Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bad Day Breaking by John Galligan Narrator: Samantha Desz
Series: Bad Axe County #4
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on August 30, 2022
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 336
Length: 8 hours, 21 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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A strange religious sect has arrived in Bad Axe County, Wisconsin. Armed with guns, an enigmatic spiritual leader and his followers set up their compound in an abandoned storage lot. It’s not long before rumors start to spread of sadistic rituals and a planned takeover of the local government. But when one of the followers is found dead in the river, that’s when full-on panic sets in.
Sheriff Heidi Kick may not be a fan of the new group, but she is also dismayed by the hostile reaction of the Bad Axe community. With a murder investigation on her hands, the situation becomes more complicated when Sheriff Kick finds out an ex-boyfriend from her youth is out on parole early and looking to hunt her down. With a tumultuous snowstorm on the horizon, the cult members are on the verge of freezing, Bad Axe is on the edge of violence, and Sheriff Kick is just one false step away from losing her family, her town, and her very life.
Bad Day Breaking was a bad day for many people. There was so much hate and evil happening. Heidi as sheriff has too much on her plate. Her mother-in-law, a insubordinate, litigious deputy, a cult, paroles who are back to crime, and a hate group. She makes a few bad choices which spiral into lots of trouble but she does manage to protect most of the town.
We get primarily Heidi’s point of view, but we do get the point of view from one of the women in the cult. I felt sorry for the women and children in the cult. The heads were taking all the money and sex and now were planning to get away. They bought in four paroles to help them with the details and that’s when everything went downhill. There’s plenty of gritty and horrifying all around.
Heidi is also having to deal with a guy she put away in prison who now is trying to kill her for revenge. A dead body turns up from the cult. Her mother-in-law is a constant problem and then goes missing. Luckily, Heidi is smart and figures out most of the issues. Luckily she has some support and honest co-workers.
It is very suspenseful and people get hurt including Sheriff Heidi. She is smart enough to protect her family except for her renegade mother-in-law who goes her own way. I appreciate how honest and hard working Heidi is. I just don’t know what she will do now or if the Bad Axe County series will continue.
Narration:
The narrator has been throughout the series so I hear her as Heidi. There is distinction between the other male and female voices. I was able to listen at my comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About John Galligan
John Galligan is the author of the Bad Axe County series. He has written five other novels: Red Sky, Red Dragonfly; The Nail Knot; The Blood Knot; The Clinch Knot; and The Wind Knot.
In addition to being a novelist, he has worked as a newspaper journalist, feature-film screenwriter, house painter, au pair, ESL teacher, cab driver, and freezer boy in a salmon cannery. He teaches writing at Madison College, where his experience is enriched by students from every corner of the local and world communities. He has won awards as a feature journalist, sports journalist, and short story writer before settling on a career as a novelist.
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with degrees in Environmental Policy (BS) and English Literature (MA).
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
Wow, this sounds a little over the top, but I’m really intrigued! Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong? Thanks for putting this on my radar😁
It’s an awesome story set in Wisconsin. a Female sheriff who has so many misogynistic against her. I would start at the beginning. She’s been through more than anyone I can imagine.
I like the sound of this one. It sounds like Heidi has a lot to deal with in this book.
Way too much and she hasn’t had a break the whole series.
Now, that is a full plate and spilling over the sides. I like the sound of this series.
It’s a really good series. But I am so sad for Heidi.
There is a lot going on in this one! I haven’t read any books in this series, but Heidi sounds like a character I would like. Do they need to be read in order?
I would read them in order, yes. That way you get the whole picture and the development of the characters.
Heidi sounds awesome
She is awesome. She has certainly made mistakes but she has worked so hard to do the right things.
Wonderful review. I’m always a bit fascinated by cult stories.
Thanks Wendy. It’s only one part, the whole thing is complex.
Man, sounds like Heidi had to deal with a lot. Maybe she shouldn’t go looking for the pain-in-the-butt mother-in-law, lol! Cults scare me.
It was horrific. I can’t imagine anyone being through so much with so little help.
O-kay! Now I’ve gotta check out this series. Wish this wasn’t the fourth book. Excellent review, Anne💜
I’d love to know what you think. This one is very gritty, darkish. I don’t know how Heidi doesn’t just curl up and bawl. She tries so hard even though she is not perfect.
This sounds like a wild ride. I’m always fascinated by books that feature cults so I could see myself enjoying this one. Great review!
It is. I’m afraid of what happens next for Heidi because I like her. I would read the whole series to have a more complete picture of her personal growth and challenges.