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The Girl Who Killed Her Mom
I’ve spent my entire life trying to make up for what happened that day. I was barely fifteen when I killed my mom.
Twenty years later.
I’ve turned my life around. I have a handsome, wealthy husband; two daughters who are everything to me; a stunning Connecticut beachfront home. I’m grateful for every minute that we have together.
Today I came home to find a silver-and-blue gift-wrapped box on the porch. The note inside Who killed Midge Lester?
Midge Lester was my mom. Someone knows.
Twenty years later.
I’ve turned my life around. I have a handsome, wealthy husband; two daughters who are everything to me; a stunning Connecticut beachfront home. I’m grateful for every minute that we have together.
Today I came home to find a silver-and-blue gift-wrapped box on the porch. The note inside Who killed Midge Lester?
Midge Lester was my mom. Someone knows.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2024
About the author
McGarvey Black
17 books360 followersSuspense/Thrillers
THE SECOND HONEYMOON - August 2025
He's planned the perfect cruise - and the perfect murder. His new girlfriend (my replacement) is waiting in the wings.
Our luxury cruise ship departs from Florida. Its destination - paradise. A surprise gift from Andre. Our first proper vacation in five years. A second honeymoon.
He's bought me the perfect outfit. The champagne is flowing. Everything's going to plan. Andre's plan.
He thinks he'll get away with it. But he doesn't know what I'm capable of. Not yet.
Also,
—THE BABY I STOLE
—MY SISTER'S KILLER
—THE FIRST HUSBAND
—WITHOUT HER CONSENT
—THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS
—TRUST ONLY ME
—TWICE ON CHRISTMAS
—THE GIRL WHO KILLED HER MOM
Romantic Comedy;
— LOVE ON THE LINE (original title— THE FUSSY VIRGIN).
Morality Tale
—A FAMILIAR STRANGER "It's a Wonderful Life" meets "Wall Street". This novel is a parable of our times.
All my stories are character driven. I try to throw in lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested and guessing. Most of my writing is inspired by real people or events that trigger my imagination.
I am married with two children and currently live in Connecticut where many of my stories take place. I'm happy to FaceTime or Zoom into your book club if our schedules permit. Reach out and I'll do my best to make it happen.
——McGarvey
You can find me on Facebook or Twitter, too. Thanks for reading my books and if you like them, please leave a review, it helps so much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 14, 2024
In a Nutshell: No.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I am very picky with my thriller reads because more often than not, they turn out to be OTT messes. The title of this book eroded my resistance somewhat, and seeing the high ratings of the other books written by the same author, I thought I would be in good hands.
As is evident, I was wrong. Utterly wrong.
Bookish Yays:
🤩 Minor spoiler, sorry. But I HAD to include at least one thing I liked:
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Abbie. Great wife. Great mom. Great liar. Poor judge of character. Pathetic at decision-making. Expert at overthinking. We do want her situation to be sorted out because she shows that she has a good heart. But it is so tough to do so when her head is annoyingly short-sighted.
😐 The final two chapters in a book with sixty chapters. The only chapters that felt like they belonged to a psych thriller. They held just one good twist. Though there was a lot of telling in the writing, the mere fact that there was finally something out of the ordinary made me happy. (But not happy enough to push the rating upwards.)
Bookish Nays:
🙄 The I-killed-my-mom scene at the beginning – as holey as a crocheted doily!
🙄 As the above occurs right at the start of the book, the main plot is more on the lines of who-knows-about-it than who-did-it. And as it is quite clear who did do it, there’s no suspenseful hook to keep reading further.
🙄 A psych thriller must psych us out. This one doesn't do anything on those lines. You already know everything and you wait it out till the characters do what you expected them to do.
🙄 Why does the prologue refer to the past timeline as “twenty years ago” when the present timeline is labelled “nineteen years later”?
🙄 The whole old-priest-from-same-parish-who-has-lost-his-marbles-in-his-dotage arc. Abbie’s reaction in almost every interaction here is illogical to the extreme.
🙄 The utter lack of mystery. Not only is there never any doubt about who the guilty party is but no one even goes out of character. All the attempts at red herrings are blatantly obvious.
🙄 There is another first-person narrative later in the book. There is not even a moment of suspense about who this person could be – it is that predictable. This second narrative viewpoint serves to kill the plot further, as it turns even the remaining potential suspense into a tell-all infodump.
🙄 The event mentioned in the blurb, where Abbie gets a note threatening to expose her doesn't happen until the 38% mark.
🙄 The repetition – aargh! Whether scenes or thoughts or interactions, it was like the plot was going round and round the same two-three points. Abbie’s inner monologues are especially boring. There is one character in the book with dementia, but honestly, Abbie behaved more like she herself had dementia, considering the way she kept looping the same musings over and over. This book needs multiple rounds of editing to streamline the writing.
All in all, this is definitely not what I had expected the book to be. It doesn’t work as a psych thriller, nor does it click as a domestic thriller. Heck, it isn't even a thriller for the most way. The writing is very much in your face, so you can probably make sense of the plot even if you read it while half-asleep.
The high ratings garnered by ALL the other books written by this author show that she is great at writing thrillers. But even the best of authors deliver a dud at times. Just my luck to end up with the sole clunker in her repertoire!
Sorry, but it’s a no from me. Please look at the other positive reviews and take a more informed decision.
1 star.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a complimentary copy of “The Girl Who Killed Her Mom”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
When she was fifteen, Abbie killed her mom. She wasn’t caught. Over the past twenty years, she has turned her life around. Now married to an extremely wealthy investor and living in a large home with her two little daughters, Abbie uses her time to be the best wife and mom, and volunteer for various social causes. However, the past has now come to haunt her. Someone knows her secret and is threatening to reveal it. With her husband unaware of her murky past, Abbie has to make sure that her secret stays buried.
The story comes to us in Abbie’s first-person perspective.
I am very picky with my thriller reads because more often than not, they turn out to be OTT messes. The title of this book eroded my resistance somewhat, and seeing the high ratings of the other books written by the same author, I thought I would be in good hands.
As is evident, I was wrong. Utterly wrong.
Bookish Yays:
🤩 Minor spoiler, sorry. But I HAD to include at least one thing I liked:
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Abbie. Great wife. Great mom. Great liar. Poor judge of character. Pathetic at decision-making. Expert at overthinking. We do want her situation to be sorted out because she shows that she has a good heart. But it is so tough to do so when her head is annoyingly short-sighted.
😐 The final two chapters in a book with sixty chapters. The only chapters that felt like they belonged to a psych thriller. They held just one good twist. Though there was a lot of telling in the writing, the mere fact that there was finally something out of the ordinary made me happy. (But not happy enough to push the rating upwards.)
Bookish Nays:
🙄 The I-killed-my-mom scene at the beginning – as holey as a crocheted doily!
🙄 As the above occurs right at the start of the book, the main plot is more on the lines of who-knows-about-it than who-did-it. And as it is quite clear who did do it, there’s no suspenseful hook to keep reading further.
🙄 A psych thriller must psych us out. This one doesn't do anything on those lines. You already know everything and you wait it out till the characters do what you expected them to do.
🙄 Why does the prologue refer to the past timeline as “twenty years ago” when the present timeline is labelled “nineteen years later”?
🙄 The whole old-priest-from-same-parish-who-has-lost-his-marbles-in-his-dotage arc. Abbie’s reaction in almost every interaction here is illogical to the extreme.
🙄 The utter lack of mystery. Not only is there never any doubt about who the guilty party is but no one even goes out of character. All the attempts at red herrings are blatantly obvious.
🙄 There is another first-person narrative later in the book. There is not even a moment of suspense about who this person could be – it is that predictable. This second narrative viewpoint serves to kill the plot further, as it turns even the remaining potential suspense into a tell-all infodump.
🙄 The event mentioned in the blurb, where Abbie gets a note threatening to expose her doesn't happen until the 38% mark.
🙄 The repetition – aargh! Whether scenes or thoughts or interactions, it was like the plot was going round and round the same two-three points. Abbie’s inner monologues are especially boring. There is one character in the book with dementia, but honestly, Abbie behaved more like she herself had dementia, considering the way she kept looping the same musings over and over. This book needs multiple rounds of editing to streamline the writing.
All in all, this is definitely not what I had expected the book to be. It doesn’t work as a psych thriller, nor does it click as a domestic thriller. Heck, it isn't even a thriller for the most way. The writing is very much in your face, so you can probably make sense of the plot even if you read it while half-asleep.
The high ratings garnered by ALL the other books written by this author show that she is great at writing thrillers. But even the best of authors deliver a dud at times. Just my luck to end up with the sole clunker in her repertoire!
Sorry, but it’s a no from me. Please look at the other positive reviews and take a more informed decision.
1 star.
My thanks to Joffe Books for a complimentary copy of “The Girl Who Killed Her Mom”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
October 16, 2024
I started reading this late in the evening. This was a mistake. I got to 65% and really wanted to finish but it was already 11.30pm and I had to get up for work. It was that addictive that I'd have gladly stayed up to finish it.
Abbie killed her mum, no big spoiler, when she was just 15, heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Sher boyfriend Travis covers up for her and they both move on.
The guilt eats Abbie throughout her life, even when she marries and has 2 kids. I did wonder at one point how that would be enough to sustain a novel.
Silly me, I should have more faith in the wonderful storytelling abilities of McGarvey. Enter Christian, Sophie and an elderly retired priest in a nursing home with his mysterious aide.
I was simply hooked from the last page to the last. I couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened. I had some suspicions, some confirmed, others not. The conclusion is explosive and brilliant and the last paragraph or so, well...
Abbie killed her mum, no big spoiler, when she was just 15, heavily under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Sher boyfriend Travis covers up for her and they both move on.
The guilt eats Abbie throughout her life, even when she marries and has 2 kids. I did wonder at one point how that would be enough to sustain a novel.
Silly me, I should have more faith in the wonderful storytelling abilities of McGarvey. Enter Christian, Sophie and an elderly retired priest in a nursing home with his mysterious aide.
I was simply hooked from the last page to the last. I couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened. I had some suspicions, some confirmed, others not. The conclusion is explosive and brilliant and the last paragraph or so, well...
September 18, 2024
The Girl Who Killed Her Mom sounded like a fun thriller that I thought would be right up my alley, but unfortunately that wasn’t really the case. I had issues with the writing style, the pacing, the predictable plot, the repetitive dialogue and the inner monologue of the main character. At times it felt as if the author had forgotten that they’d already told us something, and they’d repeat it again or contradict what happened a chapter earlier. There was a lot of repetition in the scenes, particularly at the nursing home, and in the end they didn’t really account for much other than a bizarre “twist” that wasn’t really a twist, nor did it make much sense for the character.
I really like the concept and think it could be a great book but unfortunately this fell very flat for me and while I flew through it, I did not enjoy it.
October 14, 2024
I really struggled to rate this book because the premise of this book is really good! 🥰 However, I struggled to see the thriller aspect of this as the crime had already been committed and it just seemed a little bizarre! It did get a little unbelievable towards the end of the book and I do feel like the plot twist was a little predictable! 🫣 that being said, I have read A LOT of thrillers so I do feel like this is a good book for people who are new to thrillers/crime! 🥰 I did read this pretty quickly so I can't say it was terrible, just not the best!
Thank-you to @joffebooks for this ARC 🥰
Thank-you to @joffebooks for this ARC 🥰
December 6, 2024
A decent thriller but it was a very slow start, slightly repetitive and one of the twists I guessed but not the end one! Caught me off guard. I enjoy it though as it certainly built up the suspense.
September 15, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe Books for the copy of THE GIRL WHO KILLED HER MOM
by McGarvey Black. This book started out great and slowly went downhill. I won’t give spoilers but so much of what went on was preposterous. It was also predictable, so if you’re looking for surprises, this book isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a fast and easy read, you might love it.
by McGarvey Black. This book started out great and slowly went downhill. I won’t give spoilers but so much of what went on was preposterous. It was also predictable, so if you’re looking for surprises, this book isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a fast and easy read, you might love it.
January 27, 2026
The Girl Who Killed Her Mom had all the ingredients for a sharp, twisty thriller… and then somehow tripped over its own shoelaces on the way to the finish line. There’s a solid story buried in here, but you have to wade through some choppy writing choices and a whole lot of déjà vu dialogue to get to it.
🧩 The Characters
The Main Character
Our protagonist spends so much time in her own head that I started to wonder if she was being paid by the internal monologue. Every thought is repeated, re‑repeated, and then repeated again just in case you missed it the first three times. She’s interesting on paper, but the execution makes her feel stuck in a loop.
The Supporting Cast
They’re… present. Some of them even have potential. But most of the time they feel like they’re standing around waiting for the plot to give them something to do. A few shine in brief moments, but the book never fully commits to developing them beyond their basic roles.
🐌 The Storyline
The premise? Genuinely intriguing. The delivery? A little like watching a thriller through molasses. The pacing drags in places where it should sprint, and the plot twists are visible from so far away they might as well send you a calendar invite.
There are good points—moments where the tension spikes or the emotional stakes land—but they’re scattered between long stretches of repetition and scenes that feel just a bit too out there to take seriously. It never quite hits that dark, electric thriller vibe; instead, it hovers in a strange limbo between drama and suspense without fully committing to either.
🎯 The Ending
Credit where it’s due: the ending shows up like a hero in the final act and rescues the whole experience from a two‑star fate. It’s sharper, more engaging, and finally delivers the punch the rest of the book kept promising but never quite delivered.
⚖️ Final Verdict
A thriller with a compelling concept that gets tangled in its own storytelling. Uneven pacing, repetitive writing, and a protagonist who narrates every waking thought make it a bumpy ride—but the ending sticks the landing well enough to bump it up a notch.
Final Score: 3 stars. A mixed bag with a strong finish, but not quite the gripping thriller it could’ve been.
🧩 The Characters
The Main Character
Our protagonist spends so much time in her own head that I started to wonder if she was being paid by the internal monologue. Every thought is repeated, re‑repeated, and then repeated again just in case you missed it the first three times. She’s interesting on paper, but the execution makes her feel stuck in a loop.
The Supporting Cast
They’re… present. Some of them even have potential. But most of the time they feel like they’re standing around waiting for the plot to give them something to do. A few shine in brief moments, but the book never fully commits to developing them beyond their basic roles.
🐌 The Storyline
The premise? Genuinely intriguing. The delivery? A little like watching a thriller through molasses. The pacing drags in places where it should sprint, and the plot twists are visible from so far away they might as well send you a calendar invite.
There are good points—moments where the tension spikes or the emotional stakes land—but they’re scattered between long stretches of repetition and scenes that feel just a bit too out there to take seriously. It never quite hits that dark, electric thriller vibe; instead, it hovers in a strange limbo between drama and suspense without fully committing to either.
🎯 The Ending
Credit where it’s due: the ending shows up like a hero in the final act and rescues the whole experience from a two‑star fate. It’s sharper, more engaging, and finally delivers the punch the rest of the book kept promising but never quite delivered.
⚖️ Final Verdict
A thriller with a compelling concept that gets tangled in its own storytelling. Uneven pacing, repetitive writing, and a protagonist who narrates every waking thought make it a bumpy ride—but the ending sticks the landing well enough to bump it up a notch.
Final Score: 3 stars. A mixed bag with a strong finish, but not quite the gripping thriller it could’ve been.
October 13, 2024
The Girl Who Killed Her Mom
McGarvey Black
10/17/2024
Joffe Books
McGarvey Black will always give you a psychological thriller that will not let up.
Abbie seems to have the perfect life. Two daughters, a husband and the home of her dreams. She is very involved in her community and lives far beyond the means in which she was raised. But for 20 years Abbie has been holding a secret very close to her chest. In a fit of drug induced anger, Abbie killed her mother and had help covering it up.
Everything seems fine except that people from past show up. Gifts on her front door step. A meeting that her husband takes. Little things keep coming at her niggling in her ear that her life, as she knows it, is about to change.
This is a fast paced thriller that leaves the reader looking over their shoulder feeling claustrophobic and anxious. If you want a non stop read with a cliffhanger ending, definitely check this one out.
McGarvey Black
10/17/2024
Joffe Books
McGarvey Black will always give you a psychological thriller that will not let up.
Abbie seems to have the perfect life. Two daughters, a husband and the home of her dreams. She is very involved in her community and lives far beyond the means in which she was raised. But for 20 years Abbie has been holding a secret very close to her chest. In a fit of drug induced anger, Abbie killed her mother and had help covering it up.
Everything seems fine except that people from past show up. Gifts on her front door step. A meeting that her husband takes. Little things keep coming at her niggling in her ear that her life, as she knows it, is about to change.
This is a fast paced thriller that leaves the reader looking over their shoulder feeling claustrophobic and anxious. If you want a non stop read with a cliffhanger ending, definitely check this one out.
September 13, 2024
So, I actually really enjoy this book! Yes, it was predictable at some spots. But I still really enjoyed it. This was my first book by this author and I will be reading more.
October 16, 2024
What are the chances of running into not one, but two people from your old life in a new town?
If you accept that premise as plausible you will enjoy this book about the threat of secrets from the past being exposed. Abbie never told her new, handsome, and wealthy husband about her past. That time when she unalived her mom. But she is so afraid of the secret getting out that she wakes up screaming from horrific nightmares.
Although the book was predictable, it was fast-paced and an easy read. While the beginning read like a YA novel, with short, choppy sentences, the second half took off as it took a deep dive into the current situation, and the implications for Abbie and her family.
Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy from this new-to-me author.
If you accept that premise as plausible you will enjoy this book about the threat of secrets from the past being exposed. Abbie never told her new, handsome, and wealthy husband about her past. That time when she unalived her mom. But she is so afraid of the secret getting out that she wakes up screaming from horrific nightmares.
Although the book was predictable, it was fast-paced and an easy read. While the beginning read like a YA novel, with short, choppy sentences, the second half took off as it took a deep dive into the current situation, and the implications for Abbie and her family.
Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy from this new-to-me author.
October 26, 2024
Such a good book and totally unpredictable. It was written so well.
October 26, 2024
Loved this!
October 28, 2024
While ‘The Girl Who Killed Her Mom’ by McGarvey Black made a good read, there was this nagging undertone going on through it. There is no suspense or mystery to be revealed. Okay, but the main premise of the book is literally unbelievable. And this nags you as you go through the book, which robs the book of excitement. I have read every single book by this author, and I am truly surprised at this book.
3 Stars
3 Stars
November 5, 2024
Oh my gosh - I absolutely love a good psychological thriller and have read a couple of this authors books now and loved them, so couldn't wait to dive into this one.
Right from the start, I was hooked into Abbie's story and raced through this wanting to know the whole backstory with what happened with her mum and also who knew about it and what they would do in the end.
Black really draws you in with a fast-paced plot and writing style and I really struggled to put this down - finishing it in just a couple of sittings.
Abbie was such an interesting character to explore having been in such a bad way in her teens, then turning things around to have such a good life - but we all know that risk of things coming back to haunt you.
Having read lots of thrillers now, I thought that I had a good theory of who was the threat and how things would play out, but there were some great last minute shocks and twists that had me reforming my thoughts and still enjoying the reveals at the end.
Another great read from this author and I can't wait to add more to my tbr and read lists in the future.
Right from the start, I was hooked into Abbie's story and raced through this wanting to know the whole backstory with what happened with her mum and also who knew about it and what they would do in the end.
Black really draws you in with a fast-paced plot and writing style and I really struggled to put this down - finishing it in just a couple of sittings.
Abbie was such an interesting character to explore having been in such a bad way in her teens, then turning things around to have such a good life - but we all know that risk of things coming back to haunt you.
Having read lots of thrillers now, I thought that I had a good theory of who was the threat and how things would play out, but there were some great last minute shocks and twists that had me reforming my thoughts and still enjoying the reveals at the end.
Another great read from this author and I can't wait to add more to my tbr and read lists in the future.
October 20, 2024
It’s no spoiler to say I really enjoyed finding out about how she killed her mom! As a mum of a daughter it’s my worst nightmare that my relationship with her breaks down in this way. This book was written so well that it was such an easy read and I flew through it enjoying every minute. I often put myself in the characters shoes and this one was a hard one to imagine. This one comes highly recommended by me!
October 23, 2024
I do love a family drama, sadly the book plot sounds like the world we’re living in, I was one of those girls minus the murder.
I really like Abby, she’s had a horrific start to life and now she is definitely trying to make up to the mistakes that were made.
Then all of a sudden, Miss Karma comes out to play.
I absolutely loved this book, I was obsessed. I like the way the author writes, they know how to keep the reader interested.
But I better watch out incase my daughters go rogue 😆
I really like Abby, she’s had a horrific start to life and now she is definitely trying to make up to the mistakes that were made.
Then all of a sudden, Miss Karma comes out to play.
I absolutely loved this book, I was obsessed. I like the way the author writes, they know how to keep the reader interested.
But I better watch out incase my daughters go rogue 😆
September 18, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
McGarvey Black’s “The Girl Who Killed Her Mom” is a tense psychological thriller about secrets, guilt, and the fragile balance of a seemingly perfect life.
Abbie Sterling has everything she ever wanted: a wealthy, devoted husband, two young daughters, and a beautiful beachfront home in Connecticut. On the surface, she appears to be living the dream. But beneath the polished veneer lies a dark secret she has buried for twenty years. As a teenager, in a drug-fueled rage, Abbie killed her mother, and with help, covered it up. Now, decades later, reminders of that night resurface like an old friend in a nursing home, mysterious gifts on her doorstep, notes left on her car, and Abbie’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
The story unfolds across dual timelines, shifting between Abbie’s troubled past and her precarious present. This structure works well to keep you invested in uncovering both the details of the murder and the fallout threatening her family today. The story also explores themes of redemption, maternal relationships, and the claustrophobic fear of secrets refusing to stay buried, which really helped add to the tension of the story.
The pacing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. It moves quickly, especially in the second half, with escalating tension and short, sharp chapters that make it easy to race through. Black keeps the suspense alive with a steady drip of new revelations, last-minute twists, and the unnerving sense that Abbie is being watched. This is the kind of thriller you can devour in a couple of sittings.
Abbie herself is a complicated protagonist. Watching her transform from a reckless teenager into a wife and mother desperately trying to preserve her new life is compelling, though her naivety and questionable judgment can be frustrating. The character writing isn’t as strong as the mystery. I found it difficult to connect to Abbie’s struggle, and I also found the supporting characters underdeveloped, but Abbie’s flaws do help in keeping her human and make the stakes feel real. I also found that the predictability and repetitive writing lessened the suspense. Overall though, while the story doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers a solid mix of psychological drama and fast-paced thrills.
“The Girl Who Killed Her Mom” is a quick, tense read that blends a haunting backstory with a high-stakes present. It’s perfect for fans of domestic thrillers about secrets resurfacing.
McGarvey Black’s “The Girl Who Killed Her Mom” is a tense psychological thriller about secrets, guilt, and the fragile balance of a seemingly perfect life.
Abbie Sterling has everything she ever wanted: a wealthy, devoted husband, two young daughters, and a beautiful beachfront home in Connecticut. On the surface, she appears to be living the dream. But beneath the polished veneer lies a dark secret she has buried for twenty years. As a teenager, in a drug-fueled rage, Abbie killed her mother, and with help, covered it up. Now, decades later, reminders of that night resurface like an old friend in a nursing home, mysterious gifts on her doorstep, notes left on her car, and Abbie’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
The story unfolds across dual timelines, shifting between Abbie’s troubled past and her precarious present. This structure works well to keep you invested in uncovering both the details of the murder and the fallout threatening her family today. The story also explores themes of redemption, maternal relationships, and the claustrophobic fear of secrets refusing to stay buried, which really helped add to the tension of the story.
The pacing is one of the book’s greatest strengths. It moves quickly, especially in the second half, with escalating tension and short, sharp chapters that make it easy to race through. Black keeps the suspense alive with a steady drip of new revelations, last-minute twists, and the unnerving sense that Abbie is being watched. This is the kind of thriller you can devour in a couple of sittings.
Abbie herself is a complicated protagonist. Watching her transform from a reckless teenager into a wife and mother desperately trying to preserve her new life is compelling, though her naivety and questionable judgment can be frustrating. The character writing isn’t as strong as the mystery. I found it difficult to connect to Abbie’s struggle, and I also found the supporting characters underdeveloped, but Abbie’s flaws do help in keeping her human and make the stakes feel real. I also found that the predictability and repetitive writing lessened the suspense. Overall though, while the story doesn’t reinvent the genre, it delivers a solid mix of psychological drama and fast-paced thrills.
“The Girl Who Killed Her Mom” is a quick, tense read that blends a haunting backstory with a high-stakes present. It’s perfect for fans of domestic thrillers about secrets resurfacing.
October 30, 2024
THE GIRL WHO KILLED HER MOM by McGarvey Black was SOOOO GOOD, my head is still spinning.
In East Port, Connecticut, 20 years ago, Abbie Sterling, née Lester, killed her mother, Midge, over her attempts to come between Abby and her boyfriend, Travis Ritter. Soon after her mother’s death, Travis left the town and her life behind when he took off. Abbie has never forgiven herself. She has spent the last 20 years with a foggy memory of that night and trying to turn her life around and be grateful for her husband, Jason and daughters, Luna, six and Grace, four. With her rich, successful husband, a beachfront home and the good life Abbie feels like she is succeeding in this. (Except for the nightmares which are increasing in frequency and intensity.) She is engaged with the children and begins volunteer work at a senior living home with her best friend, although one of the residents suffering from early onset dementia is a blast from her painful past. The only other person in the world that Abbie confessed her involvement to in her mother’s death. The resident.’s constant companion is repeatedly downplaying and thwarting Abbie’s interactions with the resident. Does he remember her? Her confession?
When Abbie returns home one day, she is met with a gift wrapped box and finds notes on her car indicating knowledge of the murder. Has Travis come out of hiding after all this time to blackmail her? And what does the resident remember and has he told anyone? His visitor, perhaps? Abbie just doesn’t know where to turn. Can she find enough peace to enjoy the life she’s built? Can she save adult Abbie’s life from childhood Abbie’s past deeds?
This one had so many twists and turns and had me hooked very early on, right up to the last words. I loved watching Abbie try to maintain her very existence, all the while keeping mum about what was happening all around her. The tension built throughout and had me turning the pages well past my bedtime. This was my first McGarvey Black novel but will certainly not be my last. I can’t wait to read some of her others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
In East Port, Connecticut, 20 years ago, Abbie Sterling, née Lester, killed her mother, Midge, over her attempts to come between Abby and her boyfriend, Travis Ritter. Soon after her mother’s death, Travis left the town and her life behind when he took off. Abbie has never forgiven herself. She has spent the last 20 years with a foggy memory of that night and trying to turn her life around and be grateful for her husband, Jason and daughters, Luna, six and Grace, four. With her rich, successful husband, a beachfront home and the good life Abbie feels like she is succeeding in this. (Except for the nightmares which are increasing in frequency and intensity.) She is engaged with the children and begins volunteer work at a senior living home with her best friend, although one of the residents suffering from early onset dementia is a blast from her painful past. The only other person in the world that Abbie confessed her involvement to in her mother’s death. The resident.’s constant companion is repeatedly downplaying and thwarting Abbie’s interactions with the resident. Does he remember her? Her confession?
When Abbie returns home one day, she is met with a gift wrapped box and finds notes on her car indicating knowledge of the murder. Has Travis come out of hiding after all this time to blackmail her? And what does the resident remember and has he told anyone? His visitor, perhaps? Abbie just doesn’t know where to turn. Can she find enough peace to enjoy the life she’s built? Can she save adult Abbie’s life from childhood Abbie’s past deeds?
This one had so many twists and turns and had me hooked very early on, right up to the last words. I loved watching Abbie try to maintain her very existence, all the while keeping mum about what was happening all around her. The tension built throughout and had me turning the pages well past my bedtime. This was my first McGarvey Black novel but will certainly not be my last. I can’t wait to read some of her others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
October 21, 2024
Here is review of The Girl Who Killed Her Mom by McGarvey Black
I really enjoyed this tale of psychological suspense and it had me totally invested in reading the book. I just couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what happened next and what happened in Abbie’s life. Was she finally caught or was she ratted out by anybody? Like Travis for instance? Did Jason go through with the deal with Christian who she never really liked? Did he understand what was going on from the start? Did Abbie fall foul to her dreams in the end? Did Father Cleary say what was going on or did Sister Peg know more than she let on after listening to Father Cleary? This was a terrific read and held me totally in suspense reading this book for a day as it was so enticing a read. I loved the storyline, I had read nothing like it before and it was extremely well thought out. It was brilliantly written and superbly plotted. Your past catching up with you like this is something you don’t want and Abbie certainly went through the mill. I read this book in one sitting, just moving to making coffee as it was such a good read and couldn’t wait to finish it. A superb read from a great author.
Blurb :
I was barely fifteen when I killed my mom. No one knew . . . until now.
I’ve spent my entire life trying to make up for what happened that day. I’ve turned my life around. I have a handsome, wealthy husband; two daughters who are everything to me; a stunning Connecticut beachfront home. I’m grateful for every minute that we have together.
Today I come home to find a silver-and-blue gift-wrapped box on the porch. The note inside says: Who killed Midge Lester?
Midge Lester was my mom.
Someone knows.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE, NAIL-BITING TENSION AND THE BIGGEST TWIST YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, T.M. Logan, Anya Mora, T.J. Brearton, Patricia MacDonald and Shari Lapena.
I really enjoyed this tale of psychological suspense and it had me totally invested in reading the book. I just couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what happened next and what happened in Abbie’s life. Was she finally caught or was she ratted out by anybody? Like Travis for instance? Did Jason go through with the deal with Christian who she never really liked? Did he understand what was going on from the start? Did Abbie fall foul to her dreams in the end? Did Father Cleary say what was going on or did Sister Peg know more than she let on after listening to Father Cleary? This was a terrific read and held me totally in suspense reading this book for a day as it was so enticing a read. I loved the storyline, I had read nothing like it before and it was extremely well thought out. It was brilliantly written and superbly plotted. Your past catching up with you like this is something you don’t want and Abbie certainly went through the mill. I read this book in one sitting, just moving to making coffee as it was such a good read and couldn’t wait to finish it. A superb read from a great author.
Blurb :
I was barely fifteen when I killed my mom. No one knew . . . until now.
I’ve spent my entire life trying to make up for what happened that day. I’ve turned my life around. I have a handsome, wealthy husband; two daughters who are everything to me; a stunning Connecticut beachfront home. I’m grateful for every minute that we have together.
Today I come home to find a silver-and-blue gift-wrapped box on the porch. The note inside says: Who killed Midge Lester?
Midge Lester was my mom.
Someone knows.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE, NAIL-BITING TENSION AND THE BIGGEST TWIST YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, T.M. Logan, Anya Mora, T.J. Brearton, Patricia MacDonald and Shari Lapena.
October 14, 2024
Teenage angst ruined your life? It did in this thriller.
15 year old Abbie wakes up and finds her mom dead and doesn't remember what happened. She assumes she killed her because they had been fighting about Abbie dating a 19 year old Travis. Not knowing what to do Abbie calls Travis and together they make it look like a robbery gone wrong.
Fast forward to 20 years later, Abbie is married to a rich handsome husband and is living the dream as a mom and charity volunteer. Only problem is her moms death still haunts her and she has terrible nightmares from the guilt. Her problems don't stop there though....
The story overall felt like a YA novel. I personally saw the twists coming but I've also read over 100 thrillers this year so I'm not mad about it. It reminded me a lot of Natasha Preston's thrillers. A very quick read with a satisfying ending.
One thing that stuck out as annoying was our main character comparing someone from 20 years ago to now and describing all the ways it couldn't be the same guy because of how he looked at 19. Uh yeah 40 yeah olds look a lot different than they did at 19. I realize he had plastic surgery but he would have looked different anyway.
15 year old Abbie wakes up and finds her mom dead and doesn't remember what happened. She assumes she killed her because they had been fighting about Abbie dating a 19 year old Travis. Not knowing what to do Abbie calls Travis and together they make it look like a robbery gone wrong.
Fast forward to 20 years later, Abbie is married to a rich handsome husband and is living the dream as a mom and charity volunteer. Only problem is her moms death still haunts her and she has terrible nightmares from the guilt. Her problems don't stop there though....
The story overall felt like a YA novel. I personally saw the twists coming but I've also read over 100 thrillers this year so I'm not mad about it. It reminded me a lot of Natasha Preston's thrillers. A very quick read with a satisfying ending.
One thing that stuck out as annoying was our main character comparing someone from 20 years ago to now and describing all the ways it couldn't be the same guy because of how he looked at 19. Uh yeah 40 yeah olds look a lot different than they did at 19. I realize he had plastic surgery but he would have looked different anyway.
October 17, 2024
3.5 stars from me
I romped through this fast and easy read that is largely told from Abbie's POV.
Abbie is happily married and seems to be living the perfect life. Her husband Jason is handsome, wealthy and dotes on her and their two daughters. Yet she is plagued by nightmares from the past.
As she's never told her husband about her past - that she murdered her mum when she was 15 - her life seems set to implode when it becomes all too apparent that someone knows what she did.
I had a small niggle with this book that there is some repetition but once I got used to it I have to say I think it helped to build the tension and actually highlighted Abbie's building panic.
This is exacerbated for Abbie when suddenly she comes under pressure from seemingly all angles as elements from her troubled youth can no longer be ignored and threaten all that she holds dear.
No spoilers from me, and although there is much I want to say about the ending I'll hold off so that you can find it out for yourself.
Overall this crime/psychological thriller is a fast and fun read that you need to lean into and suspend reality for just a little while to enjoy it the most.
I romped through this fast and easy read that is largely told from Abbie's POV.
Abbie is happily married and seems to be living the perfect life. Her husband Jason is handsome, wealthy and dotes on her and their two daughters. Yet she is plagued by nightmares from the past.
As she's never told her husband about her past - that she murdered her mum when she was 15 - her life seems set to implode when it becomes all too apparent that someone knows what she did.
I had a small niggle with this book that there is some repetition but once I got used to it I have to say I think it helped to build the tension and actually highlighted Abbie's building panic.
This is exacerbated for Abbie when suddenly she comes under pressure from seemingly all angles as elements from her troubled youth can no longer be ignored and threaten all that she holds dear.
No spoilers from me, and although there is much I want to say about the ending I'll hold off so that you can find it out for yourself.
Overall this crime/psychological thriller is a fast and fun read that you need to lean into and suspend reality for just a little while to enjoy it the most.
October 26, 2024
I tend to favor fantasy style books but love to grab the occasional mystery/suspense when I need a change. This book drew me in from the first page and I was itching to know what came next.
Initially, I had majorly mixed feelings about Abbie. Was she actually guilty? She’d been a dumb kid making even dumber choices, but I wasn’t fully convinced she’d done what she thought.
I hated Travis from the beginning. He reminded me far too much of that POS high school boyfriend so many of us cling to when they’re horrible for us. And he just kept proving that more and more.
As the story continued to unfold, I was dying to get to the ending just to know if my theories were right. And while I definitely managed to guess some big points of the story, I was not ready for that open ending that had me falling off my seat!
Black did such a great job at creating those twists and turns and little details that make up a great suspense novel. I was flying through the pages wanting the big reveal.
If you want a quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat and reeling for that final chapter, this is the book for you!
Initially, I had majorly mixed feelings about Abbie. Was she actually guilty? She’d been a dumb kid making even dumber choices, but I wasn’t fully convinced she’d done what she thought.
I hated Travis from the beginning. He reminded me far too much of that POS high school boyfriend so many of us cling to when they’re horrible for us. And he just kept proving that more and more.
As the story continued to unfold, I was dying to get to the ending just to know if my theories were right. And while I definitely managed to guess some big points of the story, I was not ready for that open ending that had me falling off my seat!
Black did such a great job at creating those twists and turns and little details that make up a great suspense novel. I was flying through the pages wanting the big reveal.
If you want a quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat and reeling for that final chapter, this is the book for you!
October 7, 2024
I was really looking forward to this book but unfortunately, I found it a little disappointing. I do not like giving negative reviews, but I always feel honesty is required when reviewing a book.
The book started out well and I thought this was one I was going to enjoy. The story moves between two timelines past and present which I generally like but I struggled as the story seemed to be very predictable and I could work out where things were going from early on. Not helping was the fact that the characters were very one dimensional and I was unable to relate to any of them. There is also the major issue of repetition throughout, I am very surprised that whoever proofread this book did not pick up on this and realise how annoying this is for the reader.
There are no great twists or suspence that kept me excited, and which are needed for a great thriller. Remember this is just a personal view and others may find the book much more enjoyable than I did. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
The book started out well and I thought this was one I was going to enjoy. The story moves between two timelines past and present which I generally like but I struggled as the story seemed to be very predictable and I could work out where things were going from early on. Not helping was the fact that the characters were very one dimensional and I was unable to relate to any of them. There is also the major issue of repetition throughout, I am very surprised that whoever proofread this book did not pick up on this and realise how annoying this is for the reader.
There are no great twists or suspence that kept me excited, and which are needed for a great thriller. Remember this is just a personal view and others may find the book much more enjoyable than I did. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
October 11, 2024
Fifteen-year-old Abigail Lester wakes up with a gun in her hand. Her mom is lying on her bedroom floor with bullet-holes and blood all over her body. Abigail is so spaced out from the all the alcohol and drugs from the night before with her boyfriend Travis, so she can't remember a thing. But she must have killed her mom since there's no one else is in the house. She calls Travis in a panic and he helps her set up the scene as if it was a burglary gone bad. So the case is closed. Abigail is so guilt-ridden she confesses her crime to Father Cleary during confession and she knows he can't report her since he's bound by the Seal of Confession. Flash forward to years later and Abbie is very happily married to Jason Sterling. There's only one problem or is it maybe two? Father Cleary is now a retired priest and who is the stranger suddenly interested in partnering with Jason's business? An edge of your seat thriller with twists, turns, and gut wrenching moments! The end was really unexpected. Hope there's a sequel ;)
October 3, 2024
Abigail gets in with the wrong crowd and falls in love with bad boy Travis.
When her mum finds out her boyfriend is 20 years old she threatens to involve the police. Abigail wakes up from a night of bingeing on drugs and alcohol to find her mum has been shot and is lying dead on the bedroom floor. Being in possession of the gun Abbie believes she has murdered her mum so Travis gets rid of it and they concoct a story for the police.
Fast forward twenty years and Abbie has turned her life around, is happily married to a successful businessman and has two daughters.
Via a priest to whom Abbie confessed and Travis coming back into her life, Abbie's past threatens to catch up with her.
This was a quick read and for the most part enjoyable but the story lacked continuity and the characters lacked depth. The plot is predictable and without the twists and turns we expect from a good thriller.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
When her mum finds out her boyfriend is 20 years old she threatens to involve the police. Abigail wakes up from a night of bingeing on drugs and alcohol to find her mum has been shot and is lying dead on the bedroom floor. Being in possession of the gun Abbie believes she has murdered her mum so Travis gets rid of it and they concoct a story for the police.
Fast forward twenty years and Abbie has turned her life around, is happily married to a successful businessman and has two daughters.
Via a priest to whom Abbie confessed and Travis coming back into her life, Abbie's past threatens to catch up with her.
This was a quick read and for the most part enjoyable but the story lacked continuity and the characters lacked depth. The plot is predictable and without the twists and turns we expect from a good thriller.
Thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
October 17, 2024
I enjoyed this book but not as much as I expected to having loved McGarvey Black’s other books. The fifteen year old Abbie is a typical teenager who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. Drugs, alcohol, underage sex with an older man. However, no matter how delinquent she was, not many fifteen year olds wake up to find they’ve murdered their mother and get away with it. It is hardly surprising that, twenty years on, Abbie is still haunted by what she did but now she has a much more to lose. And someone is determined to use this to her detriment and their advantage.
I felt that the plot was a little slow in places. A lot of time is spent with Abbie visiting Father Cleary in his nursing home. I really don’t know why she didn’t high tail it out of there when she found out who Father Cleary was. We didn’t really find out much about Abbie’s “perfect” family and I did see the main twist coming although the end was a bit of a shock. Having said that it is, in the main, an exciting read.
I felt that the plot was a little slow in places. A lot of time is spent with Abbie visiting Father Cleary in his nursing home. I really don’t know why she didn’t high tail it out of there when she found out who Father Cleary was. We didn’t really find out much about Abbie’s “perfect” family and I did see the main twist coming although the end was a bit of a shock. Having said that it is, in the main, an exciting read.
January 9, 2025
Black always manages to surprise me with every book! I did not expect this twist at all!
I loved all of the characters, minus Christian of course. Abbie was very down to earth and remorseful for her actions, she is a classic “compensating for her past” with her rigorous volunteer work, pouring her heart into her family and giving them the lives she never had as a child. She seems very remorseful for her actions as a teen.
Christian is scum - obviously a lair and master manipulator with years of practice. The only reason for 4/5 stars is because of how long Black drug out this cat and mouse plot between he and Abby! This part of the book could’ve been shorter - Abby wasn’t giving in and neither was Christian. It took long enough for the climax to come around!
I loved the characters and felt on the edge of my toes! Throwing in the mix of the demented priest and creepy nurse added depth and mystery to the plot!
I loved all of the characters, minus Christian of course. Abbie was very down to earth and remorseful for her actions, she is a classic “compensating for her past” with her rigorous volunteer work, pouring her heart into her family and giving them the lives she never had as a child. She seems very remorseful for her actions as a teen.
Christian is scum - obviously a lair and master manipulator with years of practice. The only reason for 4/5 stars is because of how long Black drug out this cat and mouse plot between he and Abby! This part of the book could’ve been shorter - Abby wasn’t giving in and neither was Christian. It took long enough for the climax to come around!
I loved the characters and felt on the edge of my toes! Throwing in the mix of the demented priest and creepy nurse added depth and mystery to the plot!
September 23, 2024
2.5 stars
Firstly I’d like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this was so interesting and I was instantly intrigued. I definitely feel like this is the sort of thriller that fans of Freida McFadden are likely to enjoy.
The writing was easy and quick to read. However, there was a lot of repetition of phrasing throughout which did make it seem repetitive in places.
The twists were quite clever although I did guess one of the final twists from the beginning, so that did take away a lot of the shock factor unfortunately.
All that being said, I just feel like I didn’t really click with this book BUT I can definitely see how other people would enjoy it and like I said I think if people are fans of Freida McFadden they should definitely give this one a go!!
Firstly I’d like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this was so interesting and I was instantly intrigued. I definitely feel like this is the sort of thriller that fans of Freida McFadden are likely to enjoy.
The writing was easy and quick to read. However, there was a lot of repetition of phrasing throughout which did make it seem repetitive in places.
The twists were quite clever although I did guess one of the final twists from the beginning, so that did take away a lot of the shock factor unfortunately.
All that being said, I just feel like I didn’t really click with this book BUT I can definitely see how other people would enjoy it and like I said I think if people are fans of Freida McFadden they should definitely give this one a go!!
October 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting.
The book was well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters. There were also a good amount of twists within the book which kept me guessing and I will be one hundred percent honest I didn't see the final twist coming. I have read a few thrillers recently where the crime has happened before the book started and the story starts with the body being found and the main character and/or characters having no memory, and I have decided I really like that aspect as it adds and extra layer of mystery.
I have read several books by this author and really enjoyed all of them, the onyl reason this is a 4 star and not a 5 star is because I found some bits a little bit predictable, however I still really enjoyed it and would def recommend it.
The book was well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters. There were also a good amount of twists within the book which kept me guessing and I will be one hundred percent honest I didn't see the final twist coming. I have read a few thrillers recently where the crime has happened before the book started and the story starts with the body being found and the main character and/or characters having no memory, and I have decided I really like that aspect as it adds and extra layer of mystery.
I have read several books by this author and really enjoyed all of them, the onyl reason this is a 4 star and not a 5 star is because I found some bits a little bit predictable, however I still really enjoyed it and would def recommend it.
October 20, 2024
Abbie Sterling has spent her whole adult life trying to make up for something she did as a teen, being a wonderful wife and mother, doing community and charity work.
But deep in the recesses of her mind nothing can make up for that day, when she killed her own mother.
Now with an outwardly happy life, wonderful home, husband, two girls she tries to move on.
But circumstances won't let her.
When she receives a mysterious package one day, it lets her know that someone else also knows her secret.
So starts a rollercoaster of events that results in a dramatic finale.
Wow, this was fantastic, I just wanted to keep reading.
Sooo many twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Never read this author before but she is fantastic.
But deep in the recesses of her mind nothing can make up for that day, when she killed her own mother.
Now with an outwardly happy life, wonderful home, husband, two girls she tries to move on.
But circumstances won't let her.
When she receives a mysterious package one day, it lets her know that someone else also knows her secret.
So starts a rollercoaster of events that results in a dramatic finale.
Wow, this was fantastic, I just wanted to keep reading.
Sooo many twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Never read this author before but she is fantastic.
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