Dead Girls Don't

by Mags Storey

Liv might be in love with a serial killer. You'd think the fact she can talk to the dead would make it easier to figure out who's slicing up the creeps at Rosewood Academy. But it turns out some people are even more dangerous dead than alive. All clues lead back to Adam - the highly tempting fugitive she's been hiding in a coffin. But her best friend Gabriel's got some twisted secrets of his own, and if you cross some lines there's just no coming back. Was the guy with the wicked grin really framed for murder? Or will Liv end up another bloody victim of the high school serial killer? Dead Girls Don't is a paranormal love story about stalkers, psycho killers, and why you should never trust your date's dead ex. Life's complicated that way.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2014

Reviews

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead Girls Don't by Mags Storey

2 stars DNF

The premise for this books sounded really interesting. A girl with the ability to communicate with the dead while touching them helps a guy she used to have feelings for after he accused of murder and more people turn up dead. I really liked the idea of communicating with dead bodies while working in a morgue. It was very urban fantasy, but the writing and characters are too childish. All these kids care about is ruining each others' lives. They upstage each other in wrecking peoples' emotions and personal belongings. I wasn't really too invested in the who-done-it of the story and I feel like if I cared more then I would have continued reading. My biggest problem was that Liv and her friend Gabriel created a kill poll online. The website was a who killed this person and who's next to die type of thing and I was pretty disgusted by that. I'm just not interested in continuing the story especially now that I have a low view of the characters and don't really care.

Whimsical Writing Scale: 2

Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 2

Swoon Worthy Scale: 1

Character Scale: 1.5

Villain Scale: Unknown

Plotastic Scale: 2.5

Sadly this isn't for me and I'm disappointed that I'm not continuing, but I can't force myself to read on.

Cover Thoughts: Not really into the cover, but it does give off that creepy vibe.

Thank you, Netgalley and Chiteen for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at :



http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogs...





I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley.

Liv and her best friend Gabriel are watching live footage of a party when something goes terribly wrong. Brett, a member of the 'popular' group at school, is found murdered, and Adam, the boy Liv has a small crush on, finds himself to be the main suspect.

Liv develops the power to speak with the dead, and working at a funeral home, she has plenty of opportunity to use this ability. When Adam escapes custody, a girl is stabbed, and his ex-girlfriend is murdered, rumours fly that he has escaped his prison only to kill and kill again.

He goes to Liv for help, claiming that he is innocent, asking her to help him prove it. With Liv's ability to speak to the dead, they're both hoping to get some answers. But they must face obstacles... like keeping this secret from Gabriel, Liv's status as an outcast, and their feelings for each other.

I devoured this book quite quickly....a darkly intriguing read, I was sucked into the story from the very start.

I love how the author mixed a murder mystery with paranormal elements in a high school setting. I've never read anything like this before, and I found myself pleasantly surprised.

Everything about this book was amazing. The characters? Well developed, complex,  unique and relatable. Not all completely good or completely evil, but many fell in between. The setting? Described so thoroughly it felt like I was right there with the characters...but it wasn't too descriptive. There was a good balance. The plot? Perfectly paced, very mysterious, and super unique!

I liked how the romance sub-plot didn't steal the spotlight from the overall plot. There was a bit of a love triangle but it wasn't over-the-top.

An amazing read, I recommend this to YA readers who like their mysteries with a bit of romance, a touch of paranormal, and a dangerous killer.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book, in my opinion, was a little uncomfortable to me. The time skip made me a little confused, but it later explained the situation and rid my confusion. When Adam came back from where he was sent off to, I was surprised by his meeting with Liv. Then again, this book is full of surprises!

The relationship between Liv and Adam was a little confusing at times, but the characters were really well devolped. Though the fact that every "it" kid, besides Adam, was extremely rude and arrogant kind of made me annoyed with their characters, but that could be the point.

I also really didn't like that Liv's mom let her go out on her without calling her while all of the stuff that happened, was happening.

Overall, I gave the book four stars because, despite the things I didn't like about it, it was well devolped and pretty surprising.

[Karen V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me a little of iZombie, maybe it's the character's name, maybe it's the working with corpses, or maybe it's the "can't tell anyone my secret" type thing but it's sort of similar to iZombie except there's no zombies. It also reminded me of a mixer of Scream movies and The Ghost Whisperer. Anyways! I really enjoyed reading this lovely "bloody" mystery. I wish I had figured out the killer sooner but tbh I'm glad how it played out and how the killer was caught. Hopefully there's a sequel because it just can't end like that!!! And maybe in the sequel the author will explain a little more about her powers and what triggered them. Other than that, this is a great mystery for those who watch Bones or love solving mysteries in general.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was intrigued when I read the book description that Liv, the main character, is interested in a possible serial killer. I really enjoyed this story. I was invested in the characters. I loved how we had not only a murder mystery plot, but also a paranormal element. I also liked that while there was a bit of a love triangle it wasn't over the top or overly angsty (I'm not a fan of love triangles most of the time). This was a solid, enjoyable young adult read for me,

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mags.... What the utter hell. That last page, well that last sentence. Seriously, you left me wondering. So not fair or cool, shame on you! Then I look and there's not another book so I'll never know. Maybe you want me to make up my own mind?

Ok for those who haven't read Dead girls Don't let me tell you, its actually a cool YA paranormal mystery. I loved the characters in this book. I loved they were cliche and Gabriel, he was brilliant! Liv was funny, articulate, mature yet unsure. She was a typical teen and I feel Mags really had her voice right. Having teen daughters myself I felt at times like I was reading about them or their friends. I loved Adam, throughout the book even early on I knew I would.

The story has a pace that will keep you interested, a mystery that will keep you guessing and a few surprises that will make you go, ok I didn't expect that. I used to love YA paranormal and OD on it so stopped reading, but this was refreshing and I'm surprised I never heard about this book before now if I'm honest. I wish that Mags did do another book though, I'd like to see where Liv was after a few more years, maybe in college. Does she still have her gift, are those people still in her life? Enquiring minds (Or maybe its just me) want to know.

3.5 stars, I enjoyed this one.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was definitely interesting and not at all predictable. I kept going back and forth between who I thought was the killer. That was nice. To not know. The characters were likable and the story flowed nicely. It hooks you and keeps you reading. That's always nice. My only issue was that sometimes the conversations didn't feel natural. It wasn't really noticeable most of the time, but there are those times that are. It's easy to overlook them though. Especially considering the mystery of who the killer is, is so fascinating. You get caught up in it and over look the flaws. I'd recommend it. Its a pretty good book.:)

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge of the Nerds meets Blair Witch Project. Liv and Gabriel go to a fancy school and both are bullied. Gabriel's a tech whiz and when he figures out a virtual reality like spy app so they can watch the nasty popular kids partying, things suddenly get scary and wild. What follows involves murder, the dead not cooperating and coming back as well as a satisfying ending for the good guys. In all, a funny and quirky read.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Got this for free in my goodie bag at a writing conference. I liked the characters, loved to hate the bad characters, and it kept me guessing as to who the killer was until the reveal.

Not as scary or creepy as Scream, and I don't know if its as quirky as Dead Like Me, but its a good comparison.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick fun read. I can totally see a series for this main character. Liv is an interesting protagonist. the ability to speak with dead people can be greatly rxpanded4on. her bff Gabriel has lots of interesting dark quirks. the mystery wasn't too hard or too easy to figure out.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a teen rated book. It definitely felt like it was written by a teen. Had to finish it because I was invested but it was all over the place. Would recommended for the teen community, but that's about it.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why must you end this book that way! But other then that, I love it!

[Carniah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazingly beautiful!!!!!!!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book. I couldn't put it down. It got me out of my reading funk that I was in.

[Brooke Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay...this book kept me guessing and took some turns i was not expecting. the ending was kind of upsetting to me. but overall, this book was fun and i just HAD to know who done it.

[Ruthsic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liv might be in love with a serial killer. You d think the fact she can talk to the dead would make it easier to figure out who s slicing up the creeps at Rosewood Academy. But it turns out some people are even more dangerous dead than alive. All clues lead back to Adam the highly tempting fugitive she s been hiding in a coffin. But her best friend Gabriel s got some twisted secrets of his own, and if you cross some lines there s just no coming back. Was the guy with the wicked grin really framed for murder? Or will Liv end up another bloody victim of the high school serial killer?

Dead Girls Don't is a paranormal/mystery/romance, with a serial killing as the focus. After a brutal murder of one of her classmates, Liv develops the ability to speak to the dead, when she touches their corpses. Figuring out who was the killer becomes a mission for her, particularly when she had a thing for the accused, her classmate Adam. But he is being mysterious and secretive, and so is her best friend Gabriel. While she delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes she didn't really protect herself against the consequences.

The book was certainly interesting, with the psychic medium thing, and the serial killer on the loose. It certainly didn't make it easy for Liv to figure out the killer when the ghosts aren't being co-operative enough. Plus, her friend Gabriel isn't really into helping out Adam, since the two of them were bullied mercilessly by the popular squad and Adam was friends with those idiots. Her own distrust of Adam stems from the fact that he let her go because he wanted to fit in with the popular crowd. It becomes a sore point between them, one that is endlessly brought up, but with good reason. I did not really like how Adam kept blowing it off like some inconsequential matter, and was more about how she should be helping him; his disappearances also didn't endear him to me. The writing was pretty good, and the plot had good mystery twists. But the characters were not so alive, in my opinion. It was like I knew I should feel for them, but I was just not interested? In short, a good mystery novel - I would love a sequel if there is one.

Received a free galley from Diamond Book Distributors via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

Liv has an unusual student job, working in a funeral home. But things get even stranger when after kids from her school get killed she start to be able to have conversations with the deceased.

At the start this was a very compelling read. I didn't even plan on reading more than a few pages but before I knew it I was at page 90. I thought I would love the book and finish it really fast. However, after the very good start, it slowed down quite a lot for me. There were quite some moments where I couldn't understand why Liv would be doing these things (as they were quite dangerous) even if she wanted to find the killer. Where the police was for the biggest part of the story, remains a mystery as well.

I quite liked the writing, and although Liv was a character with a lot of the not-so-popular school girl but somehow this super-popular-hot-guy is in love with me cliché I couldn't help but feel sorry for her at times. I didn't particularly liked all the prom drama, it seemed too over the top for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Charmaine Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating - *2.5 stars*

Full review here: https://charmainelimen.wordpress.com/...

I feel like I'm consistently let down by YA mystery books. I was so excited for this in the beginning, and the first few chapters had me really excited, but slowly, I got bored and became disinterested. I felt like all the sub-plots overtook the actual plot and that the main plot itself wasn't very well thought out.

Of course, I am comparing this to other mystery books I've read, several of which are adult mysteries. But even as I think about it, Nancy Drew, Famous Five, the Five Find-Outers, they were all more toward the Middle Grade genre as mysteries and they're written better than this. There was so much more mystery in those books than there was in this. I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel.

[Amber Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm all about a good mystery but I think the only thing that kept me going with this was the curiosity as to who the killer would be. The writing wasn't bad but the author didn't take advantage of what the plot had the potential for. I loved the storyline: Girl works in funeral home, talks to the dead and helps hunt down a killer. Pretty good idea. There were a few noticeable mistakes, such as saying someone walked to the window and starting the next sentence as saying they walked back to the window. My personal favorite mistake was Liv hearing the bolt of a hunting rifle slide back just to turn and see someone with a shotgun. It was like a magic trick. Parts of Dead Girls Don't felt like a push to keep going but other parts were enjoyable I just felt as though to much focused on Liv instantly trusting and falling in love with someone who she knew nothing about.

[Emi Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It sucked me in and I could't put it down.

I thought the plot for the book was intriguing and that is what really sucked me into the story. That and the fact I could relate to Liv, the main character. Her and her best friend were outcasts and picked on at school by the popular kids. Yet she was willing to help with find out who the murder was with her awesome unique powers of talking to the dead.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It had me thinking it was a certain person getting revenge, but ended up being someone totally different.

The ending made me want more. I certainly hope there is a squeal.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book that kept me on my toes and made me suspicious of everyone, even until the end. With some nicely done character development and a great message, it will not be a book to forget. Going through the process of Liv's growing abilities was fun and made me really appreciate the ending of the book, which took me by surprise. My only complaint is that the time jump at the beginning was confusing. Other than that, I wouldn't mind a sequel to see Liv do more investigative detective type of things, and to see the progression of her coming into her abilities.

[Merinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I was honestly going to give this a 4 star rating. It wasn't because of the book but I found some errors in the book itself. Then at the end it left me at a cliffhanger with Adam and I decided to give it 5 stars instead. The book really is worth the 5 stars in content if you overlook the errors. It was a fast paced book and I loved Gabriel and Adam and Liv along with a few other characters. I highly recommend you read this book!

[melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid YA paranormal who-done-it. I really liked Liv. It was a bit difficult reading some of the bullying that occurred to her and her BFF Gabriel. The story progresses nicely and while it is a bit predictable, there's a few threads that could lead to several different suspects.

*Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong young adult mystery/thriller

For a full review, please go to http://www.examiner.com/review/dead-g... or http://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/2... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[Gracie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Bellavenus Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.

[John Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique terrifying thriller

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dislike the "rich kids are killers and bullies" typical YA plot line, but I didn't guess who the killer was, so I added an extra star. Don't expect anything new or original, but the book was a fun, quick read after work.