This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own
Darling Girls: A Novel by Sally HepworthPublication Date: April 24, 2024
Publisher: St. Martin's Press / Macmillan
Pages: 368
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Domestic
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth, comes a twisty new domestic suspense novel.
From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you'd meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It's a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. 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 they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried?
REVIEW
I have always found a great deal of enjoyment in the novels written by Sally Hepworth, and her latest masterpiece, Darling Girls, is certainly no exception to this rule. It was an exceptionally well-crafted piece of literature, weaving a tale that was both complex and intricate in nature.
This was the third novel I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in from her talented hand, and despite having some experience with her style and narrative, I found myself falling into the trap of thinking I could predict the plot’s direction. I believed I had a grasp on the various threads of the story. While I was correct in predicting some minor aspects, I was greatly mistaken, and pleasantly surprised, about many others. The plot twists that Hepworth integrated into the story, especially those central to the narrative, were unexpected and compelling.
This level of unpredictability and depth is characteristic of a Sally Hepworth novel, and it’s part of what I find most compelling about her work. Even though I frequently read and review a wide array of books, her creative storytelling and unique narrative twists continue to astonish and delight me in equal measure.
The audiobook version of Darling Girls also deserves special mention. As with her previous works, it is exceptional in both production and performance, providing a captivating and immersive auditory experience that complements the enthralling tale.
