Cover Image: The Thirteenth Girl

The Thirteenth Girl

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

It took me a while to get into this one but then it really picks up and becomes gripping. Lots of twists to keep you guessing.

Was this review helpful?

Sarah Goodwin's "The Thirteenth Girl" weaves a haunting tale of mystery and friendship, set against the backdrop of a small, enigmatic town. As the secrets of the past intertwine with the present, readers are drawn into a story of suspense and connection that lingers long after the final chapter.

Was this review helpful?

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

Fantastic psychological thriller - loved it. Looking for more books by this author!

Was this review helpful?

Lucy was abducted as a young girl into a cult, but managed to escape. She is living a normal life, until her old life is starting to catch up with her modern one. It was a gripping read, and disturbing how controlling the cult life could be. Entertaining read.

Was this review helpful?

A riveting, suspenseful story that explores such an interesting topic. The characters were so well developed and I loved them all. I was drawn into this book from the start to the finish! Loved it.

Was this review helpful?

Now this is one hell of a dark and twisty novel! Absolutely LOVED it!

This was my first book by this author but if this book is to go by then I a, definitely a fan.

Lucy, married and heavily pregnant with her first child is suffering from flashbacks to her childhood. A childhood that has left her with unresolved questions, memories and trauma.

Born on Friday 13th and the 13th girl in The Manor, a cult that she lived in until the age of 7 when she was the only survivor left.

The pace is up and down, there are times when it's high octane energy whizzing you through the pages and then other times the chapters are more drawn out and quite slow with in my opinion unnecessary detail (hence the 4*)

The characters were original and relatable, I'll admit I wasnt keen on Lucy at the beginning but as the story progressed and I realised what had happened in her early life I really grew to like her, the same not to be said about her husband. I loved how the author kept her 'real'and didn't try to make her out to be a superwoman, she has flaws and they are celebrated not hidden away.

This was an amazing psychological tale that had twists and turns a plenty, real suspense and shock value at times. All you need out of a cult thriller!

Huge thanks to netgalley and Avon Books UK for the.

Was this review helpful?

Sorry. I had to pass and give this a low rating. That was just unpleasant.

Thanks to Netgalley! Hoping for a better read next time!

Was this review helpful?

This was an enjoyable read but nothing terribly exciting. I thought at the beginning it was going to be a gripping story dealing with cults which is a subject I find fascinating but I think it was a bit too unbelievable. I would give the author another read although she wouldn't be my first choice.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Sarah Goodwin and I enjoyed her writing. I had mixed feelings about the story. I liked the beginning, the premise of the story and the set up were good. I did not enjoy the middle so much, once the story went deeper into the cult aspect I found it harder to believe, hey maybe that's a good thing- too mistrustful to get sucked into a cult haha. The suspense kicks up at the end and was my favorite part of the book. I need to check out other books by Sarah Goodwin.

Was this review helpful?

This was really well written and believable. I can honestly see that the cults can drag people in so easily and that they can be hidden in plain sight.

I would definitely read another by this author

Was this review helpful?

When I started reading this, I had really high hopes. But then it fell apart about 1/2 way through. Some sections were over the top. The ending actually made the book for me.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book but for some reason had a hard time getting into it. I’m not sure if it was the way it was written or just perhaps that it was not what I was looking for at the time. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the characters, the ending was just okay, I felt it was kind of rushed after all the lead-ups in the beginning.

Was this review helpful?

⭐⭐

I just didn't connect with this one. I didn't like Lucy Townsend and I just found the story boring and slow. They all can't be hit, right? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Was this review helpful?

An ok read
Wasn’t one of the best books
Wouldn’t put me off reading more by this author
Thanks NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

After reading stranded I was excited for more from Goodwin, unfortunate,y this wasn’t it.

I found myself lost and confused most of the time. There were far too many characters with complex stories and weird interminglings. It was hard to keep up with who was who, and what connection existed.

Was this review helpful?

In her second novel, Sarah Goodwin creates another conflicted female protagonist in the literary shape of Lucy Townsend, newly pregnant and struggling from flashbacks to her traumatic childhood in a cult, followed by foster care. The novel is, in my opinion, very versatile – there are very fast-paced, suspenseful sections full of turns and twists, but also lengthy passages that could have done with a good edit, for example the lengthy passages related to the cult’s activities. Overall, however, this is a riveting read that thriller and ‘domestic noir’ fans should devour. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishes for the complimentary ARC that allowed me to read the novel and produce this book review.

Was this review helpful?

Deeply dark with so many twists and turns, I felt the writer built the suspense well and I was engrossed till the end.

Was this review helpful?

The writing was good, if I'm honest, but the main character was annoying and I couldn't stand her. It was a bit flat and predictable.

Was this review helpful?

It isnt often that i dont finish a book but i just cant waste anymore time with this one. It is so slow that the story is creeping along like a snail sludging through peanut butter. The main character is whiney and dull and i can’t dredge up any sympathy or compassion for her. Its supposed to be a psychological thriller but all it does is make me angry at Lucy. . Perhaps ita the fact i am in late stage cancer but i just cant waste time finishing this book.

Was this review helpful?

The Thirteenth Girl By Sarah Goodwin tells the story of Lucy Townsend. Lucy is a thirty-three-year-old woman, married to Marshall, a local councillor and the daughter-in-law of an MP. She was looking forward to the next phase of her life with her loving husband and a new baby. What happened next changed her life forever. The press had connected her to a cult accused of child kidnapping, fraud, prostitution and many unsolved crimes.
This book is everything you expect from a good thriller. The suspense, excitement, apprehension, anticipation and nail-biting narrative make it a page-turner. Sarah Goodwin's first novel, Stranded, was praised highly. I do not doubt that The Thirteenth Girl will be equally celebrated.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Lucy and how the various characters in her past life have shaped her. I particularly liked how the author switches between her past and present when telling Lucy's story in a manner that suggests there are more surprises in store.
I recommend this book to fans of suspense novels.

Was this review helpful?