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Real Bad Things Paperback – September 1, 2022
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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.
- Print length333 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 2022
- Dimensions5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-101662500092
- ISBN-13978-1662500091
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“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
“A confessed killer’s return home brings long-buried secrets to life with a series of seismic jolts.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Beautifully written and socially astute, Real Bad Things delivers on the promise of Ford’s debut, Cottonmouths.” ―CrimeReads
“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
“This atmospheric, suspenseful novel will keep you guessing and page-turning all the way to the end.” ―Good Housekeeping
“Some writers seem to have a natural affinity for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling that immediately engages and then holds the reader’s total attention from first page to last. Clearly, with the publication of Real Bad Things, Kelly J. Ford has proven herself to be one of those novelists.” ―Midwest Book Review
“Ford’s 2017 novel, Cottonmouths, remains a standout in the suspense category, and she’s back this year with a powerful story of a young woman who confesses to the murder of her stepfather.” ―CrimeReads
“Acclaimed author Kelly J. Ford spins a propulsive, sophisticated, and fearlessly queer tour de force in Real Bad Things. Ford’s richly drawn characters and breathtaking storytelling create an inescapable undertow of menace that will not let go until the shocking final page. This is gothic suspense at its most haunting.” ―P. J. Vernon, author of Bath Haus
“Ford’s follow-up to her devastating debut novel, Cottonmouths, is a moving meditation on misplaced loyalties, love, and the legacy of violence and abuse, all wrapped in a mystery filled with guy-wire tension.” ―John Vercher, author of Three-Fifths
“A powerful, grounded, and dark dose of rural noir, Real Bad Things is a tale of a homecoming gone wrong. Kelly J. Ford evokes the work of superstars like Gillian Flynn and Daniel Woodrell in this story of dark secrets coming back to roost and pulls it all through the prism of her own potent voice. This is a down and dirty crime novel that nods to the masters while keeping both feet firmly planted in the present. I loved it.” ―Alex Segura, acclaimed author of Secret Identity, Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall, and Blackout
“Fans of the brilliant Netflix show “Ozark” will devour this book filled with quirky characters, dark secrets, and misplaced motivations, all laced with southern swagger. An outstanding literary crime thriller in all respects.” ―Jon Land
About the Author
Kelly J. Ford is the author of the award-winning Cottonmouths, a novel of “impressive depths of character and setting” according to the Los Angeles Review, which named it one of their Best Books of 2017.
An Arkansas native, Kelly writes about the power and pitfalls of friendship, the danger of long-held secrets, and the transcendent grittiness of the Ozarks and their surrounds.
She lives in Vermont with her wife and cat.
Product details
- Publisher : Thomas & Mercer (September 1, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 333 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1662500092
- ISBN-13 : 978-1662500091
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #274 in LGBTQ+ Thrillers
- #14,754 in Murder Thrillers
- #46,239 in Suspense Thrillers
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Kelly J. Ford is the Anthony-nominated author of Real Bad Things; Cottonmouths, a Los Angeles Review Best Book of 2017; and The Hunt. An Arkansas native, Kelly writes crime fiction set in the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book an enjoyable and easy read with great twists. Some find the story interesting and suspenseful, while others find it tedious and confusing. There are mixed opinions on the character development, writing quality, and pacing. While some readers like the well-developed characters, others feel the protagonist is pathetic.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an easy, entertaining read with great twists. The characters are well-developed, both good and evil. The story keeps their interest with its suspenseful ending.
"...The twists just keep coming until the very end! Very enjoyable read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐..." Read more
"I loved this book! It’s like Ozarks meets Bridgerton meets Big Little Lies. Notice that the comps are all series?..." Read more
"...A good, sharp and modern thriller! *ARC via Publisher" Read more
"This was a great book if it could have been about 200 pages shorter. So much retelling due to each character reviewing the murder" Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the plot. Some find it interesting and suspenseful with twists and turns, while others feel the ending leaves much to be desired, confusing, and unexplored.
"...Once again, Kelly J. Ford delivers a compelling, slow-burn mystery that reaches impressive depths of character and setting." Read more
"...On to the story itself. This is a unique, twisty read, but somewhat of a slow burn, resembling another of Ford's books, Cottonmouths...." Read more
"Really liked the story line and the dark feeling I got when reading this book." Read more
"...touch with their true selves, and tethered to a dark, disturbing, turbulent past - which no single inhabitant understands or recollects accurately." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book. Some find the characters sympathetic and lovable, while others feel they are not well-developed and lack depth. There are also complaints about non-communication between characters and slow character development.
"...delivers a compelling, slow-burn mystery that reaches impressive depths of character and setting." Read more
"...place from the perspective of 2 different characters but it’s written in 3rd person with both of those characters in a lot of the same scenes, so it..." Read more
"I really enjoy Kelly J Ford's writing - the plot and character development are very thorough, although sometimes the story can get tedious..." Read more
"All protagonists in this tale are damaged, out of touch with their true selves, and tethered to a dark, disturbing, turbulent past - which no single..." Read more
Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find it well-written and detailed, making it an easy read and a real page turner. Others mention that it gets confusing at times with sentences that don't make sense and innuendo trying to add drama. They also mention that it can be hard to follow at times and difficult to understand the POV.
"...Such a sassy, edgy read and way to stick the landing, Kelly J. Ford." Read more
"...of those characters in a lot of the same scenes, so it’s hard to understand the POV and there’s no date/time stamp to show when they’re going back..." Read more
"...I think it was described as an evocative suspense which is a pretty good description...." Read more
"...If you like mystery/thrillers this is a decent, easy read. Didn’t understand the whole story till the last chapter...." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some found it well-paced and engaging, with a suspenseful buildup. Others felt the book started out slow and then got better. The timeline was confusing at first, but you get used to it.
"...On to the story itself. This is a unique, twisty read, but somewhat of a slow burn, resembling another of Ford's books, Cottonmouths...." Read more
"...I was pleasantly surprised. This is a slower paced story...." Read more
"...should have gotten detailed dialogue and inner thoughts, it was completely rushed and messy...." Read more
"...The pacing is slow and boring with the characters rehashing the same things over and over but never growing or learning from any of it...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the family dysfunction in the book. Some find it a sad story with truths of neglect, while others say it's a dysfunctional family at its best or worst, with a toxic relationship and abuse.
"...She and Jane have a horribly toxic relationship, and it's clear she also doesn't accept Jane's sexuality; she calls her nasty names and creates a..." Read more
"Grabbed me from the beginning, a sad story with a lot of truths of neglect in it. Truths of bible thumping hypocrites and homophobia...." Read more
"What an incredibly awful family and an incredibly awful childhood...." Read more
"...This one just left questions. A very dysfunctional family who may or may not have killed a certain number of men...." Read more
Customers have different views on the humor. Some find it sassy, edgy, and cinematic. Others find it boring and dull.
"There were a lot of depressing moments in this book. Violence, neglect, abuse, homophobia...a good story that's mired in sadness...." Read more
"...is Gothic suspense in all its darkness and grit, but there are flashes of humor: "For all she knew, he could have someone locked in his basement..." Read more
"I found this book very sad and dark. It was laborious reading...." Read more
"...The ending didn’t surprise me and it was overall just sad...." Read more
Customers find the story boring and confusing. They feel the chapters are irrelevant to the story, and the storytelling flow is lacking. The book is long and winding, making it difficult for them to get through. There is too much repetition and rehashing of old information, which makes it seem like a waste of time.
"...development are very thorough, although sometimes the story can get tedious (and a bit confusing) with so much description...." Read more
"...Ford's narrative is unforgiving and uncompromising with nary a feel-good moment to be found here in lives that are as bleak as the eye of a twister..." Read more
"...Just terrible execution and way too many different themes and issues, so all of them got glossed over. Overall, it was a huge letdown." Read more
"...So much retelling due to each character reviewing the murder" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022Five years after debuting her novel, Cottonmouths, Kelly J. Ford has a new book out. Let's just say I'm thinking good things about Real Bad Things. While Cottonmouths was set in a fictional small town in Arkansas called Drear's Bluff, Real Bad Things takes place in Maud Bottoms, which is ... also a fictional small town in Arkansas. They say, write about what you know. Kelly J. Ford does that. She knows small-town Arkansas, and she writes it with all flags flying -- the grit, the secrets, the mommy issues, the poverty, the abuse, the good-ol'-boys' complicity, the small-mindedness, the resistance to change. She also knows what it's like to grow up queer in the South. Just like in her first novel, RBT features a lesbian protagonist who gets sucked back into the dramas -- and traumas -- of her youth, her toxic family, and a lost love. But between the two novels' protagonists, I favor Jane Mooney. She is not only willing (if not exactly prepared) to confront her hellish past, but she does so with a wicked keen wit. This novel is Gothic suspense in all its darkness and grit, but there are flashes of humor: "For all she knew, he could have someone locked in his basement with a bucket and a bottle of lotion." For all her past trauma and current confusion, Jane has a sense of humor, and it's sharp as a bottle shard. Once again, Kelly J. Ford delivers a compelling, slow-burn mystery that reaches impressive depths of character and setting.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023I really enjoy Kelly J Ford's writing - the plot and character development are very thorough, although sometimes the story can get tedious (and a bit confusing) with so much description. I find myself highlighting a lot just to keep the events, characters, and conversations clear, so I can quickly refresh myself if I can't follow what is happening or who is who! Don't get me wrong - I love detailed, descriptive writing with lots of adjectives, but it causes me to lose focus and get a little bored. I guess this is my own way of saying the author can be a bit wordy and tedious... coming from someone who is notorious for the same thing 😁
On to the story itself. This is a unique, twisty read, but somewhat of a slow burn, resembling another of Ford's books, Cottonmouths. It is set in Maud, Arkansas - a small rural town along a river with a lock and dam (central to the story). It features Jane - a down-on-her-luck single woman, who just can't catch a break. She has always given up everything (including her freedom and reputation) for those she loves, but has yet to find true love and happiness. She lacks stability in her life, and craves love and acceptance from her half brother, Jason, and mother, Diane.
Diane is an angry alcoholic who jumps from one man to another, and doesn't even know who Jane or Jason's biological fathers are. She and Jane have a horribly toxic relationship, and it's clear she also doesn't accept Jane's sexuality; she calls her nasty names and creates a nickname that sticks in the mouths of the residents in Maud. She lives in a trashy trailer park and has zero ambition to improve her living situation - she's satisfied as long as she has booze and men.
Jane and Jason were young when Diane married Warren, an abusive drunk who beat on them and openly despised both kids, but especially Jane. One night, after drinking and coming home to find a car parked in his usual space, he starts a fight with Jane's high school girlfriend, Georgia Lee, and that's where things really go wrong, and Warren ends up dead and dumped in the river by the lock and dam.
Even though Warren's body hasn't been found, Jane takes the fall to protect her brother and her friends, who are conflicted when human remains are found ten years later. Jane learns who can and can't be trusted, and that not all those who she tried to save with her false confession deserved her protection. The twists just keep coming until the very end! Very enjoyable read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022Content warning: violence, child abuse, domestic violence
Jane and her brother, Jason, live with their abusive alcoholic mom, in a very small town called Maude. The two had a very unconventional and traumatic childhood, thanks to their mother, Diane, and her slew of boyfriends that came and went throughout the years. Tensions are always high; Jane and Jason have learned to walk on eggshells around Diane and Warren- Diane’s current boyfriend who is a miserable and abusive alcoholic. A fight breaks out between Warren, Jane’s girlfriend Georgia Lee, and Jason; while acting in self-defense, Warren is struck and incapacitated. Jane and her friend arrive and help- not knowing exactly what happened, the group of teenagers dispose of the body and vow to never speak of it again. However, once police start to investigate Warren’s disappearance, Jane confesses to his murder and is sent to juvenile hall for years.
Over a decade later, the body of a male, believed to be the late Warren, washes up from the river. Jane arrives in Maude, prepared for the worst. The police investigation is resumed but under a new investigator, Benjamin, a kind-hearted and determined officer of the law. Benjamin sees discrepancies in the previous investigation and begins to think that this case isn’t as open-and-shut as it once seemed. As Benjamin conducts his new investigation, people come out of the woodwork, and the town gossip page has become very active with their opinions on the case and those involved. But, where is the truth among the clues, did Jane kill Warren like she confessed years prior?
The author, Kelly Ford, creates such an immersive environment and atmosphere of the town, Maude, the characters are complex and somewhat flawed. As the story unfolds and slowly the truth comes to light, the characters become more real and involved.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024Really liked the story line and the dark feeling I got when reading this book.
Top reviews from other countries
- Shannon WhitwellReviewed in Canada on August 31, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful, shocking, disturbing & well written!
I was immediately interested in the storyline for this one. We have Jane who is returning to her hometown after the body of her stepdad is found dead (a murder she confessed to as a teen 25 years ago).
What makes this even more interesting is that you begin to doubt that Jane even killed him, so then who is she covering for? The book flips back and forth between Jane and Georgia Lee (her GF at the time of the murder).
While this is a suspense novel it is also a book about being different in a small town. It talks about parental neglect and abuse. A story about friendship and sacrifice. And about realizing that you deserve happiness and love. There are some really good twists and turns. This story is a wild ride!
Shannon Whitwell
Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2022
What makes this even more interesting is that you begin to doubt that Jane even killed him, so then who is she covering for? The book flips back and forth between Jane and Georgia Lee (her GF at the time of the murder).
While this is a suspense novel it is also a book about being different in a small town. It talks about parental neglect and abuse. A story about friendship and sacrifice. And about realizing that you deserve happiness and love. There are some really good twists and turns. This story is a wild ride!
Images in this review - Ray HawkinsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars More twists than a mountain road!
It starts off as one of those books where you are told "who dun it" in the first few pages.
However, then it gets intriguing as we see it from another person's viewpoint.
Then you reach the stage where you think "Aha! so that's what happened".
Just another chapter in and you are wondering which way is up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, I guessed the ending (incorrectly) three times and still found a surprise at the end.
- Aussie ReaderReviewed in Australia on September 3, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars messed up town
The township of Maud has a secret in the trailer park. When the council elections are interrupted by a flood and a skeleton washes up, history cools back to haunt the town. The new cop tries doing things differently.
I found this a confusing read with current scenes running into historical scenes without much notice. The ending introduced more confusion for no apparent gain.
- minballReviewed in Canada on November 10, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Very gribbing read, would make a excellence movie. can't wait to read Cottonmouth. This author get your attention from page one.
- Heather OwenReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, hollow ending
Thoroughly enjoyed the book but disappointed with the finale. A full explanation of what actually happened with Jason and Diane would have been great. Left me guessing unless there’s a sequel?