Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry is a brilliantly ominous & wickedly clever mystery novel that has three different stories that combine into one twisted thriller. This is the type of the story that is the most fun when you have the least amount of information I think. So if you want to go in without knowledge, skip the next paragraph.

There’s this woman, Celia, who comes to a reality she doesn’t remember with a kid & a husband that are strangers. Then, there’s college aged student, Allison, who goes on a weekend birthday trip with friends but ends up in a sinister cabin in the woods. & finally, there’s a dystopian Hunger Games-esque maze come to life with a fierce mom, Maggie, dropped into this horror. I won’t say more because it is too interesting of a ride to mess with, but please go read!

I immediately buckled in because I knew my entire afternoon was going to be filled up by devouring this book & going along for this terrifying adventure.

Good Girls Don’t Die is perfect for fans of…
🖤Twisty Thrillers
🖤Amnesia Trope
🖤Horror Movies
🖤Badass Heroines

The writing!! The writing is just superb. It is engaging & captivating. My stomach was clenched in nervousness & fear thanks to the wild & terrifying haunts & the foreboding tone the author conveyed. It was like a scary movie where I was ready for a jump scare but simultaneously couldn’t tear my eyes away either.

The intelligence of the lead characters was beautiful. Smart main characters that are well versed in crime/horror like this create the necessity of the elevation of tricky mysteries & boldly advance the type of villain to the next level. As a devoted mystery fan, these are the types of stories that you will remember long after you finish reading. I honestly wished it was a bit longer because I wanted the ending to be drawn out a bit more. But overall, this was such a phenomenal & unique thrilling tale! This is fierce. This does not take the easy way out. This is one engrossing mystery that I highly recommend.

I am waiting for Amazon to publish my review & I will add my link once I do.

The first story is reminiscent of a cozy mystery version of The Truman Show. You can feel the fear as Celia realizes she is in trouble. I was very invested in this story and was a little disappointed when the book switched to the next section/story.

The second story is reminiscent of Scream. It’s theme of “final girl” and slasher film ramps up the terror.

The third story is reminiscent of Hunger Games or Maze Runner. I didn’t see the twist or reveal coming.

I loved the way all the stories pulled together at the end. It is overall an exciting and fast paced read.

I have posted this review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzofLNrL5TA/?igshid=ZG5ib2xvZG9xa3c1

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5968971203

And Amazon

GGDD is an exciting mix of mystery and horror, with twist and turns behind every door. The way each story ended abruptly was kind of enjoyable and I loved how it all came together at the end. My only complaint would be that end just felt unpolished. Satisfying for sure, but almost too easy and too many loose ends.

I definitely enjoyed this read. It is super quick paced and easy to devour.

Celia, Allie, Maggie... three different women, three different stories

After reading The Ghost Tree, Near the Bone, and Looking Glass, Christina Henry easily became an auto-buy author. As soon as I seen Good Girls Don't Die, pop up on Netgalley, I knew this would be Henry's best yet. Yes, I was that confident with the title and description alone.

I wasn't wrong

Christina Henry is a magician when it comes to crafting a blockbuster hit that will have you questioning everything you read. I can say, speaking from experience, I had no idea how these three women's stories were going to wrap together but when it happened, I was at a complete loss for words.

Good Girls Don't Die, is a must read!

Check out this teaser :

A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.

Celia wakes up in a house that’s supposed to be hers. There’s a little girl who claims to be her daughter and a man who claims to be her husband, but Celia knows this family—and this life—is not hers…

Allie is supposed to be on a fun weekend trip—but then her friend’s boyfriend unexpectedly invites the group to a remote cabin in the woods. No one else believes Allie, but she is sure that something about this trip is very, very wrong…

Maggie just wants to be home with her daughter, but she’s in a dangerous situation and she doesn’t know who put her there or why. She’ll have to fight with everything she has to survive…

Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This captivating novel will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Three different stories that turn into one...

I couldn't put this one down! You are hooked right from the beginning and throughout each woman's story. What is going on? How are they all connected? So many questions running through your mind. Perfect for thriller lovers who are looking for something unique!!

*Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the egalley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Good Girls Don't Die is such a twisty and unique story, I simply could not put it down! I did not know what was happening, certainly not for a long while (and even then not really), but in the very best way, where you just need to keep reading because you must know everything. I obviously cannot tell you too much because this whole book is about finding out what the heck is happening, but let us briefly discuss!

My favorite part is that we are dropped into the story the same way as the characters- unaware, but finding everything out alongside them. It definitely adds to the intensity of the story, because every reveal is coming at the reader just as it is the character. It is told from the points of view of three different women, and each woman's story was absolutely as compelling as the others. Totally compelling, totally horrifying, compulsively readable. Add to it some completely badass feminist vibes, and you have a real winner here.

I perhaps wanted a bit more from the ending, especially after such a strong bulk of the book, but it did provide for a satisfying ending, even if it did feel a bit rushed for me. Certainly strong enough to not take away from the fabulous story leading to it, so I definitely cannot complain.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for an exciting book full of strong women and tons of twists, look no further, as this one was unputdownable!

Three different women, all in similar predicaments. Will they find a way out? I am going to be completely honest, I didn't know if I was going to finish this book after reading the first part. It just seemed like the part ended so abruptly, and went on to something completely different. I told myself that I needed to keep going because it would probably all come together in the end. Boy am I glad that I decided to finish this book. I can't say that I am not left with any questions but the story did have a decent ending. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be picking up more of her books in the future! I don't know if I would classify this as a horror book, as it was listed when I requested to be an ARC reader, but it did have thriller aspects to it. If you are looking for a true horror novel, this is not the one for you. If you like books that have mysterious aspects, that leave you wondering throughout the whole book, then I say give this one a shot.

Thank you Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for an ARC copy of this book.

This one was quite the roller coaster! The synopsis sets out the majority of the story well. We have a stepford wife, a cabin in the woods slasher, and a hunger games esque fight to the death. What do these three have in common? The women realize it’s all a set up.

It truly is set up in 3 parts before the finale. We get to meet Celia, Allie, and Maggie in their own stories. My personal favorite was Allie in the slasher bc I (like Allie) love a good horror movie. Not being a fan of cozy mysteries the beginning part (Celia’s) felt a bit slow to me and then Maggie’s portion was a fairly fast paced read like any good ya dystopian novel.

But don’t worry, there is ab overarching plot! Without saying too much I will say this reminded me a lot of the escape room movies. It was fun and the ending was fabulous. 🧑🏻‍🍳💋

Three Women.
Three storylines.
Dire Circumstances.
One way out.
Fighting men out for revenge against the women they believed wronged them and their manhood.

The convergence of the three storylines, and these three women had me on the edge of my seat. The ladies were brilliantly portrayed, especially their badassary.

This book is suspenseful, mettlesome and atmospheric. And, it doesn’t shy away from the word “bitch” as the male characters use it in every form throughout the story.

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry is incredibly engaging with an intriguing use of characters to weave together a unique narrative. In the novel, Christina Henry uses the stories of three different women to pull you into the story, a mystery of why they have been removed from their lives and trapped in a world they don’t know, one where a killer might be after all three.

One of the reasons I think this is so compelling is the way you are immediately pulled into the story and introduced the the mystery. Not only does each chapter heading give you clues but so does each woman’s perspective, drawing you further in with each story.

Another aspect that is incredibly engaging is the use of mystery and horror references. And those references are used by each woman to escape their trap. It is ultimately a finely crafted exploration of feminism and how women have to strive to not be underestimated by the toxic men around them. And I absolutely love the ending that will make you consider what you would do if it were you in the place of one of these women.

If you like mystery/horror/thriller tales, this is one to check out. Christina Henry has consistently shown that she is a master of her craft, creating compelling situations, complex characters, and a tension that creates a mystery/horror tale that is incredibly engaging and impossible to put down. If you like her other books, you will love this one.

Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry is the most original thriller I have ever read. The mix of psychological thriller, horror, and dystopian thriller offers a story for many different readers, while its ending provides something for everyone to contemplate and discuss. I opened this book without reading the story's description, which was the best scenario for maximum enjoyment. It also makes me not want to say too much.

I will say this. The pacing is breakneck, and I loved that! I don't know that there was a lot of character development, but that's just the nature of the story. It doesn't need it to achieve it's thought-provoking ending. I would have enjoyed a character study of one particular character, but that would require a companion novel or a prequel.

Good Girls Don't Die is a unique and eye-opening study of the portrayal of female characters in different thriller-style genres and what that says about perspectives in the real world. I'm still contemplating all the many nuances!

This is a super smart, feminist take on some classic thriller tropes that is told in three parts that ultimately come together in a most satisfying ending as the women who are kidnapped and put into various life or death situations get revenge on their male captors. Perfect for fans of The Truman show, 90s slashers or The hunger games and great on audio narrated by Lisa Flanagan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This is by far my favorite book by Christina Henry to date!!

I have to give it to Henry, this is a fairly unique novel, and while I can see where she was going I think it ended up being somewhat uneven. For the first...75+% of this book it almost feels like an anthology, there are three distinct stories that do not overlap and are completely self-contained. They're also different enough that the only real connection we have is that each has a female main character and she feels that something isn't right. I admit, I'm not sure if it's because I'm more a horror person than a mystery or dystopian person, but the middle of the three stories was my favorite, and I would have been happy with an entire book just about that. It could have been a rather fresh take on the slasher genre. With that in mind I'll go back to talking about the book as a whole. Like I said, interesting idea, but in the end I was slightly underwhelmed. There were phrases that were repeated a little too often, and even within each story things were too convenient. Don't even get me started on how perfectly everything wrapped up at the end. I'm not really sure I buy it. And the entire explanation just seems a little too...ridiculous? It's certainly over the top, that's for sure, and I almost feel like there's an element of satire to the book as a whole that just didn't quite land with me. At the end of the day I'm not sure I would hand sell this title, but I certainly wouldn't try to direct people away from it, and I do applaud Henry for doing something I have not seen before. No one can say she doesn't come up with some fun ideas, and I'll certainly be curious to see what her next one is.

This was a new to me author and this book was so different from anything I've read. I will definitely be looking to read more from Christina Henry!

This one mixed in a few horror/scary movie genres, some Hunger Games, some true crime and some baddie women who don't give up. It was a wild ride and sometimes I was like - what is happening? But it all came together nicely at the end and I loved it!

It's really three stories in one. About three different women thrown into horrifying circumstances and having to fight their way out. It was like they were each in their own worst nightmare. Each of them was strong, smart and determined! And when the three meet up - they are a force to be reckoned with.

If you're looking for something different and refreshing, with lots of action and twists, this one is definitely for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and for allowing me to be a part of this Berkley Buddy Read!

“People are never what you see on the surface. There’s always a secret heart with a fortress around it, a hideout for their smallest and truest selves, the piece that they never show anybody else.”

Okayyyy now that is probably the best closing line of a book I have read. Ever. 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Never underestimate the power of a woman scorned‼️ That one sentence could stand as my whole review. Wheeeeee what a ride this was!

I feel like going in blind may be your best bet so I’ll say only a little. This book is essentially split into 4 parts. It seamlessly transitions through them and you’re not sure how they all connect at first. But when they do, prepare to be mind blown.

I loved the references to alll of the cult classic movies of my past. The cliche tropes, if you will. Stepford Wives. Truman. Scream. Hunger Games. All of the dystopian tales. Beauty And The Beast. Even The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. This book is simply genius and so so clever. I highly recommend it!! It is fantastic on audio as well. I listened along as I read as @lisaflanaganvoice nailed the voices, the angst, the terror, the anger. Just all of it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Christina Henry for the ARC and thanks to @PRHAudio for the free #audiobook.

“You never think about this stuff when you’re watching or reading a book… The main characters never seem to need the bathroom. I’m telling you right now, I would have shit my pants immediately if I were in those Hunger Games.”

Told in parts, this book opens on Celia- a woman who awakens to a life, and a family, she has no recollection of. Convinced she’s being manipulated in some way, but not understanding how or why, she makes it her mission of finding a way out.

In the next installment we meet Allie, a young woman who expected to celebrate her birthday with a weekend away with the girls. But when her friends and their boyfriends hijack the plans, the single Allie suddenly finds herself staying in a secluded cabin in the woods-where a killer just happens to be on the loose.

Lastly we follow Maggie, a headstrong woman who has somehow been dropped into a sadistic game show. Here, the survival of the women participants
and their loved ones depend on each woman’s escape. Can she get out before time runs out?

With a truly unique premise with call backs to The Truman Show and Hunger Games, Good Girls Don’t Die is a fast paced thriller that keeps the reader guessing. When it all comes together in the end, however, I found myself a bit taken aback by the surprisingly feministic slant. Disappointingly, what felt like a fun thrill ride all along morphs into a message on misogyny-the real killer I didn’t see coming.

That being said, I’d still recommend checking this book out, especially if bite sized brain teasers where women kick ass are your thing.

This book was so smartly written! I loved the 3 povs, with completely different stories, but how they all came together in the end. I was not expecting it to be so riveting! Now I will say, there were a few times when I kind of rolled my eyes at the cheesiness of some of the moments, and characters. But overall, I thought it was a great story.

The Maze Runner meets The Stepford Wives in Christina Henry’s latest novel. The novel combines three stories, each from a different woman’s point of view. The stories don’t seem to be related in the beginning, and that’s probably the draw of the novel — to find out how each story is connected to each other.

The novel was engaging until the three stories interconnected. After that, the novel just lost its steam. And with a surreal and underwhelming finale, it just wasn’t what I had hoped for. It might have been better if each of the three stories were developed on their own instead of attempting to connect the dots after the fact.

I enjoyed all of the characters in the novel. Each of them were fully developed and I liked how author Henry was able to cross generational gaps in each of her characters — projecting both mature adult and college student personalities into each of them.

Overall, Good Girls Don’t Die was a satisfactory read worthy of three solid stars. I recevied a DRC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

If you’re looking for a different type of thriller, look no further than this one…

When Celia wakes up one day to a man claiming to be her husband and a little girl that’s supposed to be her daughter, she knows something isn’t right. She doesn’t know these people at all. She goes through the motions, trying to piece together her life. All while feeling that someone is watching her and facing debilitating headaches.

Allie has a fun girls trip planned, but when her friends show up with their boyfriends, the group ends up camping in the woods instead of the beach weekend Allie had been anticipating. The first night, she wakes to strange noises outside. Then, one of the girls is attacked in their cabin.

Maggie wakes up outside in some sort of shipping container, with no memory of how she got there. All she knows is that a masked man is telling her he will kill her and her daughter if she doesn’t participate in a deadly game.

Three women…three dangerous situations.

This book is divided into several parts and I was immediately drawn into Celia’s story. It didn’t make sense, yet I couldn’t stop reading! The same was the case with Allie’s and then Maggie’s. Each woman’s story kept me glued to the pages! The whole time, I was wondering not only what was going on, but how were these stories going to come together?!

I went into this completely blind and think that made it so much more fun not knowing what to expect. Told in multiple points of view, this was a fast-paced, action packed thriller like no other.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkeley Pub and Christina Henry for the ARC! “Good Girls Don’t Die” releases November 14, 2023.

This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

If you enjoy some horror with your mystery and thrills, then Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry may be the next book you will want to read. Three women awaken to circumstances that don’t seem right. Celia wakes up in a house with a husband and child that don’t feel like hers. She can’t remember her “real” life, but the house isn’t decorated to her tastes and there are no books in the home. She knows she reads every day. Allie and her friends Cam and Madison planned a beach getaway for Allie’s twenty-first birthday. However, when they come to pick her up, their boyfriends Brad and Steve are with them. Brad takes them to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie is sure something isn’t right, but what is wrong? Maggie wants to be home with her daughter, but she wakes up in a dangerous situation that she must get out of to ensure her daughter is safe.

The story follows each woman through a significant part of their ordeal. Part four brings the story to its conclusion. I found the least character depth to be that of Celia. However, that is likely due to her confused memories. Everything she thinks she remembers about herself doesn’t fit with the life she’s living. Allie is smart, funny, and reliable. However, she tends to go along with others’ plans since she is scared to make herself vulnerable. She shows the most character growth as her story unfolds. Maggie is determined to save her daughter so she comes across as strong and a leader, from the beginning despite her fears. In part four, readers find out how each character understands the others as well as their connections. This added depth to the characters.

The online chats at the beginning of each chapter piqued my interest and the first chapter pulled me into the story. The world-building was fantastic in all four parts of the story. With a combination of mystery and horror, the book kept me on the edge of my seat. Who will survive and what is happening in each scenario? There are also some unpredictable moments and plot twists in this gripping storyline. My one quibble is that I wanted more closure on Celia’s story.

Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, heartbreaking, and atmospheric with plenty of chills. This is my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to reading others.

Berkley Publishing Group and Christina Henry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.