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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-format: audiobook, Genre: General Fiction, thriller, Publish Date: Jan 24, 2024

Wow, just wow! This book took me through all of the emotions! Teagan is one tough and determined woman. Trying to find her way through the misfortunes life dealt her, she accidentally ends up taking on a terrorist organization. She shows true strength and ferocity protecting her family and their future by staying true to herself and what is truly right. We see her character grow exponentially with each challenge presented to her. Braden Wight did a really good job narrating. I don’t usually like male narrators because my experience has been that the female voices end up very falsetto. That was not the case with this audiobookThe male and female voices by Braden were easy to listen to and follow the story.- S📖

Thank you @NetGalley, #MichaelEbner, and @penandpicturebooks for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy for an honest review!

#TheNewBadThing #NetGalley #penandpicture #thriller #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #TheMidNOCBookClub

The New Bad Thing is a story that could be described as falling in the "espionage" type of tale. Teagen, the protagonist's part was very well written and the character hopped off the page. This type of story though, does not appeal to me, as I thought that I was going to be reading a thriller.

What a ride this book was, yet it somehow it didn't hook me as much as I thought it would. Sure, it started out with a bang, main girl Teagan being in a hotel in France and it was under attack by terrorists. Then the book shifted to her being a reporter then somehow she was talking to some mafia dude and being questioned of how she knew whomever. AND THEN...you also would learn that she was struggling to have a baby with her husband. Okay, with all that, this being an espionage crime thriller, I somehow liked most of everyone else except Teagan herself. This book moved, had its thrilling moments, but I wasn't too eager to keep going. I needed something that I couldn't pinpoint to rally me in each time the perspective changed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well, this was quite the surprise!

We start out with Teagan, who is a journalist in her late 30’s. She and her husband are trying to have a baby…with no luck.

We find her in a hotel in France where terrorists are shooting up people in the hallway and just killing any and everyone. At this point, Teagan makes a call…not to her husband, but to another man…the only one she thinks MAY be able to help her, only to find out that he was the one who sent these men there!

Yes…in the first five minutes of the book! Wait, what????

So we move on from this point to learn about her family, and just how she got herself involved in this situation. And it’s a doozy…
And she’s becoming quite the badass!

We learn about mafia ties in Italy, as well as warfare worldwide. Drugs and death and everything in between!

But this is a multifaceted book with lots of characters and lots of moving parts that will keep you on your toes throughout! And did I mention suspense? Well, lots of that too!!

And as all the pieces are slowly revealed, you may find yourself with your mouth HANGING WIDE OPEN, like mine was!

And fair warning, in the last half hour or so of the book, you may want to read it ALONE, not like I did, as I yelled out HOLY CRAP…THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN!! 😮😮😮

This is book one in the series, and I’m looking forward to continuing the story to see what else Teagan may have up her sleeve!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PenAndPicture for an ARC of this audiobook which was just released on November 28.

#TheNewBadThing by #MichaelEbner and narrated well by #BradenWright.

Check out all my upcoming reads and previews on FB @ #BookReviewsWithElaine or on IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr

Happy Reading! 📚📖

Synopsis:
Teagan is successful in her own right, but she’s not the crusader journalist she aspired to be in college. She needs a personal distraction and decides to make a difference in the world. When a foreign news story shocks her to the core, she takes matters into her own hands and starts a special project. But not everybody will be happy about her plans. When Teagan travels to Paris to deal with a project setback, she wakes up in a luxury hotel in the middle of a terrorist siege.

Review:
This book started strongly, so I had high hopes, but as it progressed, my interest waned. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with Teagen particularly well and didn't find the narrator that engaging either. This seems to have mixed reviews, so clearly is a bit for some, just not in my case.
⭐️⭐️
*I received an audiobook ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.This is my unbiased review.

The New Bad Thing is a mystery, crime, thriller novel that had me hooked in from the very beginning! I’m not normally someone who likes audiobooks just because I can read physical books faster but, the story and plot was really unique and interesting that I kept listening. The narrator is also something so important in audiobooks and I found that the narrator was perfect for this story. The character’s voices were exactly how I imagined them.

Before going into this audiobook, please know that the story includes talk about miscarriages, and struggles with fertility.

I enjoyed this audiobook so much and hope you enjoy it too!

Thank you to Pen and Picture Books for sending me this ARC!!

Espionage, mafia and action packed - Yes please! This read like a movie.

Teagan and Todd are struggling to have a baby. After a few miscarriages and not feeling fulfilled with her job she decides to go to Paris and start her own project to help and rescue enslaved girls by a terrorist organisation called KIL.

Waking the next morning in her hotel, she awakens to the terrorists killing hotel guests and a new nightmare. Are they after her?

Told in past and present timelines, Ebner gives depth to our main characters and at times was quite emotional.

It’s fast paced, intense and edge of your seat writing. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @penandpicture for and ALC 🎧

This one was a tough one for me. It started really well with Teegan being caught up in a hotel in Paris in the middle of a terrorist siege, where she ends up killing a couple of the terrorists. The pace was good and I was excited at the prospect of where this could go.

It then changed direction somewhat and become a slow meander of a story that struggled to keep my interest. After the siege, Teegan is taken to a French police station where she is questioned and then pulled aside by an American Agent and is blackmailed to do an assignment for him or get thrown to the wolves.

The American agent, is actually being controlled by an Italian Mafia style family and unbeknown to Teegan, she has been working for their number one target and they want her to terminate him. Teegan btw is pregnant, so she persuades them to allow her to have the baby before she sets off on her task to find and eradicate the gangs number one enemy.

For a shortish book, this seemed to go on for ages. The story is actually ok, it just lacked teeth and pace. I gave this 3/5.

Title: The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner
Narrated by: Braden Wright

Synopsis:
Teagan, a once-aspiring journalist now seeking a personal distraction, embarks on a mission to make a difference in the world. However, her venture leads her into a web of danger and intrigue when she becomes entangled in a terrorist siege in Paris. Subsequently, she's coerced by European Counterterrorism agent Robert Lexington to locate a high-priority individual named Roman. Teagan's journey across continents demands her expertise as an interviewer and investigator, all to ensure her family's survival.

Narration:
Braden Wright's narration in this inaugural book of 'The New Bad Thing' series was captivating. The pacing, action, and myriad twists kept the audiobook engaging and fast-paced from start to finish. It was an enthralling blend of conspiracy, action, and excitement that made it an outstanding listen.

Thoughts:
The story primarily revolves around Teagan, a woman in her late thirties, desperate to start a family but diverted by the unfolding events involving the terrorist group K.I.L. The narrative unfolds non-linearly, weaving together seemingly disparate events that eventually converge. Teagan's character, scarred by a past incident, exhibits an unpredictable mix of fearlessness and vulnerability, particularly regarding her desire for a child.

Review:
While the storyline eventually coalesces into a cohesive narrative, my reservations lie in my inability to connect with or believe in the major characters. Additionally, the narrative's non-linear structure, with overlapping events and timeframes, didn't resonate with my preferences for storytelling. However, the core story holds promise, leaving me contemplative about the next installment.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend 'The New Bad Thing' for its gripping narrative, though it may not suit those averse to non-chronological storytelling. The audiobook format, narrated by Braden Wright, adds depth and intensity to the thrilling storyline.

Final Thoughts:
A well-crafted thriller with a complex protagonist navigating perilous circumstances, 'The New Bad Thing' presents a compelling story set against a backdrop of terrorism and personal struggle.


Thank you Netgalley!

3.5 rounded up. Fast paced action packed story. Was fun to listen(the audiobook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley). Very well written story with complex heroine.
I liked that the story line is not truly chronological, the chapters jump back to the past and reveal interesting facts and events, which gives us hints to what is happening in the present.
I really like the character of the main heroine, Teagan, and enjoyed to follow her in her journey through the story; but I didn’t really pay attention to other major characters, they didn’t seem realistic to me.
I liked variety of the topics covered by the author: mafia, terrorism, fertility, marriage... The author put us to the edge to think how far person can go in order to survive, to save the loved ones.
Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for this audio book.

Teagan Penn's character was well written. I enjoyed The New Bad Thing and can't wait for Blood Fir (book 2) to release. This was an action packed story.

Teagan is an report who gets interviews from celebrities and high ranking officials. It is how she scored an interview with Roman, an criminal who no one can access. Teagan also asks for Roman's help in raising funds to save kidnapped women and children. It is something close to her heart since she has struggled to get pregnant. Roman needs up betraying her and stealing millions from the fund. Her access to Roman leads to an Italian MAFIA forcing her to help them hunt Roman down and kill him. She is successful but it came at the expense of her husband's life (not by the MAFIA).