A review by cj_mo_2222
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Three women grew up in foster care together and are still friends decades later. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are trying to live their lives, but none of them can completely put their pasts behind them. Even more bad memories come rushing back when they receive a call from a detective that human remains have been found underneath the foster home they had all lived in twenty-five years earlier. The detective must determine if the women are witnesses to a tragedy or suspects.

This book is fast-paced and tense from beginning to end. I enjoyed the theme of found family and getting to know Norah, Alicia, and Jessica. They don't always make the best decisions, but as the book progresses, you start to understand why. Even though the book is engaging, it's not an easy read. Despite outward appearances, life was not good for these girls when they were living at Wild Meadows in Port Agatha, Australia. Descriptions of the things they endured from their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, are very disturbing. When more information is discovered about the bones, everyone involved is shocked. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the way things turn out for most of the characters. This is a book that you can't say too much about without spoiling the story, but I will say keep reading to the very end to make sure you don't miss a single twist and turn. 

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. 
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