Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor.

When Jack Brooks and her daughter Flo move to Chapel Croft for Jack's new job as a Reverend, they are hopeful, yet hesitant. It doesn't take them long to discover that something is seriously wrong with the town. There is a past full of murder, superstition, and mystery. But what should be ancient history, slowly starts to turn into modern day problem...

This was a lot of fun. I loved the creepy setting, as well as the creepy characters. The whole story had the feel of a ghost story, but with excellently fleshed out characters and town. It also had lots of twists and turns, which I absolutely love.

I've previously read one other novel by Tudor - The Chalk Man - and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I jumped on requesting The Burning Girls from Random House for advanced review (and then somewhat fell down on the advanced part of that task...)

So, let me first get out of the way the part that made me feel squidgy about this one... the part about the author using some physical characteristics about (multiple) characters to lead the reader to questions about those characters' motives or reliability. I cannot indicate more without venturing into spoiler territory - and I can say that things didn't always quite go the ways I was concerned that they might - but my concerns throughout a large part of the book did somewhat taint my experience. This was in part because of some decisions the author did make, but also in part because of some decisions I was was worried she would make. Ugh; this was my most significant complaint, but I'm still giving the book four stars and will be reading more from Tudor, for sure, but I want to put this out there if you (as we all should) harbor these sorts of concerns.

Otherwise. Still four stars, still a lot of fun. There was a plot point/twist I saw coming pretty early on, but I'm not entirely sure that it wasn't intended that I shouldn't at least have suspected it. I felt like figuring this out actually made the way it played off the other secrets and twists even more enjoyable to watch those play out. There were a couple of characters that felt extraneous and/or flat to me, but I'm guessing they may have been included more as possible red herrings or to help the plot along.

I like Tudor; I enjoy her claustrophobic, small communities where the kids have a rough time being so smothered by their families or social pressures and so (sometimes) lash out, local recent or distant folklore, and dark bordering-on-are-the-creepy-things-happening-all-other-people-or-could-they-be-paranormal elements. I need to get to her two backlist that I haven't yet read in order to start anticipating future releases!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for sharing this new novel by CJ Tudor. Overall, I found it disappointing. It started with an interesting premise and main character of a female vicar with a mysterious past but by the end there were way too many plot lines and threads and people involved. Too complicated and far fetched. I think there may have been enough material here for 2 different books. You will probably like it if you are a fan of the author’s previous works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to preview this book. It was my first from C.J. Tudor, and I know it won't be the last. Every once in a while, I crave a super dark thriller. The Burning Girls certainly fits that bill. It may not be for everyone as it explores sexual assault of teenagers, bullying, suicide, and other tough topics.

Despite the fact that I figured out some of the twists along the way, I still enjoyed the ride. The story never seemed rushed, nor did it drag on too long. Overall, an enjoyable thriller if you can handle the darker side.

I loved it! There was all sorts of drama and suspense as Revered Jack and Flo tried to adjust to life in Chapel Cross. With weird things happening in the chapel, weird "gifts" for the new revered, crazy village residents, and an even crazier history, there was always something keeping me guessing. Jack and Flo were fabulous main characters, and the locals definitely kept things interesting. This is my second CJ Tudor book and I'm definitely finding her to be one of those authors that don't let me down! I can't wait to read some more by her!

Some mystery or suspense novels are reliant on plot and light on characterization. One thing I love about C.J. Tudor is that she spends just as much time on making us understand the characters and their motivations as she does on creating a story line that is impossible to put down. I flew through this suspenseful novel because I had to know what happened, and it was refreshing to be genuinely surprised by the ending.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t believe I never wrote this review! I am such a Netgalley failure these days. I read this book the week that it came out and LOVED it. I can’t believe I didn’t write the review, ugh.

Thanks to Netgalley, Ballantine Books, and C.J. for an advance copy of this extremely enjoyable thriller.

It’s hard to even know where to start with The Burning Girls. Jack is a Vicar running from her past and makes the move to a remote village to hide out and hopefully start fresh. Almost immediately, things don’t seem right…like an exorcism kit being left by the last Vicar, who was found hanging in the church, or the centuries-old tale about members of the town being martyrs burned at the stake and later being known as the buring girls. While Jack is adjusting to the superstitious and small-town ways, her daughter Flo is navigating town bullies and a mysterious boy she meets in the church cemetery.

This book is rich with mystery and horror elements. It was definitely a creepy night time read. Small villages, old churches, long-standing superstitions, and a mysterious past are all ingredients for a good spooky story. The twists aren’t completely predictable, there are some shocking moments, but I think many people will be able to figure out the gist of what’s going on before it all unfolds (I always say that I am the most gullible person, I almost never figure out what’s going on in thrillers until it’s laid out in front of me at the end…I’m also not a fan of trying to figure out what’s going on, I like the mystery aspect and just letting the story come together for me). Regardless of the ease at guessing certain elements, it’s still wound in a great way and fully worth the read.

Jack was a very relatable and flawed character, as were most characters in this book, but I really enjoyed getting to know her and hanging out with her for awhile.

A terrifying novel about faith, human nature, and survival! Reverend Jack and her daughter Flo arrive in Chapel Croft, hoping to find a fresh start after a traumatic past. Chapel Croft is the home of the Burning Girls, where hundreds of years ago, people were tortured and burned at the stake for their beliefs.

The history of the chapel and its small village is fascinating, but something truly scary is happening in the present. Jack keeps finding twig dolls of the most famous martyrs. And Flo has befriended a boy with a mysterious past. There is also a murderer, freshly out of prison, heading their way.

Wow! Talk about unstoppable! I was caught up in Jack and Flo's lives immediately. Every time I thought I figured out what was going on, I was wrong! There are so many twists and turns, especially at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This title just didn't work for me. The pacing felt lugubrious; the characters weren't engaging. Part of the issue was probably that I was more interested in the historical part of the mystery than the present day part—and it took what felt like a very long time to get to the historical part.

I was momentarily hesitant of diving in, afraid perhaps that the premise may be too heavily founded in religion for my tastes, but I needn't have worried at all.
While the main character is a Reverend, "Jack" for short, recently transferred against her wishes to a small town in the English country side, she is far from conventional. She takes an approach suited for the times and, as her character develops, we learn she has normal everyday trials such as a teenage daughter upset about being brought to the middle of nowhere, a past she'd like to forget and a new job that is not going at all as expected.
Gruesome discoveries bring about inconsistencies with the town's morbid past and someone is trying to keep Jack from finding the truth.
The characters were interesting and likeable which kept me invested in the story. I loved the relationship between the mother and daughter. We hear from both their points of view which kept the pace flowing.
I also appreciate the author shining attention on a rare medical condition, by giving one of the supporting characters a disability. Inclusion matters ♡
Finally I loved the ending! Great book ❤

I wrote my very first book review a year ago. And over the past 12 months, I have failed to find, from start to finish, a truly satisfying thriller. One that is tightly and expertly written, amazingly entertaining, and not overly ludicrous.

You see, that’s the problem I have with the genre. While the majority of thrillers are, in fact, THRILLING, I find so many of them to be absurd, plot-holed, and nonsensical.

But such is not the case with C.J. Tudor’s latest release, “The Burning Girls.” It checks all my boxes – and it’s absolutely fantastic.

The town of Chapel Croft has a tragic past. Centuries ago, Protestant martyrs were betrayed and burned. Thirty years ago, two teenage girls vanished, never to be found. And within the last few weeks, the local vicar hanged himself inside of the church.

Reverend Jacqueline “Jack” Brooks and her 14-year-old daughter, Flo, arrive in Chapel Croft, intent on starting over. But instead of being warmly received by the townspeople, they are greeted with apprehension, hostility, and an exorcism kit.

Yep. That’s right. An exorcism kit. How’s that for a welcome gift?

As Jack and Flo settle into Chapel Croft, it soon becomes clear the history of the town isn’t just riddled with death and disappearances. It has its fair share of ghosts, too.

When Flo begins seeing “burning girls,” terrifying visions of young women set aflame, Jack realizes that Chapel Croft’s horrid past no longer wants to be buried – and that it has risen from its grave.

Clearly, “The Burning Girls” is not your standard thriller. It’s more of a supernatural horror thriller, written very much in the same vein as an old-school Stephen King novel. While reading, it’s almost impossible to not see the similarities to King in both style and tone, and Tudor even gleefully meets the comparison head on by pointedly referencing the beloved author in the narrative.

And Tudor’s novel parallels King in a few other ways.

First off, it’s incredibly entertaining and compulsively readable. I didn’t ever want to put the book down, I was so riveted. And there is never ever a boring, dull moment, with Tudor’s straightforward writing making for a swift and easy read.

Secondly, it’s creepy as all get out and blatantly bloody and gory. The eerie and graphic nature of “The Burning Girls” makes it not an ideal read for the squeamish and those who dislike being scared. I’m not one to spook easily, but I definitely felt a chill slide down my spine a time or two. Tudor got me, and she got me good.

Thirdly, the novel stars an unforgettable and somewhat quirky lead character. Jack is just . . . so freakin’ cool. She’s a cigarette-smoking, bird-flipping priest who listens to The Killers and has to regularly remind herself to “be Christian.” She mothers fiercely, and she will unapologetically do whatever is necessary to protect Flo.

I wish I could drink a beer with Jack. We would get along quite well, I think.

And thriller fans – you can relax. Even with its notable King influence, “The Burning Girls” is still a thriller at heart, and it is filled with non-stop excitement and jaw-dropping twists. It is nowhere near lacking in the thrills department – it simply has chills to go along it.

Which brings me to the one downside of the novel. Tudor too loudly telegraphs her clues to the mysteries. She lays them out in the wide open for all to easily see, requiring only semi-close attention to be paid to find them. Therefore, I successfully solved the big twist and most of the novel’s side puzzles on my own, way earlier than I would have liked.

But it didn’t matter. Suspecting that I had the solution never detracted from my overall enjoyment, and I ultimately found the conclusion satisfying. There were still plenty of surprises for me along the way, and I even think I may have read the novel faster out of urgency to know whether my theories were correct.

And I will say this – those who are lucky enough to NOT see the big twist coming are in for a shock. The ending of “The Burning Girls” will knock your socks off.

Bravo, Ms. Tudor. All the stars for you – and my first ever five-star thriller review.


My sincerest appreciation to C.J. Tudor, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

THE BURNING GIRLS has officially made its way to my favorite book by Tudor. Immediately immersive, this is a hard book to put down. Plus, you just canNOT help but to fall in love with Jack.. and especially Flo. I also have a tendency to put vicars or any leader in a religious capacity to be... as close to perfect as you can in terms of doing good and being perfect.. see? I can't even express it correctly. What I'm trying to get to ... is that Jack, as vicar, shows this side of being flawed and "regular human" I am constantly surprised at. I know, I know. I'm learning. Leave me alone. Back to the book. Jack made me smile quite a few times with some of her inner monologue.
There is such great atmosphere in this read. Freakin' small towns with everyone in everyone's business - especially with the new residents. An old house and chapel and creepy areas to explore. I really wish I could've gone exploring with Flo! I mean, Tudor, couldn't you have maybe included some of the photos she took as a bonus? 😉

I truly loved everything about this story. I did NOT see a few things that were thrown at me and at one point my skin puckered up with goosies. Well done. **applause** The last few chapters really come full circle and we learn a LOT about how these characters are linked and holy WTF. Now, I will say that, in my humble opinion, that the epilogue was just unnecessary and I feel like I'm left wanting a bit with regards to a certain character... I literally made that claw hand you do when you grab your face like WHAT. And even with these things, I still swiped my last swipe on my Kindle a very happy girl. WHEW! I needed some creepy, morbid reading and this fit the bill.

Go grab your copy and lets discuss!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Holy crap! This was so good--like, good good.

In a small town, a local parish commits suicide in a church so another parish, Jack, moves to the town with her daughter to fill the position until a permanent one becomes available. Mysterious, ghostly, weird things happen and you get flipped around with all the twists.

This is by far my favorite C.J. Tudor book. It has everything I love when it comes to thrillers and mysteries plus a sprinkle of horror. It has multiple perspectives and timelines but they weren't difficult to follow at all. I really was on the edge of my seat while reading this and couldn't put it down. There were moments where I thought I figured out a certain mystery but end up being pleasantly surprised by an unexpected finale.

I recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers and a "who done it" plot. It's brilliant.

5/5

The Burning Girls was a really fun book to read! I love being surprised by twists and turns and really got that with this book. I enjoyed the writing and felt engaged throughout the story, just kept wanting to turn the page. The character relationships, especially between mother and daughter are realistic, and I enjoyed that component of the story, but my favorite parts were the paranormal elements. I thought the dolls, burning girls, ghosts, creepy houses, cemetery, and village traditions were the perfect balance of creepy and scary, and just what I want from a good thriller/mystery!

The Burning Girls is out now. If you like twists and turns and being scared and surprised, I highly recommend it!

Yes to anything and everything C.J. Tudor writes! So excited I was able to get my hands on this book. The newest thriller by C.J. Tudor follows a vicar who wants to start over in a new town after a scandal forced her into the front of the media. This small town doesn’t exactly come with happy fresh starts though. It has a long history of murder, misogyny, and disappearances all in the holy name of religion. Oh and ghosts. This book has A LOT going on. There were almost too many story lines because not all of them were tied up by the end of the book which irked me just a tad. Overall though it was a fantastic book. It was faced paced, had intriguing characters, and a twist I didn’t see coming (my favorite kind). It was the perfect balance of ghost story and real life horrors. Read this one, read the previous ones, and sign yourself up for all future C.J. Tudor books. You won’t regret it.

Book 10: The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

Who is for: Anyone who enjoys a thriller with elements of the supernatural.

Reader’s Digest Version: Jack and her daughter Flo have just moved to a new town in the middle of nowhere in England. Jack is a Vicar, an English title for a priest. She and Flo have moved due to their entanglement with a controversy at their previous church. The town they move to is steeped in dark history. According to legend, two young girls were tortured and killed due to their refusal to forsake their religion. The town holds ceremonies every year in their honor, and it is said that the ghost of the burning girls appears to those who are about to face imminent danger. Jack and Flo catch sight of the ghost of the burning girls on several occasions. Their warning of danger holds true as Jack and Flo face a series of catastrophic events due to long held secrets finally coming to the surface.

My Take: As far as thrillers go, this one had it all. I love the element of religion and the supernatural. It added an extra creepy vibe to the story. I’m usually able to figure out the twist before I get to the end of most thrillers, and this one got me good. There were some loose ends that I wish were tied up, but overall this book was badass.

Rating: 4/5

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C.J. Tudor has become as reliable a storyteller as we can get. Her latest offering, THE BURNING GIRLS, is everything I love about horror and who-dunnits.
The themes of religion are always fascinating to me, especially when it is used to terrify readers. This is a heart-pounding story that blends thriller and horror elements seamlessly. You won't stop turning the pages until the breathtaking conclusion, and then you'll be left with the story lingering in your mind for long after.

I did enjoy this book, but I liked the author’s prior book better. I did feel this one dragged a bit and the plot was not as good as I expected. It was still decent though, and certainly will read next book out.

Thank you NetGalley, C.J. Tudor was granting an ARC of this book. Much appreciated.

I think I'm generally hard to please when it comes to thrillers, but the cover of this one was so gorgeous that I needed to read it. Now I'll definitely be picking up the chalk man too! I loved the atmosphere created within the story; the setting was pastoral and rural and contrasted perfectly with the intense pace of unfolding events. I thought the twists were well done and that jack and her daughter were well fleshed out characters with a believable and tender family relationship. I was surprised by the ending and enjoyed the dark turns it took. Conversations about religion and femininity were also super successful. This is a great one to pick up if you're looking for your next interesting thriller!

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor is a superb and engrossing read which will keep you reading until the end. Well worth the read!