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 FALL

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Published Apr 23, 2024

365 pages

Average rating: 7.46

382 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Andrea-The Shelf Life Books
Jul 03, 2025
8/10 stars
Another hard to put down book that is both thought and emotion evoking. As with her other books, Darling Girls is well written, well thought out, gripping, twist filled, moving and shocking. You won’t be able to put this down.

Three girls, Norah, Alicia and Jessica are placed in the foster home of Miss Fairchild. All seems fine to the outside world, but behind closed doors it is a nightmare. They suffered together under the highly unpredictable, extremely strict, and often cruel and abusive Miss Fairchild. When small infants were placed in Miss Fairchild’s care, the girls would take care of them and try and keep Miss Fairchild happy so they were not abused. The three girls figured that they needed to stick together to get through this. They formed an unbreakable bond. Now as adults they’ve kept that bond alive, always vigilant for one another. They still wondered what happened to the infants that they had to leave behind once they “aged out” of foster care.

The women, Norah, Jessica and Alicia are contacted by police when bones are found buried under Miss Fairchild's former home. Miss Fairchild and the sisters return as requested by the police. Maybe they’ll find some answers of their own. Could this be one of the foster children that was there before them? After all they did find clothes and toys with “Amy” on them in the basement.

Sally Hepworth wrote such a gripping and suspenseful story with this one, that it will keep you guessing until the end. THE END!! Oh boy, it got me. I could have never guessed.
Margaux B
Mar 05, 2025
8/10 stars
This was an emotionally gripping read that delves into the complex lives of three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who bonded during their time at Wild Meadows, a seemingly idyllic farmhouse run by Miss Fairchild. The chapters alternate between their traumatic past and their present struggles, revealing the deep scars left by their childhood. As adults, they are summoned back to Wild Meadows when human remains are discovered, forcing them to confront their painful memories and the lingering effects of their shared trauma. The narrative is a slow burn, filled with suspense and emotional depth, as it explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the long-lasting impact of childhood experiences. The characters are well-developed, each grappling with their own demons, and the plot is tight, exposing the flaws in the foster care system and the strength of their bond as they seek closure and healing.
Anne-Marie Eberhardt
Jul 02, 2025
10/10 stars
Fantastic and the end…what?!?!
Jessica.Page
Jun 26, 2025
8/10 stars
This deserves the 4+ rating it's getting on Goodreads. A very good family ensemble thriller!

Highly recommend when it comes out on 4/23/24.
Scarlet ST
Mar 02, 2025
3/10 stars
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was just a hot mess 🥹 I finished it out of curiosity. Three foster sisters, a wicked foster mom and a body buried under the house. Quite predictable. Pedestrian writing style. Check trigger warnings ⚠️

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