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Girl Falling
Why would my best friend want to destroy my life?
Finn and her best friend, Daphne, have grown up together in a small town in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Bonded by both having lost a younger sister to suicide, they've always had a close - sometimes too close - friendship. Now in their twenties, their lives have finally started to Daphne is at university and Finn is working in the Mountains, as well as falling in love with a beautiful newcomer called Magdu.
Unused to sharing Finn, Daphne starts to act up in ways that will allow her to maintain the control over her best friend she's always relished. Then, one fateful day, Finn, Daphne and Magdu all go mountain climbing - and Magdu falls to her death. Is it suicide, or a terrible accident - or has something more sinister happened?
Bold, dramatic and utterly compelling, Girl Falling forces us to confront the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. Displaying all of Hayley Scrivenor's razor-sharp skills for character, landscape and narrative, this is a breathtaking read.
Finn and her best friend, Daphne, have grown up together in a small town in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Bonded by both having lost a younger sister to suicide, they've always had a close - sometimes too close - friendship. Now in their twenties, their lives have finally started to Daphne is at university and Finn is working in the Mountains, as well as falling in love with a beautiful newcomer called Magdu.
Unused to sharing Finn, Daphne starts to act up in ways that will allow her to maintain the control over her best friend she's always relished. Then, one fateful day, Finn, Daphne and Magdu all go mountain climbing - and Magdu falls to her death. Is it suicide, or a terrible accident - or has something more sinister happened?
Bold, dramatic and utterly compelling, Girl Falling forces us to confront the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love. Displaying all of Hayley Scrivenor's razor-sharp skills for character, landscape and narrative, this is a breathtaking read.
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First published July 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 516 reviews
November 9, 2024
Although this novel is well written, I ended up not liking it at all. It was painful to read, watching a bad relationship of supposed best friends that our MC had no idea about. Like the monster in the closet that the reader knows about, but the MC doesn't. Narcissism, manipulation and deceit abound and it is not pleasant to read about.
I liked Ms Scrivenor's first novel Dirt Town a lot. And loving the Blue Mountains as one of my favourite places, I expected the location to be part of the story, but it wasn't, could have been anywhere with cliffs as part of the story. All in all, an unpleasant read. 2 stars for me. Library ebook.
What I wrote earlier:
Started this library ebook yesterday taking place in the Blue Mountains just West of Sydney, where I live. It starts off with a woman falling to her death off a cliff there. Since I went bushwalking in the Blue Mountains at Wentworth Falls on top of a high cliff yesterday, not sure how I'll go with this one as I'm not a great fan of high places.
'That was the problem with Magdu’s kindness: sometimes it made me want to say what I thought.' pg 95.
I liked Ms Scrivenor's first novel Dirt Town a lot. And loving the Blue Mountains as one of my favourite places, I expected the location to be part of the story, but it wasn't, could have been anywhere with cliffs as part of the story. All in all, an unpleasant read. 2 stars for me. Library ebook.
What I wrote earlier:
Started this library ebook yesterday taking place in the Blue Mountains just West of Sydney, where I live. It starts off with a woman falling to her death off a cliff there. Since I went bushwalking in the Blue Mountains at Wentworth Falls on top of a high cliff yesterday, not sure how I'll go with this one as I'm not a great fan of high places.
'That was the problem with Magdu’s kindness: sometimes it made me want to say what I thought.' pg 95.
November 23, 2024
2.5⭐️
I find it hard to gel with books which I do not like any of the characters, this happened here. There was no one to like. So I struggled.
The girl drama, the meanness, the lack of foresight into the main character's relationship with her friend, and the ick factor of people who are not kind, just blocked me.
This book will be much loved by fans of crime fiction, and I did enjoy the author's previous book Dirt Town much more. I'm listening to the author's long acknowledgements right now, which seem to be aimed to this other book, Dirt Town.
What I did like about Girl Falling is that I really wanted to know what happened, and I did enjoy the twist. Sometimes it is a reader issue when it comes down to it, and this is what's happened here. Don't let my lack of embrace steer you away from this book. The author did a great job at writing ick female characters, and it was definitely well written. I just didn't like anyone!
Perhaps a good outcome as I felt so strongly - deeply felt troubled female protagonist success! I did want to throw the book across the room (had I not been using my phone).
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
I find it hard to gel with books which I do not like any of the characters, this happened here. There was no one to like. So I struggled.
The girl drama, the meanness, the lack of foresight into the main character's relationship with her friend, and the ick factor of people who are not kind, just blocked me.
This book will be much loved by fans of crime fiction, and I did enjoy the author's previous book Dirt Town much more. I'm listening to the author's long acknowledgements right now, which seem to be aimed to this other book, Dirt Town.
What I did like about Girl Falling is that I really wanted to know what happened, and I did enjoy the twist. Sometimes it is a reader issue when it comes down to it, and this is what's happened here. Don't let my lack of embrace steer you away from this book. The author did a great job at writing ick female characters, and it was definitely well written. I just didn't like anyone!
Perhaps a good outcome as I felt so strongly - deeply felt troubled female protagonist success! I did want to throw the book across the room (had I not been using my phone).
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
August 11, 2024
I am a bit disappointed by this book.
I really enjoyed most of it. It was well on its way to being 4 stars, possibly 5.
There was the right amount of tension that was held almost perfectly... until the last few pages.
Well developed characters that were consistent with the story being told.... until the last few pages.
A facinating story that drew you in and kept you wanting to read.... until the last few pages.
The twist at the end was unnecessary and unsatisfying. It didn't align well with the story and characters that had up until then been quite well crafted. It struck a discordant note - for this reader, at least.
I really enjoyed most of it. It was well on its way to being 4 stars, possibly 5.
There was the right amount of tension that was held almost perfectly... until the last few pages.
Well developed characters that were consistent with the story being told.... until the last few pages.
A facinating story that drew you in and kept you wanting to read.... until the last few pages.
The twist at the end was unnecessary and unsatisfying. It didn't align well with the story and characters that had up until then been quite well crafted. It struck a discordant note - for this reader, at least.
August 29, 2024
This is a complex psychological story by a writer who had to be courageous as well as clever to make it work.
The tale is carefully woven together so that the seams and frays don't show, a layering of events past and present, truths and truths believed.
Scrivenor has set herself a complicated (and claustrophobic) problem to present to the reader and she has done it exceptionally well.
The tale is carefully woven together so that the seams and frays don't show, a layering of events past and present, truths and truths believed.
Scrivenor has set herself a complicated (and claustrophobic) problem to present to the reader and she has done it exceptionally well.
November 15, 2024
3.5*
Girl Falling follows protagonist Finlay (Finn) Young, a national parks guide, over the traumatic week following the death of her girlfriend, Magdu, who fell while climbing a rocky escarpment in New South Wales' Blue Mountains. Flashback portions reveal details from Finn's life as a teenager and young adult, in particular the death of her younger sister some years previously and her relationship with high school best friend Daphne, both of which have major ramifications for her state of mind in the present. In the aftermath of the tragedy, she also relives the development of her relationship with Magdu, who had been studying psychology and was struggling to break free from the traditional expectations of her Dubai-based family.
Daphne looms as a charming but malevolent character, possessive of Finn's affection while constantly manipulating and gaslighting her, and using a devastating confidence Finn shared with her years before to emotionally blackmail Finn into complying with her wishes and demands in the present. While Finn appears as a young woman lacking in self-confidence and feeling that opportunities for self-fulfillment have passed her by, I wasn't really convinced by her apparent blindness to the way Daphne attempts first to sabotage her relationship with Magdu, then to control the narrative over the circumstances of Magdu's "accidental" death.
I found the description of rock-climbing and abseiling fascinating, but felt that the pace of the book slowed significantly after the initial police interviews into Madgu's death and I began to lose interest a little, as I didn't really feel engaged with the central characters. I did predict the eventual reveal from about the halfway point, which was consistent with the characters' behaviour over the course of the narrative, but felt that the opportunity to better explore the emotional impact of the revelations was lost by the rather abrupt and nebulous ending.
That said, Hayley Scrivenor development of the Blue Mountains (NSW, Australia) as a setting was evocative and she uses the remoteness and inherent danger of the landscape well within the context of a psychological thriller narrative.
I'd recommend Girl Falling to readers of contemporary Australian mystery-thrillers, especially those who enjoy plots built around the world of adventure sports and/or featuring young adult characters.
Girl Falling follows protagonist Finlay (Finn) Young, a national parks guide, over the traumatic week following the death of her girlfriend, Magdu, who fell while climbing a rocky escarpment in New South Wales' Blue Mountains. Flashback portions reveal details from Finn's life as a teenager and young adult, in particular the death of her younger sister some years previously and her relationship with high school best friend Daphne, both of which have major ramifications for her state of mind in the present. In the aftermath of the tragedy, she also relives the development of her relationship with Magdu, who had been studying psychology and was struggling to break free from the traditional expectations of her Dubai-based family.
Daphne looms as a charming but malevolent character, possessive of Finn's affection while constantly manipulating and gaslighting her, and using a devastating confidence Finn shared with her years before to emotionally blackmail Finn into complying with her wishes and demands in the present. While Finn appears as a young woman lacking in self-confidence and feeling that opportunities for self-fulfillment have passed her by, I wasn't really convinced by her apparent blindness to the way Daphne attempts first to sabotage her relationship with Magdu, then to control the narrative over the circumstances of Magdu's "accidental" death.
I found the description of rock-climbing and abseiling fascinating, but felt that the pace of the book slowed significantly after the initial police interviews into Madgu's death and I began to lose interest a little, as I didn't really feel engaged with the central characters. I did predict the eventual reveal from about the halfway point, which was consistent with the characters' behaviour over the course of the narrative, but felt that the opportunity to better explore the emotional impact of the revelations was lost by the rather abrupt and nebulous ending.
That said, Hayley Scrivenor development of the Blue Mountains (NSW, Australia) as a setting was evocative and she uses the remoteness and inherent danger of the landscape well within the context of a psychological thriller narrative.
I'd recommend Girl Falling to readers of contemporary Australian mystery-thrillers, especially those who enjoy plots built around the world of adventure sports and/or featuring young adult characters.
August 6, 2024
The “twist” seemed like such a let down and I felt like it came from no where?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
30 pages in and I already knew the “twisted ending” I mean come on is this all u got? I can’t believe the sales lady told me it’s so good, like meh 🫤 how boring that dap just a narcissist and finn acted like a victim even tho she was but still, this is kinda stupid like dap had no evidence and finn was like omg she’s gonna tell ppl and I’m gonna go to jail. I mean come on🙄🙄🙄
Also it’s kinda long and boring, the writing is mediocre. and I mean it’s rlly obvious that she’s sick of being controlled by dap.
Also it’s kinda long and boring, the writing is mediocre. and I mean it’s rlly obvious that she’s sick of being controlled by dap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Holy shit lol. Where to begin.
Girl Falling follows the first person narration of Finn, a hiker in her mid twenties who has recently begun dating Magdu, much to the dismay of Finn’s controlling and manipulative best friend Daphne. The trio go on a hiking date together to try to ease the tension between Daphne and Magdu — only for Magdu to suddenly fall to her death. Was it a tragic accident… or something more sinister? The novel then switches between flashbacks of Finn’s relationship with Magdu, as well as key moments of her history with Daphne, as Finn (and the police) piece together what actually happened — and whether Daphne could have had something to do with it.
I was unsure of this book in its first few pages. At times the flowery metaphors felt like they were trying a little too hard to be poetic, when they didn’t really make sense. Paired with the the MC’s painful self loathing and anxiety, I was off to an unsteady start. But the pace quickly picked up, and I was soon flipping through pages frantically in some feverish daze, desperate to unpack the layers of manipulation and deceit.
I read almost all of this book in one sitting. Trust me when I say that any bumps along the way are absolutely worth it.
Girl Falling does a lot of things at once: it’s a murder mystery, a psychosexual thriller, an exploration of grief, and an interrogation of toxic female bestfriendships. It’s also about the narratives we tell ourselves about who we are — God, I love an unreliable narrator.
I honestly don’t want to share too much about this novel before you read it — it’s best enjoyed knowing as little about it as possible. However, what I will say is the pacing is good, the jumpy timeline builds tension and has you at the edge of your seat, and that ending… I, a seasoned mystery reader, did not guess where this was going.
I give this a 4.5/5⭐️, with my only complaint being what was mentioned at the beginning of this review.
(I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review)
Girl Falling follows the first person narration of Finn, a hiker in her mid twenties who has recently begun dating Magdu, much to the dismay of Finn’s controlling and manipulative best friend Daphne. The trio go on a hiking date together to try to ease the tension between Daphne and Magdu — only for Magdu to suddenly fall to her death. Was it a tragic accident… or something more sinister? The novel then switches between flashbacks of Finn’s relationship with Magdu, as well as key moments of her history with Daphne, as Finn (and the police) piece together what actually happened — and whether Daphne could have had something to do with it.
I was unsure of this book in its first few pages. At times the flowery metaphors felt like they were trying a little too hard to be poetic, when they didn’t really make sense. Paired with the the MC’s painful self loathing and anxiety, I was off to an unsteady start. But the pace quickly picked up, and I was soon flipping through pages frantically in some feverish daze, desperate to unpack the layers of manipulation and deceit.
I read almost all of this book in one sitting. Trust me when I say that any bumps along the way are absolutely worth it.
Girl Falling does a lot of things at once: it’s a murder mystery, a psychosexual thriller, an exploration of grief, and an interrogation of toxic female bestfriendships. It’s also about the narratives we tell ourselves about who we are — God, I love an unreliable narrator.
I honestly don’t want to share too much about this novel before you read it — it’s best enjoyed knowing as little about it as possible. However, what I will say is the pacing is good, the jumpy timeline builds tension and has you at the edge of your seat, and that ending… I, a seasoned mystery reader, did not guess where this was going.
I give this a 4.5/5⭐️, with my only complaint being what was mentioned at the beginning of this review.
(I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review)
November 5, 2025
Between 3-4 stars. Not nearly as good as ‘Dirt Town’ sadly. It was rather clunky although it was an interesting premise.
December 2, 2024
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🧗♀️Girl Falling is the second release from Australian author and University of Wollongong Creative Writing graduate Hayley Scrivenor. This follow up novel to Scrivenor’s highly successful debut Dirt Town is a gripping read from the first to the final page. Scrivenor has gained international recognition since the publication of her first novel and she proves her talent for a second time in Girl Falling, which is a taut and immersive thriller.
🧗♀️The Blue Mountains acts as the haunting setting for Girl Falling. It did not take long for me to get drawn into the world that Scrivenor crafted, thanks to her generous descriptions of the beautiful but dangerous landscape. These landscape-based interludes work to enhance the tense atmosphere created in the novel. The main narrative revolves around the disappearance of a teenage girl. Girl Falling features a plot carefully layered with mystery, coupled with a well-developed cast of complex characters. Scrivenor has produced a follow-on novel that contains plenty of depth both plot and cast wise for her returning readership.
🧗♀️With intricate themes and character dynamics woven around the topics of loss, friendship, love, control, community, fate, fear and trust, Girl Falling is a dramatic read. I was again taken aback by Scrivenor’s prose, which was sharp, bold and highly evocative. It definitely kept me on edge for the duration.
🧗♀️As someone who enjoys a good Aussie thriller, I recommend Girl Falling to readers who appreciate suspenseful, character-driven narratives, with a clear Aussie flavour. With Scrivenor’s proven success both nationally and internationally, I look forward to her next release.
🌟🌟🌟🌟4 stars, out now!
🧗♀️Girl Falling is the second release from Australian author and University of Wollongong Creative Writing graduate Hayley Scrivenor. This follow up novel to Scrivenor’s highly successful debut Dirt Town is a gripping read from the first to the final page. Scrivenor has gained international recognition since the publication of her first novel and she proves her talent for a second time in Girl Falling, which is a taut and immersive thriller.
🧗♀️The Blue Mountains acts as the haunting setting for Girl Falling. It did not take long for me to get drawn into the world that Scrivenor crafted, thanks to her generous descriptions of the beautiful but dangerous landscape. These landscape-based interludes work to enhance the tense atmosphere created in the novel. The main narrative revolves around the disappearance of a teenage girl. Girl Falling features a plot carefully layered with mystery, coupled with a well-developed cast of complex characters. Scrivenor has produced a follow-on novel that contains plenty of depth both plot and cast wise for her returning readership.
🧗♀️With intricate themes and character dynamics woven around the topics of loss, friendship, love, control, community, fate, fear and trust, Girl Falling is a dramatic read. I was again taken aback by Scrivenor’s prose, which was sharp, bold and highly evocative. It definitely kept me on edge for the duration.
🧗♀️As someone who enjoys a good Aussie thriller, I recommend Girl Falling to readers who appreciate suspenseful, character-driven narratives, with a clear Aussie flavour. With Scrivenor’s proven success both nationally and internationally, I look forward to her next release.
🌟🌟🌟🌟4 stars, out now!
December 21, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor is set in the scenic Blue Mountains, the landscape is very much part of this story. The story is fast paced and layered with mystery, toxicity and suspense, I found it gripping! I loved the abseiling aspects also and finished the book in no time.
Finn and Daphne have been best friends since high school, bonded by both losing a younger sister to suicide. It’s a complicated friendship.
Finn has fallen in love with Magdu but when the three women go on a climb, Magdu falls to her death. Is it an accident, suicide or murder?
I really wanted to know what had happened and it was interesting to go back into time and learn about the women’s relationships and secrets.
I saw the ending coming but I didn’t want that ending, I was hoping it went the other way! 🙈
Publication Date 30 July 2024
Publisher Macmillan Australia
I was lucky to win a copy of this book from @ramona_mag thank you!
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor is set in the scenic Blue Mountains, the landscape is very much part of this story. The story is fast paced and layered with mystery, toxicity and suspense, I found it gripping! I loved the abseiling aspects also and finished the book in no time.
Finn and Daphne have been best friends since high school, bonded by both losing a younger sister to suicide. It’s a complicated friendship.
Finn has fallen in love with Magdu but when the three women go on a climb, Magdu falls to her death. Is it an accident, suicide or murder?
I really wanted to know what had happened and it was interesting to go back into time and learn about the women’s relationships and secrets.
I saw the ending coming but I didn’t want that ending, I was hoping it went the other way! 🙈
Publication Date 30 July 2024
Publisher Macmillan Australia
I was lucky to win a copy of this book from @ramona_mag thank you!
September 10, 2024
Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy!
I think the bare bones of this mystery are very interesting, but unfortunately due the nature of the mystery it's not a very fun read.
The story begins with Finn, her girlfriend Magdu, and Finn's friend Daphne going rock climbing. This is Magdu's first climb ever, but unfortunately things go very wrong and Magdu plummets to her death. Police sweep in to investigate if this was a tragic accident or if foul play was involved.
It's difficult to explain the issues with the book without spoiling it, and I don't do that with advanced copies. You'll have to forgive me if it seems like I'm trying to talk around certain topics and plot points.
We get to see the present tense, and we get chapters in the past to see the beginning and evolution of Finn and Magdu's relationship. I like them as a couple, and I buy their chemistry. They also face quiet a bit of conflict because Magdu's family wouldn't be okay with her dating a woman. This is a pretty stereotypical conflict for a lesbian couple to face, but it's not uncommon or unrealistic.
The other primary conflict they have is Daphne. She and Finn have been close for years, and Magdu often feels like she's on the outside of their relationship. Daphne is also kind of strange... She's manipulative and possessive, so it provides are really interesting tension, especially in retrospect because Daphne was the one who suggested the climbing trip.
As I said, this central mystery is really interesting, and as the story progresses we get hints as to what could've happened to Magdu, the people around them who could've had it out for them, and both Finn and Daphne's pasts. However, a TON of the page count is filled with things that are frankly completely irrelevant. Finn gets her period, and it's totally not plot relevant. Finn is constantly speaking in her internal monologue about a sore tooth she has. It opens a little lead into the mystery but is ultimately irrelevant. Finn begs to see Magdu's body for so many pages, and it leads to nothing really. Obviously, it's emotionally driven for Finn, but it's not like it leads to any clues or hints about the mystery.
There is a REASON why Finn can't really investigate or tell the audience about any clues she's found. There is a reason we don't see Finn hunting down suspects and informing the police about what she's found. There is a reason the story stagnates SO hard, but that literally relates to who is ultimately found responsible. I can't spoil the twist. I can tell you I saw it coming, and that I thought it was a little interesting and shocking. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the story was good in retrospect.
The issue is that Finn was our POV character, and seeing things through her eyes just doesn't work. I realize Scrivenor was trying to do something unique and I applaud that. I just don't think it worked.
If you look at it as more of a literary exploration of co-dependency, or a deep dive into Finn as a character, you might enjoy this book a lot more than I did. If you're looking for a mystery, I think you might end up disappointed.
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor releases on March 11th, 2025
I think the bare bones of this mystery are very interesting, but unfortunately due the nature of the mystery it's not a very fun read.
The story begins with Finn, her girlfriend Magdu, and Finn's friend Daphne going rock climbing. This is Magdu's first climb ever, but unfortunately things go very wrong and Magdu plummets to her death. Police sweep in to investigate if this was a tragic accident or if foul play was involved.
It's difficult to explain the issues with the book without spoiling it, and I don't do that with advanced copies. You'll have to forgive me if it seems like I'm trying to talk around certain topics and plot points.
We get to see the present tense, and we get chapters in the past to see the beginning and evolution of Finn and Magdu's relationship. I like them as a couple, and I buy their chemistry. They also face quiet a bit of conflict because Magdu's family wouldn't be okay with her dating a woman. This is a pretty stereotypical conflict for a lesbian couple to face, but it's not uncommon or unrealistic.
The other primary conflict they have is Daphne. She and Finn have been close for years, and Magdu often feels like she's on the outside of their relationship. Daphne is also kind of strange... She's manipulative and possessive, so it provides are really interesting tension, especially in retrospect because Daphne was the one who suggested the climbing trip.
As I said, this central mystery is really interesting, and as the story progresses we get hints as to what could've happened to Magdu, the people around them who could've had it out for them, and both Finn and Daphne's pasts. However, a TON of the page count is filled with things that are frankly completely irrelevant. Finn gets her period, and it's totally not plot relevant. Finn is constantly speaking in her internal monologue about a sore tooth she has. It opens a little lead into the mystery but is ultimately irrelevant. Finn begs to see Magdu's body for so many pages, and it leads to nothing really. Obviously, it's emotionally driven for Finn, but it's not like it leads to any clues or hints about the mystery.
There is a REASON why Finn can't really investigate or tell the audience about any clues she's found. There is a reason we don't see Finn hunting down suspects and informing the police about what she's found. There is a reason the story stagnates SO hard, but that literally relates to who is ultimately found responsible. I can't spoil the twist. I can tell you I saw it coming, and that I thought it was a little interesting and shocking. However, that doesn't mean the rest of the story was good in retrospect.
The issue is that Finn was our POV character, and seeing things through her eyes just doesn't work. I realize Scrivenor was trying to do something unique and I applaud that. I just don't think it worked.
If you look at it as more of a literary exploration of co-dependency, or a deep dive into Finn as a character, you might enjoy this book a lot more than I did. If you're looking for a mystery, I think you might end up disappointed.
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor releases on March 11th, 2025
March 14, 2025
not the biggest fan of the twist, but I loved the deep dive into the homoerotic teenage friendship that every queer person seems to have
March 8, 2025
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor. Thanks to @flatironpub for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daphne feels torn between her best friend, Daphne, and her girlfriend, Magdu. When tragedy strikes while the three of them are rock climbing, she’s forced to examine her relationships.
Unhealthy female relationships are interesting to read about because the toxic dynamic can be so obvious to reader from the beginning, so frustrating to read about but I find it very intriguing. I really liked Finn’s character. This was a speedy read and while I was expecting a twist or two, I did not see this end coming.
“I can’t go back to that moment, can’t change what shortened. The best I can hope for is that I will find what I have always needed; what I realize I am looking for even now: a story I can live with.”
Girl Falling comes out 3/11.
Daphne feels torn between her best friend, Daphne, and her girlfriend, Magdu. When tragedy strikes while the three of them are rock climbing, she’s forced to examine her relationships.
Unhealthy female relationships are interesting to read about because the toxic dynamic can be so obvious to reader from the beginning, so frustrating to read about but I find it very intriguing. I really liked Finn’s character. This was a speedy read and while I was expecting a twist or two, I did not see this end coming.
“I can’t go back to that moment, can’t change what shortened. The best I can hope for is that I will find what I have always needed; what I realize I am looking for even now: a story I can live with.”
Girl Falling comes out 3/11.
August 3, 2024
a beautiful raw book, but the twist at the end felt incongruous with the rest of the book in a way that impacted on my enjoyment
March 13, 2025
Wish I would have waited to check this out at the library instead of buying the audiobook 🤦♀️ nothing nice to say, hope Spencer is okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
Liked the complex relationship. Well written. Twist just didn’t do it for me. Felt forced
August 18, 2024
it doesn't quite hit the heights that dirt town did. I have a lot more complex thought surrounding this one than previous, so it may be a while before I am able to fully review it here (always welcome to message me for the nebulous thoughts in the meantime)
September 14, 2024
Came so close to giving this a 4-4.5, it was fantastic until the ending. The twist is stupid and unnecessary.
November 7, 2024
My closing comment in my review of Scrivenor’s previous novel was: “Scrivenor’s flare with language puts this book at the higher end on the shelf of Australian crime.” So with this in mind I started reading Girl Falling.
I soon realised that I was not the targeted audience for Scrivenor’s second book, nevertheless her vividly descriptive writing is impressive. This is matched by her development of the characters, Finn, Daphne and Magdu, along with two mothers, a psychologist and a police officer.
Finn and Magdu are locals having been friends since high school days. Their relationship is one where Daphne is the “top dog”. Finn is caught in a manipulative web of her long-time friend Daphne. Magdu is of Indian background and she meets Finn on a bush walk that Finn is leading. They become lovers.
The story falls into the category of a crime thriller with a strong dose of a love story. Make that 10% of the former and 90% of the latter. The love fitted the Romeo & Juliet scenario, the star crossed lovers type. Other themes are friendship and its loss, coercive control, sexual identity and people’s reaction, trust and betrayal.
As I read I reflected on the friendships that I have had over the years. The ones that have lasted and the ones that have faded. I have had friends who I thought did not contribute as much to the friendship as I did.
I love the Blue Mountains have visited there an infinite number of times for trekking, music, culture, food and coffee. Scrivenor never captured the atmosphere of the mountains, the tastes, smells and sounds of the area. She never names actual places, natural or man made.
I would compare Scrivenor’s book with Jane Harper’s Force of Nature, although Harper’s is much more atmospheric. The mountains have a unique topography. The book’s cover has a photo of a sheer sandstone pinnacle bathed in the afternoon sun.
I have read extensively about the mountains. I tried to get a teaching job there. Hesba Brinsmead A Longtime Passing, Six Foot Track – Jim Smith, The Service of Clouds – Delia Falconer and texts by Paddy Pallin are books that come to mind.
The book is certainly a ‘slow burn’. There seems to be little investigatiion by the protagonist and the police. More Love Story than CSI. This is where my criticism arrives. There is little investigation through most of the novel. It is in the last quarter that the investigation comes to life. Magdu’s death occurs in the opening pages and there is little if any disclosure as to the cause of her death until near the end. The story jumps back and forwards about the lives of the three characters and it is only near the end does motive comes to the fore. This is where the final twist arrives.
Scrivenor gives much thought to her writing, she describes very minor things, which gives it reality. Each character is explored and so are most believable. The book appealed to me because of the writing more than the content, plot and conclusion.
I soon realised that I was not the targeted audience for Scrivenor’s second book, nevertheless her vividly descriptive writing is impressive. This is matched by her development of the characters, Finn, Daphne and Magdu, along with two mothers, a psychologist and a police officer.
Finn and Magdu are locals having been friends since high school days. Their relationship is one where Daphne is the “top dog”. Finn is caught in a manipulative web of her long-time friend Daphne. Magdu is of Indian background and she meets Finn on a bush walk that Finn is leading. They become lovers.
The story falls into the category of a crime thriller with a strong dose of a love story. Make that 10% of the former and 90% of the latter. The love fitted the Romeo & Juliet scenario, the star crossed lovers type. Other themes are friendship and its loss, coercive control, sexual identity and people’s reaction, trust and betrayal.
As I read I reflected on the friendships that I have had over the years. The ones that have lasted and the ones that have faded. I have had friends who I thought did not contribute as much to the friendship as I did.
I love the Blue Mountains have visited there an infinite number of times for trekking, music, culture, food and coffee. Scrivenor never captured the atmosphere of the mountains, the tastes, smells and sounds of the area. She never names actual places, natural or man made.
I would compare Scrivenor’s book with Jane Harper’s Force of Nature, although Harper’s is much more atmospheric. The mountains have a unique topography. The book’s cover has a photo of a sheer sandstone pinnacle bathed in the afternoon sun.
I have read extensively about the mountains. I tried to get a teaching job there. Hesba Brinsmead A Longtime Passing, Six Foot Track – Jim Smith, The Service of Clouds – Delia Falconer and texts by Paddy Pallin are books that come to mind.
The book is certainly a ‘slow burn’. There seems to be little investigatiion by the protagonist and the police. More Love Story than CSI. This is where my criticism arrives. There is little investigation through most of the novel. It is in the last quarter that the investigation comes to life. Magdu’s death occurs in the opening pages and there is little if any disclosure as to the cause of her death until near the end. The story jumps back and forwards about the lives of the three characters and it is only near the end does motive comes to the fore. This is where the final twist arrives.
Scrivenor gives much thought to her writing, she describes very minor things, which gives it reality. Each character is explored and so are most believable. The book appealed to me because of the writing more than the content, plot and conclusion.
March 6, 2025
I’m really unsure how I feel about this thriller. It started out so strong, and I was immediately drawn into the story. My heart ached for Finn and everything she was going through. This book was beautifully written and incredibly atmospheric. I enjoyed the shifts between POVs and timelines—it kept me engaged and eager to uncover what really happened that day on the cliff.
However, the ending completely threw me. I’m still not sure what to think of it, and I wish we had gotten more of a conclusion. It felt very sudden, and I wanted more details—or at least another chapter. Three stars for me because I enjoyed the book up until end.
Thank you Flatiron Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However, the ending completely threw me. I’m still not sure what to think of it, and I wish we had gotten more of a conclusion. It felt very sudden, and I wanted more details—or at least another chapter. Three stars for me because I enjoyed the book up until end.
Thank you Flatiron Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2024
I received an Arc of this book.
That was one almighty twist I didn’t see coming, even when the question was asked!
That was one almighty twist I didn’t see coming, even when the question was asked!
December 17, 2024
thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook copy.
this comes out March 11th, 2025.
--
i'm super drawn to stories that include climbing/the outdoors, so when i saw that this book was about a girl unraveling what happened when her girlfriend dies on a climbing excursion, i was in.
i wish this had worked for me.
ultimately, this is a book about toxic female friendships, something that i'm not often a fan of because i don't think they're done expressly well.
our main character is finn and she's deeply in love with magdu. unfortunately, her childhood bff daphne doesn't seem to be as smitten. off the bat, daphne seems to constantly exert her control over finn. the two seem connected over the deaths of both of their sisters and as the story unfolds, you realize that perhaps their 'innocuous' deaths were actually the work of something much more sinister.
i'm not going to lie, this is billed as a mystery but regular mystery fans aren't going to be surprised with the outcome at all. all in all, the book was fine, but...
there were so much excessive description about finn's period and finn's bad tooth. seriously - the day after her girlfriend dies, she's in an interrogation room being asked questions and finn wonders if the police can smell her period. seriously. it was bizarre.
additionally, there were some murky commentaries that felt either weird, offensive, perfomative, or all three - finn goes to hug her mother to be comforted after returning home after magdu's death. the narrative discusses how comforted she feels about her mom's fat rolls. her mom is sloppy, smelling of cigarette smoke, and poor. it just felt fatphobic and strange.
magdu is a woc. in the narrative, finn says she's proud to be dating someone of color, speculates if it's wrong to be proud she's dating a woc. i found this so strange. other racial commentary was peppered in throughout. i'm not sure how any of this was necessary and frankly, it rubbed me the wrong way.
this comes out March 11th, 2025.
--
i'm super drawn to stories that include climbing/the outdoors, so when i saw that this book was about a girl unraveling what happened when her girlfriend dies on a climbing excursion, i was in.
i wish this had worked for me.
ultimately, this is a book about toxic female friendships, something that i'm not often a fan of because i don't think they're done expressly well.
our main character is finn and she's deeply in love with magdu. unfortunately, her childhood bff daphne doesn't seem to be as smitten. off the bat, daphne seems to constantly exert her control over finn. the two seem connected over the deaths of both of their sisters and as the story unfolds, you realize that perhaps their 'innocuous' deaths were actually the work of something much more sinister.
i'm not going to lie, this is billed as a mystery but regular mystery fans aren't going to be surprised with the outcome at all. all in all, the book was fine, but...
there were so much excessive description about finn's period and finn's bad tooth. seriously - the day after her girlfriend dies, she's in an interrogation room being asked questions and finn wonders if the police can smell her period. seriously. it was bizarre.
additionally, there were some murky commentaries that felt either weird, offensive, perfomative, or all three - finn goes to hug her mother to be comforted after returning home after magdu's death. the narrative discusses how comforted she feels about her mom's fat rolls. her mom is sloppy, smelling of cigarette smoke, and poor. it just felt fatphobic and strange.
magdu is a woc. in the narrative, finn says she's proud to be dating someone of color, speculates if it's wrong to be proud she's dating a woc. i found this so strange. other racial commentary was peppered in throughout. i'm not sure how any of this was necessary and frankly, it rubbed me the wrong way.
January 3, 2025
This book was alright, for the most part. The hook is intriguing, but then nothing really progresses. A mixture of characters that you're not really rooting for, a very slow and surface level development of the mystery that is the premise of the novel, and the final, very poor 'twist' means this was overall not a great read.
I largely picked this book up because the blurb says it's set in the Blue Mountains - turns out it's not strictly set in the Blue Mountains, it's in a fictionalised version that differs just slightly enough that it's jarring. I know it's not the author's fault that the publisher put this in the blurb, but still... Just say it's set in Katoomba.
That being said, it was engaging enough to finish it in one day. Although maybe that was because I just wanted to stop reading it.
I largely picked this book up because the blurb says it's set in the Blue Mountains - turns out it's not strictly set in the Blue Mountains, it's in a fictionalised version that differs just slightly enough that it's jarring. I know it's not the author's fault that the publisher put this in the blurb, but still... Just say it's set in Katoomba.
That being said, it was engaging enough to finish it in one day. Although maybe that was because I just wanted to stop reading it.
January 26, 2025
I loved Dirt Creek so I was beyond excited to read this one. Scrivenor doesn't disappoint. Beautiful narrative. Beautiful writing. Dark and twisted story. She isn't afraid to dive into the dark areas of human psyche. Highly recommend.
*Potential Spoiler*
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is the ending. I love a banger unsettling ending. I expected more of that from this book. This book didn't quite have that so I was slightly disappointed. Upon reflection, I do understand why Scrivenor chose to end it the way she did. So, even though I withhold that last star, that's on me.
*Potential Spoiler*
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is the ending. I love a banger unsettling ending. I expected more of that from this book. This book didn't quite have that so I was slightly disappointed. Upon reflection, I do understand why Scrivenor chose to end it the way she did. So, even though I withhold that last star, that's on me.
June 11, 2025
2.5 stars - I wanted to like it but this book gave me the ick. It felt as manipulative as its characters and I didn’t enjoy the story whatsoever. I don’t understand why Magdu, an adult woman, would have any time for someone like Finn who was stuck in her teenage self with (ew) Daphne. Also felt completely disingenuous using first person narrative and discovering at the end you couldn’t trust their perspective?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2024
Sorry, this one just didn't do it for me. Most of the characters were unlikeable in every way, even a professional who stepped over the mark. It was full of depressing themes and unlikely scenarios. Not sure I'll bother with this author again. I don't think her grandmother would have liked it either!
August 18, 2024
Was very disappointed, if your going to write a book set in a real place then use the real location names and look up local spots.
November 28, 2024
Easy read - it wasn't super captivating and I wasn't "wowed" by some of the twists but it's a good book to devour in an afternoon.
September 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This book hurt my head but in the best possible way. Like I kinda knew what was gonna happen the whole time cause the first line gives it away. BUT I still really really enjoyed it. But I was a whole lot more invested in the drama and relationships than I was in the actual murder. Which seems to be a common theme for Aussie Crime if you ask me…..
This book hurt my head but in the best possible way. Like I kinda knew what was gonna happen the whole time cause the first line gives it away. BUT I still really really enjoyed it. But I was a whole lot more invested in the drama and relationships than I was in the actual murder. Which seems to be a common theme for Aussie Crime if you ask me…..
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