Celia wakes up in a house with a husband and daughter, and she is sure they aren't hers. She knows she has to remember who she was before because she knows this little life is not hers.
Allie wakes up in a cabin in the woods. She's supposed to be on a beach trip with her 2 best friends, but instead, their trip has been hijacked by the other girls' partners. Soon, she realises the whole place feels off with no animals scurrying around and no bugs. Then they're all woken up from a knocking outside.
Maggie wakes up in a room filled with ten other women. Her daughter's been taken hostage and all the women have to complete a maze within 12 hours, all while dodging horrifying obstacles.
How all these stories are connected will shock you.

Christina Henry had me gripped from the very first page with this one. This was fast-paced and terrifying. It didn't take me long to figure out how they women were connected, though, which was disappointing. I highly recommend if anyone's looking for a twisty, turny, terrifying story.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Titan Books in exchange for an honest review.

In a genre that thrives off being meta, Christina Henry has somehow managed to take it a step further. And it is amazing.

Good Girls Don't Die is the one of the most original books I've ever read. It begins with the story of Celia, a woman who doesn't remember her own life. She has a husband, a job at a cosy smalltown bakery and a whole life that feels...off to her. Just as she is beginning to question everything, we swap to Allie who finds herself living out the classic horror scenario of going to a cabin in the woods with her friends. Things take a predictable turn and then we find ourselves with Maggie who is living out her own dystopian YA nightmare. I don't want to give away anything more than that but all three plots are interesting and the sense of uneasiness is enhanced by not knowing what is going on.

A huge part of this book's appeal was the originality for me. There is no shortage of meta horror books but this manages to be a pastiche of cosy mysteries, slasher horror and YA dystopia all at once which is both very fun and technically impressive. There are also three main characters and while I did like some more than others, all three are reasonably well-developed and engaging. I did find the first two situations more interesting than the third, but I think that's due my natural preference for the horror and mystery genres.

Overall, this was one of the most refreshing books I've read in a while and from one of my favourite authors to boot. I would definitely recommend giving it a try if you like unusual stories, although bear in mind it's not as 'horror-focused' as some of the author's previous work. Having said that, I think this has a lot to offer a wide range of readers, particularly those who enjoy a bit of humour alongside their drama/horror

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

Honestly, the most frightening part of this book was that it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination in today’s climate. Following three women who wake up to find themselves living typical scenarios of their favourite genres—cosy murder mystery, slasher, 2012 YA dystopian—after misogynistic encounters with fellow fans online, it kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page. Part of the thrill came from piecing together the mystery in the first section of the book, which really upped the stakes during the following sections. My only complaint is that I’d have liked the final section—the revenge—to have lasted longer, just to see the suffering returned in kind. Although I really shouldn’t be surprised that the women managed to get the job done in half the time.

Wow this book was wild. It was so intriguing and entertaining, I was so excited to get back to this book and read more every time I picked it up!

This is my first Christina Henry book and I'm glad I've stockpiled a few others on my tbr because I definitely want to read more this year.

Good Girls Don't Die is laid out as 3 individual stories that link together in the end.

Celia wakes up in a house she doesn't recognise with a family she's sure isn't her own.

Allie is taken to a cabin in the woods by her friends, a change of plan for her birthday beach weekend.

Maggie wakes up in a shipping container with a number on her back and is forced to enter a maze and compete with 9 other women!

A mix of 3 classic genres, cosy small town mystery, isolated horror and ya dystopia, this book is gripping! I had so many questions throughout it which where all answered by an ending that was maybe a bit too neat and tidy.

If you're for a thriller that's a bit different and will keep you guessing then look no further. I can't wait to read more of Henry's books!

"Good Girls Don't Die" by Christina Henry offers a gripping narrative that intertwines the lives of three women, each trapped in a nightmarish scenario within fictional worlds

The title implies that if you are 'good', you survive, and as you work through the stories of each of three unrelated women, dropped into situations which seem entirely unbelievable, whilst totally familiar, being 'bad' relates to being a bad example of womanhood

Celia, Allie and Maggie have all got their expert areas of personal interest-cosy murder mysteries, horror films and dystopian Y.A fiction. All have said what many of us have in the comfort of our own homes, such as 'I would NEVER go into the basement wearing a see-through nightie and 6 inch heels...' , or groaned out loud at the ridiculous things people do in movies, all safe and secure.

But ...what if someone took you at your word and accused you of a murder which you could not have committed? Or you find yourself being chased through the woods by a masked figure with a carving knife? And you had to save the life of a loved one by managing a series of increasingly difficult, and deadly obstacle courses?

One after the other, we as readers are landed into the tales of 3 women, as confused as they are about what is going on. As the story unfolds, it seems ridiculous and unbelievable, yet the threat level to each is deadly as the bodies start to fall in disgustingly brutal manners.

Will their knowledge of their particular genres get them out of the peril that they are in, and if so, does that mean that they are what could be considered 'good' or 'bad'?

Who is behind it and what 'crime' could they have committed to end up fighting for their lives?

What I loved about this book was the constant feeling of stress and worry that you held about the characters, and when each woman's tale ended, all on cliff hangers, you genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next.

I wanted to stay with Celia, but suddenly we were dealing with Allie, then just as you were getting somewhere with her, suddenly you are in a maze with Maggie. WTAF?!

Normally I am better at seeing how things will dovetail together, some of it I got , but the personal connections between the three I did not, and that ending....*chef's kiss*

I think it is one which will enrage some, make others say 'Huh?' but honestly, if you've read any of her other novels, then this is perfection.

Deeply gripping and a brilliant examination of modern misogyny, fuelled by feminist rage , I dived deep and did not stop until the very end. It was SUPERB.

Good Girls Don't Die was such a let down! I've read a book by Christina Henry before and I didn't like that one either, but I thought I would get her work another go because the premise sounded so good and her books tend to get really good reviews. Unfortunately, I'm not keen on short stories, and this is what this book felt like even though it wasn't necessarily supposed to. The stories all do come together in the end but by that point I just didn't care because I found the switches jarring. I ended up getting very attached to the main character in the first story, so I was disappointed to leave her behind! This one wasn't for me.

Unfortunately the premise of this book was the best thing about it. The story is divided up into three women's POVs and each one of them are boring and repetitively so.
The characters were frustrating and how this ended was so dissatisfying.
Give this one and miss and read literally anything else by the Author.

In the first part of Good Girls Don't Die, Henry presents us with three narratives. Each features a woman being isolated and manipulated in a way that reflects her online activity - almost as if somebody was listening in all along...

In the first of these, Celia awakes in a small town with a husband and child whose identities she can't remember and a cosy restaurant she knows nothing about. At first, all this resembles one of those nightmares where you have to sit an exam with no preparation - Celia's trying to stay one step ahead and not let on that she's all at sea. But then a body turns up, and the deceased's son, the town policeman, has her in the frame for the killing. Her "husband" is creepy as hell and she has nowhere to turn for help.

In the second, Allie's been got up in the kind of short shorts she'd NEVER wear and seems to be on the way to a cabin in the woods with some boys from college - NOT what she set out to do at all. And then, again, the killings begin.

In the third scenario, rather more brazenly, Maggie and a group of other women have been kidnapped and are being forced to participate in a Hunger Games style death-off - a race against the clock through a grim killing maze.

The common factor behind all the scenarios is a cryptic social media conversation, suggesting some common purpose here - but what, and how could such a thing have been set up? It seems as though a single entity - a man? An intelligence of some sort? - is punishing all three women, and, as friends and allies die, their only resource will be their own courage, determination and empathy - needed to discern what is safe and what is a trap. From that perspective, despite the myriad practical hazards, the cruel traps and humiliations, this is a story of coming together and of making common cause against a pitiless enemy, against women being treated as mere toys or as objects for punishment or revenge.

While each story has its own logic and is absorbing in its own way, that overarching narrative is the most engaging and encouraging strand in Good Girls Don't Die, showing continuity with Henry's earlier stories in which women refuse to be treated as things. Fusing together the separate narratives, it puts a different spin on the three different tropes drawn on earlier and shows three women rising above the narratives that would ensnare them.

Strongly recommended!

Good Girls Don't Die follows Celia, Allie and Maggie as they face unexpected situations that seem suspiciously like their favourite books (murder mystery, slasher thriller and dystopias). It took me a while to work out what was happening and definitely kept me turning the pages.

I loved all three women, their strength and the different ways they respond to the situations they are in.

This is a brilliant, atmospheric, twisty thriller of a read and I absolutely loved it.

I've been a big fan of Christina Henry for a long time so I was very happy to be accepted for an e-arc copy of Good Girls Don't Die thanks to NetGalleyUK & Titan Books.

I really enjoyed this book, it's the perfect thriller broken up into 4 sections making it easy to follow along. It's gory but not so much that it's off putting.

First, we meet Celia, a murder mystery fan who wakes up in a house that isn't hers, living with a husband and daughter she doesn't recognise and no memory of who she is at all. When she suddenly finds herself at the centre of a small town murder, will she solve the case before it's too late?

Then, we're introduced to Allie, a college student with a love of horror movies. Ready to celebrate her 21st birthday at the beach with her girlfriends, she suddenly finds her weekend highjacked by the boyfriend who takes them to an isolated cabin in the woods instead, when a killer starts picking them off one at a time, can Allie escape and find help?

And finally, Maggie. A YA dystopia reader, a mother and domestic abuse survivor, who wakes up in a shipment container with 9 other women who are given only 12 hours to escape 'The Maze', with her daughter being held hostage will Maggie be the last survivor of this deadly game?

The most intriguing thing about this book for me was each chapter beginning with snippets from various web chats, setting the premise for what was to come and leaving you guessing who the instigator may be. The fact that each section ends on a cliffhanger made me rush through to section 4 'All together now' as I was so desperate for answers. I thought the character depth of everyone within the book was good, especially loved how stereotypical Allies friendship group were and how perfectly they fit the 'Kids in a horror movie' trope.
There are references to each of these genres throughout which were like little Easter eggs for me. You really get a sense where Henry pulled her influences and inspiration from for this book. There's just so much to love about this book for me.

Book Review 📚
Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry - 4/5 ⭐

I do love me a Christina Henry book so, obviously, I was beyond excited when this one come about with the chance to read!

I love the POVs in this one, the book split into 3 parts for each characters POV. That was an interesting turn. The characters themselves were amazing, it was hard to dislike anything about them. The writing style used to give the POV from each of them was incredible.

The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars was because of the ending. I felt like it was kind of rushed and happened way to quickly? There could of been so much more added to the ending and it would of been perfect. But either way, it kept me fascinated and I enjoyed it regardless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

"Good Girls Don't Die" is as a thrilling and unconventional blend of genres that keeps readers engaged into the night. The intertwining of horror, murder mystery, and dystopian fiction adds a unique flavour to the narrative. The strength and intelligence of the female protagonists are highlighted, contributing to a satisfying and empowering storyline. While the ending is perceived as slightly lacking in action, the overall experience is deemed delightful.

While this was a rather decent read, I did not fully love it. There were a couple of good plot twists, but I wasn't a big fan of the ending.
Overall this one left me with mixed feelings.

Good Girls Don't Die is a fantastic premise on paper. Three women, three dangerous scenarios and a twisty-turning narrative.
Unfortunately, the final product doesn't quite deliver as well as it should with and plods rather than zips along.
Not one for me.

I made a video review of this book ❄️☃️🎄
https://youtu.be/uFtszOvjQm8?feature=shared

Things I loved: the concept is quite interesting and rather creative. The first story was the best.
Things I didn't like: The ending, the other two stories, the feminist message was kind of repetitive and too much at times.

Definitely worth a read!

“This is how people die”

This is my first Christina Henry read and now I need to read everything she’s ever written. I loved the blurb and expected this book to be fun, but not this much fun!

Desperately trying to survive the horror stories they’ve been cast in without their consent are Celia, Allie and Maggie.

Celia has a husband and young daughter she doesn’t recognise. She owns a restaurant near her home in a town she doesn’t know. Unsure if she’s experiencing amnesia or something more nefarious, Celia suspects that this is not her life.

“You’re the number one suspect.”

Allie’s girl’s weekend was hijacked by her friends’ boyfriends. Now she’s using her horror movie knowledge to avoid being added to the body count.

“Movies are fun and all, but that kind of stuff doesn’t usually happen in real life. Usually.”

Maggie has twelve hours to successfully complete the Maze. Her daughter’s life depends on it. Although characters reference The Hunger Games while Maggie does her best to ensure her insides don’t become her outsides, I kept thinking of Squid Game.

“Let the game begin”

There was plenty of action and blood spatter, and I enjoyed the anticipation as the body count grew. I loved figuring out what was going on along with the women and watching them use their individual skills and knowledge to outwit, outplay and outlast.

“Men always underestimate women”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books introducing me to a new favourite author.

This was my first Christina Henry book, but I'd heard alot and was excited to dive into this one. The book is split into three sections each featuring a different women in a strange chilling predicament. The plot was a little predictable but I enjoyed it a lot. When I read the synopsis I was most interested to read was the third one as I'm a huge fan of movies like Hunger Games and Escape Room but I actual found I liked the other two sections more. I will for sure check out other works as I enjoyed the authors style. I purchased the Alice series to read next. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book.

https://lynns-books.com/2023/11/30/good-girls-dont-die-by-christina-henry/
4 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review : A Great Play on Tropes

I’ve had a few days to kick back and let my feelings settle on this one and to really have a good think about it. The reason, the ending felt a little rushed, but, on reflection I found this such a gripping and clever read. It has three, on the face of it, storylines, but in actual fact they all have something in common and converge to make a tense, edge of seat, conclusion that, although quickly resolved, is all about women taking back control – which I have to say I loved. So, yeah, I had a really good time with this.

Our central characters are Celia, Allie and Maggie. Three women, unknown to each other who each wind up in, well, your basic nightmare situation.

Celia wakes up one morning and she can’t remember anything. Everything around her seems wrong. She’s living in a house with a daughter who’s name she can’t remember and a husband that she feels no emotion for. At first, Celia tries to fit in, inside she’s in turmoil thinking she’s having a breakdown and just going with the flow but deep down she doesn’t trust what’s going on around her. In fairly short order, it becomes apparent that Celia seems to be in some sort of Truman/Stepford Wives situation. What isn’t clear is why?

Allie is about to have a birthday weekend away with her two best friends. In fairness the three are a little out of sync and Allie is pinning her hopes on this weekend away to bring them back together. Of course, we all know that saying about the best laid plans. Yes, instead of a weekend at the beach with the girls Allie instead finds that her friends boyfriends have interjected themselves into the fun and they’re all about to spend their weekend in a cabin in the woods – and of course Allie is the third wheel. Similarly to Celia, Allie just feels that something isn’t right almost immediately. She feels uncomfortable and her instincts are telling her to get out of there. This is your basic slasher situation. Wrong Turn, Michael Myers, Cabin in the Woods. Run Allie. Run.

Maggie’s story is slightly different. As soon as she wakes up she’s under no delusions. She’s been abducted, along with nine other women and they’re about to be forced to take part in a deadly game. The leverage, each of the women are being almost held to ransom by the threat of violence being inflicted on a loved one. Pretty soon Maggie finds herself in a survival of the fittest type of scenario reminiscent of The Hunger Games or the Maze.

So, what I really liked a about this.

Firstly all three scenarios are written so well. Individually they are interesting and gripping stories that I enjoyed reading just in themselves, but on top of that I was so intrigued about what was going on and why these women were in this situation.

Secondly. I really liked all three characters. These are assertive women who refuse to back down. They trust their instincts and don’t sit around in situations in which they feel uncomfortable waiting to be rescued by someone else. They take the initiative.

Thirdly. I loved the play on horror/thriller/mystery tropes. I mean, all the stories feel like falling into a comfort zone (well that sounds a bit wrong – your basic horror story feeling comfortable!). You feel like you know what’s going to happen. You can just feel it, and at the same time it’s kind of frustrating because you’re like ‘nooooo, don’t fall into this trap’ – and that’s what makes it so gripping.

On top of this, there are hints of what’s going on at the start of each chapter. And this really plays into why the characters are so good. I can’t really say anything more without being all spoilery.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The individual storylines were all absorbing and really well done. The characters were easy to like and there’s a great twist on the tropes. These women are not some sort of ninja kick ass warriors but they use their smarts and refuse to be underestimated. And, okay, the ending originally felt a little rushed, but on reflection I actually prefer it the way it is. At first I thought I wanted more but the way the ending turns is spot on really – the worm that turned and refused to be trodden under foot any longer.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

This is an excellent thriller!
A thriller about women who love books and are basically forced into the genre they enjoy against their will in a sick game. This has really strong The Truman Show vibes, which is an excellent movie.

Something I really admired about this book was that all the MCs recognise when they are being lead and always makes sure to do the opposite as a 'fuck you' to the people who put them in that situation. They are big readers and know not to fall for the stereotypical pitfalls that we watch other characters in books and movies fall for.

In the first part the narrative does constantly tell you that she suspects things are staged, which gets redundant. But this is my only true complaint. Also I wasn't liking the 2nd girls personality but she became more self aware and wanted to change her outlook on things which made it better.

The ending was strong, as were the characters. Its so refreshing to read a book with intelligent characters in it!