The New Bad Thing

Tiegan is a journalist in Seattle that has allowed her to interview many superstars. However, there is one thing that Tiegan wants which is a family more than anything. To take her mind off her desire she starts an organization that has to remain off the radar because she’s saving woman and their children from terrorist. Her organization that she has started introduces her to a dangerous man and puts herself in danger. Tiegan wakes up in the middle of a terrorist attack at a Paris hotel that she’s staying at. At that moment her life starts to unravel and she has to fight for her life.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

Book Title: The New Bad Thing
Author: Michael Ebner
Series: The New Bad Things Book #1
Narrator: Braden Wright
Publisher: Pen and Picture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Pages: 270
My Rating: 3.4 Stars

Journalist Teagan Penn and her husband Todd are in their later thirties and have wanted to start a family; so far no success. It appears nothing it wrong with either one of them` but decided to see a fertility doctor. Meds and a diet are supposed to help. Teagan has always wanted to be a mother perhaps not a stay-at-home mom but still a mother.
Trying not to stress over her personal situation a foreign news story gets her attention.
She takes matters into her own hands and starts a special project and ends up in Paris and soon finds herself in the middle of a terrorist siege. She fears this might be a planned attack on her life.
She is now forced to make a decision that may affect her and her family forever.
It is indeed ~ the new bad thing.

Story had me curious right from the beginning.
However, I have a low tolerance for profanity and was sure cruel nasty terrorist were going to be using a lot of nasty language.
Glad I hung in as the story did turn out better than I expected.

This is the first in the series with Book #2 [book: Blood Fire] in the works.

Want to thank NetGalley and Pen and Picture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 16, 2023

Thrilling, powerful and entertaining

It’s all about the choices we make in life and this book is very much about that with our lead character Teagan and other two main characters, Roman and Lexington. This is an espionage crime thriller with lots of flashbacks to provide rich backstories of our key players. I am an avid reader of crime from Michael Connelly, Richard Price and Dennis LeHane, and this was right up my alley. I am withholding any spoilers. Thank you to Netgalley and Pen and Picture for advance copy. I will be reading the next book in this new series.

When the book starts Teagan is at a hotel in France and it’s being attacked by terrorists but when she calls her “friend “back in New York who she thinks is the only person who can help only to find out he was the one who sent the hit on her in the first place I thought there’s no way this book can get better Teagan doesn’t have a large family her mom left her dead after getting their life savings to a Ponzi scheme and then ran off with the man who introduced the Ponzi scheme to her so it’s just Teagan her dad her husband Todd and eventually their new baby Ellise so needless to say Teagan would do anything to protect anyone of them and eventually she’ll have to prove that. This book is toll from the past and the present and it all comes together to make for one action packed OMG filled story I didn’t give a detailed summary only because I don’t like reading reviews where they pretty much tell the whole story so I will just say if you like books with strong likable female leads then you will Love The New Bad Thing what Teagan goes through is every new mother‘s nightmare but the ending makes it worth it I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I thought the narrator did a pretty good job and set a great tone for the book. I received it from NetGalley and a publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

The first in a new series of thrilling and well written book. Tiegan wakes up in the middle of a terrorist assault on the hotel where she is staying, from then on things begin to take her on a deadly journey to protect her family. Braden Wright narrates this book perfectly hope he stays for the next book.
I received this audiobook from Pen & Picture and Netgalley for a review.

A mad-as-hell reporter determined to save her family in a murky, international espionage situation doesn’t really sum this story up. This book was a great surprise, and is the first in The New Bad Thing series by Michael Ebner. There are origin stories, double-crosses, touching moments, international scenery and peaks and troughs of refreshing action. There is darkness, light, hope and gun fights. Narrator, Braden Wright, is a good fit for the material.
My full review is on Goodreads.

Stretching the tale of deception across many countries is a story that explores human deficiencies, which sends you in to a world of exploitation, deceit and horror.
It took a while to grab, but once hooked you cant escape!

Danger, desperation, hope, devisitation. Called to meet the needs of women, deceived by another, causes Teagen Penn to take on a mission that endangers herself and her family.
The narrator, Braden Wright was very soothing with great character distinction, varying fluctuations for dramatic effect and effective pace. Very enjoyable.
Overall, the book was action packed, exciting, and a definite page-turner. I loved the mystery of not knowing what happens next. Props to Michael Ebner.
I recommend this book to mystery/thriller lovers and adult fiction lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Picture for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

An exciting thriller read with twists that keep you guessing till the end! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner
Narrated by Braden Wright
Publisher: Pen and Picture
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: August 15, 2023

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner is a fascinating, thrill ride! This book had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. There was so much going on and it kept taking unexpected turns!

This book really asks the question "What would you do for your family? WOW!!!!

I really can't say enough about this book! I really hope the next book is released soon because I need more!!!

The narration by Braden Wright was fantastic!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Crime thriller readers of ordinary-people-in-extraordinary-circumstances will enjoy this acclaimed new series – where espionage and mafia worlds collide with Seattle reporter, Teagan Penn. By award-winning author, Michael Ebner, a Kirkus Reviews ‘Best Books of the Year’ author.

—

There was a LOT going on in this book. I’m not sure if it was simply because I listened on audio but I had a lot of trouble keeping up with what was going on in this story. Between the shady deals, jumping back and forth in time and a narrator I didn’t love (men trying to sound like women never really works in my opinion).

That being said, it was an interesting premise and I was able to make my way through it but I would definitely recommend getting a physical copy of this book - unless you’re REALLY good at following along to audiobooks, I am not.

For those of you who are into the mafia, terrorist, crime thriller reads this is definitely the book for you - and, it’s a series so you’ll have more to look forward to in the future!

This is a book I would recommend, and will certainly be buying in print to see how much I missed while listening along.

The New Bad Thing kept my interest the whole way through the book with an unexpected ending. Recommend!

#TheNewBadThing is a wild ride from Seattle, Washington to Paris and on to secret hideouts in the hills of Italy and Teagan Penn is driving! She's a dynamic and determined protagonist who gets caught up in way more than she ever signed on for. Teagan's original entry into this wild ride was launched out of the purest intentions: to support Middle Eastern girls who were being kidnapped by KIL-- a nefarious, shadowy terrorist organization -- by funding a project which would rescue these girls from peril. From there you'll have to read (or listen to a well-narrated audiobook) to see how wildly things spin out of control as CIA counter-terrorist agents, the Italian mafia, and KIL all intertwine to put Teagan (and her family) in mortal danger. This is the beginning of a New Bad Thing series and Teagan is a compelling and dynamic main character. THANKS to #NetGalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next installment -- Blood Fire (Michael Ebner).

I thought the plot was good and Teagan's character was very interesting and well constructed, which for me was more than enough to keep me hooked to the last page.
Thanks to NetGalley, the editor and the author for the opportunity to access this ARC.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

The New Bad Thing
Michael Ebner

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Wow!! This was a super fast-paced, around the world adventure full of action, conspiracy and excitement.

Teagan is a US journalist - one of the best! and has travelled the world interviewing superstars and gaining worldly knowledge throughout her career.
But all she and husband Todd want a is a baby. To make her family whole.

To take her mind off her main desire, she starts on a mission to save women and children from terrorist organisations.
While hosting a meeting for this organisation in a Paris hotel, they become the target of an attack by the terrorists and Teagan begins a whole journey that will again put her and her whole family at risk.

I wasn't sure about Teagan at first. The way she managed to act fast when attacked, made me wonder what she was hiding and why. Plus the fact that she'd lied to her husband about where she was going - so he didn't worry I guess - but made me somehow doubt her.

As the story develops we are given the background bit by bit and Teagan's past traumas help us to see why she acts the way she does.

She is a brilliant main character. Seemingly a reluctant heroine but is she really?
She's strong, determined, creative and certainly capable in many different situations - but will the final twist be too much.!?

There was so much happening in this the whole time that I literally couldn't put it down! Every time I needed to stop there's be another twist or another revaluation that meant I had to just read on.

The plot was really clever and I loved the slow release of information which meant that I was still forming opinions on characters right to the last page.

I think this is going to be one a series of books and I'm really excited to see where the journey takes us next.....




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

I seriously loved this! This would make an amazing movie! It kept me constantly on my toes. I listened to the audiobook, and the story telling was great. It had the perfect amount, in my opinion, of action and emotions that make a thriller type book an enjoyable read. The narrator kept reminding me of the lead actor in the series You. Now, I’m sitting here just wanting to know what happens next to Ellis & his momma, ugh!

I loved this book, It took you on a whirlwind tour through various countrysides and twisted around to completely boggle my mind at the end. It is a quick read.

Just enough thrill and mystery, very well written but beware this is the first of a series so make sure you want to invest.

I will definitely be reading the next one. I completely enjoyed this book.

International mystery by Michael Ebner with a very strong female protagonist at the center of the story.

What you can expect:
Italian mafia/CIA crossover.
Fast pacing.
Short chapters.
Fantastic narration.
Global crisscrossing.
Excellent reviews.

Thank you, Pen and Paper, for access to this compelling audiobook via the NetGalley app ahead of its August 15th publishing day. I'm excited to see a second book in this series is already in the works.

Braden Wright did a masterful job bringing these characters to life. His voice is gold.

This was my first audiobook. The story line was *interesting*. It started with one direction then ended up going an entirely different way. There was a couple big twists. One left me gasping out loud. The main character kicked butt and I enjoyed listening about her journey. Spoiler warning for what I am about to say so please do not continue if you have not read or finished the book so a large part of the book is not spoiled. If you read past this warning I did all the ranting I could do to prevent you from ruining the book. I do wish that there had been a conversation between the MC and Stefan(The guy who she was writing the story about) before she just killed him. It was too quick and I don’t even think she saw it coming. Most of the book lead up to that point and it just ended in less than a paragraph. I would’ve liked to have him explain himself at least.

This story focuses on heroes are in plain sight amongst us often been made through extreme tradergy or circumstance.
Loved the narrator even when describing extreme violence his voice control and tone were spot on. Attempts at ascens were good thankfully this wasnt needed too much.. The book burb tells what you need to know .its fill of action violence a complex heorine who becomes so in the end to get home. The opening of a series whi h kept me hooked throughtout. I loved tge ending but i was crying out for more. I gueese tgats hood writing as im invested in teegan and look firwatd to book 2.
Thank you net gallery and publisher for my arc audio

Frustrated and a little despondent, following a number of miscarriages, Teagan decides to set up a project seeking to rescue young girls taken from their homes as she's not sure she'll ever become a mother. While trying to set up Project Rebound, she brokers a partnership with Roman, a Mr Fixer character with a secret, dark past.

Having survived a terrorist attack while staying in a Parisian hotel (or at least an attack that KIL - the story's world renowned terrorist group - claim was carried out by them), Teagan is interrogated by Lexington, a US agent with a multitude of masters, including those who want to use Teagan's knowledge of Roman's movements to achieve their own aims.

A thrilling story which sees Teagan and her family become embroiled in a long running family feud which crosses a number of continents, I loved the multifaceted nature of the characters in this book. Having initially found Teagan a little cold, I found myself desperately hoping she could overcome all the odds faced, and regularly shared her joy and pain. Lexington too moves from being a character you think you can (and should) trust, to one you possibly should detest, albeit you can possibly understand the cause of some of his actions.

Interested to hear that there is another book in the 'series' coming later in the year, I am interested in checking it out, particularly if it has the same fast pace and interesting twists.

This story was intense to say the least. There was a lot of action and heartbreak and just dread. I really enjoyed it. It bounces from past and present but it’s easy to follow. I’m curious about the second book. The narrator did okay. It wasn’t my favorite audio book but the story itself made up for it.
Check triggers before reading! Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to listen

The New Bad Thing is a refreshing take on the espionage genre. I enjoyed the main character, Teagan. She is written and characterized realistically enough that I felt she was someone I knew personally by the time the book ended. Maybe because we’re both women, but her big personal “win” meant a lot to me after hearing about her struggle to get to that point. I hate reviews with spoilers so I won’t go in to detail about it! The plot is fast-paced and engaging; the action reads like a film. Ebner is an incredible author and I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

A great start to this new series! Ebner’s characters continually provide surprises as the story unfolds as each one deals with their strengths and weaknesses. The author’s wonderfully developed characters that you will love or otherwise love to hate make this a riveting read. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Picture Publishing who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This was my first Michael Ebner novel and it really pulled me in. Great fast paced thriller! Can't wait for more. The beginning of the audiobook was a touch hard to follow but it all fell in to place as I listened.

“A reporter confronts terrorists, the mafia and fertility issues in Ebner’s new series starter” (Kirkus Reviews). Teagan is successful in her own right but she’s not the crusader journalist she aspired to be back in college. She needs a personal distraction and decides to make a difference in the world to help others. 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 illegally funded venture. 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. Or is it a planned attack on her life?

Like other survivors from the siege, she is taken to a local police station. Routine questioning turns to intense interrogation by an American–a European Counterterrorism agent–Robert Lexington. She is the only one in custody who has seen Roman in the last ten years. Teagan is persuaded by Lexington to help locate him–a high priority person of interest–and in return she will avoid the courts and military prison back home. What follows is a challenging personal journey for Teagan across Europe and America. She must draw on her experience as a skilled interviewer, improviser and investigator to find the ghost-like Roman for her family's survival.

Very well written book, keep my attention with alot of action. I enjoyed listening/reading this book. I will also be reading the next book.

This was a fast paced thrill ride as we follow Teagan around the world in her bid to stop terrorism, the mafia, and corrupt people. I love Teagan's story arc in this novel, she starts off as an entertainment writer and turns into a kick-ass spy/tracker/assassin? willing to do anything to protect her family. Looking forward to reading "listening" to the second book in the series due to be released in the new year.

Braden Wright did a great job narrating this novel and I am excited to see that he is slated to narrate the next book as well. I love it when a series is narrated by the same person from book 1 to the end.

It’s a while since I’d read a Crime Thriller so gave this one a go after hearing others rave about it.

On the whole, The New Bad Thing has a decent plot, lots of action, and features some original situations. It is an Action Thriller with lots of shooting, sieges, running around, although Ebner has also created some interesting characters. Personally, I have never encountered a hero who is running around after terrorists whilst also being on IVF. This was refreshing. However, there’s a lot of backstory for all of the main characters, and personally, I found it rather lengthy and unnecessary at times, although it could be argued that the family histories, childhood griefs and past relationships all filled-out the characters to make them more credible.

Unfortunately, I really didn’t like the character of Teagan, and found her to be rather unemotional at times. For example, despite constantly being told how much she wanted a child, towards the end of the novel I couldn’t help feeling that she wasn’t going to turn out to be a particularly maternal figure. If you’re a fan of an action-packed, plot-driven narrative, then don’t let these aspects put you off though!

The audio book is narrated by Braden Wright. He did a good job of delivering this narrative with both emotion and intensity when necessary. It is 6 hours 52 minutes in length.

When Seattle reporter Teagen Penn starts working on a story she suddenly finds herself caught up in extraordinary position where in a heartbeat her life is forever changed…

Criss-crossing the globe, she’s forced to defend herself, forced to do things and become a person that makes her unrecognisable to her former self…

The story has 3 main characters - Teagen, Roman & Lexington - complex characters doing what needs to be done for their very own survival.

The Next Best Thing is fast-paced, intense & an action packed thriller.

The narrator (I listened to the audiobook) was just perfect!

This is a great start to the series. I’m really excited to see where the author takes this series!

What would you do for the safety of your family? Would you kill, would you run, would you hide? Well the gutsy, determined Kiegan must decide. THE NEW BAD THING by Michael Ebner had me on the edge of my seat from page one. I can't say enough good things about this book. I'm not going to give away the plot, because where would be the fun in that? However I will say, if you're looking for an exciting fast-paced book. Read it! Or better yet get the audio book it's fantastic!

This thriller reminds me a lot of the movie Salt. It definitely portrays the strong female character who would do anything to help keep her children safe from the spy world she had been a part of. This was my first time reading one of Michael Ebner's books. But I definitely can't wait to read more from him. If you like fast-paced action packed books this one is for you. I did the audio and loved the different accents that came through for various characters.

3.5
This was such a fast paced thriller. I listened in one sitting as I wanted to find out what happened next. That twist at the end! 😱
*Thanks to Pen & Picture and NetGalley for this audiobook review copy

This was a wild ride and I was totally here for it. I felt like I was Teagan while reading it, so that's a huge plus! I can't wait to see what happens in the follow-up book! I can't imagine the shit that she's going to burn down to get back at the crooked CIA agent!! What a piece of work!

The new bad thing by Michael Ebner is quite a ride. It starts on a high and just continues getting higher and higher and higher. The story of Teagan and her husband Todd, trying to have a baby can be very emotional, as well as the fear that she lives through in meeting criminals from Italy and Europe. It turns out that she becomes quite a gunmoll and has to use that ability to save her child. This was a great book! It was fun to read, and clearly written. Every single word was a tableau in my mind, Michael Ebner is a wonderfully descriptive writer. It was a quick read, and I really liked it. I listened to the audiobook, and whoever the narrator was, did a fabulous job. Every word was clear and his diction and elocution were perfect. I look forward to more books in this terrific series. Thank you, Michael Ebner.

Espionage usually isn’t my genre, but I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the MC Teagan. This book was action packed, fast paced and took us across various continents. The character development throughout was great! I’m looking forward to book two!

Thank you Net Galley and Pen and Picture for this advanced copy in extreme for my honest and voluntary review.

Interesting premise that sneaks up on you with powerful thrills, an intricate plot, and a kick ass heroine. I'm intrigued by the author and looking forward to what he comes up with next.

Id rate this as a solid 4.5 stars.

The New Bad Thing is the first book I've read/listened to by Michael Ebner. This is a very action packed novel. The main character, Teagan, finds herself in a current situation that could be life or death. The plot focuses on the present circumstances and then will flashback to past events that lead to a situation happening in another country. This book covers topics from Mafia involvement, terrorism, conmen, saving "stolen" girls, marriage, & just plain survival. In the end, how far will a person go to save themselves & their family.

Trigger Warning - Some may find the infertility struggle a TW.

*Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

The New Bad Thing from Michael Ebner hooked me immediately as the novel opens with a Seattle reporter, Teagan, in a Paris hotel that is under attack from the terrorist group K.I.L.

Alternating between past and present, we learn Teagan is needing a distraction after a recent miscarriage. Her focus lands on helping young women escape the terrorist group K.I.L. Previously Teagan is well known as a reporter celebrities are comfortable with because she doesn’t seek out salacious details about their lives. Because of her well-known connections, she wants to reach out to Roman, someone who is involved in “Project Rebound” which is devoted to rescuing girls recruited against their will to join terrorists organizations. In a strange turn of events, while Teagan is visiting Roman to ask for his help with her new found crusade, he asks her to be a ghost writer for his autobiography.

As Teagan heads to Europe, everything she thinks she knows is turned upside down as she finds herself in a Paris hotel under attack. She also seems be the target of the attack. Is it due to her desire to help rescue girls and find out who is responsible for it or has Roman deceived her and offered her on a plate as an offering?

I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading! This action-packed, international espionage based game of cat and mouse is not my normal genre but I am so thankful for NetGalley, Pen and Picture Publishing, and Michael Ebner for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this! I can’t wait to continue the series!

Teagan is desperate to be a mother and as a way to help deal with the mental strain of struggling to conceive she decides to distract herself and help others, This is very much a tale about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and in parts asks you to suspend reality whilst also keeping you fully immersed in it with the ongoing terror attacks.

I enjoyed rooting for Teagan and she is a female character with depth and shows a determination that can often be lacking in female lead characters. You can’t help but root for her. This is only a short book in the grand scheme of things. The audiobook is under 7 hours long which means it’s a fairly quick listen, if like me, you listen at double speed. I just wish the middle was as fast paced as the start and end of the book

It has made me want to jump straight into Book 2 though!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Picture for the ARC and the chance to read this book.
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I was lucky enough to both read this book and listen to the audiobook. I wanted to hear how the story played out in addition to reading along. The narrator was good. I really enjoyed the pace at which he read. I also liked there while you could tell the difference between characters, the voices weren't too crazy.

After hearing a new story Teagan develops the urge to do something fulfilling with her life - help women in need in foreign countries. She starts a special project with the help of an investor. Things go south when the investor disappears with the money for the project. While in Paris to solve the complication, a terrorist attack occurs at Teagan's hotel. When brought in for questioning with the other survivors, Teagan quickly realizes this agent is not quite who she thought; he also has an interest in her disappeared business partner.

This was a really good listen and I enjoyed the pace of the book. I would definitely recommend this. I was lucky enough to read this for free and this is my honest review.

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner
Narrated by Braden Wright was an excellent audiobook especially as it's the first book in the new The New Bad Thing series. It had everything with lots of twists and turns that was super fast-paced throughout it was full of action, conspiracy and excitement from the beginning till the end which made it a brilliant book! I loved it!

Teagan is successful in her own right but she’s not the crusader journalist she aspired to be back in college. She needs a personal distraction and decides to make a difference in the world to help others. 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 illegally funded venture. 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. Or is it a planned attack on her life?

Like other survivors from the siege, she is taken to a local police station. Routine questioning turns to intense interrogation by an American–a European Counterterrorism agent–Robert Lexington. She is the only one in custody who has seen Roman in the last ten years. Teagan is persuaded by Lexington to help locate him–a high priority person of interest–and in return she will avoid the courts and military prison back home. What follows is a challenging personal journey for Teagan across Europe and America. She must draw on her experience as a skilled interviewer, improviser and investigator to find the ghost-like Roman for her family's survival.

I highly recommend this book and looking forward to the next instalment. I loved it.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Pen and Picture for this advanced copy in extreme for my honest and voluntary review.

In keeping with its title, New Bad Thing felt the need to keep upping the stakes with twists and reveals, peeling back layer upon layer of corruption and double dealing. An American reporter is involved in one of several coordinated attacks on Paris hotels by an ISIS-like group, but is a bit better equipped than we first assume and actually rides it out safely and take out a few terrorists, Die Hard-style.

Why does she have a gun and training? Well, as things unfold, she was actually there hunting down some mercenaries that she hired to go after the terrorists as part of a fundraising and vigilante campaign that started as a diversion from her feelings of powerlessness and frustration being unable to get pregnant.

Her interview after being rescued from the hotel attack quickly steers towards this, and the agent whisks her off to another part of Europe, insisting her husband join -- ostensibly as he also wants to track down the embezzling soldier for hire. This winds up being a trap to get the reporter to track him down for the mob, as she is somehow the only person able to track him down, and they're willing to wait out her pregnancy for her to do so.

Despite some farfetched aspects and whiplash-inducing allegiance changing, it's an interesting read full of colorful characters and situations.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for letting me read this! I think I would have liked it more if it hadn't been an audiobook, because it was too confusing going back and forth in time.
The actual writing and narrator were quite enjoyable, and one of the best parts of the book was how the writer managed to make personal dramas just as important as larger dramas.
I think anyone who enjoys action will enjoy this book, and the characters were likable enough to be invested in. I will probably wait a little while and read the physical book to see if my rating goes up, because I did enjoy it.

The New Bad Thing by Michael Ebner.
Narrated by Braden Wright.
Teagan is successful in her own right but she’s not the crusader journalist she aspired to be back 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. Or is it a planned attack on her life? 
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Action packed. I did like Teagan. 4*.

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).

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.

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 🎧

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!!

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-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

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! 📚📖

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!

“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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

"The New Bad Thing" audiobook was a great listening experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. Braden Wright's narration was excellent; he brought the characters to life in a way that kept me fully engaged throughout the entire book.

The story revolves around Teegan, a complex and compelling heroine, as she navigates a world filled with action and suspense. Michael Ebner's storytelling skillfully blends adrenaline-pumping moments with quieter, character-driven scenes, creating a well-rounded narrative. While the ending provided closure, it also left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. I'm excited to see where Teegan's journey takes her next.

Thank you to NetGalley & Pen and Picture for this ALC in exchange for my unbiased review.

There is a lot going on in this book. Teagan is hired to write a biography of a major crime lord, who in turn is going to help finance a personal project of hers to rescue women kidnapped by terrorists. Everything backfires and she ends up in a type of witness protection until she can find the crime lord to save her family.
I enjoyed the storyline. I listened on audiobook, and the narrator did a good job.

Relatively quick, day-long listen. Though I was expecting a standalone novel with a recurring character (e.g., Benoit Blanc, Hercule Poirot, etc.), this series is connected; you can't listen to one without the other.

The backstory motivation leading Teagan to be wrapped up in the Italian Mafia, while detailed and a little long-winded, sets a solid foundation for the drama to unfold in the sequel. It took me a bit to grasp the main storyline, but once things clicked, the action-packed narrative really took off. It's the kind of story that could easily translate into a thrilling action movie, perfect for a laid-back Friday night at home.

Given the setup and how things evolved, I'm inclined to dive into Book 2 and see where the story is headed.

Thanks to Netgalley, Pen and Picture, Michael Ebner, and Braden Wright for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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.