Although I’ve read several books by authors Preston and Child, this was the first time I got to read a title in the series with FBI agent Corrie Swanson and archaeologist Nora Kelly. I just loved the setting because I hardly know anything about the history and people of New Mexico so I’ve not only read a good story, I’ve learned several new facts. Thanks to the authors for the excellent research and the epilogue with explanations about what’s real and what’s not.
Corrie and Nora and Nora’s brother Skip also end up with thinking about what’s real and what's not, but in a whole other way. They start with trying to find out why some successful and intelligent women end up dead in the desert, and they end with learning a whole lot more than just why these women choose a horrible dead.
It is a fast paced story with good characters and it can be read as a stand-alone. I read my first book by Douglas Preston in 2005 (!) and although I only read a handful of titles by him and/or Lincoln Child, I’m never disappointed. One day I hope to find the time to read more books in the Pendergast universe.

Thanks to Aria & Aries and Netgalley for this review copy.

Corrie Swanson returns in this excellent thriller. A skeleton is found with lightning stones from an indigenous tribe, she calls in Nora Kelly to help he. Full of adventure and mystery this is a welcome return of this intrepid duo. I would highly recommend this book, and is different to their Penderghast series but just as enjoyable. Thanks to Aria & Aries and Netgalley for this review ARC.

"Badlands," co-written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, stands out as an exceptional action-packed thriller that grabs your attention from the very first page. This novel is the fifth installment in the gripping series centred around the resourceful archaeologist Nora Kelly and the dedicated FBI Agent Corrine “Corrie” Swanson. What’s particularly commendable is its ability to serve as a standalone narrative. It allows new readers to jump right into the excitement while showcasing strong, capable female protagonists who break the mould.

The story starts with the unsettling discovery of a skeleton in the harsh, rugged landscape of the New Mexico badlands. FBI Agent Corrie Swanson swiftly takes on the investigation, unravelling the mystery behind the remains of a woman who appears to have ventured deep into the unforgiving desert. Stripping away her clothing piece by piece as she succumbed to the relentless heat and thirst, the investigation reveals clues that hint at a harrowing tale. Among the bones, Corrie finds a spearpoint and two rare greenish pebbles that pique the interest of her colleague, Nora Kelly.

Upon closer examination, Nora identifies the stones as “lightning stones,” highly unusual artifacts made from a mineral called prasiolite. When rubbed together, these stones emit a dazzling display of green light, adding a mystical element to the story. The body is subsequently identified as Molly Vine, a science teacher who mysteriously vanished five years prior.

As the investigation deepens, the discovery of a second body sends shockwaves through the case. The remains belong to Mandy Driver, who had worked in archaeology related to fracking at a company called Geo. Mandy clutched a green lightning stone in her hand, suggesting an ominous connection between the two deceased women. Corrie and Nora’s investigation thrusts them into a maze of clues that point towards Professor Oskarbi, a figure whose ties to both victims stem from their time at the University of New Mexico. His fascination with the Gallinas, an indigenous group decimated by the Chaco Canyon people in the 13th century, brings an intriguing historical layer into the narrative, raising questions about the cultural significance of the lightning stones.

Preston and Child deliver another captivating narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. "Badlands" is a riveting thriller that kept my heart racing from start to finish. The pacing is expertly crafted, maintaining a lightning-fast rhythm that pulls readers through the story. The vivid descriptions of the New Mexico landscape create a palpable sense of place, immersing readers in this dramatic setting. While some elements may require a suspension of disbelief, the authors skillfully interweave real historical facts into the story's fabric, enhancing its overall authenticity.

Corrie and Nora emerge as formidable characters as the plot thickens, showcasing their intelligence, insight, and competency. It’s a joy to witness their dynamic partnership grow, as both women navigate the complex layers of the investigation. Supporting characters, like Nora's brother Skip, who frequently makes questionable choices, and Corrie’s friend Sheriff Watts, add depth and nuance to the narrative, each contributing to the unfolding drama in their own ways.

"Badlands" is an outstanding choice for enthusiasts of action-packed thrillers, blending history, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural into a page-turning experience you won’t want to put down. Prepare to be captivated as you race towards the climax—you’ll likely find yourself reading this gripping tale in one exhilarating sitting.

Thanks to Aria & Aries for providing me with an e-ARC through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

I loved reading the Pendergast books so when I came across this book I was thrilled.

It's a good read, very different from the previous books, and I think I might have to come back to it again at a later date and give it another go to enjoy it more.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Twisty, dark, tense, and exciting.
I was happy to catch up with Nora and the gang, fascinated by the archaeological side, kept on the edge by the creepy background
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have long regarded the books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, both their joint and solo efforts, as some of the finest pieces of escapist fiction that you can find. Over time I tired a bit of their books about FBI Special Agent Pendergast, but I have really enjoyed their more recent series about archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI Agent Corrie Swanson.

Bad Lands is the latest entry in the series and it is another fun read full of sharp characterisations, interesting dollops of information and an entertaining plot that becomes wilder as it goes along.

In the New Mexico badlands, the skeleton of a woman is found. The victim apparently walked into the desert, shedding clothes as she went, and died in an 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. Agent Swanson is assigned the case and she brings in archaeologist Nora Kelly to offer technical advice. When a second body is found, exactly like the first, the two realise that 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 potentially confronting a dark power from the past.

This is not a race-along thriller, like Preston’s recent Extinction, but is a moderately paced tale that keeps the reader interested through its intriguing central conceit and the uncertainty about where it is all heading. Swanson’s investigation gradually reveals an unsettling web of craziness and two evocative journeys, one into a remote part of Mexico and the other across a barren landscape ruined by gas fracking, help to drive the story along and increase the suspense. The background information and conjecture about the demise of the Chaco people is fascinating and the final climax is spooky and very bloody. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Oooh, this was another excellent book from Preston and Child. The core characters of the series are the same, the dogged and kind Corrie, the dedicated expert Nora and the potential love interest in Watts. There is the slightly off the rails brother, the old fashioned colleagues who sometimes flash with brilliance and the FBI procedure that needs to be followed. The book is set in and out of the dessert with amazing landmasses, stone pillars and rocky skylines, the descriptions grabbed me so much that I spent far too much time on Google looking at images to get a feel for the atmosphere.. The painting of the colours and heat and exhaustion were great and the different threads are all told with aplomb and woven together in a gripping way. I can’t wait for more.

I do so enjoy the work of these two authors and they've delivered another excellent tale. What starts out as an investigation into human remains found in the Badlands develops into a much bigger, more widespread case. Nora and Corrie really have their work cut out for them. Plenty of action, intriguing twists and turns, and the supernatural twist to finish it all off. Great read!
Thanks to Netgalley, Aria & Aries, and Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Slow start, but boy does it heat up into an unputdownable story. The sense of place is also foreboding and ramps up the pressure, the desert is so well described that you can really imagine the heat. I really liked the characters too.

What a great book! There’s so much to enjoy here, not the least of it being the in depth information on archeology which underpins the core mystery. This is a real ensemble in terms of characters, with Nora and Corrie both offering such great story lines and relationships, including the interesting off-shoot plot line with Skip. Of course, this is well written. These authors have long demonstrated their skills in that regard and this book is no exception, with consistent pacing and credible dialogue,

A really fascinating novel, which gave me information about things that I did not know before, such as recording being done on wax cylinders and native American people and their artifacts. This did not detract from the story, which was good. Corrie Swanson, a young FBI agent has to investigate a woman, found in the desert, naked. Anyone who wants a good read is recommended to obtain this book.