This was not the happiest book to start 2025 with. From the very beginning, we know that Greta is dead. We don’t know why but the story is being narrated by her friend Shane. This story is of a girl who had a picture-perfect life on the surface, but a troubled family underneath. The story revolves around what happens after she dies. It’s her friend Shane telling us about Greta about her friends and how all these interconnected stories take place after she’s gone. We do find out how and why Greta dies. Shane also breaks the fourth wall and starts blaming the readers. Which is an interesting tactic. I’d be hard-pressed to say I liked this book, but I didn’t hate it. If I was reading this, I might have DNFed it, but I was enjoying the audiobook. Which is odd as this is a slow book. The question of would I recommended to others maybe. Small chance but maybe.

The plot of this was very interesting to me, but the pacing was far too slow for my liking. The characters were pretty well crafted. My biggest issue was that the ending came on too strong and felt very heavy-handed.

4 Stars

A quick and compelling read that had me guessing until the end. Not necessarily the whodunnit, but more so the why, which I rather enjoy more.

Told in alternating timelines we are trying to solve the mystery surrounding Greta’s death, and her secret friend is who is telling the story. I absolutely could see this making an excellent mini series on Netflix, especially with the setting and the social commentary around men in this small town.

The audiobook narrator did an incredible job, especially because this is set in Wales and the accent and pronunciation were spot on.

The golden girl of a small town is murdered, and the shockwaves of her death ripple out in rings to its furthest reaches.

That is the plot of Greta, a crime drama from Welsh novelist Manon Steffan Ros. This story of dark secrets and murder in a small town is billed as a thriller, but readers should know that the slow pacing of this title lands is squarely in the "crime drama" genre instead.

Greta's atmosphere is very well done. Every day in this town feels like the cover looks - dark, drab, and gloomy. You can practically feel the mist on your skin as you're reading. I liked the feel of the small town where everyone knows each other and the obvious class divide there.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same about the characters. Greta herself is the only character that feels fleshed out in any way. Even our main character, Shane, (who gives off major incel energy, by the way) really only exists to give us a lens into her. Every other character only exists in periphery of Greta, and very little of their own lives and backstories is discussed.

The ending of the book was interesting, and I see what the author was trying to do with the messaging. However, it felt a bit heavy-handed and since the pacing was so very, very slow, it wasn't a good enough twist for me to really feel like all the pages that came before the last two chapters were really worth it.

On the topic of the narrator for the audiobook, this is one of very few audio narrators that I outwardly did not like. Every single word was flat. I don't think I could pick one line with emotion in it. The description of the dead girl was exactly the same as the description of the big house that the MC's mom cleans. Listening to the drone of this guy's voice for 7 hours was a big ask.

Overall, this was an okay story with some strong writing that just left me feeling a bit bummed and a lot disappointed in the trajectory of the book. Crime Drama fans may enjoy the gritty murder mystery, but regular Thriller readers will likely find this slow for their taste.

Engaging and well-narrated. A recommended purchase for collections where rime and thrillers are popular.

Greta by Manon Steffan Ros an audiobook

Greta is dead. The whole village is reeling. Trouble is no one really knows Greta and while the police try and piece together what happened to her, people's secrets are starting to unravel.

Shane has a secret. He and Greta were close friends. His mother cleans her parents house. He knows things he wishes he didn’t know. He knows things about Greta he wishes he didn’t. He may hold all the keys to what happened.

This one was really a slow one. It did a nice job of building up to quite the ending though.

Shane is a typical teenage boy who lives with his single mother. The more he hears about the case, the more things he hears he wishes he can unhear.

I enjoyed the characters and the build up as to why Greta was killed. It was a mind blowing ending and it was all very well written!

I would definitely read more from this author.

4 stars!!

This book was a bit slow for me and somewhat confusing at times. I wanted to like this book, but it really wasn’t for me.

42% into this and I've lost interest; it sounded right up my street but I put it down a couple of weeks ago and now I have no desire to pick it up again.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Greta by Manon Steffan Ros in exchange for an honest review. I have been getting into a lot of Welsh mysteries lately. There is a certain feeling to them that I really enjoy that isn't in other books. Who killed the popular, rich and beautiful girl who seemed to have the perfect life? There many suspects and they all have secrets.

As soon as I saw this one I knew I had to request it. It sounded so up my alley. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me. It was very slow to start and completely lost my interest. Nothing truly held my attention or kept me wanting to return to it. I had to stop listening to this one unfortunately.

This book is about a teen girl named Greta who is found dead in a quarry. The novel focuses on Shane who is her classmate but had a secret friendship with her. Also, his mother was their family's maid. There are many secrets that come to light and the ending will have you sad and shocked. This was a good thriller that has the whole world (thanks to news and social media) concerned about this seemingly innocent teen, Greta. I did feel some parts dragged a bit, but it was a good novel.

The details of this book were nice; I enjoyed reading about the community and the scene-building. My overall rating is low due to how the story was told and the POV. There were points I was confused if it was present or past. I listened to the audiobook along with the Kindle copy.
The ending seemed a bit odd, but overall, it was a nice short mystery with an unlikely ending.
The Narrator for the audio portion was good at conveying emotion and I enjoyed the accent.

Thank you to the Author and Amazon Crossing and Brilliance Audio for the chance to read/listen to this book and leave my review!

“Greta" by Manon Steffan Ros is an engrossing and emotionally charged novel that perfectly captures the complexities of a small village steeped in secrets and tragedy. The plot revolves around the murder of popular teenager Greta Pugh, sending ripples through the community of Bethesda, Wales, as everyone tries to hide what they know. The narrative takes you on a journey through the eyes of Shane, a classmate and son of the Pughs’ cleaner, who wrestles with his knowledge of the Pugh family and the revelations that slowly unfold.

While the novel isn't a traditional thriller, it excels in delivering valuable life lessons. As a counselor, I found its portrayal of trauma bonds and the consequences of keeping silent in critical moments particularly poignant. This story emphasizes the importance of reaching out to a trusted adult when a friend or oneself is in danger—a lesson that resonates deeply with the challenges adolescents face today.

The characters' shared trauma and the unintended consequences of their actions serve as a reminder of how easily a situation can spiral out of control. The predictability of the plot does little to diminish its impact, as it feels more like a study of human nature and community than a mystery. I believe this book would be a great fit for therapeutic reading, especially for young people grappling with difficult situations. In fact, I would love to see this novel adapted into a movie for adolescents, as it offers a relatable and powerful message.

Manon Steffan Ros has crafted a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommended!

I liked listening to the audiobook, Greta by Manon Steffan Ros. It was a haunting, emotional experience. The story is set in a small Welsh town, where the murder of a golden girl Greta Pugh rattles the community. The mystery surrounding her death unfolds through the eyes of Shane, a boy connected to the Pugh family through his mother's work as their cleaner.

The narrator, Tom Mumford, did an amazing job portraying the characters, especially Shane, and bringing the story to life. He really captured the eerie vibe of the town perfectly, with everyone hiding something, making you question each character’s motives. The suspense builds with every revelation, making you rethink what you thought you knew. If you’re looking for a fast paced mystery wrapped in a gripping exploration of a small town’s hidden secrets, Greta is definitely worth a listen!

I found Greta to be interesting but also a bit slow. Although I listened to it in one sitting, I felt like I could have turned it off at any moment and not thought of it again. The story is told from first person point of view but sometimes the narrator would retell a story from someone else's point of view and also mention their thoughts of observations that the narrator wouldn't have been privy too. This was a bit distracting for me. The audiobook was great performance wise.