A review by shelleys_book_nook
The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I haven't read any thrillers since the end of January because too often they are unbelievable and way too over the top. Enter The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne, finally a book that lives up to its promise to be a totally absorbing psychological thriller. In fact, it was so absorbing I read all 338 in a couple of sittings. There is no whodunit here, we know from the first page who the culprit is and what follows is a page-turning account of the why. Told in two timeline format, we learn about Grace and her sister Amber and how they were raised by a drug-addicted mother (I use that term lightly). Grace has to take over the caregiving of Amber at an early age.

This is a wonderfully thought-out and addictive account of how abuse can repeat itself generation after generation and how Grace tried her best to break the cycle for her and her sister. This was such a heartbreaking read because of what Grace and Amber went through as children and what they continue to go through as adults. And even though we know the culprit right away there are plenty of twists and turns along the way. This one deserves all the stars for how unique it was and how visceral my feelings were towards some of the actions of these characters.

There are lots of triggers in this tale so be forewarned, I do not recommend this to anyone who is faint of heart or weak of stomach.