I read Badlands by Douglas Preston late into the night, heart racing with every page. If you crave a thriller with a dash of the supernatural and a touch of the unknown, this fifth Nora Kelly adventure delivers. New or returning, you’ll feel the suspense pull you in right away.
Key Takeaways
Badlands by Douglas Preston is an exciting book. It has suspense, real history, and supernatural mystery. These things keep readers interested from beginning to end.
Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson work well together. Their teamwork makes the story feel real. The characters are easy to understand. The adventure is fun to follow.
The book mixes real archaeological facts with scary parts. This makes the story smart and quick to read. It is great for people who like mysteries and supernatural thrillers.
Recommendation
Who Should Read
I always ask myself, “Who would love this book?” For Badlands by Douglas Preston, I see a few groups who will get the most out of it:
Fans of the Nora Kelly series who want to see more of Nora and Corrie’s partnership.
Readers who enjoy thrillers with a supernatural twist—think science meets superstition.
Anyone who likes a fast-paced story with real history woven in.
Newcomers looking for a good entry point into the series.
Tip: If you like stories that blend suspense, archaeology, and a bit of the unexplained, you’ll probably find yourself hooked.
Here’s what some trusted sources say:
Library Journal (starred review) praises the growth of Nora and Corrie, calling this a great entry point for new readers.
Publishers Weekly highlights the real history and thrilling plot, comparing it to the Pendergast series.
BookTrib calls it a quintessential summer read that blends science and superstition.
Kirkus (starred review) describes it as “hair-raising fun.”
Bookreporter says it’s a breathtaking adventure that never disappoints.
Red Carpet Crash notes the twists and turns, saying fans of the series will be happy.
First Impressions
I’ll be honest, I started Badlands by Douglas Preston thinking I’d read a chapter or two before bed. Instead, I found myself wide awake, flipping pages with my heart pounding. The opening scene set the tone—chilling, mysterious, and just a little bit eerie.
The setting felt real. I could almost taste the dust and feel the isolation of the New Mexico badlands.
Nora and Corrie jumped off the page. Their dynamic made me root for them from the start.
The supernatural hints kept me guessing. I never felt like I knew what was coming next.
Plot
Setting
The story drops me right into the wild heart of the New Mexico badlands. I could almost feel the dry wind and see the endless canyons stretching out under a burning sky. The setting isn’t just for show. The authors ground the story in real geography, with remote canyons and a desert that feels both beautiful and dangerous.
What really grabbed me was how the book ties in the history of the Chaco people. Ancient artifacts called “lightning stones” pop up, and they’re not just made up—they connect to real archaeological finds in New Mexico. This mix of real history and a haunting landscape gives Badlands by Douglas Preston a pulse-pounding vibe.
Main Characters
Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson steal the show. Nora, an archaeologist, and Corrie, an FBI agent, make a team I want to root for. Their partnership feels real, with both tension and trust. I’ve seen reader polls and bestseller lists put these two at the top, and I get why.
Their hunt for answers in the badlands, chasing down ancient threats, kept me glued to the page. The book’s popularity in places like Spain and Russia shows just how much readers connect with them.
Central Mystery
The story kicks off with a chilling discovery—a woman’s skeleton in the desert, surrounded by strange clues. I love how the mystery pulls in both science and the supernatural. There’s always a sense that something ancient and maybe not quite explainable is lurking just out of sight.
The suspense builds with every chapter, and I never felt safe guessing what would happen next. The supernatural hints never take over, but they add a layer of tension that kept me reading late into the night.
Unique Elements
Supernatural Themes
I have to say, the supernatural parts in Badlands by Douglas Preston made me nervous. The story mixes science and superstition in a way that feels spooky but also real. I never knew if the next clue would make sense or be scary. The authors do not fill the book with ghosts or monsters. Instead, they use:
Strange artifacts that seem to have old power
Weird things that make even brave people feel scared
A feeling that something ancient is always watching
Forensic Details
I get excited about forensic science in thrillers, and this book has a lot. The search for answers about the skeleton in the desert made me think of real cold cases. I once read about a case in “A Small Death In Lisbon” where detectives used old bones to solve crimes from long ago. Badlands by Douglas Preston uses some of the same ideas:
Careful study of bones and artifacts
Modern forensic tools to find hidden facts
Investigators using clues from both science and history
These details made the mystery feel smart and real, not just scary.
Real History
What really grabbed me was how the authors put real history into the story. The plot uses the culture and legends of the Chaco people. I learned about “lightning stones” and old rituals that are part of New Mexico’s past. The book does not just use history as a background. It makes it part of the mystery. I felt like I learned something new in every chapter.
If you like stories that mix real facts with made-up parts, you will find a lot to like here.
Badlands by Douglas Preston in the Series
Nora Kelly Series Context
I always like to know where a book fits in a series before I start. Badlands by Douglas Preston lands as the fifth book in the Nora Kelly series. I checked reviews and lists, and every source puts it right after Dead Mountain. Here’s what I noticed:
Reviewers call it the fifth installment, so I never felt lost about its place.
The order goes: Old Bones, The Scorpion’s Tail, Diablo Mesa, Dead Mountain, and then Badlands by Douglas Preston.
Nora and Corrie keep growing as characters. I saw their friendship and trust deepen with each book.
Some people say you can read this one on its own, but I think it feels richer if you know their backstory.
Fans and librarians both point out that this is the latest in the series, so you’re getting the most up-to-date adventure.
I have to give props to the authors for keeping the series fresh. Each book stands alone, but the character arcs make me want to read them all.
Comparison to Pendergast Novels
I get asked a lot if the Nora Kelly books feel like the Pendergast series. Here’s my take:
Both series mix science, history, and a little bit of the supernatural.
The Pendergast books feel darker and more intense. Sometimes they left me gasping.
The Nora Kelly series, especially Badlands by Douglas Preston, feels more grounded. The focus stays on archaeology and teamwork.
I like that Nora and Corrie solve mysteries with brains, not just luck or wild twists.
If you love Pendergast but want something a bit lighter, this series hits the spot.
Note: You don’t need to read Pendergast first, but fans will spot a few nods and Easter eggs.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Highlights
I have to give props to Badlands by Douglas Preston for a few things that really stood out during my late-night reading marathon:
Atmosphere: The New Mexico badlands felt so real, I could almost taste the dust. The setting pulled me in and made the story feel alive.
Nora and Corrie: Their teamwork and friendship made me care about what happened next. I rooted for them the whole way.
Supernatural Hints: The story kept me guessing. I never knew if the next clue would be science or something spooky.
Real History: I learned about ancient cultures and artifacts. The mix of fact and fiction made the mystery more interesting.
Pacing: The chapters moved fast. I never felt bored or lost in long explanations.
Drawbacks
No book is perfect, and Badlands by Douglas Preston has a few things that bugged me:
Predictable Moments: Some twists felt easy to spot. I guessed a few things before Nora and Corrie did.
Supernatural Balance: Sometimes the spooky parts felt a little forced. I wanted more real danger and less hinting.
Character Depth: I wish I got to know the side characters better. They faded into the background.
Series Dependence: New readers might miss some inside jokes or backstory. The book stands alone, but it feels richer if you know the series.
If I had to rate it, I’d give it a solid 7/10. Not jaw-dropping, but definitely worth a spot on your nightstand if you like a smart, suspenseful read.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the other Nora Kelly books first?
No, you can jump right in. I started with this one and followed the story just fine. Knowing the backstory adds a little extra, though.
Is Badlands by Douglas Preston scary?
I didn’t find it too scary. The book has some spooky moments and supernatural hints, but nothing that kept me up with nightmares.
Does the story have real history?
Yes! I learned about the Chaco people and “lightning stones.” The authors mix real facts with fiction, which made the story feel more interesting.
