Rating: Badlands by Gary Kruse
Genres: Thriller
Surf. Sand. Smugglers. Murder.</strong?
Willow has run as far as she can.
From her home.
From the friends she betrayed.
From the family who betrayed her.
From her own name.
But a cry for help will bring her back.
Back to face her family.
Back to face the sins of her past.
Back to face the darkness at the heart of Cornwall.In the search for her sister, Willow will face deception and betrayal, before she’ll find love – and herself. But will she uncover how close the enemy is, or will she become another victim of the Badlands?
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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.
Review
Set in Wales, Badlands will keep you on the edge of your seat. Six years after Willow left her father’s house, she receives a coded text message from her sister Ellie. Now guilt-ridden, Willow returns to Wales to figure out what has happened. The story that unfolds from her return is twisted, thrilling, and well written.
Williow is a troubled woman who would have rather stayed where she was but went home and faced her past in order to find out what happened to her sister. That takes a strength many of us don’t have. Although there were times I didn’t like her, I think that was necessary for the story to unfold.
We also meet Raven, who is bitter and just cruel in the truest sense of the word. Ruby and Reverend Goddard are both worth mentioning as well, because they are such well-written characters. Of course, we have all these people set against the backdrop of beautiful Wales. The details of the country around Willow are described so beautifully that you can picture it as you read.
This is a story full of twists and turns and people with secrets. Willow can’t trust anyone, and just when you think you know what has happened to Ellie, you will be surprised. I do need to mention that this is violent at times. I know that can be a trigger for some. All in all, this was an amazing debut novel.
About Gary Kruse
Gary Kruse is a multi-genre writer of flash fiction, short stories and novels. He lives with his family in Hornchurch on the Essex/London border.
He began writing as a teenager after seeing the Craft in the cinema and wondering what would happen if the coven of witches from the Craft came face to face with the Lost Boys (the vampires, not Peter Pan’s crew!).
His work has appeared online and in print anthologies and his short story “Mirror Mirror” was shortlisted in the WriteHive 2021 Horror competition, and subsequently featured in the “Duplicitous” anthology.
His short story “Hope in the Dark” won first place in the November 2021 edition of the Writers’ Forum Short Story competition.
His debut novel “Badlands” is published through Darkstroke on 21st January 2022.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, especially Amazon. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to purchase a book or product using my link.
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The book blurb sent shivers up the back of my neck. I think I will really enjoy this one.
This one sounds super good and one that I would love to own. I really like the cover too.
I was looking for a good thriller to read. Will have to add this to my list. The blurb really made me want to pick it up!
My dad would love this one and I might just have to read it with him! Thanks for sharing your review and have an exceptional day!
I like it has twists and turns!
oh my goodness! now I HAVE to get this book!
I’m intrigued! I love a story like this one every once in a while. Thanks for sharing your review!
I saw Badlands yesterday on another blog and added it to my TBR, Thank you for sharing your awesome review of the book, it is a definite must read for me
This sounds like a great book! I love a thriller with many twists and turns. Having multiple twists instead of one make a book so much more interesting to me.
You got me at “edge of your seat” Thank you for this review.
sounds like a thrilling read!
nice review
Definitely intrigued! Off to look for this author/book asap!
This sounds very interesting
This book sounds very intriguing. The cover adds to the mysterious vibeds.
Really like the title and cover as well!
Gary Kruse is a new author to me, but I love being introduced to them. I will certainly
give this book a read. Thanks to this blog for doing that. I saw several books on Goodreads that looked great.
This sounds like a wonderful book from the blurb! I love a great thriller
This sounds like an awesome thriller! I haven’t read one in years.
You’ve caught my interest. Adding to my tbr. Thanks for sharing!
This book caught my interest, ill have to read it.
Sounds like quite a thriller!
This sounds like a thriller I could get into.
Thank you for sharing a great review. Sounds like a book I would enjoy. I can’t wait to have a chance to read it.
I’m looking forward to all the twists and turns in this book.
I love a good thriller,this one sounds good.