Long build-up, cobbled-together conclusion.

Aged 7, the eponymous surviving girl, Kara McIntyre, was orphaned after someone killed her blended family at Christmas. She was the sole survivor when her half-sister, Marlie, locked her in an attic. She then disappeared. Kara's half-brother, Jonas, was convicted for the murders and jailed. Kara is put under her aunt's custody. Twenty years later, Jonas is released from prison due to a police failing at the time of the conviction. Relentless media attention refocuses on Kara, who also receives text messages stating, "she's alive". Kara suspects these refer to Marlie.

When Jonas doesn't make contact with Kara, she goes on a hunt for his lawyer, with whose family Kara had lived when her aunt failed to take proper care of her. Soon, a body count mounts up.

The prologue was the best part of this novel. Unfortunately, I didn't find the build-up and conclusion lived up to the premise. The Girl Who Survived contains a great deal of repetition. There is much retelling of the events of the night of the massacre, of Kara's incarceration in the attic, of media attention, of her anxieties; ad nauseum. Nothing new is added in each reiteration. There is a love interest, though the romance that didn't feel organic. There is a police viewpoint with 2 cops who seem more interested in competing with each other than with finding out new clues. They were a bit of a waste of space.

It was hard to engage with Kara, the only character who was drawn in detail. We're repeatedly told of her trauma and anxiety, but not really of her loneliness or whether she has tried to make a success of her life. It's as though, she defines herself by the tragedy, but didn't pull herself up to learn amazing skills, to be a good role model for other survivors or to defend other victims. No. Instead, Kara spends the entire book feeling sorry for herself, and worse drowning her sorrows in alcohol.

I've read similar novels before recently; and the outcome felt cobbled on at the end. It wasn't a surprise or a twist, as the clues didn't add up. No spoilers here. The second half of the book, from the hospital vigils, to the chase scenes, felt unreal, like anime. Sorry to admit, I lost interest in the book, which took me an unusually long time to finish.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing Corp.for a free ARC of this book for an honest review. #TheGirlWhoSurvived #NetGalley.

This review can also be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5032655841 and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-girl-who-survived-by-lisa-jackson.html

After reading this story I felt like it was very drawn out when it came to the reopening of the family’s case and Jonas return to the community. I was engaged in the book when the lawyer was caught unaware of an enemy. I was invested in Jonas meeting with his sister. The build up to Marli hiding her sister Kara was very dark, intense and perfect for the start of the book. Johnson and her partner were great, but I think that it was more talk, theories than actually doing the leg work and knocking on doors.
I loved the character of the lawyers wife. She was awesome. Her dialogue was great for picturing her in the book. The same could be said about Kara’s aunt. The book had its moments of suspense and interest.

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

We open on Christmas Eve, the house decorated and aglow, when Kara is awoken by her sister Marlie and quickly shuffled into the third floor attic space to hide from someone who is "bad". Locked in, and only seven years old, Kara finds a way to escape her attic prison and finds her family brutally murdered and her sister missing.

20 years later, Kara is surviving but not necessarily thriving. Her half brother, convicted of the crime of murdering her parents and half brothers, is being released from prison on a technicality. Kara's life is about to come crashing down around her ears and she's struggling to keep a float.


This started out super strong, the first few chapters were engrossing and set up for a great story, but then it felt like things fell apart. There was a lot of repetition that felt unnecessary. As the story progressed it felt like there was so much "hey look over here" that it bogged down the actual chain of events.

If you're drawn to this book because it comes up as a romantic suspense novel and that genre's your thing, you might want to put the book down again. If you're more into thrillers, especially ones that border on horror, you'll probably find enough here to keep turning pages. I like both, but while I did find myself reading well into the night, I just can't give it more than a borderline 3 stars.

The main issue I had was that though I rooted for Kara, the titular girl who survived, I never felt drawn to her. She's clearly thoroughly traumatized by living through the gory Christmas nightmare of her family's brutal murders, living half a life with no friends or even friendly acquaintances. She suffers from anxiety and shows signs of obsessive compulsive disorder and she's become somewhat of an alcoholic. Honestly, these character traits weren't the problem for me because hello, massacre survivor. It's more that I didn't feel like we ever glimpsed the real person. Perhaps it's unfair for me, but I wanted her to be more than the girl who survived. Even her interactions with her rescue dog and later with Wes (son of the guy who saved her life, reporter, eventual love interest) are somewhat stilted.

The truth of the crime is handled fairly well though. I'm usually pretty good at figuring these things out, but I wasn't entirely sure until the reveal what really happened that night 20 years ago. Aside from that, there were a few plot points that could have used a little more explanation for me. For example, although her aunt was granted custody after the murders, Kara apparently spent more time at the home of her brother's lawyer, a place where she felt more comfortable. I'm not really sure how that came about, especially since she was really a witness for the prosecution. Also, there's a moment where Wes is remembering a time that he interacted with young, post-massacre Kara (just a quick vignette), but I'm not entirely sure how that came about either.

Overall, it's a very readable story that you might just like if this is your genre.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

A victim of a horrible crime 20 years ago, Kara is forced to relive the night of the crime when her step brother, convinced of the crime is released from prison. What follows is a much more complicated mystery as many more possible motives arise. While the plot remains interesting throughout, the story did feel drawn out in the middle and could have been resolved quicker in my opinion. 3/5

After twenty years, Kara is getting some strange messages. Her sister, who is supposed dead after the massacre of the family is sending messages.
Nice thriller, thanks to Netgalley for this nice read.

It was a twisty and suspenseful read, but lagged a little in the middle. I kept guessing and reguessing on Marlie and Jonas and what parts they played. I did have moments that I held my breath reading, but overall, it was just too much for me. I really look forward to reading her next novel.

This story is riveting. I couldn't put this book down if I wanted too. It really caught my attention. I read this book with the lights on. I thought it had an eerie vibe to it and it unsettled me. The story being that realistic is bound to tweak your nerves but it really was a wild thrilling ride. It definitely had my adrenaline flowing.

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.

Lisa Jackson knows how to write a thriller! I haven’t read a book from her that I did not enjoy.

Twenty years ago, Kara, who was 7, was one of only two surviving members of her family massacre; just her and her step brother, Jonas who was convicted of the murders. Her step sister, Marlie’s body was never found, leaving some to believe she was still alive somewhere. Now, Jonas is being released on a technicality; but is he really guilty; Kara still struggles with this.

As the story is unfolded it takes many twists and turns. The cast of suspect characters seem all guilty at certain points. The ending was good, I enjoyed the way it was done.

Life chanced for Kara when she was seven, being the only one alive in a brutal family massacre but twenty years later she was seven again. Receiving cryptic messages from Marlie, her sister who was never seen since that deadly Christmas Eve when she hid Kara in a closet telling her not to make a sound.

She’s running down the attic, and all this right after Jonas, her brother who was convicted of the murders was unexpectedly released from prison.

The case was reopened and soon the detectives realised that Jonas might not be the only suspect. With many secrets unveiling through the new investigation, you might be in disbelief with what happened twenty years back.

“𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚”
Who is alive? And what does it have to do with Kara now right before the death anniversary of her family.

The petrified murder scene is repetitive throughout the book and gets too dark each time. But each time with each different POV there’s a new suspect. But with the bizarre murder night being over explained, the ending felt a bit rushed. But the writer kept the reader’s interest intact till the end.

𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 ?

Warning- Graphic Violence

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review. Lisa Jackson is another writer that tops my list. She always has a way of capturing your attention to where you don't want to put the book down. The opening of this novel will grab you right from the beginning. You start questioning who the killer could be and begin the many twists and turns that come throughout the book. This book is well written and will not disappoint.

This book had me hooked from the very first line. It was my first experience with author Lisa Jackson and will definitely not be my last.
The story follows Kara after a horrible night she will never forget. Her brother in jail for murder, but was it him? Page after page I tried to find out the details of that night but couldn't put my fingers on what had happened until the very end!
This story had me on the tip of my toes the entire time.

Thank you netgalley for and ARC of this book.

Marlie woke up her little sister sleeping in the bed beside hers. She was fully dressed. Clothes and shoes were stacked on Marlie’s bed. Were they going somewhere or was Marlie saying goodbye and leaving? Confused but now awake Kara tried to talk but Marlie continued to put a hand over her mouth. “Quiet, no talking,” she would say repeatedly.” Something bad is in the house.” Kara thought it was her stepbrothers being mean to each other but Marlie insisted she be silent and follow her. She was taken to the 3rd floor of the massive old home. It was a place the help used to stay, now mother told her never to go up there. Why would Marlie take her there? She followed her big sister up into the attic, no they had never come up this far, it was a danger. Marlie locked her in and walked gently down the stairway.
Yes, the reader knows that something dreadful is happening right off the bat. Jackson floors us with her opening. The plot never gets clearer. We know angry family members, the desire for money, and the big question - who would commit such a crime. This bizarre, frightening journey continues never really becoming clear. Not when the perpetrator is arrested do many believe that he executed the appalling acts.
The Girl Who Survived is written by Lisa Jackson and will be published by Kensington Books on June 28, 2022. I appreciate their allowing me to read and review Jackson’s latest suspense novel. I didn’t enjoy reading this - it was absorbing, interesting, very shocking but hardly enjoyable. It is however extremely well written and for those who like extreme crime this will hit the ticket.

Wow, just wow! Talk about suspenseful, this one is full of it. There were a few slow parts, but the rest of the action totally makes up for them. I loved the twists sprinkled throughout the story. They kept you turning pages as fast as possible. I was floored with the ending, it was fantastic!

At 7 years old Kara discovers her family brutally murdered, her sister missing and a brother badly injured. Kara's surviving brother Jonas, is found guilty and sentenced to prison but after 20 years a legal technicality has gained him his freedom. Kara is confused about how she feels about Jonas's release especially since the day of his release a body is found. Is Jonas really innocent or is he guilty of the terrible crime.
This book is a real rollercoaster ride with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep thrill readers glued to the pages. Lisa Jackson is one of my favorite go to authors for thrills and chills. This book is another winner for me and I'll patiently wait for her next book.

I enjoyed this book. I think it’s one of this authors best. I can not wait for more! Thanks to publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!

I liked the pacing and it kept me wondering what was going on the whole time. The writing was pretty good and the messages that Kara was receiving were actually suspicious! I liked it

An amazing read! After Kara's turbulent childhood where she is left orphaned after her family are slaughtered, her brother is released years later after being convicted of the multiple murders. Kara knows she is a target and begins to fear for her life, but is her brother the person after her? This kept me reading with a matter of urgency!

Twenty years after her family’s massacre, Kara must come face to face with the accused killed, her half brother Jonas who is to be released due to the mishandling of evidence,
Upon Jonas release , Kara starts receiving cryptic text messages and people associated to the case start being attacked.
Is this a coincidence? Is Jonas being framed for murders he did not commit ?

This book is full of twists, and potential suspects, and sub mysteries but the ending was a little flat for me.