This is my first book from this author. I really enjoyed it. I didn't see the twist coming at the end, but it was soooo good! I'd love to read more from Staub!! 5 big stars!!

I’ll be honest, I did not initially expect to finish this book. I really wanted to DNF around 30% because it just wasn’t getting anywhere. Once I was hooked though (around 50%), I could not put this book down. This story follows the friend group of Talia, Kelly, and Midge as they seek to find answers about the disappearance of the missing piece to their friend group, Caroline Winterfield. The narrative jumps back and forth (maybe a little too much?) between the girls’ high school days and present day where Midge, detective sergeant of the Mulberry Bay PD, is now investigating the recent death of Gordy Klatte, Caroline’s high school lover, on the 25th anniversary of Caroline’s disappearance. With twists galore, a friend group that you’ll come to love, and decades of Winterfield family lore to unpack, this book is sure to get you thinking!

Rating:🌟🌟🌟- it was so slow to get started and there were some elements of the story that I think could’ve been woven better or left out entirely. Overall, it kept me interested at the end and I look forward to reading more from this author!! Let me know if you give it a read :)

Thanks to NetGalley & Thomas and Mercer for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had a hard time getting into this story. It started off slow and was a little confusing at first. I found most of it slow and predictable. I could see where some would really like this story, it just wasn't for me

This book was going to be a 3 star review, until I realized it said that it's book 1, implying there will be another book. The ending definitely leaves you wanting more, there are a lot of loose ends!! That being said, it was an enjoyable read. It does get a little tiresome with the flashbacks, especially with the multiple points of view, but I will be looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

How deep do the bonds of childhood friendship go? For Midge, Talia, Kelly and Caroline the bonds run deep causing them to keep secrets that span decades. When the past starts to rear its head, the women will have to use caution if they want to survive. Full of intrigue, family drama, murder, and plot twists, The Fourth Girl is an engaging read.

I adore this author and her ability to being a town to life. This book was no exception. She brought amazing characters to life, a plot based on a towns sordid past with something lurking in one families heritage. I fell in love with these characters. As each layer is peeled back like an onion you delve into secrets and darkness that you won’t see coming.
Five stars

This is one of those books that not only has well developed characters, but also the plot and structure that moves back and forward, between the past (several of them) and the present, and more than one secret and twists revealed. I also must mention that the writing style was beautiful, and the description of the setting was so complete in every detail, that it makes you feel that you're there. Congratulations to the author, and a big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have read and loved all of Corsi Staub,s books and loved them. This was no exception, just brilliant! I loved the characters and the mysterious storyline. The story is told through multiple POVs and timelines but is easy to follow. The mystery was enthralling and kept me glued until the last page. The ending!!! Wow! Grab a copy today you will be glad you did!!

I found this pretty difficult to keep track of the characters, mainly because they started blending together with nothing really keeping each from standing out to me. I felt the ending could have been wrapped up much easier and quicker. It felt drawn out just for the sake of it. I liked the premise, however it just was lackluster for me.

Gosh, I had a really hard time getting into this book. There are SO many descriptions of the town layout and atmosphere/history, and it got incredibly boring. I did enjoy the alternating timelines. I guess I just expected more from this one just based on the synopsis. I can understand the mixed reviews. It wasn't bad enough to hate it, but it wasn't good enough to love it either. 3 stars.

Great book. I was entranced. Couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read more from this author. Sending to all my book loving friends.

Really enjoyed this one! I thought it was a fun thriller and loved all the secret revealing. I did think it was a little predictable however I still liked it.

I really enjoyed this book, there was some great twists and turns and kept me engaged until the end.
The only thing that had me wondering was, what was the real significance of the walking man and who was the father of the baby at the end which would have been good to find out considering Caroline's demeanour.
Just left those story lines open and felt a little unfinished in that department.
But otherwise I loved this book and the different point of views and had me guessing until the end.

🔮 The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub 🌲✨

Old secrets, dark nights, and a reunion no one saw coming! Wendy Corsi Staub’s The Fourth Girl is a twisty thriller that had me questioning every character and every chapter.

It all began 25 years ago, when Caroline Winterfield vanished into the woods on prom night, leaving her friends with a secret that shattered their bond. Now, Midge, Kelly, and Talia are back at Haven Cliff—a mansion that holds its own dark past—to confront what happened that night. But someone else remembers too, and they’re determined to make sure the truth comes out, one way or another. When a new body turns up with a chilling clue, Detective Midge realizes the mystery is far from buried… just like the memories they’ve tried so hard to forget.

If you love suspense, dark friendships, and hometown secrets that won’t stay buried, The Fourth Girl is a must-read! It kept me on edge the entire way. These characters are carrying so much guilt and pain over the years. There's so much fear in them reuniting and each has their own secrets to divulge. I went into this one with no context and I kept cheering for these women to find their happily ever after together. Things get messy, but the mystery itself was so intriguing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5

What’s your favorite reunion thriller? Drop your recs in the comments! 🕯️🔍

Normally I enjoy Wendy Corsi Staub’s books but this one was hard to finish. The story was convoluted, flipped back and forth from present day to past events, nickname changes, all made it difficult reading. The ending was unexpected but all in all I was glad it was done.

I’m so glad I chose to spontaneously download this ARC as I ended up devouring it in one sitting!

I loved the dual timeline that showed snippets of the past that added layers and context to the present day, however I do think there could have been more of the flashback chapters to help flesh out certain characters and plot points.
The multiple POVs is also something I really enjoy in a mystery thriller as it just adds more perspectives into the story and helps get a well rounded understanding of what’s happening. I loved getting to know each character and their distinct personalities, young Kelly is definitely my favourite!
The twist at the end was a bit predictable but I was still second guessing myself right up to the big reveal.

Overall I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is starting out in the thriller genre or anyone who loves an intriguing, satisfying read on a Sunday afternoon!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC 🫶

I have never read this author before but after reading this book, I am going to read some of her other books. Set in the lower Hudson Valley of New York, the reader meets four girlhood friends. After their high school graduation, one of the girls disappears promising that she will return in one year's time. At the year's end, a cryptic messsage is left, but where she is? Fast forward to the present, and the remaining women meet up again with the hope of finding out what really happened on that fateful night.. Full of twists and turns, the mystery kept me engrossed until the end.

Wow! I wasn't sure what to expect from this author as it was my first by her, I was not disappointed! I couldn't get enough. It was really faced paced and kept me guessing. Highly recommend

The dynamic between Kelly, Midge, Talia, and Caroline was incredibly real and relatable. The author captured the essence of their friendship so well that it felt like I was part of their group. I particularly enjoyed the back-and-forth narrative from the late '90s and early 2000s, a time when decisions seemed straightforward and life was simpler, to the present day, where the three friends left with the secrets have grown into strong, resilient women.
Wendy Corsi Staub masterfully wove together a story filled with drama and intrigue, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The characters felt like real people with their own unique struggles and secrets, making their journey all the more compelling. The suspense of Caroline’s disappearance and the subsequent reunion added layers of mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
The setting of Haven Cliff, both as an abandoned mansion and a restored architectural jewel, provided a hauntingly beautiful backdrop to the unfolding drama.
Overall, The Fourth Girl is a well-crafted tale that explores the complexities of friendship, the weight of secrets, and the impact of the past on the present. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with strong, relatable characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Four best friends grow up in a small town full of secrets. With big changes coming at the end of high school, they make a pact to be friends forever - no matter what. When one goes missing, the remaining three vow to never tell the truth surrounding the mystery. But on the 25 year anniversary of her disappearance, the secrets will finally come out, shattering the residents of the quiet town.

I found this novel to be a bit slow at first but once you get used to the writing style of jumping back and forth through the timeline, the story picks up. It's evenly paced and fairly easy to guess the ending. Not quite a cozy mystery. The author teases the reader quite a bit to up the suspense but it starts getting a bit formulaic (I was mentally hearing. Dun dun dunnnn! at the end of every chapter.) There are a lot of 90s references to sort of add some atmosphere to the time jumps but I felt like they pulled me out of the story sometimes with the specifics instead of adding color.

This book is apparently the first in a new series and while the story wasn't a nail biter, I did appreciate how rounded out the character descriptions were and I am interested in reading more about them.