Wow this book was great, I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down! I do like these authors writing style!!!

The Guilty Girl by Ruth Harrow is a tense psychological thriller that explores themes of control, secrets, and the haunting effects of trauma. Chloe has been isolated for years, her life dictated by her father’s oppressive rules since her mother’s death. As Chloe starts to question his motives and uncovers disturbing clues about his past, the arrival of new neighbors pushes her to confront the chilling truths she’s long avoided. With suspense building to a fever pitch, this gripping tale keeps readers guessing about Chloe’s fate and the dark secrets that lurk within her home.

If you love Freida McFadden you will love this book!

The Guilty Girl by Ruth Harrow is a gripping and unsettling psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Chloe, a young woman who has been imprisoned in her own home by her overbearing father ever since her mother's death. Living under a strict set of rules and isolated from the outside world, Chloe begins to question her father's controlling behavior and the dark secrets he may be hiding. As new neighbors arrive and she uncovers troubling clues, Chloe must decide whether to defy her father's authority and risk everything to uncover the truth.

Harrow masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease as Chloe navigates her oppressive environment. The character of Chloe is compelling, torn between loyalty to her father and the growing realization that her life has been manipulated for sinister reasons. The twists and turns in the plot are unpredictable, leading to a climactic and chilling conclusion.

With its themes of control, manipulation, and the search for freedom, The Guilty Girl is a dark and thought-provoking read. Fans of psychological thrillers with complex characters and a slow-burn mystery will find this book hard to put down. Harrow’s debut novel is a solid addition to the genre, offering a suspenseful and emotional exploration of trauma, trust, and the courage to break free from the past.

Interesting storyline…perfect for psychological thriller fans. Twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages!

I was completely hooked by the dark and twisty storyline. The characters felt real, and their secrets unraveled in such a gripping way. The final twist was unforgettable.

First thank you to Netgalley.com for allowing me access to this book!!
Chloe 16 years old had not been allowed outside without her father. Makes you think strange. Then father states she is responsible for her mothers death and you start to suspect how. I truly thought the turn was going to be he stole her from someone he had no idea who the family was. Turning into just a thriller of all the things a controlling man will do! Overall good read!

Ever since the horrific day her mother died, Chloe's life has been anything but normal - more like a carefully constructed prison. Her father hasn’t let her go to school, have friends or leave the house alone.

As she grows up, Chloe begins to question the motives behind her dad's obsessive control. What would happen if she broke one of his many rules? And what exactly is he hiding under the overgrown grass in the back garden?

When new neighbors arrive next door, they trigger a chain of events that causes Chloe to suspect her father's motives are far darker than she knew.

Now she faces the terrifying consequences of defying the man who controls her every waking moment. Will she risk everything to win her freedom or will her father’s dark secrets keep her captive forever?


Was hooked from the start. Very well written. Will recommend to others.

The Guilty Girl by Ruth Harrow is a shocking psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming. The book opens from the viewpoint of a little girl named Chloe, on the day of her mother’s death. Chloe has witnessed her father kill her mother. There is then a time jump, and Chloe is twelve years old. We learn she has been kept inside by her father for her entire life, away from the outside influences of the “immoral” world. When she gets older, Chloe questions her life inside and why she can’t leave the house, especially when she meets a neighbor boy named Matt after sneaking out the basement window. She starts to sneak out more and learns things about the world and her father that trouble her.

"The Guilty Girl" navigates its suspenseful terrain with a straightforward approach. While it doesn't hinge on unexpected plot twists, the author excels at crafting an easy-to-read narrative that maintains a steady pace and palpable tension throughout.

Chloe's journey is presented without unnecessary detours, making it an accessible read for those who enjoy gripping psychological thrillers. Although the book lacks the intricate twists that often define the genre, it's the underlying tension that captures our attention and keeps us invested. However, it's worth noting that the resolution feels somewhat simplistic, potentially leaving readers yearning for a more complex conclusion. Sometimes, simplicity doesn’t fully satisfy a reader's craving for depth and intrigue.

Despite this, "The Guilty Girl" succeeds in offering a no-nonsense mystery that balances readability with suspense. If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you on edge without overwhelming complexity, Chloe's world is worth exploring.

Review of "The Guilty Girl" by Ruth Harrow

⭐️⭐️☆☆☆

Ruth Harrow's "The Guilty Girl" promises a chilling psychological thriller but falls short of delivering a compelling narrative. While the premise of a young woman trapped by her father's controlling behavior holds initial intrigue, the execution lacks depth and fails to sustain suspense throughout.

The story centers around Chloe, whose life is tightly controlled by her father following her mother's tragic death. Denied a normal childhood with friends or education, Chloe begins to question her father's motives as she grows older. When new neighbors move in next door, Chloe's suspicions deepen, leading her to confront the dark secrets hidden within her own home.

Unfortunately, the plot unfolds predictably, with twists that are telegraphed early on and fail to surprise. The characters, including Chloe and her father, lack complexity, making it difficult for readers to empathize or fully invest in their plight. The narrative, while attempting to build tension and mystery, often feels forced and fails to sustain interest.

Harrow's writing style is straightforward, which helps maintain readability, but it lacks the atmospheric depth and psychological nuance needed to elevate the story. Themes of captivity and betrayal are present but are not explored in a way that resonates or leaves a lasting impact.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, I wish I had loved it more but ultimately "The Guilty Girl" may appeal to readers seeking a quick suspense read, but those expecting a gripping psychological thriller may find it lacking in originality and depth.

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Ruth Harrow’s The Guilty Girl is a riveting psychological thriller that explores themes of control, trust, and the desperate quest for freedom. With a gripping narrative and a tense atmosphere, Harrow crafts a story that keeps readers on edge from start to finish. Harrow excels at creating a claustrophobic setting, using Chloe’s isolation to build an atmosphere of suspense and unease. The reader is drawn into Chloe’s confined world, feeling her growing sense of dread and desperation. The character of Chloe is well-developed; her transformation from a compliant, sheltered girl to a determined and courageous young woman is both believable and compelling.The mystery at the heart of the novel is skillfully unraveled. Harrow paces the revelations well, keeping readers hooked with a series of twists and turns. The questions surrounding Chloe’s father and his secrets are the driving force of the narrative, and Harrow does an excellent job of maintaining suspense. The new neighbors play a crucial role in the story, serving as the catalyst for Chloe’s awakening and rebellion. Their presence adds a fresh dynamic to the plot, introducing external perspectives that contrast with Chloe’s insular life.

First, thank you to NetGalley, Ruth Harrow and Inkubator books for the chance to participate in an ARC. This was my first Ruth Harrow book and I am inclined to now read others.

I’d say it was a 3.5 stars. Being able to be a part of ‘Chloe’s” story and development was awesome. Her character was very well written and many times I felt her emotions and fears.

The plot was well done. I did figure out the twist and much of the book was relatively predictable, but having said that it was a good read.

I felt the level of writing was a little under whelming. It felt a tad less adult-ish than most books I read.

It wasn’t a psychological thriller in my opinion, but I felt it like an experience.

I believe many readers will be able to emphasize with the storyline and the characters and I feel the author did a very good job with the mental health aspects.

Overall, a good read but I feel it had more potential for more of a thriller aspect.

I was in a bit of a reading slump and this pulled me right out of it.
I loved the whole storyline, I loved that it was based in the uk so was easier to picture with recognisable names of places I have actually been to being a Midlands girl myself.
This book had my emotions all over the place. This book should come with some trigger warnings though of violence, narcissistic and controlling relationships, trauma bonding and child abuse.
There was a lot packed into this story when I reflect back on it- whilst reading it I was so engaged in the story that I didn’t reflect too much on the deeper content.
My heart was constantly racing and I was obsessed with getting to the next page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this complex father and daughter story reflecting on mental health issues and narcissistic behaviours- it was very well written.

5⭐️

Ruth Harrow had me glued from the start! A psychological thriller full of twists and turns. I read this in one day and wish I had read it as soon as I got it. Chloe lives with her father in a small cottage where she can never leave the house. Her father has locked her away from the outside world to “protect her” from the world. No school, no friends, and zero connections since she was 4 years old. She’s now 16 and is becoming more and more curious about what her father is protecting her from. She begins questioning her father’s motives after meeting a neighbor around her age. Secrets slowly begin to unwind on the real reason why she’s been locked away for years. Prepare for the unexpected twist.

Thank you, NetGalley for the copy.

Omg this was just awesome! One of those books that delivers exactly what it sets out and doesn't go overboard with a million extra characters and times lines and such. A straight ti the point domestic noir, that's well written, well plotted out, had characters that are brought to life and brilliant plot twists! Superb!!

Just finished The Guilty Girl. It was a great read, the twists were good and the story was well thought out. We follow Chloe and her dad who live in a isolated cottage in the countryside. Chloe is not allowed out of the house and her father goes to work and returns home at the same time each day. Her father has lots of rules that have to be followed. But Chloe is getting older now and starting to question these rules and this story follows what happens.
I will be recommending to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with twists!

This was such an enjoyable and gripping read, Chloe had been kept prisoner by her Dad for many years, the windows are boarded up and hasn't seen daylight with only text books and her dad for company, this was one book I couldn't put down I had to find out what would happen.

I was very intrigued by the story, and I really liked the writing style! very easy to read and stay invested, I did not like the ending of the book i was expecting much more. It was easy to guess the twist, which kind of sucks since I was hoping this ending would be different.

A fun read that had me from the first page! Chloe is a prisoner in her own home at the hand of her father. He keeps her locked in at all times and she hasn't had contact with any other people for years. Then she meets her neighbor, Matt, who is her age. Everything changes and soon she begins to doubt everything she knows. Totally unpredictable and entertaining read!
This review was also posted on Goodreads.

Well !!!! That Twist absolutely genious and actually you have got me out of a reading slump !!

Fast past psychological thriller … thoroughly enjoyed it !!