Bloodshed in the Badlands

Wren and Rascal #1

by Judith A. Barrett

Wren lands a fantastic position with a travel write articles about lesser-known haunted campgrounds across the US. The killer can't risk Wren has to die.
Best job ever, except she and Rascal, her sweet black and tan Labrador Retriever, discover a crime in Arizona that only she can solve, much to the dismay of the young, widowed county Marshal and the resident campground ghost. The serial killer looks forward to reading her obituary.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author Judith A. Barrett lives in rural Georgia with her patient husband, FarmerMan, and two spoiled farm dogs. When she's not writing, you'll find her outside gardening or with her husband and dogs.

Judith A. Barrett writes thriller, mystery, and survival science fiction series. Her unusual main characters are brilliant, talented, and down-to-earth folks who embrace solving difficult problems and righting wrongs.

Donut Lady Mystery Series
Sweet Deal Sealed, Book 1 Sweet Deal Sealed
Sweet Deal Concealed, Book 2 Sweet Deal Concealed
Sweet Deal Revealed, Book 3 Sweet Deal Revealed
Sweet Deal Appealed, Book 4 Sweet Deal Appealed
Sweet Secret Deal, Book 5 Sweet Secret Deal

Maggie Sloan Thriller Series
I Always Wanted to Be a Spy, Book 1 I Always Wanted to Be a Spy
Red Is the New Gray, Book 2 Red is the New Gray
Hidden by Fire, Book 3 Hidden by Fire
One Eye on the Killer, Book 4 One Eye on the Killer
See Beyond the Fog, Book 5

Grid Down Survival Series
Danger in the Clouds, Book 1 Danger in the Clouds
|Danger in the Wind, Book 2 Danger in the Wind
Danger on the Road, Book 3 Danger on the Road
Danger in the Field, Book 4 Danger in the Field

Riley Malloy Thriller Series
Tagged by Death, Book 1 Tagged by Death
Defy Death, Book 2 Defy Death


Check her website for more information about her books and to read her blog.
Judith A. Barrett website

Subscribe to her monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on her news including each month's free book ! Subscribe to the Newsletter

You can find her books on Amazon with your preference of ebook or paperback!
Judith A. Barrett Amazon Author Page

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in the series, this was a dollar deal on Amazon. The premise intrigued me. I like camping & I like ghost stories, so I didn't even hesitate. This author clearly has been camping before. Her camper & campground descriptions are spot on. Unfortunately, her writing is more fan fic.
This is a prolific author. There's 5 books in the Wren & Rascal series, as well as several others.
From what I read in the synopsis each one has a ghost that helps Wren solve a murder. Wren is in danger in each book. The number of reviews goes down significantly with each book.

There's a love triangle with Wren liking a young lawyer & the town Marshall. The romance is clean. The ghost is amusing & only speaks to Wren. Rascal is a true dog & the author doesn't attempt to have him do any cutesy things.
I liked the story, but the writing doesn't tempt me to go on.

[Tiffany Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is exhausting. Pretty much everything happens in dialogue, from the world building to the action and everything in between. There is no characterization - all of the characters are pretty much interchangeable apart from their names. As far as I can tell, the main character, Wren, had a dog purely for the reason of giving her an excuse to talk constantly.

Everyone’s emotional reactions are also off. When people in a small town start being murdered, everyone does…. Absolutely nothing. No gossip, no speculation, no worry, no comforting each other. Nada. It’s like watching a bunch of Wild West animatronics trying to behave like people.

Here’s an example from when Wren sees, and talks to (!), a ghost for the very first time:

“Did I just get into an argument with a ghost?” A gust of wind blew off her cap. “Okay, a stagecoach guard.” Wren laughed as she dusted off her ball cap and jammed it onto her head. “Let’s go inside and put away our groceries, then check to see if our laundry is ready for the dryer, Rascal.”

Can you tell how amazing this experience was for her? *sigh*

Wait until she discovers a body and then sits down to peel potatoes. Riveting stuff.

(Shout out to real-world Wren who sometimes reads my reviews. Hi Wren! *waves*)

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a third person single POV. I enjoyed the plot, and the characters in this quirky, but endearing murder mystery. I think the story was great, but the editing let it fall a bit short.
This is the first book in a series, and a first for me for this author. As I’m not familiar with her other works, I’m not sure if it’s a spinoff from another series, but I’m left with questions. Is she used to seeing ghost? She takes it so in stride. She references a lot of articles she wrote, are these stories I should know?
From an editing standpoint, a couple times, characters were called by the wrong name, and some of the prose seemed a bit clunky at times. The MFC also seems to narrate A LOT of her thoughts to her dog, but often felt forced and sometimes redundant.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the amount of times the MFC rolled her eyes in the book, to the point where I started a tally. 16 TIMES, with two bonus roles from other characters.
That being said, I did really enjoy the plot, as well as the characters. I think I will likely continue on in the series to see how some of the relationships between the characters develop.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read from Barrett. I was happily surprised by the vibe of the book. I really loved the storyline and the characters. This was the most fun and lighthearted murder mystery I’ve read, but I loved it for that reason. Mysteries with a little light romance on the side are my favorite so that was a win here. I loved the instant connection between Wren and the girls at the RV park and how they made her feel right at home and part of the family. I also liked that Wren never felt like she was trying to be some amateur detective or anything, but rather just naturally bold and observant.

However, there were some things that I wish were explained a little better, such as how/why Wren is able to see and talk to ghosts and isn’t scared by that. Is this normal for her? Does she have a special ability or was in a near death experience or something? She sees Thomas almost immediately and isn’t frightened or startled at all even though he is clearly an old timey ghost and even has a bullet wound. This isn’t explained at all when it is a situation that most people would be terrified by unless they were used to seeing ghosts, which, in my opinion, should have been explained if that were the case.

Where the book really lost points with me is the fact that it seemed there had been little to no editing done. In one chapter, the librarian’s name changes from Miranda, to Melinda, to Minerva, and then back to Miranda again. There was a line towards the beginning where the POV slips from third to first person and back again. Also, I felt like the dialogue was a bit hard to follow at times. These types of issues really detracted from the story for me. However, I did really enjoy the story itself so I will be giving the second book in this series a try.

[Mia Epsilon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice characters

Some nice characters, though the mystery is a bit thin.
The writing style is choppy, and slightly odd. We get tons of details about mundane (I swear if I had read about ‘drink water, it’s Arizona’ one more time, I would have screamed) and then no detail on the things that matter (such as character descriptions). Insta love, too, which I’m not a fan of, and some typos that distracted.
Also, just me, but she was leaving, so who took the canopy down for her since it took two to put up? Or did she just leave it? What did she do with all her trash? She put her bras in the dryer, since all her clothes were in the washer then in the dryer? Never known a bra like that, but then I have no clue what her figure really is since it’s not described. She’s short? How short? The trailing cover up and her standing on a toilet seat to see make her sound like a munchkin from Oz.

But overall, a nice book to pass the time and not expect much from.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy mystery, not my usual genre, but this one had a great setting (I'd recently been to the Southwest and could imagine the terrain, which is the reason I chose the book, honestly.) It was a cute story with quirky characters, made for a fun read. Some oddities in dialogue and transitions in action made me stop to reread sections at least a dozen times and surprised me as this author has many series of books under her belt. On the other hand, it didn't much matter, you could follow the general story of a plucky girl journalist who travels and writes about haunted campgrounds, a handsome lawman, a cowboy ghost, nice local people, and bad guys you could spot coming a mile away, even in a duststorm.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freelance writer for an outdoor magazine is on her first assignment of several that will take her across the country, staying at "haunted campgrounds", and giving feedback on the campers she is provided for each destination. At this first stop, she encounters a ghost from years back, discovers a body, and attracts the romantic interests of two locals.

Interesting setting and occupation. The author seemed to know her way around camping, and I certainly learned a few things about the past-time that so many enjoy. The scenery, local flavor, and the mix of characters added to the story. And who wouldn't love Rascal? The first book seemed to end with a question mark, IMO, and a definite lead-in to book two.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 1 from "Wren and Rascal Mystery" series, came out August 21, 2023. mystery romance. cozy animal mystery. women sleuths. has any one noticed that the authors they are following on Amazon, i know i was following Tonya Kappes (but i was not following her like i should have been? that is why i say that Amazon messes with these things? weird.) these book covers remind me of her books as well ...wonder wow publishers do that? i will read more soon. i am pretty positive i have read Judith's book before??! i gotta check. names start sounding familiar sometimes.

[J Shu · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/25. Wren Weaver, author, takes an assignment, along with her dog Rascal, to review camping trailers while staying in supposedly haunted campgrounds and writing non-fiction stories about the areas.. What secrets does her first campground hold? And why are people showing up dead? Sometimes details were confusing but overall a fun read.

[Lavendar Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and wholesome

This cute cozy mystery is full of humor and ooh... moments. I really enjoyed the humor.

There are a bit of confusing spots that should have been a bit more ear cut but nothing really horrible. It was a beautiful read.

[Kelly Derlago · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this but struggled my way through it. Very dry read, and slow to get through. Many of the reviews I read said it was a great start to a series, but I will not be continuing with the series.

[Jennette Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story, but the book needs some serious editing, especially when the names inexplicably change for NOT ONE, BUT TWO of the characters. I found it frustrating to read and a little confusing at times.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engaging read from beginning to end. All of the characters were likable, especially Rascal. Wren's new job writing travel articles about RVs and haunted campgrounds is definitely a new concept for a cozy mystery series that I enjoyed.

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Jeff, Audrey and Eldrick and why??? Money??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really like this author but she lost me with this series.

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet read. I read it straight thru. It's got some mistakes in it but I really enjoyed it.

[Tracie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but really had a hard time. Only got through the first chapter, it read like a 5th grader wrote it.

[Jacky Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I liked the easy way she made friends with the townspeople. I like how she could see the ghost and interact with him.

[Chris Boehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It’s a good mystery but light and cheerful. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, though a bit jerky listening to it on audiobook. The narrator was proficient, but you could tell she was reading a script. I’m going to continue on, as the storyline has proved to be one I will enjoy.

[GreenBayTina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Barrett’s cozy mysteries, and have read two others of her series. This was just as good and kept me turning the pages. There is always a dog companion in her stories. This tale had adventure, making new friends, camping in the Wild West, good guys and bad, murder, ghosts, and a nice amount of romance. I look forward to reading the next 4 book in this series.

[Erin Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun, and fast-paced.