Thanks to Holiday House for sending me a review copy via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts in any way. Dead Girls Talking will be out on 06/18/24! 

Growing up in the small town of Wolf Ridge, North Carolina, daughter of the “Smiley Face Killer” Bettina Holland was always the subject of murder podcasts, murder tours, and even an upcoming docuseries. But ten years after her father’s conviction, a copycat serial killer suddenly starts recreating the string of murders, making Bettina question the truth: did Trapper McGrath really kill his wife? As she goes to investigate alongside “goth kid” Eugenia Cline, they soon uncover the secrets buried by everyone close to her, and maybe the fact that the killer has always been watching her. 

This story certainly had potential to be a really good thriller, if not for the fact that it was vaguely underdeveloped in terms of characterization, especially Bette’s dynamic with Eugenia, considering both of them were likely main characters. The execution also lacked in thrill and build-up which led to an anticlimactic conclusion. The ending was underwhelming, and I feel that some of the issues could have been addressed in the epilogue. However, I didn’t read this with the lights off so I would still recommend this book. 

Also, I wish there was actually a TW that Bette would throw up a LOT because it actually made me nauseous. Other CWs include Domestic/Physical and Emotional Abuse, Vomit, & Panic Attacks/Disorders