There is a guy on tiktok that says adults should stop reading YA. And ya know what? Here I am reading YA and I loved this book. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a good time. I was so excited for this book and when I saw that netgallery had an arc registration open I signed up as soon as I could. And I got it! I really liked reading this book. I loved this book because it reminded me of criminal minds. And if you know me, I am obsessed with that series. It only reminded me of that show because of the vibes, and solving a mystery. but that was enough for me. This plot has a murder set when bettina was still a child, and at time her mother is murdered in a very brutal way. They all said that her father had done it and she was a key witness in the conviction of her father. but till this day she doesn’t know for sure if she saw what she said she saw. it makes her question herself till this day. especially when a new murder started happening that looks identical to her mother murder. we have one: we do have a copycat or two: the murder is still out there. in the end there is a big plot twist and if you are a thriller reader you probably see it coming, I did way before the ending. Our characters are fun to follow. Bettina is very complexed. She of course went through so much. and you see her make mistakes in the beginning, but in the end she tries to do what is right. there was one part in the book when they are asking questions and looking back on the transcripts that it was a lot of info dumping by the author I know that the info was necessary but it could have been done with a few more pages in the book, i would have not mind if the book was 50 pages longer. The writing style is good, especially for a debut novel. it made reading this book easy to follow and the pacing was good.

so overall I had a really good time with this book. It was very fast paced and thrilling with a good plot twist at the end.

Okay so I am now low key obsessed with Eugenia and Bettina. What great characters!! And the plot! And the writing! Totally in love with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Catch me at Barnes and Noble in June to buy my copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable and quick read, read in a single day, but I had many issues with it. Most of these issues led me to believe that this was a debut author, which turned out not to be the case. I suppose this might be Peterson's first foray into this specific thriller genre, but a lot of the issues were not genre based. Most of the issues I had were due to the pacing, the character work, and plot holes/abandoned threads.

I liked Bett, even though she was mean spirited at times, she was a teenager, and it was relatable or understandable, she wasn't a bully for no reason, in my opinion. I also really like Eugenia, but I almost thought that the author couldn't decide who she was going to be. Sometimes she was calculated and said exactly what she wanted, and then other times she acted unsure and scared. You could just chalk this up to her being a teenager and still discovering who she is and becoming more comfortable with the world, but it read like inconsistent character work to me. Also sometimes Eugenia would just say stuff into the air, or blurt something out like they were in the middle of a conversation already, and it was jarring to me. More jarring that Bett never commented on it or thought about it. It made a lot of their moments together feel disingenuous, like the author was just trying to get a beat written and less that they were actually interacting organically. This really stood out to me in the break into two scene where they are first discussing investigating the case. It's kinda resolved with a conversation later, but it seemed really rushed and out of the blue that they just decided to investigate a murder like that.

Another thing I want to say about Peterson's writing style, it's so quick on the line to line level. This could just be preference, but it felt very rushed. One sentence she'd be pouring coffee, the next line she'd be finishing off the cup. Little time inconsistencies like that which made me think this book hadn't had any dev edits or that the author was new. It persists throughout the whole book. They'd be driving from the mountain and a line later they'd be pulling up in the driveway. You could just use a scene break if the in-between is unimportant to the story.

The last thing I'll say is that I didn't understand the use of Xavier's character. Him and Bett are sort of dating at the start, then they don't talk for many, many chapters, then somewhere in the middle he decides he really likes her and starts sharing all this personal stuff with her. Then she realises he's holding evidence in a murder investigation, so of course she turns the evidence in as she should, and that pisses him off so much that he hates her now and everyone takes his side because he's a burnout, but also popular at the same time? This thread is never resolved. They see each other later at the party and he just leaves her to almost get hurt, again. Then we never hear from him again. No resolution. If the author was trying to say something about Bett picking her friends over a bad relationship than maybe she should have explained that better or at a more impactful moment.

Anyway, it was fun to read, the mystery was fairly interesting, if not a bit silly, but it was quick and a good first effort into the genre.

Lastly I'll say, I really love the cover, but having now read the book I don't understood who the girl on the front is? Because the killer's victims are blonde, not dark haired?

This book was honestly good, but not great. It was dull at moments and didn't give me the spook factor I was looking for. I did like the plot and the character descriptions and backgrounds, however it confused me at times throughout the book. I don't like being confused, especially when it's not resolved, and it wasn't.
Though even with the confusion this book was good in the idea and the characters, and it wasn't too much confusion to where I couldnt follow along just some seeming plot holes.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this early copy to review!!

This YA thriller is everything; it’s dark, intriguing, I was hooked from the start! It follows Bettina and her investigating to find out WHO is killing the women in Wolf Ridge… is it a copy cat of The Smiley Face Killer AKA Bettina’s dad, or was her father wrongly accused.

The short chapters, fast pace story kept me wanting to keep reading even when I shouldn’t have. Eugenia was iconic, a feminist morticians daughter who’s a little weird, I love her. I also really liked Bett’s love interest and how it didn’t turn the story into a love story, it’s a thriller through and through.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ .5
the best thing at this party: the twists and bett’s character
you’re losing me: i feel like everything was too easy for bett and eugenia

thanks to netgalley and holiday house for the arc!

🍵 summary

bettina jane’s mother was killed by her father when she was a child. that’s the one thing she is sure of in her life. but what if that’s not actually what happened? when another woman is murdered in their town a decade later, bett decided to investigate herself with the help of the mortician’s lonely daughter, eugenia.

🍓 thoughts

i really enjoyed reading dead girls talking. it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and i devoured it as quick as i physically could. every single time i thought i knew what was happening, i didn’t (i ended up figuring it out exactly one page before the big reveal 💀). it is really fast paced and dynamic, and i was close to giving it five stars. the one thing that annoyed me, tho, was how easily people gave bett and eugenia information. they walked in, asked whatever they wanted, and people just told them pretty much without questions. and let me tell you, they were very straightforward about why they wanted that info. i just don’t think it’s very realistic for people to tell two random teenagers everything they know about murder victims/suspects.

🍰 characters

bettina: i liked bettina’s character, and i think she was really complex. she was flawed, yes, but in the end, she was just trying to do what’s right. she went through a lot and she did everything she could to get justice for her family and the other victims, while staying respectful for those who had suffered the loss, which not a lot of people did in this book. of course, she made mistakes, but who doesn’t? there were also aspects of her that i found very relatable, like the pressure she felt from her grandparents to be the perfect (grand)daughter and do what they wanted her to, even when it wasn’t actually her wish.

eugenia: eugenia, my baby <3333 she is literally just like me. eugenia doesn’t have friends at school, and people aren’t her thing. she says what needs to be said without turning around the point, even if that doesn’t make people like her. she know what she wants and she does what she can to get it. but under all that, she is still sensitive, and she cares about people, even if she has a weird way to show it. also she drives a hearse, how cool is that

supporting characters: i liked xavier’s character, i think he was really sweet and supportive of bett until he just… disappeared? i wish we had seen more of him. natalie was also really cool, i liked her. i’m conflicted about ada, on one end i can see why she does what she does, but on the other end… it kind of disgusts me. the grandparents reminded me of my own parents too much to be objective about them 😅

🫖 writing

dead girls talking was well written. nothing extraordinary, but not bad either. i liked it! the pacing was well done, and i don’t think there was really a moment where i felt bored, or i thought the writing was awkward. overall, not exceptional, but good!

🍒 misc.

i really loved the commentary on true crime and violence against women in this book. there was a lot of conversation on the ethicality of true crime and the effect it has on the family of victims, and i think that it’s something that needs to be talked about more often, because some of the content out there is so disgusting. true crime podcasts/channels rarely show compassions with the victim’s’ loved ones, who can be very impacted by those vulture’s’ constant stalking and harassment. it also talked a lot about crimes committed against women and how little the authorities actually care about us, how girls often have to protect each other in a society that has failed them. those topics are very important, and i think they were handled very well by megan peterson.

Dead Girls Talking is a fast paced murder mystery that keeps you guessing the whole book. If you like reading about true crime, but are looking for some fiction then this is for you. Our FMC is 110% certain her dad killed her mom, but when a body pops up with the same M.O. as her mother's murder, she starts to second guess herself. She teams up with the local weirdo to try to uncover the truth. I enjoyed going through it with Bett and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I wish there would have been more resolution with certain characters at the end since it wrapped up pretty quickly.

Dark, intriguing and compelling book that absorbed me completely! The captivating writing, fast pace and short chapters made it almost impossible for me to tear myself away from the pages, prompting me to finish it in less than a day. "Dead Girls Talking" is a story about serial killers, murders, violence against women, complicated family relationships and bullying, but it is also a story of friendship, hope and justice. A dynamic, gritty and powerful thriller full of mysteries, deceptions, lies and secrets. I was fascinated by the small town of Wolf Ridge, a seemingly placid and peaceful place, where everyone knows everyone and knows everything about everyone, that in reality hides a deep darkness.

While I did enjoy some of the thriller aspects of the book, this was a very generic read and nothing really set it apart from other YA thrillers I've read this year.

i received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

this was an enjoyable read, though i didn’t like the main character. eugenia, though, was a big surprise for me and i really liked her!
i can see fans of ya and mystery/thriller really liking this book. i had fun with this story but didn’t love it since it felt a bit juvenil for my liking.

"Dead Girls Talking" is a gripping YA thriller that follows Bettina Holland as she questions her father's conviction for her mother's murder. Teaming up with Eugenia, the mortician's daughter, they delve into a string of copycat murders. With a taut atmosphere and dynamic characters, Peterson crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers engaged until the satisfying conclusion. Perfect for fans of YA thrillers seeking a fast-paced and compelling read.

Bettina’s father killed her mother, at least that’s what she’s been told for a decade. But when other girls’ bodies pop up, eerily similar to her mother’s case, she needs to find out once and for all who killed her mother.

Dead Girls walking is a YA thriller, surely to keep you interested through the story. And who doesn’t love a good teenage sleuth book? I loved the friendship between Bett and the mortician’s daughter Eugenia.

I won’t lie though, it’s been a couple of days since I finished this book, and I can already feel it blending in with countless other YA thrillers. Though I will say that this has more of a gritty feeling than many of the other YA- thriller’s I’ve read.

All in all, a fun time was definitely had, and I highly recommend any other YA- thriller lovers giving this a read.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Holiday House, and the author Megan Cooley Peterson for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this novel!

This book is a great choice for everyone who wants to get out of a reading slump. It was quick and overall entertaining.
I liked the comments about sexism and how true crime can effect those who lost someone to a crime.
The suspense was there and the writing style was easy enough to pull you right in.
However, the characters could have had more depth to make me really care for them. The way how Bettina and Eugenia just walked around and straight up told people what they were doing was very unbelievable (especially since the author tells us how small the town is, how news travels fast, etc) and they didn't have to work that hard, everything was just convenient for them.

With that being said, I think people who enjoy YA mystery/thriller would still this book.

"Dead Girls Talking" captivated me from the very first page. As an avid reader of YA thrillers, I approached this book with high expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded them in most ways. What truly sets this novel apart is its richly developed characters, particularly the two main protagonists. Their complexities and vulnerabilities were expertly portrayed, making them feel remarkably real and relatable.
Moreover, the exploration of the relationships between the girls and the traumas they endured was both heart-wrenching and authentic. The author delicately navigated sensitive topics, ensuring that they really hit.
The writing style strikes the perfect balance between being engaging and effortless. I found myself immersed in the world the author created, eagerly devouring each twist and turn of the plot.
One aspect of the book that I particularly appreciated was the minimal focus on romance. Instead, the narrative remained firmly centered on the thrilling mystery at its core (the murders) ensuring that the tension never waned.

While the ending may not have been flawless, it was still satisfying and provided closure to the story. Overall, "Dead Girls Talking" is a captivating and thrilling novel that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a compelling read.

It's the book that will leave you gasping for air.

I was initially drawn to the book cover and the description. It sounded really interesting and the premise got me curious. It's page-turning and very fast-paced.

We have Bettina whose father was convicted of murder, a serial killer. When she discovered a body with the same MO as her father, she started questioning things.

Writing style is probably not for me, or maybe it's the YA genre but it didn't stop me from reading this book in one go. I adore Eugenia so much, and she added much more depth in the story. Bettina is a hard character to like but I totally understand her.

We have a mix of suspense, mystery and everything you would want for this genre. I love how we unravel the mysteries surrounding the murders. I got the haunch of who the killer was, but still I kept on reading, and I love my reading experience.

This was a enjoyable read it was really slow at times and Bettina really got on my nerves but Eugenia really saved this book from being a 2 stars.

The mystery and figuring out who "the copy cat killer" was, was really fun and the ending of the mystery wasn't really a surprise to me, that was one of my theories that i had.

"Dead Girls Talking" by Megan Cooley Peterson is a riveting and captivating novel that plunges readers into a thrilling and suspenseful narrative, marked by its originality and profound depth. Peterson masterfully crafts a story that is not only engaging but also profoundly resonant, exploring themes of life, death, and the complex interplay between them. This book stands out for its unique premise, compelling characters, and the way it seamlessly blends elements of mystery, paranormal activity, and emotional depth.

From the first page, Peterson captivates her audience with a gripping tale that centers around the unconventional perspective of its protagonists – girls who are no longer alive but are bound together by their desire to communicate the truths behind their untimely deaths. This intriguing vantage point offers a fresh take on the mystery genre, inviting readers to consider the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

The characters in "Dead Girls Talking" are beautifully developed, each with their own distinct voice and story that contribute to the tapestry of the narrative. Peterson delves into their backgrounds with sensitivity and care, allowing readers to empathize with them and become invested in their quest for justice. The dynamics between these characters are both touching and complex, adding layers to the story that go beyond the typical mystery or thriller.

Peterson's writing style is both eloquent and accessible, striking a perfect balance between descriptive prose and fast-paced storytelling. The dialogue is sharp and believable, propelling the story forward and deepening our understanding of the characters. The plot itself is meticulously plotted, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Peterson demonstrates an exceptional ability to build suspense and craft a story that is both unpredictable and satisfying.

Moreover, "Dead Girls Talking" explores deeper themes that resonate on a universal level, such as the quest for justice, the impact of loss, and the power of speaking out. Through its compelling narrative, the novel invites readers to reflect on the importance of giving voice to those who have been silenced and the cathartic power of truth.

In summary, "Dead Girls Talking" by Megan Cooley Peterson is a standout novel that offers a unique and engaging experience to its readers. Its blend of mystery, paranormal elements, and emotional depth makes it a memorable read. Peterson has created a world that is both haunting and hopeful, leaving a lasting impact on anyone who delves into its pages. For fans of thrilling narratives with a twist, "Dead Girls Talking" is an absolute must-read, showcasing Peterson's talent as a storyteller and her ability to craft a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Dead Girl Talking is a suspenseful YA thriller that is fast-paced and easily sucks you into the story from the get go! Reminiscent of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, The Female of the Species by Mindy McGuinnis and The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe, Peterson’s new book is full of female rage, dark secrets and girls who just refuse to let the world (and the patriarchy) rule their lives.

I just adored the two main characters Bettina and Eugenia! their dynamic— the mean girl and the quiet goth girl— was probably my favourite part of the book, despite also loving the intricate and twist plot that really kept me on my toes. Both girls held a lot of depth and their budding friendship just made for a delightful read amongst so many dark (and sometimes depressing) themes that Peterson explored. They were complex and gritty, and I just love me some feminine rage in my books, especially YA books centred on young girls who defy the patriarchal shackles that try to entangle them.

Definitely intrigued to read more of Peterson’s works since I’m new to her, and it helps that this cover is stunning!

Really enjoyed this book, was a little slow on parts but the second half of the book really picked up and the twist at the end was amazing.