DNF at 30% of the way through. The pacing was annoyingly slow and I was just flat out bored. I was really looking forward to the concept of the novel, but unfortunately it wasn’t thrilling or fast-paced enough for me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

My opinion is torn on this book. While overall it was a good story that was written well, it was far too long. Heavy editing could have made this a shorter and more enjoyable read.

I loved the character of Ava - Lady A a lot. I could picture her studying these dead creatures in order to learn more about the science and anatomy of the animals. I wish the author had gone into a bit more detail on why she was passionate about this - not just a link to her father, but what she hoped to do with the knowledge.

There were also way too many characters, some of which were dogs. Some were added for the benefit of adding more murders to the story, but some just seemed farfetched and unnecessary. I disliked the old man in the nursing home and felt that he didn't really add to the story at all.

The plot started to lose me as we grew closer to learning who the killer was. It felt too easy to stick the guilt on the character who turned out to be the murderer, and the sub-plot about lycanthropy made me just want to finish the book as quickly as I could to find out who the killer was.

Great start to the story, but unravelled for me toward the end.

No, Ava is not your normal teenager. Nor is this a normal story with a normal ending. Had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning as Ava is left to solve the mystery of her murdered classmates!

Meet Ava Bonney, a most exceptional 13 year old, who has a unique fascination for dead creatures. She has created a body farm near her home where she brings the dead bodies of animals she finds to study various decomposing effect. After which she gently gives them a proper burial.

Early one morning while her family sleeps she slips out to check on her creatures and discovers hidden in the bushes her classmate, Micky Grant. His body badly mutilated.

Realizing she must report Mickey’s death, she surreptitiously call the police. Masking her voice to sound older for fear of losing her ability to continue her nightly activities, she reaches Detective Seth Delehaye. It is the beginning of a friendship which puts Delahaye on the right track and in turn fosters her unique predilection.

An unusual story but engrossing. I can’t say it was enjoyable but it was fascination and well worth the time. If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing, this is a book for you.

"Deadly Animals" by Marie Tierney is a chilling debut mystery that grips readers from the very first page. Fourteen-year-old Ava Bonney, with her unconventional obsession with dead animals, finds herself at the center of a sleepy town's descent into darkness when she stumbles upon the body of her classmate. Tierney skillfully captures the obsessive spirit of youth as Ava refuses to back down, determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearances plaguing her community. With its haunting atmosphere and brave portrayal of adolescence, "Deadly Animals" is a captivating and unforgettable read that showcases Tierney's talent for crafting suspenseful narratives.

Though the chapters were short I didn’t appreciate how many chapters there were especially since like a 2010s teen drama on the CW, many felt like fillers. The dialogue didn't flow very well, characters didn’t sound like real people. These teenagers particularly never sounded their age either. Clunky plot and humour that never landed, plus the small town cliche characterisations didn’t help either. I was bored, I tried but couldn’t drum up interest to make it past 150 pages.

*Thank you M. Tierney and Henry Holt and Co. for the, Deadly Animals ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this book! I’m sticking to my guns here, I didn’t totally love this as I hoped. It was quite the ride, but at times I wasn’t as engrossed as I hoped to be. It’s quirky and fun at best. Dark and witty as well. Solid 3.5 stars. But I would read the author again.

Such a great read! I fell in love with the main character, Ava. This book is highly recommended, especially if you're into crime thrillers. I am looking forward to seeing what Marie Tierney writes in the future.

3.5 rounded up. My review , like the book, is full of contradictions. While easy to solve, this creepy murder mystery was still a page turner. The main character was clever and likable, despite some age-appropriate inconsistencies. There were some major flaws, but the story and writing were compelling enough to make me interested in reading another work by this author.

This book is one that initially caught my attention because of the title. I expected a certain type of dark feel to it and it did not disappoint. I will definitely check out more by this author.

This was brilliant! I couldn’t put it down and loved every second of it. I can’t stop thinking about this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Dnf! I can tell the author is talented, good writing. However I couldn’t get sucked into the story. I have only seen good reviews so this is probably just a me problem.

So first things first: if you are sensitive to the deaths of animals (see title) or the deaths of children (see plot description), you may wish to stay clear. There’s also a certain gruesomeness about much of it.

That being said, it’s a fabulous book!

Ava is wonderful. Somehow the author manages to create a girl who has such dark interests and make her positive and charming! I also liked so many of our other characters.

Now, I will admit that I realized our *who* way too early in the book. The problem was that I adored them and kept hoping against hope that I was wrong. But while there was a soupçon of disappointment in that, it didn’t ruin the read for me. Instead, I was still rapt – just a mixture of rapt and incredibly saddened.

Dark as the book is, it’s full of engaging characters, fabulous friendships (some unexpected), and a plot that becomes a real adventure.

There’s room for a sequel here and I truly hope the author brings us back to this world!

• ARC via Publisher

A great read. The pacing was a little slow at times, but I loved the main character Ava, and her relationships with the detectives on the case.

An incredible debut. 'Deadly Animals' shines with its fresh approach to crime. Set in 1981 Birmingham, a precocious 13-year-old girl becomes an unlikely expert to a police investigation into the murder of her classmates.

Marie Tierney creates as fantastic heroine in Ava, a self-assured autodidactic with an uncanny knowledge of biology, animal decomposition (thanks to her animal body farm), mimicry and illustration. She has a sharp vocabulary, but you can still see how she is still a child. I adored the friendship with her best friend Josh and all the teenage complications that comes with it. DS Seth Delahaye is a persistant but laid back and, refreshingly, takes Ava's insight seriously and comes to rely upon it as if she were a valued colleague.

The writing is tight with short sharp chapters, with characters that are absorbing. The pace is perfect with a slow-burn tension. I worked out pretty early who the killer was and I could feel the slow pit of dread as Ava and Seth seperately come to the shocking realisation.

This is definitely a top crime book for 2024. I would love to see more Ava, or perhaps a grown up Ava. But I know I'm being greedy.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for the ARC.