Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
A big storm is brewing, there’s a killer on the loose, and the ghosts of Myrtle Beach are restless. Psychic medium Simon Kincaide and his sexy cop boyfriend, homicide detective Vic D’Amato, have their hands full helping the Grand Strand brace for rough surf, driving rain, and high winds as a winter storm roars toward shore.
Everyone’s on edge, and rumors are rampant about sightings of Blackcoat Benny, a ghostly omen of danger, and worse, the Gallows Nine, the spirits of nine infamous criminals hanged back in the 1700s, a harbinger of disaster. Rough tides wash the wreck of an old pirate ship into shallow waters, high winds threaten to damage an old mansion with a dark past, and the citizens of the beach town hunker down to ride out the storm.
As the skies grow dark and the sea turns wild, several men from prominent local families end up dead under suspicious circumstances. Simon’s premonition confirms Vic’s gut feeling – the killing is just getting started. As Simon tries to reach out to the spirits of the murdered men to help the investigation, he’s attacked by malicious ghosts that don’t want anyone getting in the way of their long-overdue vengeance.
When I first started listening to audiobooks, if you had asked me if I would be listening to stories I had already read, I would have said no.. But as my appreciation for this format and the gifted narrators has grown, I find I not only find myself listening to stories I have already read bit actovey seek out the audio versions. Why? Because I have long since learned that a superb narration not only sometimes elevates the story past my previous experience, maybe because of distractions or moods or what have you. But because that narrator’s voice and acting ability allows me to see into the characters and stories in ways I hadn’t seen before.
Love it when I am able to discover new facets to characters or pickup on new clues overlooks because I missed a sentence reading it. Can’t do that while listening.
So it happens here with the marvelous audio version of The Rising (Badlands #2) by Morgan Brice as narrated by Kale Williams. I’m more than thrilled with the seamless combination of author and narrator, the same one, Kale Williams who is the voice behind Morgan Brice’s other audio series. I’m dropped into the still new relationship of Simon and Vic as they settle in together into their lives in Myrtle Beach. But there’s a huge storm brewing, and the atmosphere is heavy, as only that ominous way that foretells danger and foreboding.
Such an excellent story. As with all such plots there is murder which bring’s in Vic, and the methodology and strange circumstances which brings in Simon, each in their area of expertise. This is one of power, and haunting, and pirates. And while I remembered it all so clearly. Now, well, now, as voiced by Williams, this story sang of mystical powers and a need for revenge that even death couldn’t quench! I couldn’t stop listening, hooked by story, hooked by voice. it was as though it was new all over again.
I love how we start off pointed in all directions, yet all layers, the past, the present, and yes, even the future, come together when all the clues mesh with a crescendo to a chilling, thrilling, heart stopping ending! The Rising is truly one of my favorite stories with one of Brice’s favorite couples (and that’s saying a lot)! It has it all. Romance! Mystery! Suspense! The Mystical and Paranormal. And even Pirates with revenge on the mind. You can’t ask for more. But you get it with Kale Williams as the outstanding narrator. Don’t miss out on this superb series ! The audio version rocks!
Cover art is dark and the models work for the characters but I wish for a tad more elements from the storyline.
Buy Links
Audio Book Details:
Listening Length: 6 hours and 48 minutes.
Audible Audio, 7 pages
Published June 18th 2019 by Tantor Audio (first published February 13th 2019)
ASIN B07SLGN28Y
Edition Language English
Series Badlands #2
Badlands Series linked to GR
Lucky Town 1.5
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 