who has never taken someone else's life, but when the hotel she is staying at gets attacked, she seemingly has no qualms about killing a terrorist (or two) and moving on with her life as though nothing really happened? I just couldn't buy it. I see how others might like this kind of book, but it unfortunately wasn't for me.

This was a good listen but I can imagine it would be a great movie.. I found it entertaining and quite refreshing from the normal books I read, good to have a change

Page turner from start to finish. Two timelines but fits in perfectly with the story so doesn’t add to confusion

I really like the main heroin character, Teagan, and enjoyed her journey of terrorism, fertility, marriage and gangsters

Thank you to Netgalley and Pen and Picture

3.5 ⭐️ I enjoyed this crime thriller. Not your average crime solver either, I liked that aspect of the main character being a reporter who gets thrust onto the other side of things. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was pretty good and easy to listen to. Finished this book in one day. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Pen and Picture for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

This was a fast paced thriller involving the CIA and the Mafia through North America and Europe.

Teagan is an evolved character showing you an action packed adventure.

This book touches on a lot of sensitive subjects and depicts terrorism in a foreign country.

I enjoyed how fast paced the book was, but the amount of characters and events made it confusing at times.

The first book in a new thriller series. I was drawn in from the start and enjoyed the ride in the fast paced, gritty book. I liked Teagan and connected with her right away. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

I thought it was an interesting choice to have a man narrate Teagan's story. There are male characters, but the story seemed to center around her. It's narrated by Braden Wright. I enjoyed listening to his deep voice and with the chapters clearly labeled when they were in the past, I had no issues following the dual timeline.

This is a fast paced thriller that involves terrorist organisations, the Mafia and the CIA, amongst others, and spans North America and Europe. So there is a lot going on! The audiobook narration drew you in to this web but could be a little soporific at times, which was a stark contrast to the events being described.
There are descriptions of the processes involved in fertility treatments so anyone who has gone through that, or especially if they are currently experiencing this, may want to bear that in mind. It is justified within the story but could be triggering for some.
The female protagonist is a well drawn and believable character, as someone who finds themselves in extreme circumstances their responses are credible, where they could easily have fallen into parody. It felt at times that there was a lot of groundwork being done to set the scene for future books but it was still an enjoyable listen.

Not my normal kind of read but I really enjoyed this one, great plot, intricate characters, kept me listening over 3 days while on holiday, have recommended to friends

The New Bad thing is an espionage thriller. I listened to the audio version. There are many characters and plot twists. It took me a while to get through the story since I had to often rewind. I had trouble keeping up with characters. I think I would have enjoyed this more as a paper book. But otherwise it was a very good story that kept you guessing. Will read again.

"The New Bad Thing" by Michael Ebner was a rollercoaster ride packed with action, but it faltered on some of the turns. While the fast-paced narrative and tenacious protagonist, Teagan, kept me engaged, certain aspects left me wanting more.

Strengths:

Fast-paced thriller: The story throws you right into the action, whisking Teagan from journalist to unwilling spy/assassin. The constant danger and twists kept me guessing.
Strong protagonist: Teagan's transformation from an ordinary woman to a fierce protector of her family was powerful. Her unwavering determination to survive and return to her son resonated deeply.
Emotional core: The inclusion of motherhood as a central theme added depth and weight to the violence and suspense. Seeing Teagan's fight for her child fueled my desire for her success.
Weaknesses:

Graphic depictions: While some may appreciate the gritty realism, the brutality and focus on terrorism went beyond my personal preference.
Uneven handling of sensitive themes: The impact of terrorist events on the characters felt minimized, which lessened the emotional weight of those scenes.
Confusing narrative: Frequent jumps in timeline and perspective were jarring, requiring effort to re-orient myself each chapter.
Overall:

"The New Bad Thing" is a thrilling read with a relatable protagonist, but its reliance on graphic violence and uneven treatment of sensitive topics may not appeal to everyone. If you enjoy action-packed thrillers with a strong female lead, but have a low tolerance for gore and terrorism, proceed with caution.

The New Bad Thing
by Michael Ebner
A story of Mafia, and the repercussions of their control. Starting with an innocent attempt to protect young girls a media investigator is connected to the Italian mafia and found that everything was seen controlled an allowed by this criminal enterprise. Her knowledge of a prior mafia hitman made her important for the mafia. She is required to find and kill the man to save her family.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was wild. There was a lot of action packed into such a small package. I was in awe of Teagan and her tenacity. I was gripped by this story and all that was going on for her. Teagan was such a strong character who just wanted to make a positive impact on the world, but was instead thrown into a world of Italian mobs looking to blackmail her and force her into a horrible job.

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
I went into this book blind, as I do most thrillers, and I strongly suggest that readers look at the synopsis before reading. I was not expecting the graphic depictions of murder and a strong focus on terrorism.

Despite this, the book is a quick, action-packed mystery thriller as we follow Teagan from journalist to spy (assassin??). This main character is the strongest person and I liked following her change into a person willing to do anything to protect her family. The themes of motherhood were good because, with all this gore and murder, her baby is at the top of her mind. She did it all for him. That point was the strongest for me, and I kept rooting for her to make it out of the Italian mafia and get back to her husband.

On the other hand, there were a few flaws with this book. The times when terrorism came into play to advance the plot, I felt as though it was not handled well. It seemed as though the characters weren’t affected by the gruesome events as they should. Personally, I did not like the terrorism in this book in the slightest. I get that it was part of the plot, but I do not enjoy reading about it. Also, it was a little hard to keep up with the plot because the narrative jumped timelines and points of view many times. At the beginning of the chapters, it would take me a minute to fully place where we were and if we were in the past or present.

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner is a good book for those seeking an intriguing and suspenseful story that delves into journalism, government, and terrorism, with a strong focus on Teagan’s journey.

2.5/5

“The New Bad Thing” by Michael Ebner is a fast-paced mystery thriller that has an ominous feeling. The author’s description of Teagan and her path to finding the truth becomes more treacherous as it unfolds. Suspense and intrigue are present in this book, as it does not only tell about a reporter who is trapped in a terrorist attack in a foreign country, but also about her passion for making change, which comes through strongly. The stakes are heightened when her family’s survival now depends on her locating Roman, a man who has kept himself hidden.

The plot races along at breakneck speed, with much more to say than just about Teagan. Her skills have become very crucial since she is the only one who has seen Roman in the past decade. Although this book is a real hair-raiser, some things seem purposefully left hanging, indicating that they might be solved in other subsequent publications. The first book, “The New Bad Thing,” sets up several things so well that it makes another worthwhile reading. Thus, once finished reading this novel, one cannot wait to see how different characters and their activities unfold with time.

It was easy to listen to the audiobook, and the way it was narrated increased the suspense and drama. “The New Bad Thing” seems to be a pretty good beginning of a series that will most likely delve deeper into its intricacies. Michael Ebner’s expertise in storytelling entertains and leaves listeners hoping that more secrets will be revealed in forthcoming books.

(Note: This review is based on an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of the book.)

Wow, explosive doesn’t come close!
Reagan and Todd have been trying to start a family for a while. After a couple of miscarriages, and two failed IUI attempts, Teagan decides she needs a distraction. She sets up a charity, tells Todd she’s off to Portland and goes to Paris! She wakes to find her hotel under siege and terrorists are going through the hotel floor by floor shooting everyone in sight…..what has she got herself into?
Lies, conflicts and just some plain nasty people - can anyone be trusted?
I loved Teagan despite her naivety and loved Todd because of his devotion to Teagan.
I would highly recommend the audiobook and can’t wait for the next one…

I haven’t read a crime/thriller book in so long, and I am SO glad this is the one I got the opportunity to read! I loved it so much!
As a mom, my heart hurt for Teagan, and what she went through.

This Spy Thriller felt like a great mix of Alias and Red Sparrow but set in Paris and Italy; all covered in the love of family and the desperation to keep them safe.
I enjoyed my time reading this and my only complaint was that I truly didn't care about her handler and reading his viewpoints, lol.

I would absolutely recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

A couple twists I was not expecting. The story was well thought out and written. I was hoping for a happy ending for Teagan but it wasn’t the full happy ending I wanted her to have. The new bad thing was easy listening with the audiobook.

The New Bad Thing is very intriguing although I didn’t connect with Teagan’s choices and felt she was not well suited for espionage. I just didn’t connect with her as I’d hoped. I think how she withdrew from her family n randomly called a terrorist during an attack they inferred as a reporter who had no ties to larger stories could possibly be a target was a bit confusing and as the story progressed even the flashbacks where a bit far stretched and convoluted. The book is filled with high intrigue and spins a fascinating web I just didn’t feel pulled in. The narrator was good and did the characters well so I can’t say that was a reason I didn’t fully get into the storyline. It’s honestly a great book about high stakes situations and catching the bad guys. If you like this author I feel you will like the book so in that aspect I recommend it. There was plenty I liked about it and I feel it was my failure to connect with Teagan that didn’t flow for me. Give it a chance it’s a solid book.