I received a complimentary copy for review. I found Bad wolf to be a well written story, with likeable and well developed characters. I would describe it as a police procedural with a twist. The twist being a bit of supernatural horror in the form of a werewolf that should appeal to fans of both crime thrillers and horror stories alike. ( )

My original BAD WOLF (BAD WOLF CHRONICLES BOOK 1) audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Detective Lara Mendes, a by the book and new homicide cop, gets partnered with John Gallagher, the bad boy of the department. Their first case involves a woman killed and eaten by dogs. All the pieces do not fit; one bite is identified as a large wolf, not a dog, and one DNA sample is identified as not human and not canine. Lara and John try to solve the crime without actually working together in a stereotypical dysfunctional police partner relationship.

This book is essentially a mystery with paranormal twist. The paranormal ingredient is no surprise based on the title. The not human-not canine DNA belongs to a werewolf. He is on a mission of revenge. To stop him, Lara and John first have to identify him. Next is wrapping their heads around the fact that such a thing as a werewolf can exists. The werewolf does have the ability of changing forms at will, not tied to the moon.

The story progresses on a predictable path. Lara and John never break out of the run of the mill cop molds. The backstory on the werewolf does not make me have any feelings, either positive or negative, for him. The book ends abruptly. The reader would have to purchase the next book and the final in the trilogy to get the whole story.

I was not impressed with the narration by Bob Barton. At points it sounded as though he was reading through the book for the first time. When John’s character reacts to Lara with a “sinister grating chuckle like some vaudeville diablo”, it just falls flat. It doesn't sound sinister but is definitely grating.

At timestamp 2 hours, 20 minutes and 52 sections, the narrator does flub a line, stops and repeats it. It sounds like this: “A hack job shelf. Filed into it (throat cleared then percussive sound, like a movie clapperboard). Filed onto it were more of the same cheap notebooks.” I consider this to be an error on the part of production values. This should have been caught and edited out before it was released.

I do not understand why there is not a “proof listening” step in the production of audio books. Authors should insist on it because it affects the reader’s perception of their work and whether the reader will try them again.

I did not find the story compelling enough, either as a mystery or a werewolf story, to continue with the second book in the series. At same point I hope to hear another narration by Mr. Barton and see if it is just this title that is lackluster.

Audiobook provided for review by the audiobookreviewer.com

Story (Plot) 3
Performance 2
Production Quality 2
Attention Holding 3
( )

Screenwriter Tim McGregor turns author with his ebook, "Bad Wolf". McGregor spins a believable yarn about a serial killer who just happens to be a werewolf. Ivan Prall has been cursed and is looking to end the curse by killing the man responsible for it. Mismatched police officers Lara Mendes and John Gallagher are given the task of stopping the killer. They begin the search as disbelievers, but end the chase for Prall fighting for their lives. Bad Wolf is a quick-moving, entertaining novel that will keep readers on the end of their seats. Highly recommended. ( )

Lara Mendes has just been promoted to detective. The only stipulation is she is partnered with John Gallagher, a detective known for over stepping the line. Her job is to keep a leash on him. Their first case together is a lady killed by dogs. They then stumble upon Ivan Prall. Prall was a foster kid that was abused.

Lara and John find his hiding place in the basement of an abandoned shack. While looking around, they find some journals and some chains and leather restraints. They think he is just a little off but Prall thinks that he is a werewolf. But he must actually be one since the local stray dogs are forming a pack with him has the alpha.

Lara and John are on a race to find Prall, solve the murder of the mauled woman, and stop the dogs from attacking. They also need to learn to get along with one another.

I liked this story. There was a good mystery along with a paranormal twist. I admit that the story did feel like it drug in a couple places. But the ending clearly made it feel like it was the first in a series. I am curious to see what happens next. I think if you like paranormal thrillers you will like this book.

I received this book for free from Book Rooster in exchange for an honest review. ( )