A bold and outspoken response to all those serial killer stories out there that are centred on the male killer: Pochoda instead focuses on women connected to a string of violent sexual murders and foregrounds themes of fear, grief, dogged persistence in the face of disbelief and the challenge of getting female voices heard in a culture which still prioritizes the masculine.

Pochoda's writing is pliant and surprisingly lyrical given the dark subject matter, and she really gets under the skins of her characters whether working girls or an anguished mother. This is where the real strength of this story lies and the voice of Feelia is especially strong. In fact, it's where the 'crime' plot comes to the fore that the book starts to weaken. I applaud the intent to subordinate the perpetrator's story to the main female-focused narrative but I found the unravelling of motive and psyche wasn't quite credible... Still, that's not really the point as this is the women's story - all the women, regardless of what work they do to survive. For all the brutality, this is ultimately, I think, an angry but hopeful narrative of survival, resistance and steadfastness in the face of a refusal to hear.

What an absolutely brilliant book. I loved the concept of this book and it was brilliant. Amazing characters too xx

In 1999, 13 women are murdered in the Western Adams are of South Central LA. Most of the victims are sex workers, there is never an arrest possibly because the police never tried too hard as maybe they see it as an ‘occupational hazard’. The murders begin again in 2014. The story focuses on ‘these women’ and tells the story from their undervalued point of view. There’s Feelia the only survivor from 1999 whose voice is heard loud and clear in the book, there’s Dorian mother of 15 year old Lecia and not a sex worker and the last 1999 victim. Dorian never recovers from the tragic loss. Another voice is Julianna also know as Jujubee who had been Lecia’s friend and Dorian babysat, who is being drawn into the waitressing world of ‘extra services’. There’s Anneke who resents the presence of the street corner women and her artist daughter Marella and finally there’s Detective Essie Perry. The storyline goes between 1999 and 2014 and from the perspectives of the different characters.

This is a very different book as this one is not about the killer (although he is unmasked) but it’s about the women and we get to understand them rather than delve into a serial killers mind. I like this premise very much and it makes you fully appreciate that with few exceptions it’s the serial killers names we know and rarely the victims. How wrong is that?? Their voices are resonating and powerful although it’s not always easy reading. Feelia the survivors voice makes a particularly powerful impact but it also provokes some anger that she is not listened to properly as she has some crucial evidence to impart. Dorian is dogged in not allowing her daughter to be forgotten but she is burdened by the sadness. I like how Julianna splits to Jujubee to disassociate from what she’s drawn into. Marella’s art tries to capture the violence, she is a very dark and damaged woman. Her mother Anneke is simply poisonous and just plain wrong in every way. Essie is tenacious and likeable. The characterisation is vivid and rich and we clearly see the personalities of these women, their dashed hopes, shattered dreams and ruined lives. I like how the book resolves and the ending is dramatic.

Overall, this is a very well written, thought provoking book which gives a voice to the voiceless. It flows well between the timelines and the characters. There is much to admire here but it isn’t comfortable reading.

With thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for the ARC.

3.5 rounded up

1999. Lecia, a teenage babysitter is murdered - the 13th victim of a serial killer targetting marginalised women - mostly prostitutes - in LA. Her mother, Dorian, makes it her mission to ensure the police track down her killer. And then, as suddenly as they started the murders stop.

Skip forward to 2014, and women of similar backgrounds start being murdered again. And Essie Perry, a cop recently transferred from homicide to vice is the only person who seems to care and see the connection.

These Women follows the stories of five women whose lives are brought together by these crimes. As other reviewers have mentioned, this novel sets itself apart by focusing almost exclusively on the victims rather than the serial killer themselves. A fast paced read which veers more towards the literary side of the thriller genre, I can totally see this being THE book to read this summer.