Real Bad Things

Real Bad Things

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  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-08-02 11:21:42
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Kelly J. Ford
  • ISBN:1713660008
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

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。

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Reviews

=^。^= Janet

Really bad things。。。。it's a fucking adverb 🤣🤣🤣 Really bad things。。。。it's a fucking adverb 🤣🤣🤣 。。。more

Marianne

Real Bad Things is the second novel by award-winning American author, Kelly J。 Ford。 Recently jobless, homeless and romantically detached, a string of text messages from her ever-hostile mother is really all the impetus Jane Mooney needs to quit Boston and return to her Arkansas hometown, Maud。 “They found him。” “I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD。” “Time to come home。” “Time to pay for what YOU DONE。”Twenty-five years earlier, inexplicably breaking the solemn vow made with her younger brother, her best frie Real Bad Things is the second novel by award-winning American author, Kelly J。 Ford。 Recently jobless, homeless and romantically detached, a string of text messages from her ever-hostile mother is really all the impetus Jane Mooney needs to quit Boston and return to her Arkansas hometown, Maud。 “They found him。” “I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD。” “Time to come home。” “Time to pay for what YOU DONE。”Twenty-five years earlier, inexplicably breaking the solemn vow made with her younger brother, her best friend and her lover, Jane confessed to murdering her abusive stepfather, Warren Ingram, as soon as he was reported missing。 Jane was arrested, but without a body, or evidence of a crime, the case couldn’t proceed。 Jane left town as soon as she was released。Now, she’s back to face the music but, new among the lazy, incompetent members of the Maud Police Department, Detective Benjamin Hampton isn’t ready to arrest her just yet。 He’s asking awkward questions, and Jane feels the need to check that the other three are sticking to the agreed story。 But, for over two decades, Jane has believed a version of what happened that, it turns out, is not quite correct。Georgia Lee Lane is unhappily married with twin teenaged sons, manages the Maud Pharmacy, and has been a city councillor for fifteen years。 But her opponent in the upcoming election has plenty of money to splash around, and she is already polling badly enough without her name being associated with Lezzie Borden, the nickname Jane acquired after her confession。 But that’s exactly what the “Let’s Talk About Maud” Facebook group, run by a couple of auto body guys, is doing。In order to survive, Georgia Lee has cast the events of twenty-five years earlier from her mind, but “Some days it felt like trouble hung around her like a coat she couldn’t cast off, weighing her down, no matter how good or kind or helpful she tried to be。 It made her sweat。 Restricted every forward motion so much that past deeds and present resentments swelled inside her。”The story is told through alternating narratives from the perspectives of Jane and Georgia Lee, along with flashbacks to the time of the murder。 Ford constructs her plot so skilfully that the astute reader who believes they have figured out exactly what happened to Warren Ingram still has a surprise or two in store, and even those who pick up on a few hints throughout the story are unlikely to predict the final, jaw-dropping, reveal。Ford deftly conveys the Arkansas Bible-belt small-town mindset where “Who cared about crime when you had two women doing something people thought they ought not do?” Maud is painted as a place that revels in gossip and speculation spouted in print, screen and social media, where a strip of compromising photo-booth shots of two seventeen-year-old girls is deemed more important than competing confessions of murder。While it is easy to empathise with some of the players, none of her characters is necessarily all that likeable: all have very human flaws, and while many are simply trying to get by as best they can, quite a few are downright despicable。 Certain scenes in the later chapters are blackly funny, and Ford has a talent for descriptive prose: “words like justice and I told you so spitting out of her mouth like knives”。 A brilliant slow-burn thriller! This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer 。。。more

Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd。blogspot。com

#FirstLine - Away from the bridge, the river smells of the cottonwoods along the banks。 This book was very impressive。 The author did a great job slowly building this story。 It was plotted so well and the pace was wonderful。 I was pulled into the story, intrigued by what was going to happen。 I loved that there were some twists and turns that I did not see coming。 A great book for book clubs!!

Steven Netter

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller BooksMake sure to check out the full review READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller BooksMake sure to check out the full review 。。。more

Lori L (She Treads Softly)

Real Bad Things by Kelly J。 Ford is a recommended psychological thriller。When Jane Mooney confessed to killing her abusive stepfather, she was let go because there was no body。 Now twenty-five years later remains have been found and Jane has come home to Arkansas to face jail time。 But there are irregularities found and it seems that the case is bring more questions to light and it is suspected that others may have been involved。Jane has to deal with her truculent mother who is more concerned ab Real Bad Things by Kelly J。 Ford is a recommended psychological thriller。When Jane Mooney confessed to killing her abusive stepfather, she was let go because there was no body。 Now twenty-five years later remains have been found and Jane has come home to Arkansas to face jail time。 But there are irregularities found and it seems that the case is bring more questions to light and it is suspected that others may have been involved。Jane has to deal with her truculent mother who is more concerned about who will pay for the funeral rather than her estranged relationship with Jane and her son Jason。 Jane was called “Lezzie Borden” at the time of her confession and the attitude toward her remains。 Then when others confess to the crime, the real case is searching for the truth about what happened all those years ago。Jane and her friend from years ago, Georgia Lee are narrators and the plot unfolds through their points-of-view。 The characters are portrayed as realistic individuals, but aren't deeply developed so I didn't feel a connection to them。 The child abuse present in the story felt excessive。 Furthermore, there is simply too much pointless dialogue, which made the novel feel overly long。Plenty of clues are provided along the way that point to the truth, although they are disguised。 I wasn't really invested in the story, however, and really questioned the name calling involved in the plot。 Additionally, the novel is more concerned with trying to throw in various surprises and twists than making a truly unpredictable plot。 It was a bit too predictable。Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas&Mercer via NetGalley。http://www。shetreadssoftly。com/2022/0。。。 。。。more

Angie

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐PUBLICATION DAY: September 1, 2022Teenager Jane always knew she had to get out of Maud Bottoms…she had to leave Arkansas or she wouldn’t survive。 Taking care of her brother Jason was her prime focus…her mother certainly wasn’t going to help, drinking and bringing home debatable men was her main goal - not her children。 When things go horribly wrong one night, Jane confesses to murder, but when no action is taken she leaves town for good。 Until a body is found 25 years later and Jane i Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐PUBLICATION DAY: September 1, 2022Teenager Jane always knew she had to get out of Maud Bottoms…she had to leave Arkansas or she wouldn’t survive。 Taking care of her brother Jason was her prime focus…her mother certainly wasn’t going to help, drinking and bringing home debatable men was her main goal - not her children。 When things go horribly wrong one night, Jane confesses to murder, but when no action is taken she leaves town for good。 Until a body is found 25 years later and Jane is right back where she started。 What really happened that night? And will the right person be punished for the crime?PROS and CONS:Such a well written, easy to read book。 I loved (or loved to hate) the characters of Jane, Georgia Lee and Diane。 There are just enough characters to keep you guessing, and just enough mystery to keep you invested until the end。 I enjoyed it!READ IT?Ford’s work is a first for me, I’d read another。 Definitely recommended!4 Stars 。。。more

Fiona

Twenty-five years ago, Jane Mooney confessed to murdering her stepfather – but with no body, the police decided not to charge her。 She’s spent those years as far as she could get from her hometown of Maud, along the banks of the Arkansas River。But nothing stays lost forever, and when a flood brings Warren’s body back to the attention of the living, Jane finally heads home, to deal with the past, and with the family she thought she’d left behind forever。Kelly J Ford does an uncomfortably good job Twenty-five years ago, Jane Mooney confessed to murdering her stepfather – but with no body, the police decided not to charge her。 She’s spent those years as far as she could get from her hometown of Maud, along the banks of the Arkansas River。But nothing stays lost forever, and when a flood brings Warren’s body back to the attention of the living, Jane finally heads home, to deal with the past, and with the family she thought she’d left behind forever。Kelly J Ford does an uncomfortably good job at portraying the claustrophobia of small towns, where everyone knows your business and gossip runs faster than any official media could keep up with。 It wasn’t just Jane who was there on that fateful night, but her confession kept the others out of the limelight, leaving her as the one to bear the attention and the whispers。 As soon as she sets foot in Maud, the reader is pulled along with her, and you can almost feel the whispers and the sidelong looks as she does。Real Bad Things unfolds between the present and the past, and it doesn’t take long to see that there’s much more to the story than Jane initially admits to。 As complicated as the past situation might be, it’s the current timeline of the book where the author really unleashes her talent for intricate storytelling。 Each character has developed over time, in ways that might be surprising, but that feel true to them as the reader gets to know them。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。This review first appeared at mysteryandsuspense。com 。。。more

Elizabeth

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Kate Rock

Real bad things happen in Arkansas。 Murder, secrets, interesting characters & small town police made this dark, queer thriller even better。 I loved it and living in Arkansas made even darker and more fun。 Give me more Kelly J。Ford! Thank you to the publisher for my #Netgalley e-arc - all thoughts are my own。

Julie

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Real Bad Things。 The story was dark in many ways。 The premise was interesting but I wasn’t as captivated as I had hoped。 I did like the eventual outcome。 The characters were not just unlikable, but also nasty。 This made it hard to care about them。 The writing was difficult to get into or connect with。 I didn’t like all of the bad language and the “gossip sheet” parts were childish (really, calling Jane ‘lezzy”?) and didn't really add to the Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Real Bad Things。 The story was dark in many ways。 The premise was interesting but I wasn’t as captivated as I had hoped。 I did like the eventual outcome。 The characters were not just unlikable, but also nasty。 This made it hard to care about them。 The writing was difficult to get into or connect with。 I didn’t like all of the bad language and the “gossip sheet” parts were childish (really, calling Jane ‘lezzy”?) and didn't really add to the story。 People that like a twisty story and don’t need to care about the characters and that connect to the writing would like this book。 Sadly, it wasn’t for me。 2。5 stars rounded up to 3。 。。。more

Susan

Hehehe, man I loved this book! It’s like Ozarks meets Bridgerton meets Big Little Lies。 Notice that the comps are all series? It’s because REAL BAD THINGS is incredibly cinematic。 The characters were well drawn and the confusion and mystery earned。 I miss Jane and Georgia Lee already and hope to see them on a small screen real soon。 Such a sassy, edgy read and way to stick the landing, Kelly J。 Ford。

Kori Potenzone

I am going to call it now, on August 9, 2022, Real Bad Things, is going to break the internet。 Easter weekend was supposed to be spent with my family, that is exactly what DID NOT happen。 I was completely sucked in and consumed by this book。 Real Bad Things, instantly captivated my attention and took my breath away。 Why did this book take me so long to pick up? There is no way you will ever be able to figure out what is going on before it happens。 This is a character driven novel that will keep I am going to call it now, on August 9, 2022, Real Bad Things, is going to break the internet。 Easter weekend was supposed to be spent with my family, that is exactly what DID NOT happen。 I was completely sucked in and consumed by this book。 Real Bad Things, instantly captivated my attention and took my breath away。 Why did this book take me so long to pick up? There is no way you will ever be able to figure out what is going on before it happens。 This is a character driven novel that will keep you in suspense the entire time。 The build up leading to the big twist was done with precision and perfectly executed。 This book could have gone in so many different directions and Kelly Ford led you down a rabbit hole of possibilities。 I was completely and totally obsessed with this book and I will forever recommend this one to fellow thrill lovers。 Kelly Ford deserves every bit of success headed her way when this book releases。 This book screams bestseller。 Big Thank you to Netgalley, Kelly J。 Ford, and Thomas & Mercer, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book before the big release! 。。。more

Mandy Hazen

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story。 Definitely creepy。 Just a little slow and unbelievable at some points。 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily。

Annie

Jane returns home after 25 years to face the fact that the body of her her missing stepfather (whom she confessed to killing as a teenager) has finally turned up。 The story flips between her and Georgia Lee's points of view of the present and remembering what really happened in the past。 This was hard to get into, but I ended up enjoying it。 It wasn't super predictable like a lot of these types of books, and I didn't catch on to what really happened until pretty close to the end。 4 stars。 Jane returns home after 25 years to face the fact that the body of her her missing stepfather (whom she confessed to killing as a teenager) has finally turned up。 The story flips between her and Georgia Lee's points of view of the present and remembering what really happened in the past。 This was hard to get into, but I ended up enjoying it。 It wasn't super predictable like a lot of these types of books, and I didn't catch on to what really happened until pretty close to the end。 4 stars。 。。。more

Samantha P

When teenage Jane Mooney confessed to killing her alcoholic, abusive stepfather she expected to go the jail。 Without a body, there was no crime to convict her so she got off and left town。 Now twenty five years later, a body has washed up and Jane is back to face the consequences。Overall, I liked this book。 It was a bit different than some of the other thrillers I've read but I really enjoyed it。 While I found that I was able to predict what was coming, I was never fully sure that my prediction When teenage Jane Mooney confessed to killing her alcoholic, abusive stepfather she expected to go the jail。 Without a body, there was no crime to convict her so she got off and left town。 Now twenty five years later, a body has washed up and Jane is back to face the consequences。Overall, I liked this book。 It was a bit different than some of the other thrillers I've read but I really enjoyed it。 While I found that I was able to predict what was coming, I was never fully sure that my prediction was correct (and sometimes I was wrong)。 On the writing, I found that the protagonist, Jane, was a bit hard to like or connect to。 I did, however, generally like how this author developed the characters over the course of the book。 I also enjoyed the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in this book。 。。。more

Stacy40pages

Real Bad Things by Kelly J。 Ford。 Thanks to @thomasandmercer and @netgalley for the gifted e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️When Jane Mooney confessed to killing her alcoholic, abusive stepfather she expected to go the jail。 Without a body, she got off and left town。 Now twenty five years later, a body has washed up and Jane is back to face the consequences。 Sometimes I’m in the mood for a dark read, and this definitely was。 It was difficult to read how some of the family members treated each other。 I wasn’t expecti Real Bad Things by Kelly J。 Ford。 Thanks to @thomasandmercer and @netgalley for the gifted e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️When Jane Mooney confessed to killing her alcoholic, abusive stepfather she expected to go the jail。 Without a body, she got off and left town。 Now twenty five years later, a body has washed up and Jane is back to face the consequences。 Sometimes I’m in the mood for a dark read, and this definitely was。 It was difficult to read how some of the family members treated each other。 I wasn’t expecting to be surprised by the story, but I ended up being pretty shocked。 I loved the LGBTQIA rep in the story, even though the discrimination was hard to read。 “If the investigation ended, that would mean one of two outcomes: jail or freedom。 For now, she’d have to sit in the horrible in between。”Real Bad Things comes out 9/1。 。。。more

Meradith

Once the body of a man is found, Jane returns to her hometown of Maud to be there for her eventual arrest。 Jane confessed to killing her moms boyfriend to protect her brother, and police think his body is the one that has been recovered。As Jane tries to reconnect with her brother, has to deal with her venomous mother, and rekindles a bond with Georgie Lee (her “Bonnie”), the truth of what happened that fateful night years ago slowly comes out。I really enjoyed this book。 I found it a bit slow at Once the body of a man is found, Jane returns to her hometown of Maud to be there for her eventual arrest。 Jane confessed to killing her moms boyfriend to protect her brother, and police think his body is the one that has been recovered。As Jane tries to reconnect with her brother, has to deal with her venomous mother, and rekindles a bond with Georgie Lee (her “Bonnie”), the truth of what happened that fateful night years ago slowly comes out。I really enjoyed this book。 I found it a bit slow at first but once the story started to pick up and I got into it I found it hard to put down!Watching Jane deal with the fate she has accepted (going to jail for a crime she didn’t commit) while simultaneously trying to figure out what actually happened to Warren was so intriguing!! 。。。more

Jennifer

Once upon a time, real bad things happened in Arkansas, and now 25 years later not much has changed。 Families are toxic as ever and murder confessions are bouncing off every wall。 This impressive thriller from Kelly J Ford features a number of well-crafted and complicated characters that crawl into your protective arms as you witness the prolonged trauma caused by shouldering secrets and internalized shame。 Throw in a hateful small town, police that don’t protect, a rising missing persons count, Once upon a time, real bad things happened in Arkansas, and now 25 years later not much has changed。 Families are toxic as ever and murder confessions are bouncing off every wall。 This impressive thriller from Kelly J Ford features a number of well-crafted and complicated characters that crawl into your protective arms as you witness the prolonged trauma caused by shouldering secrets and internalized shame。 Throw in a hateful small town, police that don’t protect, a rising missing persons count, and just wait for it … yeah, real bad things。 Five stars!Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of Real Bad Things。 This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing。Source: NetGalleyAuthor: Kelly J。 FordPublisher: Thomas & MercerGenres: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & ThrillersPub Date: September 1, 2022 。。。more

Alyssa Smith

If I could describe this book’s genre, it would be southern noir。 It was really sultry, beautiful and well written。 It was a good thriller, with likable characters, unreliable and all。

Alyssa Smith

If I could describe this book’s genre, it would be southern noir。 It was really sultry, beautiful and well written。 It was a good thriller, with likable characters, unreliable and all。

Emily Ross

This twisty and gritty Southern noir keeps you guessing as it digs deep into the hearts and souls of its characters and brings Arkansas to life with poetry, pathos and unflinching precision。 It has all the things I love most in fiction: a propulsive plot, gorgeous, sharp writing, twists you don't see coming, characters that tear at your heart, and an ending that both surprises and sends an emotional tremor through you。 I highly recommend Real Bad Things! This twisty and gritty Southern noir keeps you guessing as it digs deep into the hearts and souls of its characters and brings Arkansas to life with poetry, pathos and unflinching precision。 It has all the things I love most in fiction: a propulsive plot, gorgeous, sharp writing, twists you don't see coming, characters that tear at your heart, and an ending that both surprises and sends an emotional tremor through you。 I highly recommend Real Bad Things! 。。。more

maireadingparty

This was a gripping thriller that was rather predictable。 Even so, the premise and storyline was well done that got me hooked enough to stay and finish it。 I love this kind of thriller where eventhough you know whodunnit somewhat midway through, the consequences to the crime had an intensity which keeps you enthralled to keep going。 The story setting also gave off that weird small town vibe。 Overall, an enjoyable read。

Nikki

A propulsive, twisty, effed-up mystery that will keep you picking up breadcrumbs until you have a whole sandwich! Ford’s COTTONMOUTHS was spectacular, and her second novel was just as satisfying!

Courtnee Hoyle

REAL BAD THINGS is a slow-burn mystery with a surprise ending。 Kelly J。 Ford throws her readers into the life of a woman who is drowning from the repercussions of mistakes throughout her life, but especially from one in her youth。 When she was a teenager, Jane confessed to murdering her mother's husband。 She was released, as a body was not found, but twenty-five years later, flood waters throw up a body from the past。 Jane travels back to Arkansas to her hometown, Maud, and stays with her mother REAL BAD THINGS is a slow-burn mystery with a surprise ending。 Kelly J。 Ford throws her readers into the life of a woman who is drowning from the repercussions of mistakes throughout her life, but especially from one in her youth。 When she was a teenager, Jane confessed to murdering her mother's husband。 She was released, as a body was not found, but twenty-five years later, flood waters throw up a body from the past。 Jane travels back to Arkansas to her hometown, Maud, and stays with her mother。 Her mother claims to forgive her, but she is less than affectionate and warm。 Still blaming her for her stepfather's death, she criticizes Jane。 Jane wonders why her brother Jason, who she felt close to in their youth, won't return her calls, but realizes he has made a life for himself。Georgia Lee has an average family, and a small, locally political career。 She hears about the discovery of a body, and memories about her relationship with Jane surface。 She wasn't involved in the original murder investigation, but does she know something that could help the police?The book focused heavily on relationships, and while some could be salvaged, others were beyond repair。 I was really interested when it was loosely mentioned that there were rumors about the men at the bottom of the Arkansas river, and I wondered if it was based on something factual。The author writes in a way that is easily understandable and relatable, so I plan to check out another one of her titles。I recommend the book for mature readers, due to some sexual, violent, and abusive content。I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley for my honest review。 My opinions are my own。 。。。more

Maeve

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 4 star read。 "Warren's in one of his moods" 。。。"Must be on the rag"。 4 youngsters and a nasty, dead, violent man at the bottom of the river bed。 There are secrets, but not everyone is hiding the same truth。 Jane confesses to the murder, however, no body is recovered until 25 years later。 Jane must then return to Arkansas to face the music。 This book is witty, humorous and full of suspense although very dark。 It is thrilling and full of action with detailed character progression throughou 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 4 star read。 "Warren's in one of his moods" 。。。"Must be on the rag"。 4 youngsters and a nasty, dead, violent man at the bottom of the river bed。 There are secrets, but not everyone is hiding the same truth。 Jane confesses to the murder, however, no body is recovered until 25 years later。 Jane must then return to Arkansas to face the music。 This book is witty, humorous and full of suspense although very dark。 It is thrilling and full of action with detailed character progression throughout。 I really escaped into the storyline but was surprised by some of the twists, one in particular, which was just unrealistic。 There are themes of emotional turmoil and conflict throughout the book。 I felt, however, that there were too many melodramatic, misery driven soliloquies by the main protagonists。 This became very repetitive and at times it became tiresome。 The overall context and storyline was engaging。 Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book 。。。more

Heather Levy

Ford’s REAL BAD THINGS hits all the emotions like a bagful of rusted nails。 Through her complex and oftentimes maddeningly cruel characters, Ford presents life on the outskirts of the wealthier parts of town, deftly proving it doesn’t matter if you live at the top of a hill; evil lives everywhere and typically closest to home。 This is about a small town, like so many, where recurrent abuses of all kinds go unpunished until one day they finally do and all hell breaks free。 This is a place where p Ford’s REAL BAD THINGS hits all the emotions like a bagful of rusted nails。 Through her complex and oftentimes maddeningly cruel characters, Ford presents life on the outskirts of the wealthier parts of town, deftly proving it doesn’t matter if you live at the top of a hill; evil lives everywhere and typically closest to home。 This is about a small town, like so many, where recurrent abuses of all kinds go unpunished until one day they finally do and all hell breaks free。 This is a place where progression is stunted and queer characters can’t be open without fear of gossip or much worse and people of color are always on the outside。 This is the story of trying to find worth in existence when every aspect of life tries to tear a person down。 Even with all the heavier aspects of the story, Ford still finds the humor and passion in her characters and their broken town to where hope doesn’t completely sound like a four-letter word。 Like her prior book COTTONMOUTHS, REAL BAD THINGS proves Ford is one of the best southern writers around。 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early review copy。 。。。more

Taylor Bochenek

Real Bad Things captivated me very early on in the story and kept the pace with a strong plot, excellent character development, and a strong ending with a chilling twist。 Twenty five years ago, Jane confessed to murdering her abusive stepfather, but with no body 。。。 no crime。 She didn't serve any jail time and was set free, fleeing from the town that held her worst memories。 After all this time, a body has been found and Jane returns to face the consequences that await her along with the wrath o Real Bad Things captivated me very early on in the story and kept the pace with a strong plot, excellent character development, and a strong ending with a chilling twist。 Twenty five years ago, Jane confessed to murdering her abusive stepfather, but with no body 。。。 no crime。 She didn't serve any jail time and was set free, fleeing from the town that held her worst memories。 After all this time, a body has been found and Jane returns to face the consequences that await her along with the wrath of those who want to see her pay for her crime。 There are much bigger secrets and resentments waiting for Jane as she arrives back to her hometown, though and they are prepared to change everything。I felt this story was evenly written, and while predictable at times, the ending had me flipping anxiously through even the last one or two pages。 A story of how far one would truly go to protect the ones they love, and at times, I truly felt the selflessness of some of the characters through the pages (like I said, excellent character development)。 This was the first novel I've read by Kelly J Ford and I thoroughly enjoyed it。 Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review! 。。。more

Taylor Bochenek

Real Bad Things captivated me very early on in the story and kept the pace with a strong plot, excellent character development, and a strong ending with a chilling twist。 Twenty five years ago, Jane confessed to murdering her abusive stepfather, but with no body 。。。 no crime。 She didn't serve any jail time and was set free, fleeing from the town that held her worst memories。 After all this time, a body has been found and Jane returns to face the consequences that await her along with the wrath o Real Bad Things captivated me very early on in the story and kept the pace with a strong plot, excellent character development, and a strong ending with a chilling twist。 Twenty five years ago, Jane confessed to murdering her abusive stepfather, but with no body 。。。 no crime。 She didn't serve any jail time and was set free, fleeing from the town that held her worst memories。 After all this time, a body has been found and Jane returns to face the consequences that await her along with the wrath of those who want to see her pay for her crime。 There are much bigger secrets and resentments waiting for Jane as she arrives back to her hometown, though and they are prepared to change everything。I felt this story was evenly written, and while predictable at times, the ending had me flipping anxiously through even the last one or two pages。 A story of how far one would truly go to protect the ones they love, and at times, I truly felt the selflessness of some of the characters through the pages (like I said, excellent character development)。 This was the first novel I've read by Kelly J Ford and I thoroughly enjoyed it。 Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for an opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review! 。。。more

Ellen Gail

New Kelly J。 Ford in 2022! Proof that the book gods do love me。 New Kelly J。 Ford in 2022! Proof that the book gods do love me。 。。。more

Jalia Shelley

This was my first book by this author, but definitely not my last。 Jane and her brother Jason have a hard life。 With an abusive toxic mother and a stepfather who is even worse than their mom, they must look out for each other。 When their stepfather disappears Jane confesses to his murder。 With no body, the police eventually let her go, and then she leaves town。 Fast forward many years later when a body is found that is believed to be her stepfather, Jane returns to town to face her past。 But is This was my first book by this author, but definitely not my last。 Jane and her brother Jason have a hard life。 With an abusive toxic mother and a stepfather who is even worse than their mom, they must look out for each other。 When their stepfather disappears Jane confesses to his murder。 With no body, the police eventually let her go, and then she leaves town。 Fast forward many years later when a body is found that is believed to be her stepfather, Jane returns to town to face her past。 But is Jane guilty or is she covering up for someone else。 Many layered story that is fast paced, heartbreaking, and impossible to put down。 Thank you NetGalley for this excellent book。 。。。more