I loved the order of the story. You first read about a baby that is stolen from a carriage in a grocery store. Then it brings you twenty years later, following three women, Clio, Frankie, and Patience. There are clues sprinkled throughout the story. The story ends and then Feeney brings you back to the beginning, even before the baby was stolen from the carriage. Many of the characters fell flat. They didn’t have as much depth to them as I would have liked. It wasn’t until the end when I finally figured out the twist. The narrator did a fantastic job in this audiobook. This wasn’t my favorite Feeney, (Rock Paper Scissors is my favorite so far.)

Edith has been placed into a nursing home but she has no intention of staying there. She becomes very close to one of the cleaning ladies, Patience. Edith and Patience concoct a plan. But, then the care home’s administrator ends up dead in the elevator. Now all of a sudden everyone is a suspect.

Ok, I am in the minority again…but I found this book BRILLIANT! I know a lot of other reviews did not find this to be as thrilling as Daisy Darker . But this book is a completely different style. The way Alice Feeney meandered through the story (and yes it is a bit slow!) to come to this ending….geez! I knew it was going to come together, just didn’t expect it to be this way!

Alice tied all these characters together in a neat little bow, including the detective with the pink stipe in her hair. And no…I did not see that one coming!

Every single one of these characters are dysfunctional at best. Talk about terrible mother-daughter relationships. But, I can’t help but see the intelligence it took to come up with this plot.

The narrators, Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine are fantastic. I love when there is a great tag team!

Need a good mystery which will have you wondering how it is all going to tie together…THIS IS IT!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Alice Feeney is an auto buy author for me and once again, she delivers with Good Bad Girl. This is a bit more of a slow burn, character driven novel that delves into the sometimes complicated relationship between a mother and a daughter.

We all know this author is the “Queen of the Twists” so don’t let your guard down. Alice Feeney, you are brilliant and I am anxiously awaiting what you come with next.

Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies. The narration for this book is the chef’s kiss.

Thank you #partner @macmillan.audio for the #gifted ALC

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹
𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘆
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟴/𝟮𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: In the newest jaw-dropper from The Queen of Twists, readers will discover how four women's lives are inextricably linked in the most unexpected ways.

"Do bad people know that's what they are? Maybe all villains are the heroes of their own stories."

💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: The thing I love most about Alice Feeney's books is that she makes you work for them; like a scattering of puzzle pieces that readers must fit together as we read.

Good Bad Girl is no exception. There's no sleeping on this one -- the reader must be sharp and focused on the myriad breadcrumbs laid out along the way.

To be honest, these sorts of books are hit or miss for me. I have read some that are too much work, and I just didn't care enough about the characters or story to play along. But Feeney's extraordinary character and plot development made me eager to see how it all unraveled, and the reward was well worth it. 🙌🏼 🤯

I actually started this one on audio in July and set it aside. The timing felt off, and I wanted to try again with the print and audio combined. So I tried again over the weekend and it was just brilliant. I'm so glad I waited, as the immersive format of book + audio was the perfect combination! The audiobook narrators, Stephanie Racine and Katherine Press, are outstanding and perfectly cast for this book.

Good Bad Girl is an intelligent, twisty, well-plotted mystery/thriller that I recommend wholeheartedly.

📌 Out tomorrow!

Alice Feeney is one of my favorite authors in this genre. I loved Rock Paper Scissors, Sometimes I Lie and His and Hers. I’m always eager to be immersed in her stories and left shocked at the surprises she throws your way, though I found Daisy Darker a tad disappointing on account of its predictability and lack of originality. I really wanted to love her latest offering but sadly, Good Bad Girl failed to deliver on the thrills.

The narrative begins with a baby being stolen from a stroller in the supermarket on Mother's Day. Twenty years later, on Mother’s Day, we meet eighty-year-old Edith, a resident of an assisted living facility who resents having been placed there by her daughter Clio. Edith’s relationship with her daughter is strained on account of reasons that are gradually revealed. Edith is befriended by young Patience who works at the care home and is fond of Edith, often going out of her way to help her. We also meet Frankie, who works as a librarian at a prison, who is frantically searching for her teenage daughter who ran away from home after an emotional confrontation. The narrative follows these characters, weaving past and present timelines together as we discover how these characters’ stories are connected, as they get entangled in a web of secrets, lies and murder.

Plenty of dysfunctional family drama, complicated mother-daughter relationships and the mystery of a missing baby at the core of the story would have made for a riveting read had there been a few less predictable “twists” and of course, a very convenient surprise toward the end of the story. While the characters were well thought out and the author discusses several sensitive issues such as post-partum depression, the pacing is on the slower side and the story feels relatively more character-driven than plot-heavy (Which is fine but, in a thriller, I would expect a stronger plot!). There were moments I found a few developments in the story rather amusing more than surprising ( I did laugh out loud a couple of times, so there’s that). The mystery surrounding the elder care facility could have been developed more which would have added to the suspenseful vibe, but that element of the story was relegated to the background and there is more telling than showing how it was resolved.

I can’t categorize this as a psychological thriller in the true sense of the term and had I not been looking for a more intricately plotted and twisty read, I would have enjoyed this more. I should mention that this novel is emotionally heavier than Feeney’s other novels. Overall, while I did not dislike this novel, it certainly wasn't what I had expected. However, I’m clearly an outlier here and would ask you to read the other reviews before deciding on reading this one.

I listened to audiobook (9 hours 21 minutes) narrated by Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine who have done an overall decent job of voicing the characters and breathing life into the story.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This story begins with an infant abducted from a stroller, leaving a mother devastated. Several years later 80 year old Edith has been tricked into living in a nursing home by her daughter, Clio. The mother and daughter are not currently on speaking terms. Edith has befriended her young caregiver Patience. Patience is good to Edith and cares for her but is hiding secrets. Clio, Edith and Patience are connected to a murder and have no reason to trust each other. There are many secrets that connect them but unraveling those secrets leads to shocking revelations.

This was another story by Alice Feeney that was full of twists, unreliable narrators, secrets and interesting characters.
Many times I thought I knew what was happening and I was wrong. I should know better by now after reading several of her other books but I still think I have things figured out. WRONG!! This is a fast paced story that unravels slowly with a satisfying twist. Feeney is a must read for lovers of psychological thrillers. Well written and well executed.
The audiobook was narrated really well!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review

#NetGalley #AliceFeeney #GoodBadGirl.

Sensational! Alice Feeney raises the domestic thriller bar. 🥇💓

Good Bad Girl is one captivating read that'll make your head spin in a good way. As most reviewers have said, you have to hang in there and let it play out while enjoying Feeney's fine storytelling. It's rather complex and multilayer. The pace was great with a jaw-dropping reveal!😲

Mother's Day twenty years apart. Told from the past and present of mothers, daughters, and a missing 6-month-old baby. Generational secrets and lies that linked the characters in this twisty tale. I'm not going to say much, better for readers to really enjoy this one.

I love Feeney's work each one more than the last. Good Bad Girl surely didn't disappoint and I can't wait to see what she'll come up with next.

LOVED the audio version with two narrators Katharine Press and Stephanie Racine. They both are terrific and add so much enjoyment to the story. 4.5⭐

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this ALC.

* 4.5 stars *
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney is about a stolen baby and a murder separated by 20 years but linked. Edith an eighty year old, her caretaker Patience who is hiding things from her, and Edith's daughter Clio who doesn't want to speak to her mother, and Patience's mother, Frankie, who just wants her daughter. They all cross paths in the most unexpected way.
This thriller took me for a ride. I loved the characters! Each had their own complex story and things going on in their life yet are so connected to each other as well. I can't say too much in this area without spoilers unfortunately but the concept of a "good bad girl" and the morally grey areas in everyone's life was a great concept that the author executed very well. The way you could see each character through all of the other perspectives gave the true dynamics of the situation. You could truly put yourself in each of their shoes and that was one of my favorite parts of this novel.
There were tons of twists in this novel. This is both a positive and a negative with this particular novel. Most of the time twists are my favorite part of thrillers but this one had too many. That is what knocked this book down from a 5 star read to a 4.5 star. The character chapters almost always ended in a character giving a vague statement of "I know know what to do now" meant to be a cliffhanger. By the end it started getting annoying.
Overall, that was the only downside to this novel. The plot, characters and connections were all great and I would definitely recommend this book to all of my thriller loving friends!

This was such an amazing audiobook and is such a captivating story! I always love Alice Feeney’s books and GOOD BAD GIRL had me hooked right from the start. I loved the mystery and I also loved the beautiful look at the complicated nature of families. Such a good book!

I know Alice Feeney is a very popular author, unfortunately, I just don’t think she’s right for me. This is the second book I read by her, and I am very disappointed. I found this book to be incredibly slow paced, which washed my interest. By the time we got to the twists I didn’t really care anymore. I found the characters to be unlikable and boring, just couldn’t connect with them to help me get engaged in the story. I listen to this on audio and thought the narrator did a fabulous job. She gave each character a distinct voice, which made it easy to learn who each character is.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advance, copy of this audiobook.

Right, wrong. Good, bad. These words encapsulate the theme of the book. What makes someone one or the other? What do we mean when we call someone either good or bad? It especially applies when we think of what makes someone a good mother. And the inevitable question, can good people do bad things? I
The story rockets back and forth between 4 female characters. (In a weird aside, almost all the characters in this story are female). Patience is an 18 year old worker at a care home. Edith is a resident there with whom Patience has bonded. Clio is Edith’s daughter who placed her there against her will. And finally, Frankie has just retired as a librarian at a prison.
“This is a crime with three suspects, two murders and one victim.” Feeney is a master at word play. She will choose just the right phrase to keep the reader in suspense. Every time I thought I had figured out everyone’s relationship, Feeney would add another piece to the puzzle, just enough to keep me guessing. There were some twists I never did see coming.
I love that this was as much a character study as a thriller. It’s not a fast paced story, it gives you time to ponder exactly what is going on.
A pet peeve - the title. The main characters are all women. One is even 80 years old. What’s with the Girl in the title?
I listened to this and it worked well as an audio experience, although you do need to pay attention to the chapter headings. Both of the narrators did good jobs.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this book.

3.75 stars
Alice Feeney fans, rejoice! Feeney Fans have patiently awaited her next story since Daisy Darker’s 2022 release. While the audio switching POVs was hard to follow at points, I still highly recommend this domestic psychological thriller. Read if you enjoy mama drama and suspense!


Thank you MacMillian audio for the advance listener copy!

I just couldn’t finish this audiobook. It just didn’t keep my interest at all. I so wanted to like this.

I do not recommend

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. I am the biggest Alice Feeney fan and will read anything that she writes. And she doesn't again with this thriller. There is no common theme and a little all over the place but it works. I couldn't put this down.

The twists keep coming in Good Bad Girl - the new book from Alice Feeney

"Four women are connected - but it takes a stolen baby, a couple of murders, an escape and an arrest before they figure it out."

Patience has run away from home on her 18th birthday. She's working at a care home for cash. And I kept pulling for her. She just wants to go to Art School. I know she's a fictional character but it seemed like so many people were against her that I just wanted to help. Edith has made terrible choices her entire life and looking for some redemption. As a former store detective she knows things. Clio regrets her mistakes, especially giving up a baby. Frankie has secrets and a little OCD.

Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine do a wonderful job with the audio.

The last twenty-percent of the book is twist after twist. It's "What?!? What?!? WHAT?!" I love the ending.

Calling this my favorite Feeney book.

Book Title: Good Bad Girl
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Thriller, suspense
Release Day: August 29th, 2023
Format: Audio Book
Rating: Storyline 4.5⭐️ Narration 4.5⭐️

Synopsis: Sometimes bad things happen to good people, so good people have to do bad things.

Our Queen of Twists, bestselling author of Daisy Darker and Rock Paper Scissors Alice Feeney, returns with another thrilling mystery filled with drama and her trademark surprises.

Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.

Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.

Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door…and their intentions aren’t good.

With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them.

In the style of Daisy Darker and Rock Paper Scissors, Good Bad Girl is a thriller in which nobody can be trusted and the twists come fast and furious.

My Thoughts: So right off the bat, know like many of Alice's storyline, there is multiple pov. This one is no different and had me perplexed in the beginning. However, this can sometimes happen to me when listening to audio books. With that said, once I found my way, it had me listening nonstop, and I had to know what happened. Every theory I had went out the window. The twists are just played beautifully like always. Once again, this author left me with such a feeling that this book will definitely be on my mind months from now. I am always like in awe at the end of an Alice Feeney book!

The narration was superb as well. I do wish that when there is multiple POV like this one, there could be a cast of narrators, but I know this is not always a possibility. Katherine Press did an outstanding performance, and I will definitely add her to my list of must listen narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacmillanAudio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book even though I was confused about what was going on for a good portion of the book. Apparently, there was a baby stolen in the very beginning but tying that occurrence to the rest of the story seemed farfetched. As you listen, you try to unravel the significance of the women in the assisted living facility, the pink house, and the girl who lived in the attic. In the end, the loose ends were tied up, but the reasonings for why everything happened was a bit of a letdown. This is probably my least favorite Alice Feeney story but still a solid fast-paced listen. (3.5 stars out of 5 stars)

The narration was good - clear and easy to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @simon.audio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook and to my friend @getlostinabookwithme for sharing her extra copy with me!

"Sometimes bad things happen to good people, so good people have to do bad things."

Smart. Shocking. Addictive. The “Queen of Twists” is back with another winner!

Two Mothers’ Days twenty years apart. One results in a stolen baby. The other in a murder.

In Feeney’s latest, which is more domestic suspense than thriller, her signature style takes on a brilliantly fresh tone. Delving into the world of mothers and daughters, Feeney mixes emotion with suspense in a way that fully captivates.

An inventive character driven puzzle, this book opens at the end and ends at the beginning. It’s cleverly plotted with crisp and quoteworthy writing. Perfectly timed reveals are interspersed with contemplative themes.

I was hooked from the first gasp-worthy chapter. And while the pace varied between the “can’t read fast enough,” and the “slower and more introspective,” I found this blend highly satisfying.

There’s a complexity to mother/daughter relationships. Good Bad Girl is steeped in that intricate emotional balance that often dances between love and hate. The depth of character development, with fully fleshed out perspectives, adeptly brought those intricacies to life.

But it was the expertly crafted examination between good and bad that elevated this murder/kidnapping mystery. I loved the thought-provoking narrative nestled within the suspense.

Truly, Feeney never disappoints! You’re going to want to grab this one on pub day, next Tuesday!

🎧 Stephanie Racine is back (big cheer!) and is joined by Katherine Press. The narration is fully infused with tension, emotion, and drama, making this an excellent audiobook that I highly recommend.

I was so excited to get an advance audio for Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney through @macmillan.audio
Alice Feeney's book is smart and takes on mother daughter relationships in a thriller-y but exploratory way.
Good people - bad choices or Bad People? What if someone who generally tries to be good and live by the rules sets bad things in motion by a decision that seemed good at the time? Is there ever a way back to healing ? What was it about good intentions paving the way to hell? Bad things can happen to good people, which can force them to do bad things! It's all very twisty, but so we'll plotted.
In this book five women - Edith locked up in a nursing home and rarely visited, Cleo her daughter, ravaged by her own grief but unable to forgive her mother, Patience her caregiver, an 18yo runaway and Frankie, the mother whom she ran from after she was unwilling to tell her more about her past as well as Caroline, the investigating police officer, who has more "skin in the game" than she probably should ...
This is not dark - especially compared to Rock Paper Scissors or other Alice Feeney books but it is such an intricate spider web and the connections are so well thought out, the characters are wonderfully fleshed out, I loved the puzzle this one presented and found the solution to be satisfying!
I listened to the audio for this one and the narration by Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine was so well done, it brought the story to life!

I have read/listed to a few of Alice Feeney's books now and I usually love them, and its not that this one is bad its just that i like it the least of all her others so far.
This book was way more predictable than her others and it took the fun out of reading/listening to it.
The audiobook narration was good this one was just not for me.