I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts are my own
My TBR stacks (yes, stacks – 79 titles and counting!) are getting out of control, and with my limited reading time while not commuting, it takes a pretty exciting pitch email to pique my interest when it comes to review copies. Andreina Cordani’s The Girl Who… was pitched to me as ‘very much for fans of One of Us is Lying, One of Us is Next and A Good Girl’s’ Guide to Murder.’ Yep, that’ll do it!
The girl who… survived
The girl who… inspires
The girl who… has something to hide
People can’t bring themselves to say what happened to her. They just describe her as ‘the girl who… you know…’ but nobody really knows, no one sees the real Leah.
Leah is the perfect survivor. She was seven years old when she saw her mother and sister killed by a troubled gang member. Her case hit the headlines and her bravery made her a national sweetheart: strong, courageous and forgiving. But Leah is hiding a secret about their deaths. And now, ten years later, all she can think of is revenge.
When Leah’s dad meets a new partner, stepsister Ellie move in. Sensing Leah isn’t quite the sweet girl she pretends to be, Ellie discovers that Leah has a plan, one she has been putting together ever since that fateful day. Now that the killer – and the only one who knows the truth – is being released from prison, time is running out for Ellie to discover how far Leah will go to silence her anger…
Are you hooked yet?
Is it just me or are young adult books getting more and more grown up? This ain’t no Sweet Valley High! Leah and Ellie are unlikely stepsisters – one quiet and brooding, one chatty and chipper. Oh, and one harbours a dark secret.
The story switches from Leah’s, Ellie’s and the killer’s points of view throughout, keeping you on your toes and wondering who to trust. And it tackles a lot, exploring such themes as mental health, grief, trauma, gang culture, and celebrity status.
Most of this reasonably short book is spent hinting at Leah’s secret, while pushing the reader back and forth over who to sympathise with, before reaching the ultimate climax and somewhat surprising resolution.
If you’ve already read Karen M. McManus’ The Cousins and need more teenage twisted thrillers in your live, grab a copy of The Girl Who…