A review by apagetoturn
The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

4.5

Minka Kent delivers a riveting psychological thriller in The Stillwater Girls, a book that hooked me from the first page and didn’t let go until the shocking, sideways twist I never saw coming. The story of Wren and her sisters—raised in a remote cabin, cut off from society, and steeped in fear—unfolds with a chilling intensity that left me on edge throughout.

Kent masterfully builds a bleak, claustrophobic atmosphere as the girls fend for themselves after their mother and youngest sister vanish. The harsh wilderness, dwindling supplies, and an impending winter make survival seem impossible—until a stranger arrives, setting off a chain of events that forces Wren and Sage to break their lifelong rule: never leave the forest.

What lies beyond the woods is far more terrifying than the isolated life they've known. The revelations are jaw-dropping, each secret peeling back another unsettling layer. Kent’s pacing is taut, and her ability to balance tension with emotional depth makes this novel unforgettable.

While the twists kept me on my toes, I docked half a star only because some character motivations felt slightly underexplored in the final stretch. That said, the gripping suspense and haunting revelations more than make up for it.

If you love psychological thrillers that explore survival, resilience, and hidden truths, The Stillwater Girls is a must-read. Prepare for a wild ride—and brace yourself for the twist that’ll linger long after you turn the last page