Darling Girls: A Novel
SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth's novel Darling Girls has it all.
For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life. But their childhood wasn't the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects? A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth. "Sally Hepworth writes characters you love." --LIANE MORIARTY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF APPLES NEVER FALLBUY THE BOOK
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Community Reviews
Such a fun and fast read! Ms. Fairchild is one of my most hated villains I’ve ever read. And justice for Phil!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher (St. Martinâs Press) for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Sally Hepworth has certainly made a name for herself in the thriller genre. Her non-linear story telling is masterful and the ending is something I actually didnât see coming. Read this one in one night, it was so good I could not put it down. Characters were real to me and had plausible and different reactions to trauma, which adds to the personal connection you feel to them.
I also read her last book and authors can fall into the a slump after a certain number of books but this is definitely better than The Soulmate and will stick with me for awhile. Makes me want to read some of her older books as well. I also appreciate the clear research that was done into the foster system that makes it feel more grounded in reality than if counter examples werenât given.
My only qualm is that I wouldâve liked some analysis of DNA testing/explanation there to have given another layer to the book. Leaving that vague so as not to give any of the twists away. But thatâs the only thing that was missing.
If you like a thriller, would definitely recommend picking this up as soon as it comes out. Looking forward to more from her!! :)
Updated in 2024 to four stars since it hasnât stuck with me.
Sally Hepworth has certainly made a name for herself in the thriller genre. Her non-linear story telling is masterful and the ending is something I actually didnât see coming. Read this one in one night, it was so good I could not put it down. Characters were real to me and had plausible and different reactions to trauma, which adds to the personal connection you feel to them.
I also read her last book and authors can fall into the a slump after a certain number of books but this is definitely better than The Soulmate and will stick with me for awhile. Makes me want to read some of her older books as well. I also appreciate the clear research that was done into the foster system that makes it feel more grounded in reality than if counter examples werenât given.
My only qualm is that I wouldâve liked some analysis of DNA testing/explanation there to have given another layer to the book. Leaving that vague so as not to give any of the twists away. But thatâs the only thing that was missing.
If you like a thriller, would definitely recommend picking this up as soon as it comes out. Looking forward to more from her!! :)
Updated in 2024 to four stars since it hasnât stuck with me.
Jessica, Norah and Alicia have all landed in foster care through one tragedy or another. They've also each landed themselves the same foster mom, Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild owns a large farm and promises these girls a happy home and life.
Things take a drastic turn quickly. Miss Fairchild is unpredictable. Everything seems to set her off and nothing can possibly be done right. When the estate is torn down several years later and dug up, a body is found... the girls must return to their "home town" and assist law enforcement in finding out who the bones belong to.
Honestly, Darling Girls is one one of the best thrillers I have read in awhile! The twists were unpredictable and I did not see the end coming! Highly recommend if you like psychological thrillers!
Thank you to Sally Hepworth and NetGalley and for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Things take a drastic turn quickly. Miss Fairchild is unpredictable. Everything seems to set her off and nothing can possibly be done right. When the estate is torn down several years later and dug up, a body is found... the girls must return to their "home town" and assist law enforcement in finding out who the bones belong to.
Honestly, Darling Girls is one one of the best thrillers I have read in awhile! The twists were unpredictable and I did not see the end coming! Highly recommend if you like psychological thrillers!
Thank you to Sally Hepworth and NetGalley and for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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