Real Bad Things

By: Kelly J. Ford

Narrated by: Donna Postel

From the author of Cottonmouths, a Los Angeles Review Best Book of 2017, comes an evocative suspense about the cost of keeping secrets and the dangers of coming home.

Beneath the roiling waters of the Arkansas River lie dead men and buried secrets.

When Jane Mooney’s violent stepfather, Warren, disappeared, most folks in Maud Bottoms, Arkansas, assumed he got drunk and drowned. After all, the river had claimed its share over the years.

When Jane confessed to his murder, she should have gone to jail. That’s what she wanted. But without a body, the police didn’t charge her with the crime. So Jane left for Boston—and took her secrets with her.

Twenty-five years later, the river floods and a body surfaces. Talk of Warren’s murder grips the town. Now in her forties, Jane returns to Maud Bottoms to reckon with her past: to do jail time, to face her revenge-bent mother, to make things right.

But though Jane’s homecoming may enlighten some, it could threaten others. Because in this desolate river valley, some secrets are better left undisturbed.

©2022 Kelly J. Ford. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Donna Postel gives an anxious, emotive performance of the dual narrative. The varied extent of her Arkansas accent may seem inconsistent, but this exemplifies Jane’s efforts to escape her past. This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intense, intricate suspense built on oppressive mistrust and misguided obligation. Recommended for fans of Lisa Jewell, Katie Sise, and Janelle Brown.”—Library Journal

“At the start of this gripping suspense novel from Ford (Cottonmouths), Jane Mooney, who’s been living in Boston, returns home to Maud Bottoms, Ark.…The truth slowly unfolds as the plot builds toward a surprising conclusion foreshadowed by a trail of skillfully disguised clues. Ford delivers the goods.”—Publishers Weekly

“With layers of storytelling portraying generational trauma, small towns and the unbearable confines their scrutiny can place on anyone who feels different, and the unbreakable bonds that adversity can forge, Real Bad Things is sometimes a hard read, but always an excellent one. Readers looking for slow burn mystery with unforgettable characters and an unforgettable atmosphere will find here exactly what they need.”—Mystery and Suspense Magazine

Almost unpredictable

I liked the story but I felt like we got to know the who with a little too much story left.
The character development was so good. The descriptions of the events as they unfolded as remembered by the character was also very good.

Just couldn't love this

I wish I knew why this just fell flat for me. I had such high hopes. It had most of the elements of crime mysteries that I normally love. Possibly the character development was weak to start and never really fleshed out much in the book. The story was really draggy a few times and I kept wishing the would hurry up and get on with it.

I have certainly listened to worse, and I am sure I will again. But I just can't give this one a glowing review

Story is intriguing but didn’t enjoy culture

Don’t like to be surprised by foul language, sexual content, etc. wish there was a rating system like movies so you could discern before buying an audible book.

The Last Chapter is Frustrating!

First of all, the narration was superb!

Secondly, the story was good. I could visualize the characters being an Arkansas native myself. 😁 I was really looking forward to how it all came together and the holes in the story filled.

Third, and final thought....it didn't come together. Unless, I missed a few chapters 😂, the story did not come together. The holes in the story are not filled. I was left puzzled, but maybe it was just me.

Intense, captivating listen

This book does contain "scenes" that are really unpleasant. These are, however, necessary elements in the characters and plot - not at all gratuitous violence. This is a book about a family that's beyond dysfunctional; it's not a rare phenomenon occurring only in some backwoods trailer park. People are damaged everyday, everywhere - stigmatized, neglected. This is an intense, strangely compassionate story. The narration is great.