Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. It had me on the edge of my seat constantly. The chapters are very short and there are a lot of them. However, this book did not disappoint and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In "Her Perfect Girl", Nicky Downes delivers a gripping and chilling mystery/thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel centers on the harrowing disappearance and subsequent murder of Charly Dean, a case that sends shockwaves through her small town and leaves her family shattered.

The story opens with a jolt, thrusting readers into the lives of Robert and Emma Dean six months prior to the present day. They are enjoying a rare night out at the only music venue in the small town of Stanton when their evening is abruptly interrupted by the police. The devastating news about their six-year-old daughter, Charly, sets the stage for the events that follow, catapulting both the readers and the characters into a frantic search for the serial killer who is turning their small town upside down.

As the investigation unfolds, a dog walker discovers Charly's body in the woods, revealing a chilling detail that suggests the presence of a serial killer. Downes masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and dread, pulling readers into the intricate investigation led by the local police. The unsettling detail at the crime scene not only serves as a grim signature of the killer but also sets the stage for a series of disturbing events.

Months pass with no leads, leaving Charly’s parents grappling with their grief and guilt, their marriage strained to the breaking point. The raw portrayal of their emotional turmoil adds depth to the narrative, making their quest for justice both heartbreaking and compelling. When a second victim is found in the same woods, the urgency of solving Charly’s murder intensifies. The revelation that Charly was specifically targeted, and that the reason lies buried in the family's past, propels the plot into even darker and more suspenseful territory.

Downes excels in character development, creating multi-dimensional individuals who are both relatable and flawed. Charly’s parents, in particular, are portrayed with a realistic complexity that highlights their pain and desperation. Their interactions and personal struggles add a layer of emotional resonance to the thriller, grounding the high-stakes mystery in a poignant human story.

The plot is meticulously crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Downes deftly weaves together the investigation and the personal lives of the characters, maintaining a brisk pace that ensures the narrative never loses momentum. The revelation of the killer's motive, tied intricately to the family's past, is both shocking and satisfying, providing a resolution that feels earned and impactful.

What sets "Her Perfect Girl" apart in the mystery/thriller genre is its ability to balance the procedural elements of the investigation with the profound emotional journey of its characters. Downes’ writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the suspense of the hunt for a serial killer while also delving into the psychological scars left on those affected by the crime.

Fans of the genre will appreciate the novel’s intricate plotting, well-drawn characters, and the palpable tension that runs throughout. "Her Perfect Girl" is a testament to Nicky Downes’ skill as a storyteller, offering a thriller that is as emotionally engaging as it is suspenseful. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a meticulously crafted mystery that explores the darkest corners of human nature and the enduring strength of those seeking justice.

The tranquility of the town is shattered by a brutal murder that sends shockwaves through the community. The newspapers and TV screens are inundated with images of the missing girl, Charly Dean, until her lifeless body is stumbled upon by a dog walker in the nearby woods. A chilling detail uncovered at the crime scene hints at the presence of a calculated killer, sending the local authorities on a frantic search for answers as they fear the emergence of a serial murderer in their midst. The novel delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the enigmatic circumstances surrounding their daughter's tragic fate. Central to the narrative is the unsettling revelation that Charly's victimization was not random, injecting a sense of urgency and dread into the unfolding drama. Downes deftly navigates through a maze of secrets, building suspense and intrigue as characters and readers alike are compelled to confront the shadows of the past. The novel's climax delivers a shocking yet gratifying twist, weaving together the narrative strands in a manner that is both surprising and inevitable.

While "Her Perfect Girl" excels as a riveting page-turner, it occasionally relies on genre conventions such as the archetype of the tormented detective and the grief-stricken parents. Nonetheless, these familiar elements are executed with finesse and emotional depth, preventing them from descending into cliché. The narrative pacing is generally adept, though certain segments could benefit from tighter editing to sustain the story's momentum. In conclusion, "Her Perfect Girl" stands as a compelling and emotionally charged literary offering that will resonate with aficionados of mystery and suspense. Nicky Downes showcases her talent in crafting a nuanced mystery replete with well-rounded characters and an enigmatic plot that keeps readers guessing until the final revelation. This four-star novel leaves an indelible impact, underscoring Downes' prowess in crafting engaging and thought-provoking thrillers. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This multiple pov thriller will keep you long up into the night as you read throught the mixture of emotions. A parents worse nightmare their daughter goes missing from a relatives home and turns up dead. 6 month on and dead on the inside they are just going through the motions of life until a second young girl is found murdered. Everything is brought back to the front and now as they try desperately to help people find the killer before anyone dies they find their deep oast may have sonething to do with it.
A teal page turner with little snippets from the killer made it compelling. All characters were written honestly and realistically. The chapters were short and engaging so although it was long it fidnt feel long. The investigation felt very fast and perhaps a bit unrealistic. I loved every minute of this as I was fully invested in the characters and tried alongside them to work out the identity. The only thing was the ending seemed very quick and I gueese I wanted a more detailed explanation of why from the killer .
Highly recommended to all thrillers readers. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author fir this cracking 5 star read.

"Her Perfect Girl" by Nicky Downes is a gripping and chilling thriller that hooks readers from the very first page. The story begins with the heart-wrenching disappearance and subsequent murder of young Charly Dean, a case that shocks a small town and devastates her family. The narrative masterfully explores the deep emotional turmoil of Charly’s parents as they grapple with their grief, guilt, and the haunting mystery of their daughter’s death.

Downes paints a vivid picture of a town gripped by fear and suspicion, as the discovery of Charly’s body leads local police to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. The tension escalates when a second victim is found in the same woods, intensifying the parents' desperate quest for justice and answers. The portrayal of their raw, painful journey is both poignant and compelling, making it easy for readers to empathize with their plight.

The strength of "Her Perfect Girl" lies in its well-developed characters and the intricate web of secrets that slowly unravels. Downes skillfully delves into the psychological impact of tragedy on a family, showcasing how grief can both divide and unite. The parents' determination to find the truth, despite their own inner battles and the mounting pressure from the investigation, adds depth to the story and keeps the reader emotionally invested.

One of the most captivating aspects of the book is the sinister revelation that Charly was not a random victim. This chilling twist propels the narrative forward, as the characters—and readers—are forced to confront the dark secrets of the past. Downes expertly weaves in clues and red herrings, maintaining a high level of suspense throughout the novel. The final twist is both shocking and satisfying, tying together the intricate plot threads in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable.

While "Her Perfect Girl" is a gripping page-turner, it occasionally relies on familiar tropes of the genre, such as the tortured detective and the grieving parents. However, these elements are executed with enough finesse and emotional depth to keep them from feeling overly clichéd. The pacing is generally well-maintained, though a few sections could have been tightened to enhance the story's momentum.

Overall, "Her Perfect Girl" is a thrilling and emotionally charged read that will appeal to fans of Cara Hunter, Rachel Abbott, K. L. Slater, and Clare Mackintosh. Nicky Downes delivers a compelling mystery with well-drawn characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. It's a solid four-star novel that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces Downes' talent for crafting suspenseful and thought-provoking thrillers.

This is a story that will take you on a gripping journey through different emotions. This book has multiple POVs and the nice thing about it that each chapter is being told from another character’s point of view. This is very well done and I haven't encountered head-hopping. The great thing about this is that you feel the emotions from different characters, which I really liked. The chapters are really short and have a total count of 190. Although the short chapters weren't a very big deal for me, I wouldn't mind them being a bit longer. It is a page turner and finished this book within a day. The characters were engaging and I felt for some of them. The thing that bothered me was the end. The ending felt a bit rushed and didn't feel closure and still had questions about the killer's motive. All by all I did enjoy the story and if you like mysteries this one would be a good read.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

This story revolves around every parents worst nightmare. 6 months ago Charley, a six year old is murdered. Her parents, Emma and Robert are trying to just survive when another child is found murdered. Emma and Robert want to help the police, and also be there for the parents of this newest child.

This story is well paced. It is told by multiple POV’s. This style works with this story because each person telling their part is integral to the plot, and it is done in a very cohesive manner.

I felt for Emma and Robert. They are each grieving and trying to heal in their own way, yet keep their marriage in tack. The author is very effective at writing these scenes. You feel the anguish, anger, grief and guilt from each parent as they struggle. The moments where they are experiencing happiness, then are shattered by guilt for enjoying themselves are heartbreaking. I really like the honest, and sometimes brutal, portrayal of this couple as they try to find their way to a future.

The detectives and investigation is very thorough. It is a quick paced read!

My only struggle: when the story was told through the POV of the killer. I skimmed! Over and over, the description of wigs and wig making was redundant. I really did not feel creeped out a lot when it was told through this POV. And the end felt a little rushed, with no real explanation of why the killer really targeted the girls and made the wig. The reader could infer these answers by analyzing his story part. However, a solid explanation and his reasons were not specifically given.

Overall I liked this. I will be reading another by this author- I just hope the issues above will be addressed in her next book!

Thank you NetGalley and storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my voluntary, honest review.

This was definitely a fast paced book - with 190 very short chapters it kept the story moving. These chapters were all written in multiple POV’S with pacing that was fast and engaging.
The chapters that were from the killer's POV definitely created a creepy a deranged villian for the plot.
I feel that this story is definitely clever and has a lot of potential but I found that the ending was slightly lacking. I would have really liked there to be more of an explanation and closure. I finished it not quite understanding the motivation or history that led to the killer's actions. Not knowing made the end fall a bit flat compared to the rest of the book.
However, it was definitely still a suspenseful read that I finished quickly and overall was enjoyable enough to give 3 stars.

Firstly a big thank you for my early access in exchange for a review.
This is a new author for me and wow it blew me away .
Every parents worst nightmare comes true and this explores the journey they go on in the aftermath .
Written I.n alternate narratives including the killer which enables the reader to get into the mind of him!

Thought provoking , emotive , chilling and twisty

A fantastic 5 star thriller !

Wow, what a book. This is a one sit read. It’s a gripping read, sends a shiver down your back and makes you look over your shoulder.

A young blond girl has been murdered, Emma and Roberts daughter, they need to find the killer, but Emma thinks she’s being followed, is it the killer? The police are on the case, but the killer is closer than they all think.

Loved this book, liked the small chapters and each of them was by a different character. The pages turned quickly. A gripping, intense 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This was a very engaging read. The novel was overall well written and well organized. This kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens. I would recommend this book and author!

Perfect blonde hair and blue eyed, six year old Charly has been kidnapped and murdered. Her parents Emma and Robert are heart broken as the killer has not been found. Now another girl has gone missing and the police discover that these two murders were not random.
With multiple POV’S and short character written chapters the pacing was fast and engaging. The killer was creepy and closer than anyone thought. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the entertaining arc. This review is my opinion.

This story had a lot of potential but unfortunately, I didn't care for the ending. With it being a thriller, it was always leading up to something. Sadly, that was the part that fell flat. I would have really liked there to be more of an explanation and closure.

The chapters were very short (most 1-2 pages) which kept the story flowing but somehow it still dragged on. There are multiple POVs which is nice, but some of the background on the detectives is unnecessary as it lends nothing to the real plot.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

From the second I picked up this book, I knew it was going to be good! I didn’t expect the chapters to be short, and that sucked me in even more. I kept telling myself one more chapter and then, whoops I was done with the book, lol.

The book starts off with the two main characters who unfortunately lost their little girl to a SK. These two characters have been through it and you can feel their grief through the authors words. It was so heartbreaking. These two are trying to heal, and you really root for them from the start.

This book has several POV’s and I didn’t find myself lost at all, I actually found myself lost in this book. We even got a snippet of the bad guy as well. He was really messed up! At the end of the book my heart was racing so fast. I did want to know more about the motives of the SK, but other than that I did enjoy the book!

Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.

Thank you to @nickydownesauthor @stormbooks_co and @netgalley for allowing me to read and review this thrilling book! It is a fast paced thriller with super short chapters and multiple POVs which build tension and keep the reader glued to the page. Loved the relationship between Emma and Robert and how they had their own secrets they were both hiding. My first Nicky Downes book but not my last.

I liked the short chapters at first as it kept the story fresh and intriguing, however it became a bit monotonous as the story went on as it felt like you were constantly switching between characters without breathers. I enjoyed the story, it was fast paced and always interesting but I finished it almost wanting more and I didn't really get a feel for why the murderer actually did anything that they did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This book is incredibly slow and I am 100% sure that the author is a yapper because boy can they yap. Firstly, I'm not too fond of the ending, it was rushed and unexplained to readers. There was no connection and I had a hard time understanding who the killer was and what the final connection he had to the characters. There was mention of a mother (also apparently he was in love with his mom and dreamed of marrying her) and sister but no explanation of if Emma or any other character was a connection to him. Secondly, there was too many characters that pop out randomly through the book and can be 1. annoying or 2. hard to keep track of. Like for the investigators, I had no idea who they each were and found myself questioning who they are and when did they spawned into the book. Emma's relationship with Rich and Robert's fall wasn't necessary, it played no contribution to the plot and did not make the characters more enjoyable. I found myself not being able to sympathize with the characters and often found myself skimming through certain chapters that belonged to certain characters. ALSO what annoyed me the most was the wig. I don't know if its my fault for not reading properly but I don't think there was a proper explanation for the wig and why it was important to the killer and taking the victim's BEAUTIFUL AND BLOND hair?! The description of the book is also like "And the sinister reason lies somewhere in their past…". What past?! The only past stated in the book was about Emma and Rich....

I'm sorry but nothing can make me like this book. The plot was boring and slow. the characters were annoying and hard to follow. The ending was rushed and just overall annoying.

Emma and Robert are devastated when their six year old daughter Charly goes missing and is subsequently found dead. They are beginning to come out of the terrible initial stages of grief when another girl is taken and killed, Is there a link between them?

What I liked about this book. This was an easy read.

What I wasn't sure about:. The chapters are very short and it is written from multiple viewpoints, This leads to quite a disjointed read. There are quite a lot of loose ends. For example, the two bereaved families get together at one point and it looks as though something might come of it, but it just faded away. I was left unsure as to what the killer's motivation was and the links between him and other characters, Emma and Robert's grief didn't seem quite real

Overall I didn't quite know what to make of this book. It didn't really hit the mark for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

This story starts right off and pulls you in.
There is always something going on which makes it so you don’t want to put it down until you get to the final page.

The one thing I didn’t like about this story was the chapters were short and there was a different character on every chapter. You knew who you were reading about but it was kind of like watching a tennis match.

The story kept my interest but I just couldn’t give it 4 starts.

I really enjoyed the storyline of this book and the characters were well developed. My only issue is that the chapters were very short, and I wished they were longer. I felt after reading a few pages I was really getting into the characters when the chapter would end, and another character's story would begin.

This story follows the murder of not one but two young girls who have their blonde hair removed. The parents are besides themselves with horrendous grief and the police are following every possible lead. The story delves into the fear of the entire town, especially the parents of young blonde girls.

The character development is very good with each individual reacting to the tragedy and dealing with their own demons. The resolution is satisfying yet thought-provoking. I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end.