I really liked the way this story brought forth the yearning of adolescents that comes from discovering decomposition. The mystery and intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

It's definitely my own fault for trying to read a book about dead animals when I can't read animal violence. So it was just not possible for me to enjoy or like this.

Tough pacing... inconscient structure between the alternating perspectives.

The main character shows a lot of promise... If the story had been a bit faster-paced, with more subtle clues, a few more believable red herrings, and less cartoonish adults, it could have been a fantastic read. As it stands, it didn’t quite work for me, but there’s clearly a lot of potential, and it’s still an solid debut novel.

I was offered this book from NetGalley, but honestly, by the time I got to it, I had forgotten entirely what the story entailed. I'm somewhat glad when that happens, as I can go in with no knowledge besides knowing past me thought the premise was interesting.
I started reading Deadly Animals and was immediately captivated. Ava's midnight activities and observant nature lead her to know more aboutthe secrets of her village than just about anyone else. Some may find her strange, but I found her fascinating. I also appreciate how her mother is portrayed as a much simpler person, one that doesn't recognize the facts and ideas brimming in her older child's brain.
I also appreciated the character of Detective Delahaye. If this story was set in America, I think such a person would have had to been on the level of FBI investigators, as many police officers would have immediately dismissed anything Ava had to offer. Instead, Delahaye seems to notice that Ava is somehow tied the case (even if he doesn't immediately figure out how) as well as possesses general knowledge that will help out the investigation.
Tierney's descriptions of the highways that pass by the village as well as the dreary town were perfect. She set the tone for the entire novel wonderfully just narrating Ava's travels about the area while doing her research.
I was also captivated by the gang of kids that seem to fly under the radar of the adults. Ava has many friends and acquaintances, some that are willing to physically protect her, but none of them seem to be female. She almost seems to be a less obviously feminine Wendy to a pack of Lost Boys.
As you can tell, I enjoyed this book greatly. I applaud Marie Tierney's first endeavor here and will be seeking out her works in the future.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Rating: 3 stars!

I wanted to love this book so much. The premise of the book gives A Good Girls Guide to Murder vibes. The school-age children are solving a local murder. There are some twist and turns, then a grand reveal at the end. I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be when reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OMG I loved this book so much. From the gorgeous, eye-catching cover to the FANTASTIC Ava Bonney, this book was just incredible.

The characters were incredibly drawn, and the story was written and paced so well. Ava is a teenage girl with a fascinating interest in and respect for death. She studies the bodies of dead animals, like both a scientist and an artist. But when children start getting killed, she is the only one able to help point the detectives in the right direction. I would LOVE to read more stories about Ava.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and it was different than I expected. There’s a string of murders in this small town and they are killing children. One child named Ava is fascinated by death and respects them. She is able to help detectives figure out who is killing these children.

Absolutely adore this author and will read anything they have written or will write. New favorite! Will purchase for libraries.

Ava is the stand out character in Deadly Animals, her character was crafted so well. She instantly drew you in. The plot was engaging and easy to read. At times the pacing felt off with the change of POVs but overall a good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a good read, kept me entertained throughout. I was able to identify what was going to happen but i still enjoyed the read

This was an interesting read; it grabbed my attention in the beginning, but I did get a bit lost about 2/3 into the book. It was a little to easy to figure out who the bad guy was. I would defiantly give this author another go, this was a solid debut If you like a slow burn mystery with a bit of morbidity, give this book a try. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holy & Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. I think it would have been more successful for me if we had spent more time with Ava, whom I adored. The POV switches were distracting, and though I think the story overall was interesting and entertaining (and unique!) I just would have had a better time focusing on Ava and her story directly. I listened to this on audio, which I also recommend, because it moves a bit faster than it would have in print!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was a really interesting book. The main character was fascinating and I loved learning from and with her. Though I predicted the killer almost immediately, I didn't feel like that took away from my enjoyment.

Absolutely beautifully written!! The macabre nature of Ava drew me in immediately! Seeing her work through an investigation that was already ongoing and becoming a key part to it was perfect!

Cannot wait to see what more the author has up her sleeve for future books!

*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney. This book provides an intriguing look into some of the world’s most dangerous creatures, exploring what makes them so lethal and the environments they inhabit. Tierney’s writing is accessible and informative, making complex scientific details digestible for general readers. The vivid descriptions and anecdotes bring these creatures to life on the page, though at times I wished for more in-depth analysis or a stronger narrative thread to tie everything together. Still, the variety of species highlighted kept me engaged, and I came away with a deeper appreciation for the natural world’s complexity and the balance it maintains.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. This book had an interesting storyline and characters to match! I liked how it’s a detective story, trying to find a murderer, while adding in little bits of hope to keep you on edge! I can honestly say I had no idea where it was heading and it wasn’t for lack of trying to figure it out. I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries, horror, and detective fiction!

This book follows Ava, a compassionate and interesting teenage girl with an unsettling obsession with watching dead animals decompose. After a late-night outing, she stumbles upon the body of a classmate. Unsure of how the authorities would react to her dark hobby, Ava decides to report the body anonymously, and that’s when the story truly begins to unfold.

I had high hopes for this book. The premise intrigued me, and I initially found the characters interesting. However, as the story progressed, I realized I wasn’t connecting with any of the characters, nor did I feel invested in their journey. While the plot has great potential and could have been fast-paced, the execution felt slow and dragged in parts. That said, the reveal was well done, offering a twist I didn’t see coming. Despite that, I just never felt pulled into the story as much as I wanted to.

One thing to note is that the book contains extremely graphic content, particularly regarding dead animals and child death, so it's not for the faint of heart. I’d like to thank the author, the publisher Henry Holt & Company, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary eARC for review.

I absolutely loved this 1980s set book about a very unusual 14 year old girl who is obsessed with death and decomposition. When she finds a human body in her little body farm of dead animals, she tries to help the police solve the case. Beautifully written, very dark and creepy, and with a main character I'll remember, this book will be on my top books of 2024 list for sure! More details in my longer blog review, which is linked.

I loved the main character and wanted to enjoy the story, but it really dragged. It should have either been shorter and more plot-driven or included more character development.