I got to say... the mystery of it makes this story very interesting. While reading it you will be unraveling clues and jumping from different suspects to figure out who has gone crazy. Plus you will be intrigued by the quiet boy that no one at school bothers to get close to. Reading his spending time with Penelope and how protective he is of her will make you swoon and want more. I was sometimes at the edge wanting and needing them to get closer in the mists of chaos. Penelope's life is not just in danger, is falling apart. But he helps, he keeps a watchful eye, he protects and cares. Worst part about being in a situation like hers where people close to her are getting murdered, is that everything is happening in high school which of course makes it more difficult. The girls over there are just cut throat and mean. But the good thing is that it helps her be a better person and change. Plus it helps her find a fantastic guy in between all the other rotten ones that sparks her adventurous side.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was a well written and fast paced thriller and kept me guessing right to the end.

Pretty Dead Girls is a YA murder mystery with a twist. I don’t read many YA’s but I do love a good mystery and teen angst so I just had to get my hands on it. It felt that it was a cross between Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars. And as a fan of both...I was hooked!! Why don’t I read more YA!? I really need to since I enjoy the shows. Ok back to these pretty dead girls...

Larks. The most popular Juniors and Seniors in the classes. They have the beauty. The grades. The popularity. The connections. There are only 10 of them in all. They help the community along with adding to their resumes. And their president is Penelope Malone. She is the center of it. That is what the detectives suspect when not only one but two Lark member turn up dead. Her friends. Her nemesis. That is how high school works. It’s all about appearances.

Penelope doesn’t know what is happening in her small exclusive community. She suddenly couldn’t trust anyone not even her best friend. She knew her peers were rumor obsessed but now it’s a whole new level. She starts watching her friends closely. Especially after someone tells her to not trust anyone. That they are all suspects.

I can’t get into the rest of the plot much after that. I will say that I enjoyed the mystery of it all. The connections that develop. The darkness within the community. It makes it more real. The people more real. I liked watching Penelope come into her own. Stronger. Braver. Warmer.

Overall...I was addicted from beginning to end. I didn’t think it was predictable. The writing is magnificent. The story is both gruesome and beautiful in its own way.

Quotes:

“You’re right. Murder has a way of making people behave strangely.”
I send her a look. “You watch too many episodes of CSI.”

Courtney offers up Brogan like he’s a rich, decadent dessert and Dani’s on a strict no-sugar diet.

“Sometimes I wonder if that guy had a lobotomy.”

Action packed who done it! I was sucked right into this one and searching, searching for clues and trying to solve the mystery.

Deceptive and thrilling, every twist will have you page turning and you’ll be thinking I know who did it but then your mind will say ‘no that’s not right’.

Catty, wicked girls are dropping dead. The elite of the elite being picked off one by one. Seriously a vapid group and the possible suspects are limitless with how mean these girls are.

Monica weaves a wicked tale of suspense and keeps you on the edge of your seat clear up to the last page. Step aside Pretty Little Liars “A” ...there’s a new psychopath on the block!

A wildly exciting young adult novel!
High School can be tough. Especially if you don't fit in.
But, is it so bad you would kill?
The beautiful mean girls are dying one by one. Leaving students, teachers., parents and police baffled about who could possibly be leaving such horror behind. The Larks, an esteemed club, seems to be the chosen target of this sadistic murderer. Three of the senior Parks have been killed. Two are left. Who will be the next one dead?
Well written, entertaining.
5 Stars

"She was also a friend - and sometimes an enemy, if I'm being completely honest. And now... she's dead."

Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy was an outstanding emotionally charged read fueled by the need to discover who is killing all of these girls, the girls that run this school. It was agonizing to try to discover who the killer was, especially because we did read some of the killers point of view. Honestly the killers point of view was the most intriguing for me to read.

"It's much easier to put this on a complete stranger who wandered into town and killed without thought. Cape Bonita is a small wealthy town along the northern coast of California coast. We don't do murder."

Pretty Dead Girls follows along with Penelope, the President of the Larks an elite group of juniors and seniors who volunteer and are mostly cheerleaders, and the outcast, Cass as they try to track down who the true murder is before it's too late for them. They each have a connection to all of the girls who have been killed.

"I'm practically a dead girl walking."

Pretty Dead Girls is like a more intense version of Mean Girls, where the mean girls are end up dead and no one knows why. These girls are held to a higher standard than the others in the school and I had so much fun traveling along with Pen and Cass as we try to track down the killer.

Pretty Dead Girls is also high on the drama and you won't know who you can trust and who you can't and you will be screaming 'don't go upstairs alone!' or any where by yourself.

Monica Murphy's writing was exceptional and I devoured this story at a fervent intensity and I couldn't put it down!

I went into this book hoping for an intriguing young adult story that kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing....and I got all of that and more!!

I always enjoy going back to reading Young Adult novels for a break from all the adult romance novels that are out there. This one was so much more than just a high school aged story...it was a thrilling, suspenseful and gripping ride. And there was even a little romance in here too.

I love when an author steps outside the box and gives us a new side to their writing and that is exactly what Monica Murphy has done. This is something completely different from anything I have read by this author before. Trying something new is a great sign of an excellent writer…in my opinion.

I won’t be able to talk about this storyline very much, because this is a story that you have to unfold for yourself. I will say this, it is a standalone novel with a completed story. NO cliffhanger!!!. It is told primarily in Penelope’s POV, but we do get some chapters from the suspects POV. You don’t have to read any other book by this author to enjoy this story. I know this is classified as a Young Adult novel, but I would even say that it borders on Mature Young Adult. There are some things I don’t think would be appropriate for readers under 15 years old.

As I said before this story will keep you guessing right until this end. Although some things are revealed early on, you really won’t know who did it until the very end. You may think you know who it is as the story goes on, but let me just tell you, not everything is as it seems. This story is based in a small community. Nothing bad ever happens there. The story focuses around Penelope and Cass. Penelope is a Senior in High School and the president of the Larks. The Larks are a small group of girls (junior and seniors) that kind of run the school. Being a Lark is a coveted spot!! Things are going well until one of the girls is found dead….murderered. The story then goes on to unravel what happens and to try to figure out who did it. There were many twists and turns to this story, which kept it very interesting for the reader.

Is Penelope a target too?? Can she trust anyone around her?? Read this captivating story to find out.

If you are looking for a gripping and suspenseful Mature YA romance story, then this is the book you should read. Although like I said earlier, the romance side of the story is really the secondary part to this book. This is definitely one I would recommend to all fans of Monica Murphy or Mature YA reads.!!!!

I have loved Monica Murphy's books for a long time and could not jump on this book fast enough. It reminded me so much of Pretty Little Liars, Scream Queens and my close personal favorite - Mean Girls. There is something about High School and the social hierarchy that does it for me. Add to that the glorious idea of a killer targeting the popular girls - and I.Was.Hooked!!

Penelope Malone is the head of the popular girls, also known as the "Larks". They are the best athletes, smartest students and the crém de la crém of their elite high school. But they are also the Mean Girls of the school. The girls who run the social hierarchy and the clique that can determine your whole high school existence. But now someone is out for revenge and the Larks are being killed off as fair game. The likely suspect? The mysterious loner Cass who lives with his grandmother. Can Pen figure out who has a target on her back before it's too late?

I really liked this thriller. It was fun and addicting and a definite page turner. An amazing read you could get lost in as you become consumed with the characters, snappy banter and the whodunit mystery. I did not want to put this down the minute I started it!

All in all this was fantastic and I look forward to reading more books like this from this author in the future. I would like to thank Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula

3.5 stars

Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.
***They forgot to add MEAN...Beautiful. Perfect. Mean. Dead

"A secret is not a secret if you tell someone..."

In the seaside town of Cape Bonita, popular "mean" girls are being murdered. They were members of the "Larks", an exclusive club of seniors and juniors who are cheerleaders, team captains, man stealers, rude chicks, etc... you get the picture. They are the pretty, popular mean girls who rule the school. But then one day one of them if found dead. Their little universe gets turned upside down. Soon there is another dead Lark and every girl in town in town is worried and fearful that she may be next.

Penelope, a Lark member, is trying to stay alive while trying to figure out who the killer may be and more importantly, could she be the next victim? After all the murdered girls were her "friends' and fellow Lark members. There is only one other person in town who has a connection to all the dead girls and that is Cass. The strange teen who lives with his grandmother. He has an interesting and sad past and until recently, Penny really didn't notice him. But now she does, and she begins to wonder, why now is he on her radar?

This is a very past faced YA thriller which does not disappoint. I devoured it in one sitting. It's fun, entertaining, and hard to put down. This book is like a guilty pleasure. It's fun, it's light and it isn't much work. It's perfect for that day when you want to read something fun that doesn’t take much brain power. I'm not putting this book - it's perfect for what it is. It's a fun thriller. Perfect for teens and adults who want a quick entertaining book.

I also liked the writing and the characters. They were not the nicest of people but they were drawn very well and although predictable, they did not disappoint.

This book is about a serial killer killing 'pretty' high school girls that are part of this elite group called the Larks. The plot of the book is okay. Very over done. The main character was horribly annoying. Always starting fights over nothing and being very insecure even though she was head cheerleader. And the love interest was so over-played. The author made it seem like this one person was the killer then she switched it to another person and then she killed the person I thought was a the killer. So the plot was generic, the characters were bitch and generic and the murders were generic but I couldn't guess the killer straight away and I always can. So that's the only thing this book had going for it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book had me on the edge of my seat (or bed in this matter). I read this and finished the whole thing without stopping because that's how interesting it was. There was romance and thrill to this book. I'm very thankful to have been able to read such a book.

Excellent first chapter, got me thinking about the killer in exactly the wrong direction, very good!

However, after that it took me a while to warm to the main character Penelope. She keeps referring to Gretchen, Lex and Courtney as her friends, but at the same time calls them bitches.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgally for a copy of the book.

This book was a page turner from the get go. If you loved Scream Queens or the high drama of Mean Girls you have to read this book. When the ultra elite girls of the school start getting murdered, Penny's uber privileged life gets upended. Is the murderer someone she knows or could it be the hot loner guy she can't quite admit to liking...Loved this book. The snark. The voice. The back and forth between characters-and oh yes. The spicy scenes were just right but not enough to put off parents for this teen read. Loved!!

Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy is actually drawing comparisons to Pretty Little Liars! This YA book is a suspense, the premise sounds like its going to be a fun, creepy, entertaining story.

Here’s the premise:

In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.

The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she’s next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she’s never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.

There’s something he isn’t telling her. But there’s something she’s not telling him, either. Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

Also, if you are in the mood for a suspenseful, fun, YA story about popular rich girls, I suggest The Blondes of Bel Air!

I thought this was a great story. I enjoyed the mystery. It was suspenseful and fun at times and there was even a romance in the story. It is a great read. I will admit that it was a little predictable though. However, that being said, it held my attention. I read this in one setting as I was intrigued by the characters as much as I didn't like most of them, and the storyline. I love Monica's writing and I will read anything she writes and in any genre. She has me addicted to her stories.

Unfortunately - I struggled with this one. I should have known better. I do not do well when I don't have someone to...like. And pretty much all of these characters are unlikable (intentionally, I think - so, mission accomplished!). This one just didn't hook me or interest me the way I wanted it to.

I definitely think there's an audience for this one. I know it's going to likely hit a lot of people's sweet spots. Unfortunately - just not mine. I kept finding excuses to put it down. I may circle back at some point, but for now it's a DNF at 25%.

This was a quick read. One that would be good for someone into mystery. I am more of a Fantasy/Scifi reader but this was a good one to take a break from my normal genre. A little predictable, but there were a couple chapters that had me suspect several characters as the serial killer. 

Overall, i gave this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars. I liked the main character and the mystery love interest she had with Cass. Who doesn't love a mystery guy?

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book to read and review.

If you love a page-turner, this is it. Thank goodness for my kindle, because I took it with me EVERYWHERE, not wanting to put PRETTY DEAD GIRLS down. However, if you are looking for a novel where you connect with the characters and hope they don't end up dead...this isn't it.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this novel. I was constantly guessing who I thought was the killer, then second-guessing myself, and reading as fast as I could so I could find out if I was right. (I was.) But honestly, I couldn't stand any of the characters. Maybe it is because I couldn't relate to any of them, and they were self-proclaimed jerks. All of the characters are rich, snotty, and don't care about anyone except themselves. The main girls in the novel are part of an elite group at their school that focuses on volunteering at the hospital and stuff like that, except it is more of a resume builder so they can get into an Ivy League school, rather than actually caring about others. 

I know, that was the point of the book. The pretty, rich girls start being murdered, one by one. But would it be too much to ask to have one character that I liked? It almost got to the point that I didn't care who was going to be murdered next.  (Ok, there was one that was the least awful ...but still...)

Even though we get to be inside the head of the main character, Penelope, it doesn't help her case. She is rude, even to the guy she likes, and he's not much better. Maybe he's a little less rude, but just as controlling. 

But whatever my issue with the characters was, I couldn't help but be drawn in. Monica Murphy built the suspense in such a perfect way, that it had me thinking EVERYONE was the killer at times. (Oriental Express, anyone?)

Overall, I am giving PRETTY DEAD GIRLS 4 out of 5 Stars. 

WARNING: Although this is a book intended for teenagers, there is A LOT of language (including many uses of the F-word), and A LOT of sexual dialogue, situations, etc.

When I first started reading this book I immediately thought it was going to be a replication of a movie from the early 90's called Death of a Cheerleader . I thought this because the opening scene is a popular high school girl being murdered in a church parking lot by an unknown person who just wanted to be her friend (which is exactly like that movie). Additionally, one of the groups in this book- the Larks- is the exact same group (with the same name) in the movie. So i'll admit, I got a little nervous. However, I kept reading because I have really enjoyed Monica Murphy's books in the past and I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. THANKFULLY, my preconceived notions were quickly demolished. Monica Murphy writes the PERFECT book for those who like TEEN SCREAMS . It's a little Scream mixed with Scream Queens (one of my FAVORITE shows), and has enough mystery and suspense to keep any reader hanging by the edge of their seats. If you enjoy young adult horror, thrillers, and mysteries you don't want to miss this one. I read it (devoured it actually) in 2 sittings (only because I had to sleep).

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

This book was highly entertaining. Part PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, part MEAN GIRLS, part SCREAM, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it from cover to cover. I had to go back to check if I had read anything from this author before but I have not. An oversight I will be correcting soon.

I found this one to be well written and well paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. The murder mystery kept me guessing right until the end. Although because the gender of the killer is given away early in the book, I was sure I had it figured out, alas imagine my surprise when I had it wrong. I am usually fantastic at Sherlocking the baddie(s) out in these type of books so extra brownie points go to the author for catching me off guard. There is a romance that takes place through the entire book, but since all the main characters are high school age, it's pretty much kept PG. There is a lot of characters in this one and none of them are particularly likable. But that was the entire point. Some remained unlikable while others matured and grew. Last, and this is where the book lost a star for me, the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have seen it drawn out more. All in all, this one was a very enjoyable read for yours truly and therefore it is getting two thumbs up.