I could not put this book down. The plot twists are amazing and it keeps you on your toes from the very beginning. I was not expecting the ending which completely tied the entire story together and it was so well done!

Great read - highly recommend.

I loved the first book by Marlee Bush so I knew I had to read her second. This was just as good! The writing was so detailed and you could not see the twists coming. The main character was complex and flawed which made it hard sometimes to know if everything was true.... This was a great psychological thriller and I can not wait for the author`s third book.

Excellent. Written very well and you won’t see many of the twists coming. This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last. It was such a ride!

Another solid read from Marlee bush!

I jumped at the opportunity to request this one after loving her debut book. There’s something about Marlee’s writing style and flow that fits my preferences really well.

Although the main character was definitely twisted there was such a complexity to her that I couldn’t help but love her despite her flaws.

There is so much to unpack here, the impact parental neglect can have on children, the trauma and loss of losing a child / sibling, the ethics and power imbalance of student teacher relationships, the fear of not being believed, heard or judged when speaking out, and the vicious impact rumours can have on lives especially circulating within the school system where everybody has access to phones nowadays. There is just so many layers to this book and each and every character will surprise you in some way.

The ending (despite me guessing the twist at 40%) was executed really well. Our FMC surprised me yet again with her choices, I loved how the author chose to go in a different to typical direction here and on further reflection I think it suited her character after everything I learned about her over the span of the book.

I love how the authors books both focus on the strong bonds that tie sisters together, they say the greatest love can be found in parents towards their children but I believe the fierce love of a sister can rival that to some extent.

If you haven’t read anything by this author yet, absolutely don’t miss out and give one of her books a try!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Marlee Bush for the EARC!

Publish date: May 27th 2025

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

3.5 stars. This book felt very cut and paste with the plot, and it was pretty leading with the story.

*** I received an e-ARC of this book from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was really excited to read WHISPERS OF DEAD GIRLS. Throughout the book I wasn’t sure what characters could be trusted, which in my opinion adds to the story line. I did not anticipate the twist at all. My only complaint was that you don’t find out what happened to Margo until you are 70% of the way through the book. Margo’s death impacted Ren in a such a way that her entire life was affected. I just found it odd that she was mentioned from page 1 and her death was referenced several times throughout the story but it took so long to find out what happened to her.

✨ Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley

#WhispersOfDeadGirls #NetGalley
Marlee Bush delivers a haunting and emotionally charged psychological thriller in Whispers of Dead Girls, a story that combines grief, guilt, and unyielding determination with a chilling mystery.
Likes :-
1 Atmospheric Tension: From the opening pages, Bush creates an eerie and oppressive atmosphere, steeped in Ren Taylor's unresolved trauma. The small-town setting, with its dark history and gossipy undercurrents, enhances the sense of unease.
2 Complex Protagonist: Ren is a deeply flawed yet relatable character. Her struggles with guilt over her sister’s death and her need for justice drive the story, making her actions compelling and believable.
3 Intriguing Plot: The central mystery—whether Bryson Lewis is as dangerous as Ren suspects—unfolds with a steady buildup of tension. Ren's growing obsession mirrors her unresolved grief, blurring the lines between reality and paranoia.
Dislikes :-
1 Predictability in Parts: While the suspense is palpable, some readers may guess key twists before they are revealed, slightly dampening the shock factor.
2 Pacing: The middle section drags at times with repetitive introspection. Trimming some of these moments could have maintained a tighter narrative flow.
Overall :- Whispers of Dead Girls is a gripping and heart-wrenching thriller that combines a compelling mystery with an emotional exploration of grief and redemption. Ren Taylor’s determination to confront her past and protect others makes her a memorable protagonist, and Marlee Bush’s atmospheric storytelling keeps readers hooked until the chilling conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an advance copy.

Whispers of Dead Girls by Marlee Bush
A unique take on the thriller genre that makes you want to keep on reading and wonder throughout if the narrator is reliable. Not only keeping you hooked with the present storyline but makes you itch to know what happened in the past.

The story centers on Ren, who battles with the guilt associated with her sister's passing, her skepticism towards those around her, and her struggle to tell the difference between reality and illusion. She deals with issues such as neglect from her parents and the grief of losing a sibling. Additionally, the narrative sheds light on themes of power disparity, and the harmful consequences of gossip, especially in the context of modern technology in schools. Overall, this book was well written, and I really enjoyed the surprise at the conclusion.

I loved the premise of this book and was excited to read it! I found WHISPERS OF DEAD GIRLS to be very atmospheric with a host of characters that I wasn’t sure I trusted or believed. Reading the story something kept feeling off. Something u couldn’t put my finger on. It finally made sense when I got to the end. I do think it was more of a young adult mystery but it was a solid mystery that I think thriller lovers will like.

Book Preview and Review: Whispers of Dead Girls by Marlee Bush
Marlee Bush’s Whispers of Dead Girls is a haunting, tightly-wound psychological thriller that plunges readers into a narrative of grief, guilt, and redemption. With its compelling protagonist, evocative setting, and a suspenseful plot that digs into the darkest corners of human nature, the novel offers an unflinching exploration of trauma and the lengths we’ll go to protect others.

A Story of Haunted Beginnings
Ren Taylor’s return to her hometown and old high school is more than just a career move—it’s a reluctant step back into the painful memories she’s tried to escape. Ten years earlier, her sister was brutally murdered, a tragedy that shattered her family and left Ren burdened with guilt and unresolved questions. Despite the passage of time, her sister remains ever-present, immortalized in the town’s memory and haunting Ren’s own psyche.

Ren’s struggle is compounded by her growing suspicions of Bryson Lewis, the school’s magnetic physics teacher. He’s admired by students and colleagues alike, but Ren’s instincts tell her there’s something unsettling about him. Her fears deepen when she observes his increasingly close relationship with one of his female students, stirring memories of her sister’s tragic fate.

What follows is a gripping narrative of obsession, fear, and justice, as Ren becomes determined to prevent another tragedy—even at the cost of exposing her own long-buried secrets.

A Complex and Relatable Protagonist
Ren is a richly developed character whose pain and flaws make her story all the more compelling. Her guilt over her sister’s death, her distrust of those around her, and her struggle to differentiate between intuition and paranoia create an emotionally charged narrative that keeps readers invested in her journey.

Her inner conflict is palpable: she wants to move on but feels tethered to the past, unable to let go until she ensures no one else suffers the same fate. This tension between moving forward and holding on is the emotional backbone of the novel, making Ren’s decisions feel urgent and fraught with consequence.

Themes of Trauma and Vigilance
At its heart, Whispers of Dead Girls is about the scars left by tragedy and how they shape our perception of the world. Ren’s hypervigilance is born of trauma, but it’s also what drives her to take action when she sees patterns she recognizes as dangerous.

Bush masterfully navigates the fine line between Ren’s justified fears and the possibility that her obsession with Bryson Lewis might be misplaced. This ambiguity keeps readers guessing: Is Ren a reliable narrator? Are her suspicions well-founded, or are they projections of her unresolved grief?

The novel also touches on themes of power dynamics, particularly in teacher-student relationships, making it timely and resonant in a world increasingly aware of the abuse of authority.

A Chilling, Suspenseful Plot
Bush’s pacing is impeccable, balancing moments of introspection with escalating tension as Ren’s suspicions mount. The novel’s setting—a high school steeped in the echoes of Ren’s past—adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere, making it feel as though danger lurks around every corner.

The revelations, when they come, are both shocking and satisfyingly earned, and the climax delivers a gut-punch of emotional and narrative payoff. Ren’s determination to save others from her sister’s fate drives the story to its gripping conclusion, leaving readers questioning the nature of justice and the weight of secrets.

Strengths
Emotional Depth: Ren’s grief and guilt are rendered with authenticity, grounding the thriller in real human emotion.
Ambiguity and Suspense: The tension between Ren’s instincts and potential paranoia keeps readers on edge.
Timely Themes: The exploration of power, trust, and accountability in teacher-student dynamics adds depth to the narrative.
Atmospheric Writing: The evocative descriptions of the school and town immerse readers in the haunting world of the story.
Potential Weaknesses
The heavy focus on Ren’s inner turmoil might slow the pacing for readers seeking a more action-driven thriller. Additionally, the ambiguity of her reliability as a narrator could frustrate those who prefer clear-cut answers.

Final Thoughts
Whispers of Dead Girls is a chilling and thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page. Marlee Bush expertly weaves together a story of personal redemption and social awareness, creating a thriller that is as emotionally resonant as it is suspenseful.

Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn (Sharp Objects) and Megan Abbott (Dare Me), this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with a strong emotional core and a protagonist you can’t stop rooting for—even when you’re not sure if she’s entirely right.

I think I’m the first reviewer- ah, that’s so exciting!
I really really liked this book! I found it a really solid thriller that pulled off the story in quite a brilliant way. The mystery of the present time (what’s going on with the suspicious teacher) was very engaging and I really enjoyed the underlying secrets of the past- I found this aspect to add so much tension! The plot twist was good and done in a way that didn’t undermine the message of the book. And lastly, the writing worked well for me, the mix of slang and simple everyday language with quite poetic sentences blended well. I would highly recommend this to thriller fans out there! Four stars.