Big thank you to Sandra J. Paul and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of Dead Girls Don’t Talk.

From the beginning I felt this book had amazing promise especially with having the option to do a kind of dual pov reading. This set up some great mystery surrounding the book but to me ultimately fell flat before the second perspective started.

Both characters felt irredeemable to me and made me not want to root for them throughout. Ultimately, I was not the biggest fan and wanted more development.

Book Review: Dead Girls Don’t Talk by Sandra J. Paul

Sandra J. Paul’s Dead Girls Don’t Talk is an unsettling and atmospheric psychological mystery that grips you not only with its chilling premise but also with its unique narrative structure. The novel invites readers to choose whose story to read first: that of Emily — the sister who died under mysterious circumstances — or Abby — the sister left behind, desperate for answers.

Set in a small town steeped in secrets, the story revolves around the tragic death of Emily, officially ruled a suicide. Abby, however, feels something isn’t right. When Emily begins “speaking” to her from beyond the grave, Abby is drawn into a tangled web of half-truths, guilt, and dangerous discoveries.

Paul’s crisp, evocative prose creates an atmosphere that is both eerie and deeply human. The dual narrative choice isn’t just a clever gimmick; it genuinely shapes the reading experience, offering two perspectives that reveal different facets of the mystery. Depending on which sister you follow first, your understanding — and sympathy — can shift in surprising ways.

Beyond the thriller elements, the novel explores heavy themes: the weight of grief, the shadows cast by family secrets, and the haunting question of whether we really want the truth once we find it. The pacing is thoughtful and deliberate, building suspense gradually while keeping the emotional core raw and real.

If you’re drawn to dark, character-driven mysteries with a supernatural twist — and especially if you love books that experiment with form — Dead Girls Don’t Talk is a standout choice. It’s haunting, clever, and deeply affecting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

A gripping, atmospheric mystery made even more compelling by the choice to see the story through Abby’s eyes, Emily’s — or both. A fascinating way to read a book that I have not experienced before.

I’m really sorry to say this, but I wish I’d liked Dead Girls Don’t Talk more than I did. The premise was so intriguing: two best friends, one dead, one missing, and a dual narrative where you choose whose side to read first. I loved the concept, and I was hoping for a tense, emotional, twisty story.

But unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was uneven, and I struggled to stay engaged. The characters felt flat and hard to connect with, even though the story tries to explore deep emotions like jealousy, obsession, and betrayal. The structure, while interesting in theory, ended up making the plot feel repetitive and a bit disjointed.

There were moments of potential, especially in the darker parts of their friendship, but overall, it didn’t land the emotional or suspenseful impact I was hoping for.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Loved the concept of this book, which is why I decided to read it. But after that, the book just didn’t do it for me. Translation and editing were a huge part of the fallout.

Dead Girls Don’t Talk by Sandra J. Paul is a fresh and interactive twist on the classic mystery, offering readers the unique choice of which character’s perspective to follow first—pulling them directly into the heart of the story. This inventive structure not only engages the reader from the outset but also adds a compelling layer of suspense as you try to decide who to believe before the truth is finally revealed.

While the novel is particularly well-suited for a young adult audience—featuring accessible writing, fast pacing, and emotionally charged characters—it also has a universal appeal for anyone who enjoys a character-driven mystery. Paul does an excellent job of building tension, allowing the story to grow in complexity with each chapter. The layered plot unfolds gradually, leading to a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion that encourages readers to re-evaluate everything they’ve read.

Engaging, clever, and full of intrigue, Dead Girls Don’t Talk is a standout YA thriller that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. Sandra J. Paul delivers a creative, immersive experience that proves the truth is never as simple as it seems.

This was an ARC from NetGalley. The concept of a "choose your own adventure" was appealing, but this story did not execute. The story was severely lacking and the characters were not engaging. The outcome was very underwhelming. It is like the author couldn't pick a path and backtracked on the entire narrative. #netgalley #deadgirlsdonttalk #chooseyourownadventure

Two girls, one dead? Whose story will you believe?

This book sounded intriguing and I was fascinated that it offered the option to begin with Syl or Violas' story. I chose to just read the book from page one, which was Syl's story. Neither character was better than the other and I wasn't really cheering for either of them. There was a supernatural element that I felt was unnecessary, it didn't add anything to the story. The ending felt a little flat.

I did enjoy the small town scandal and figuring out Viola. Was she aware of her behaviors or was she oblivious and young? Her character felt the most complex and interesting to me but I wasn't cheering for her to be right.

Thank you NetGalley and Skyscape for my free e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm on the first page and I can already tell that this author is not a native English speaker (I recognize some Dutch sentence structures). Apart from this, I think this should have been edited a lot more. In the quote below, first, the author repeats Steve's characteristics way too many times. Secondly, she suddenly info-dumps information about his mom and dad, while this was not part of the conversation at all. This switch to explaining the parents' situation felt very jarring. As all of this was bothering me, and I've only read like 2 pages, I decided I won't be finishing this book.

Quote from chapter 1 (Viola's side):
"Why are you here, Viola?"
Steve Andrews. Nice, decent Steve Andrews. That's how I think of him whenever he comes to mind. Nice, decent, trustworthy, boring old Steve Andrews. Nice, decent, trustworthy, boring old Steve, who dumped me as soon as things got tough. But he never really argued with me, never told me I wasn't welcome anymore. And I am counting on his emotional intelligence to help me get through this situation.
"I need your help," I say. "Something's happened."
"Oh? What is it now?”
I'm startled by his sharp tone and the way he won't let me inside his house. He lives with his dad; his mom died ten years ago. His father never remarried but is seeing someone who lives on the outskirts of Love Hill. He owns a supermarket and works a lot, but Steve insists that he should have a personal life, too, and is very supportive of that relationship.

Syl and Viola two best friends, one is dead, which one is telling the truth.

The overall synopsis of this story had me hooked (reminded me of Verity vibes as which is true, Manuscript or Letter) the author let's the reader decide in the end, but something got lost in translation.

I might come back to this book again in the future, but overall for me it fell flat from the characters not being likable and having little to no personalities and the confusion and "boredness" to the point where it pushed myself to finish.

I could of just been the wrong audience for this book and if it does sound like a fun read, don't hesitate to pickup for yourself. Just wasn't for me.

This was an interesting read. I loved the dual plot version. I wonder if the choosing of where to start makes for an other experience while reading. Loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I devoured this book in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I was totally hooked right from the first page and I think the dual narrative worked so well as I felt like I really got to grips with the story and the characters. I can't wait to read more by the author

As soon as I heard about this book, I was sold. It is such a fascinating concept and something I've never seen done before. I started with Syl's side and then read Viola's, but I can see how easy it would have been to go the other way. I am still not over the ending of this book! I thought I had it figured out, but, the real ending was so much better!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader copy of this book. I did not love this book, but it wasn't bad. The whole concept of the book is an excellent idea, but the story was not executed to its full potential.

Release: July 29, 2025
Author: Sandra J. Paul
Publisher: Skyscape

Rating: 3.25 ★ 

In the quiet town of Love Hill, two girls—Syl Jameson and Viola Harrison—shared a friendship that ran deep but was far from perfect. Syl, drawn to the warmth of Viola’s family, often felt lost in her own cold, distant home. Viola, on the other hand, had her own secrets and a toxic edge that slowly chipped away at what they had. As the cracks in their bond grew, jealousy, neediness, and hidden truths pushed them toward a breaking point.
Then everything falls apart.
Syl is discovered dead in Viola’s car. Viola has vanished without a trace. What really happened that night? In this psychological thriller, the story unfolds from two perspectives—Syl’s and Viola’s—and it’s up to the reader to decide which to follow first. Each girl tells her own version of events, but only one truth lies at the end.
Dead Girls Don’t Talk starts with a brilliant concept: two perspectives—Syl and Viola—each telling their own version of the same story, leading readers toward one shared truth. The idea that you can choose which character to follow first is engaging and adds a unique, interactive layer to the reading experience.
That said, the execution didn’t fully live up to the promise for me. While the dual-narrative structure was intriguing, it didn’t offer the depth or new insight I expected. Reading both perspectives felt somewhat repetitive, and I found myself hoping for bigger revelations or a stronger payoff. The emotional stakes between the two girls, built around a toxic and intense friendship, came off as overly dramatic at times, and I struggled to connect with either character. Neither felt especially likable or reliable, which made it difficult to root for—or even care deeply about—either side.
The story occasionally dips into compelling territory, particularly in scenes involving the girls’ parents. These moments brought some emotional weight and context that helped explain the characters’ behavior. But unfortunately, inconsistencies in plot details (especially around the central accident scene) pulled me out of the story. And while the mystery held my attention, the final twist didn’t hit as hard as it should have—it felt underwhelming after so much buildup.
This book will likely appeal more to younger readers who can relate to the intensity of teenage friendships and emotions. For others, it might come across as a good idea that didn’t quite stick the landing. Still, it’s a quick, compelling read with an original structure that’s worth a try for fans of character-driven YA thrillers.

Favorite Quote:
"the dead may be silent, but their stories are never truly over."

Dead Girls Don’t Talk is about two besties and their POVs on how a car accident lead to death of one of them. You can choose whichever POV you want to know first to know the truth. Interesting.
The story was filled with teenage angst, teenage love, teenage drama, small town drama, LGBTQ+, tinge of supernatural etc. I mean the author just added whatever required to make the book popular. More in quantity does not always mean good quality. The author could have focused on the characters and the writing style more. The book was total waste of time.

DNF REVIEW
This book felt as though it had so much potential when I first picked it up, a story that will give me two perspectives and allow me to solve a mystery myself? Sign me up.
Sadly, it did end up disappointing me.
The writing
The writing was what actually kept me reading for so long, it kept me just interested enough to want to find out more.
The Characters
The characters were my main problem with this book; I just couldn’t like a single one of them, to the point where I genuinely just didn’t care how that girl died. The way they spoke and so many actions they made just felt so stupid, and really unrealistic. While I understand that teenage characters are bound to make worse decisions, the way it occurred in this book just felt like these decisions were just thrown in there to make them seem younger and make the death more horrifying.
The story
The story itself had so much potential, I was so excited and so hopeful for it to be what kept me reading the book, but it ended up feeling so drawn out, like we could have gotten the answer to what happened within a hundred pages, but each small event had to be drawn out in such detail that I just lost interest.

Thank you to Netgalley and Skyscape for the free e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Skycape and Sandra for the advanced copy.

I DNFed this around 20%. It's very robotic and it's very repetitive. It needed a lot of editing. Not for me.

I didn’t finish this book. I got about 18% in, read a couple of Viola’s chapters, then skipped around a bit. But yeah, couldn’t finish it.
The writing was robotic and repetitive. The dialogue was stiff and a bit unnatural. I couldn’t understand the motivations of the characters or, frankly, their personalities. They were just words on a page, not characters. There were contradictions line to line, too many breadcrumbs that could not stop being referenced in the same vague phrasing. There was no point in the bit that I read where I got close to settling my feet into the story/plot. Things felt jumbled and intangible. I know that that’s just how beginnings can be, but I should start to feel some sort of solid ground by that point in a book, and I couldn’t find it.
I HATE DNF-ing books, and I really tried to get into this one, but it wasn’t working for me unfortunately.

౨ৎ | ‘dead girls don’t talk… but this one does.’

— ★ 1/5

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

let me be frank, i did like the writing and the plot was good but it did lack a lot of punch. like it was boring, and i didn’t feel compelled to read this hence why it took me so long.

also both syl and viola pissed me off. i wasn’t rooting for either of them, nor did i actually care about what happened in their lives.

but i mean it was okay! i just hated the characters which makes me not like a book at all. also the side characters….. *side eye*

Thank you Netgalley, Skycape and Sandra for the advanced copy.

I give this book a 3.25/5. I did not love the book, but also did not hate it. The whole concept of the book is an excellent idea, but the story was not my favorite.

The friendship between Syl (was that her full name??) and Viola was extremely toxic and made me uncomfortable many times. I was a little disappointed by the ending, I was fully expecting a switch at birth type of plot.

Terrible parents with terrible children. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

At the end, I was still team Syl!