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They Say a Girl Died Here
From the New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes and We Live Here Now comes a thrilling, genre-bending mystery about two murdered girls, the ones who might be next, and a town with dark secrets.
It’s happening again. . . .
Anna Maybourne feels trapped in Harper’s Creek, a nowhere town of dusty farmland plagued by drought, known for the murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart. The presumed murderer, killed as he tried to escape the police, was known as the Farmhand. But Anna, new in town and caring for her grandmother with dementia, wonders if the closed case is actually unsolved.
As the three-year anniversary of the last Farmhand murders nears, Anna’s younger sister worries it could happen again and she and her friend might be next. Anna’s grandmother’s experiences odd paranoid episodes, and she claims to know things about the girls who died.
Anna begins to think her grandmother may be the key to discovering the truth about the murders. Something strange is happening in their old house, Grandma knows more than she should, and instead of being over, the mystery seems like it’s starting again.
They Say a Girl Died Here is a novel of thrilling and terrifying secrets, with a mind-
bending twist that could come only from Sarah Pinborough.
It’s happening again. . . .
Anna Maybourne feels trapped in Harper’s Creek, a nowhere town of dusty farmland plagued by drought, known for the murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart. The presumed murderer, killed as he tried to escape the police, was known as the Farmhand. But Anna, new in town and caring for her grandmother with dementia, wonders if the closed case is actually unsolved.
As the three-year anniversary of the last Farmhand murders nears, Anna’s younger sister worries it could happen again and she and her friend might be next. Anna’s grandmother’s experiences odd paranoid episodes, and she claims to know things about the girls who died.
Anna begins to think her grandmother may be the key to discovering the truth about the murders. Something strange is happening in their old house, Grandma knows more than she should, and instead of being over, the mystery seems like it’s starting again.
They Say a Girl Died Here is a novel of thrilling and terrifying secrets, with a mind-
bending twist that could come only from Sarah Pinborough.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Sarah Pinborough
93 books8,462 followersSarah Pinborough is a New York Times bestselling and Sunday Times Number one and Internationally bestselling author who is published in over 30 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes, now a smash hit Netflix limited series, Dead To Her, now in development with Amazon Studios, and 13 Minutes and The Death House in development with Compelling Pictures. Sarah lives in the historic town of Stony Stratford, the home of the Cock and Bull story, with her dog Ted. Her next novel, Insomnia, is out in 2022. You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 423 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 20, 2026⭐️ 3.25 ⭐️ This is a mystery about two murdered girls in Harpers Creek, a town full of dark secrets. After Anna and her family move into this town, she becomes obsessed with the murders attributed to a killer called Farmhandman. As the anniversary of murders leans closer, everyone begins to feel the tension. The house that she lives in, including her dementia-stricken grandmother, starts to feel haunting. Her grandma grows more delusional and paranoid. But those delusional episodes are somehow the key to discovering the truth. What did REALLY happen to those girls?
This is a classic Pinborough structured book: you have a very creepy town/atmosphere with unsettling vibes and people (a drought stricken town/the town, the sheriff, the pastor, the neighbors all seem fishy), you have characters with a past (Anna) that is also an unreliable narrator and a psychological side (past trauma, memory repression).
What makes this book great is that as you're reading it, you kind of start losing your wits. Anna is a character who can't trust her own memories. She experienced a traumatic event which caused a lapse in her memories. Can something like this actually happen? Yes it can. Some trauma causes people to repress their memories or make them inaccessible. So everything and anything can become distorted and questionable. Along with Evelyn's progressive dementia, it was hard to differentiate fiction from the truth and I wasn't sure what is reliable vs imaginary. Was the grandmother imagining things or remembering something? Her 'visions' were creepy but also felt like the biggest clues to the overall mystery. I thought that the combo of Annas psychological trauma/lapsed memories and Evelyn's dementia was arguably the best aspect of the story.
The novel lost me with its ending where I felt everything was compressed into the last two chapters. The twist didn't work for me because it felt far-fetched. It felt too paranormal for a psychological novel. Pinborough added an element of magical realism that simply wasn't written in well, so it felt out of place, making the pay off disappointing.
I'd say this is still worth reading if you want a slow-burn mystery with good built up. But don't expect a shock ending that will give you that WTF moment like in Behind Her Eyes.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Sarah Pinborough for an early ARC.
Narrator: Saskia Maarlevald
Duration: 9 hours 20 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 25, 2026
This is a classic Pinborough structured book: you have a very creepy town/atmosphere with unsettling vibes and people (a drought stricken town/the town, the sheriff, the pastor, the neighbors all seem fishy), you have characters with a past (Anna) that is also an unreliable narrator and a psychological side (past trauma, memory repression).
What makes this book great is that as you're reading it, you kind of start losing your wits. Anna is a character who can't trust her own memories. She experienced a traumatic event which caused a lapse in her memories. Can something like this actually happen? Yes it can. Some trauma causes people to repress their memories or make them inaccessible. So everything and anything can become distorted and questionable. Along with Evelyn's progressive dementia, it was hard to differentiate fiction from the truth and I wasn't sure what is reliable vs imaginary. Was the grandmother imagining things or remembering something? Her 'visions' were creepy but also felt like the biggest clues to the overall mystery. I thought that the combo of Annas psychological trauma/lapsed memories and Evelyn's dementia was arguably the best aspect of the story.
The novel lost me with its ending where I felt everything was compressed into the last two chapters. The twist didn't work for me because it felt far-fetched. It felt too paranormal for a psychological novel. Pinborough added an element of magical realism that simply wasn't written in well, so it felt out of place, making the pay off disappointing.
I'd say this is still worth reading if you want a slow-burn mystery with good built up. But don't expect a shock ending that will give you that WTF moment like in Behind Her Eyes.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Sarah Pinborough for an early ARC.
Narrator: Saskia Maarlevald
Duration: 9 hours 20 minutes
Speed: 1.75x
Publication date: August 25, 2026
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
July 30, 2026Solely because of Behind Her Eyes
I must continue reading this woman's books
I hope this one is a winner!
💛🧡🧡💛
I must continue reading this woman's books
I hope this one is a winner!
💛🧡🧡💛
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Sarah Pinborough and Macmillan Audio for my copy of this amazing book! It was about Anna, a girl who feels trapped in the midwest. The town is known for the murders of two women who died exactly three years apart. The killer, known as the Farmhand, was killed, but Anna believes that the cases are still unsolved. As the three year anniversary approaches, Anna's grandmother starts having episodes, claiming she knows about the girls who died. Strange things start happening in their house, and Anna realizes she's much closer to the mystery than she ever thought.
Thoughts: I loved this story! It was so much fun to read about Anna, an unreliable narrator who is full of trauma and depth. The plot really caught my attention and I couldn't put it down. I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. It was definitely a slow burn, but it unfolded piece by piece and I couldn't wait to see where it was going. 4 stars for this eerie thriller.
Thoughts: I loved this story! It was so much fun to read about Anna, an unreliable narrator who is full of trauma and depth. The plot really caught my attention and I couldn't put it down. I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. It was definitely a slow burn, but it unfolded piece by piece and I couldn't wait to see where it was going. 4 stars for this eerie thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"A little fear was at least feeling something, and there were plenty who would call that progress in her post-trauma journey." *
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was hooked after only a few pages! After a life-altering experience, Anna moves to the small town of Harper's Creek with her mother, little sister, and grandmother, who has dementia. Grandma insists they live in her old house, which has an eerie presence. The town has a brutal history of young girls murdered by the 'Farmhand'—who was never caught. Legend says he kills every three years, with the anniversary fast approaching. Everyone worries who will be killed next, including Anna. Her grandmother becomes increasingly agitated and mutters strange things—is it her dementia or something more?
A sense of unease, dread, and paranoia seeps from the pages as Anna deals with chunks of missing memories and her grandmother's disturbing utterances. Both women struggle with self-doubt and trusting reality—and so will readers. While I figured out a few elements and a key aspect, the latter you must accept without explanation. The twisty layers all come together in a spectacular fashion that fans of Pinborough—and new readers like me—will appreciate. This slow-burn atmospheric read is impossible to put down!
SARAH PINBOROUGH slays the gothic vibe in a contemporary setting—where there's no way to know what's really happening—while expertly delving into the fear of losing one's mind and the effects of trauma. Readers who enjoy ambiguity, cold case mysteries, and an immersive setting will love THEY SAY A GIRL DIED HERE!
____
*Quote is subject to change upon final publication
Thank you to Pine & Cedar Books & Flatiron Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was hooked after only a few pages! After a life-altering experience, Anna moves to the small town of Harper's Creek with her mother, little sister, and grandmother, who has dementia. Grandma insists they live in her old house, which has an eerie presence. The town has a brutal history of young girls murdered by the 'Farmhand'—who was never caught. Legend says he kills every three years, with the anniversary fast approaching. Everyone worries who will be killed next, including Anna. Her grandmother becomes increasingly agitated and mutters strange things—is it her dementia or something more?
A sense of unease, dread, and paranoia seeps from the pages as Anna deals with chunks of missing memories and her grandmother's disturbing utterances. Both women struggle with self-doubt and trusting reality—and so will readers. While I figured out a few elements and a key aspect, the latter you must accept without explanation. The twisty layers all come together in a spectacular fashion that fans of Pinborough—and new readers like me—will appreciate. This slow-burn atmospheric read is impossible to put down!
SARAH PINBOROUGH slays the gothic vibe in a contemporary setting—where there's no way to know what's really happening—while expertly delving into the fear of losing one's mind and the effects of trauma. Readers who enjoy ambiguity, cold case mysteries, and an immersive setting will love THEY SAY A GIRL DIED HERE!
____
*Quote is subject to change upon final publication
Thank you to Pine & Cedar Books & Flatiron Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
March 31, 2026
The tension starts from the first page and doesn’t relent. There is a horrible sense of dread as you try and decide if Anna’s past trauma is causing her to lose her mind, if Grandma is really psychic or is it her dementia, and if the killer of Lila and Bonnie was really caught. Only Sarah Pinborough could write so convincingly that you will be jerked from one scenario to another until you are finally shown the unimaginable truth. #pineandcedar #flatironbooks
July 15, 2026
If you have read Sarah Pinborough books before you know that you are in for a wild ride. They Say a Girl Died Here is expertly narrated by the wonderful Saskia Maaleveld, one of the best there is. She brings this intense and creepy story to life and I loved it.
Anna and her family are looking for a fresh start in Harpers Creek, as all creepy town whose residents aren’t exactly what they appear to be. There has been 2 girls murdered, 3 years apart and the killer is supposedly dead, but the anniversary is nearing and the townspeople are on edge. Anna doesn’t think the stories that she has heard make sense and so does her own investigations which of course puts her in danger.
Anna has plenty of her own secrets and is struggling with what has happened to her before moving to Harpers Creek. She finds herself fighting with her mother all the time and being a carer to her little sister and her grandmother who has dementia. Are her grandmothers ramblings just bad dreams or is she trying to warn Anna? She is a frustrating character and an unreliable narrator but you come to understand her actions as the story moves along.
This is a slow burning mystery that you need to take your time with but trust me it is worth the wait. The outcome was shocking and worked so well.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy of this audiobook to listen to. Out on August 25th.
Anna and her family are looking for a fresh start in Harpers Creek, as all creepy town whose residents aren’t exactly what they appear to be. There has been 2 girls murdered, 3 years apart and the killer is supposedly dead, but the anniversary is nearing and the townspeople are on edge. Anna doesn’t think the stories that she has heard make sense and so does her own investigations which of course puts her in danger.
Anna has plenty of her own secrets and is struggling with what has happened to her before moving to Harpers Creek. She finds herself fighting with her mother all the time and being a carer to her little sister and her grandmother who has dementia. Are her grandmothers ramblings just bad dreams or is she trying to warn Anna? She is a frustrating character and an unreliable narrator but you come to understand her actions as the story moves along.
This is a slow burning mystery that you need to take your time with but trust me it is worth the wait. The outcome was shocking and worked so well.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy of this audiobook to listen to. Out on August 25th.
July 28, 2026
Nothing revolutionary.
July 25, 2026
The Say a Girl Died Here is a fast-paced mystery that kept me wanting to know what would happen next. Set in the small town of Harper's Creek, the story follows Anna, who has recently moved back home after a tragic accident. While helping her mom care for her grandmother, who has dementia, and looking after her younger sister, Anna becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the murders of two local girls.
Even though the police believe they killed the murderer, many people in town are convinced they caught the wrong person, creating an unsettling atmosphere throughout the story. I really enjoyed the mystery and how the suspense built as Anna searched for answers.
Anna's character was sometimes difficult to connect with because of her moody personality, and there were moments when I found her frustrating to read. However, the intriguing plot and quick pacing made up for it. Overall, this was an engaging mystery with plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
Even though the police believe they killed the murderer, many people in town are convinced they caught the wrong person, creating an unsettling atmosphere throughout the story. I really enjoyed the mystery and how the suspense built as Anna searched for answers.
Anna's character was sometimes difficult to connect with because of her moody personality, and there were moments when I found her frustrating to read. However, the intriguing plot and quick pacing made up for it. Overall, this was an engaging mystery with plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages.
Currently Reading
April 22, 2026I am predicting 5 stars for this beauty, which also happens to be one of my most anticipated books of 2026. A huge thank you to Flatiron for sending this my way.
July 21, 2026
This one started off interesting but got a little weird and far-fetched for me.
Anna lives with her mom, sister, and grandma, who has dementia. It’s clear she’s not happy with her life, but we know she’s had some trauma in the past, referred to as “the thing” throughout the book. So she’s kind of just stuck, working through her own issues while helping with her grandma and figuring out what she wants to do next.
Saskia Maarleveld narrates the audiobook, and she’s great. It carries on like a typical mystery as Anna becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out what happened to the two girls who were murdered exactly three years apart. Everyone we meet is a suspect as the date of the murders approaches, along with talk of “the Farmhand” returning for his next girl.
It’s relatively obvious what “the thing” that happened to Anna is, but it gets a little frustrating that it is referred to so often without us getting the full story.
Eventually, this takes a weird turn, and that’s when it started to lose me a bit. We carry on questioning everyone, including our narrator, and for a while I wasn’t even sure what kind of story this was becoming.
By the end, there were too many twists, familiar tropes, and people involved in covering everything up for it to feel believable to me. I was also still confused about a few details, and I’m not sure whether I missed something or they simply weren’t fully explained. We do finally get the full story about “the thing,” though.
Overall, this was an okay mystery with an interesting setup, but the ending became more complicated than satisfying. The narration was great, though, and helped keep me listening.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.
Anna lives with her mom, sister, and grandma, who has dementia. It’s clear she’s not happy with her life, but we know she’s had some trauma in the past, referred to as “the thing” throughout the book. So she’s kind of just stuck, working through her own issues while helping with her grandma and figuring out what she wants to do next.
Saskia Maarleveld narrates the audiobook, and she’s great. It carries on like a typical mystery as Anna becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out what happened to the two girls who were murdered exactly three years apart. Everyone we meet is a suspect as the date of the murders approaches, along with talk of “the Farmhand” returning for his next girl.
It’s relatively obvious what “the thing” that happened to Anna is, but it gets a little frustrating that it is referred to so often without us getting the full story.
Eventually, this takes a weird turn, and that’s when it started to lose me a bit. We carry on questioning everyone, including our narrator, and for a while I wasn’t even sure what kind of story this was becoming.
By the end, there were too many twists, familiar tropes, and people involved in covering everything up for it to feel believable to me. I was also still confused about a few details, and I’m not sure whether I missed something or they simply weren’t fully explained. We do finally get the full story about “the thing,” though.
Overall, this was an okay mystery with an interesting setup, but the ending became more complicated than satisfying. The narration was great, though, and helped keep me listening.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.
July 20, 2026
I’m sorry but this was awful. I know it was a republishing of a book from 2016 so I’m not sure if it’s just repackaged, rewritten, or a merger of old and new. Either way, it’s clearly not up to the level of the author’s recent work and should’ve been left on the backlist.
First of all, it can be tough to write trauma. Many authors throw one sentence in and call it a day, despite nothing being realistic about the response of the characters to trauma. This doesn’t do that but instead Anna tells us about 10 times a page about the “the thing” yet none of her actions align with her thoughts. She hates men, which we get told repeatedly, and she randomly freaks out around men but then she’s going to a hotel to meet with a random strange man she just met.
Secondly, the entire plot is inconsistent. Things change to fit the plot. Like supposedly it’s a super small town and everyone knows everyone and everything that goes on except twice Anna goes to the dental office and that apparently exists in a void where no one knows anything? In a town with three businesses (and a dental office that wasn’t mentioned early on with the three businesses).
Third, this was apparently sponsored by American Spirit cigarettes. Not only do we hear about everyone smoking and cigarettes about every third sentence, but we get it drilled into our head repeatedly that Anna smokes American Spirits. Weird.
Fourth, the pacing is a wreck. It started fairly quickly but then nothing happens for ages and then it all gets rushed together at the end. Cut 100 pages of cigarettes and we’d be better off.
Fifth, there’s an attempt at tossing in some paranormal sci-fi time travel that feels like an afterthought with no real purpose.
Finally, the portrayal of trauma, mental illness, drug addiction, dementia, poverty, etc. are all beyond problematic and insulting. The religious stuff is also a bit confusing as it’s sort of shown as a cult then shown as great? Pick a lane.
I only finished this because I need to know how things end. I should learn to DNF but I won’t so I’ll continue to suffer. I’m not sure what other people read but this was not good. I like the author and I’ll read her again, especially because this was an early book just tossed back out to readers.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
First of all, it can be tough to write trauma. Many authors throw one sentence in and call it a day, despite nothing being realistic about the response of the characters to trauma. This doesn’t do that but instead Anna tells us about 10 times a page about the “the thing” yet none of her actions align with her thoughts. She hates men, which we get told repeatedly, and she randomly freaks out around men but then she’s going to a hotel to meet with a random strange man she just met.
Secondly, the entire plot is inconsistent. Things change to fit the plot. Like supposedly it’s a super small town and everyone knows everyone and everything that goes on except twice Anna goes to the dental office and that apparently exists in a void where no one knows anything? In a town with three businesses (and a dental office that wasn’t mentioned early on with the three businesses).
Third, this was apparently sponsored by American Spirit cigarettes. Not only do we hear about everyone smoking and cigarettes about every third sentence, but we get it drilled into our head repeatedly that Anna smokes American Spirits. Weird.
Fourth, the pacing is a wreck. It started fairly quickly but then nothing happens for ages and then it all gets rushed together at the end. Cut 100 pages of cigarettes and we’d be better off.
Fifth, there’s an attempt at tossing in some paranormal sci-fi time travel that feels like an afterthought with no real purpose.
Finally, the portrayal of trauma, mental illness, drug addiction, dementia, poverty, etc. are all beyond problematic and insulting. The religious stuff is also a bit confusing as it’s sort of shown as a cult then shown as great? Pick a lane.
I only finished this because I need to know how things end. I should learn to DNF but I won’t so I’ll continue to suffer. I’m not sure what other people read but this was not good. I like the author and I’ll read her again, especially because this was an early book just tossed back out to readers.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2026
✨Thank you @macmillan.audio #MacAudioPartner for the gifted audiobook...this is my honest review.
🎧 9 hrs 20 min | 🗣️ Saskia Maarleveld
Psychological Thriller | Suspense
✌️ VIBE CHECK ✌️
🏘️ Small town mystery
🚜 Farm life
👵 Dementia representation
🧑🧒🧒 Family drama
🗣️ Urban Legend
🫖 THE TEA
A dusty farm town, a creepy old house, and a town secret everyone wants buried. Anna is trying to settle in and care for her grandmother, but local urban legends and strange occurrences start making her question who she can actually trust.
💭 MY THOUGHTS
Right from the beginning, this book sets a moody, eerie tone. Anna has a lot going on, but getting inside her head made me like her immediately. Since she is going through so much, at times you are left guessing what is real and what isn’t.
The family drama is where this book really shines for me. Anna’s bond with her grandmother was one of my favorite parts, especially the way Anna trusts her even when most people have written her off. The dementia representation was done well and felt pretty spot-on to me. Throw in an overworked mom, and a “perfect” baby sister and you have the perfect storm. Add in a moody small town with too many secrets, and you have yourself a thriller.
🎧 WHY THE AUDIO?!
A great narrator can make or break a thriller, and Saskia Maarleveld delivered once again. Her voice work during the grandmother’s episodes gave me actual chills. Creeptastic!
She kept the tension high, making this an easy pick if you love audiobooks.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT | 4🌟
The atmospheric writing and character dynamics really carried this story for me. It manages to be fantastically creepy one minute and surprisingly touching the next. Even though I spotted one of the reveals, I was never sure and there is plenty to unwrap here, definitely enough to stay invested in the story. I liked it, it’s a yes for me.
DeAnn @deannsreadingriot 🖤
🎧 9 hrs 20 min | 🗣️ Saskia Maarleveld
Psychological Thriller | Suspense
✌️ VIBE CHECK ✌️
🏘️ Small town mystery
🚜 Farm life
👵 Dementia representation
🧑🧒🧒 Family drama
🗣️ Urban Legend
🫖 THE TEA
A dusty farm town, a creepy old house, and a town secret everyone wants buried. Anna is trying to settle in and care for her grandmother, but local urban legends and strange occurrences start making her question who she can actually trust.
💭 MY THOUGHTS
Right from the beginning, this book sets a moody, eerie tone. Anna has a lot going on, but getting inside her head made me like her immediately. Since she is going through so much, at times you are left guessing what is real and what isn’t.
The family drama is where this book really shines for me. Anna’s bond with her grandmother was one of my favorite parts, especially the way Anna trusts her even when most people have written her off. The dementia representation was done well and felt pretty spot-on to me. Throw in an overworked mom, and a “perfect” baby sister and you have the perfect storm. Add in a moody small town with too many secrets, and you have yourself a thriller.
🎧 WHY THE AUDIO?!
A great narrator can make or break a thriller, and Saskia Maarleveld delivered once again. Her voice work during the grandmother’s episodes gave me actual chills. Creeptastic!
She kept the tension high, making this an easy pick if you love audiobooks.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT | 4🌟
The atmospheric writing and character dynamics really carried this story for me. It manages to be fantastically creepy one minute and surprisingly touching the next. Even though I spotted one of the reveals, I was never sure and there is plenty to unwrap here, definitely enough to stay invested in the story. I liked it, it’s a yes for me.
DeAnn @deannsreadingriot 🖤
August 25, 2026
They Say a Girl Died Here
(audio) 4.5⭐️
Sarah Pinborough is an absolute talent! I clung to every word and flew through this audiobook. 3 generations of women under one roof, in the town where the eldest grew up. Tensions are high as Anna recovers from a traumatic event, her grandmother battles dementia, her sister has one foot in womanhood and one foot in childhood, and her mom is just trying to hold everything together. Anna finds herself hyper-focused on the murder of 2 girls, 3 years apart. The anniversary of their deaths are coming up and Anna isn’t convinced their actual killer has been found.
I loved the meld of reality and psychological confusion as Anna tried to piece everything together. Anna’s trauma is referred to as “the thing”, allowing enough information to not be frustratingly mysterious, but also allowing Anna to protect her experience, even to the reader. That choice of who knew the details in the book was taken from her, so I appreciated her being able to choose when to divulge her truth. The characters were well developed, the tension was thick, the emotions raw, and the family bonds were complex. I only wanted the best for Anna and I grew suspicious of the town and the men along side her.
Thank you NetGalley Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 25 2026
(audio) 4.5⭐️
Sarah Pinborough is an absolute talent! I clung to every word and flew through this audiobook. 3 generations of women under one roof, in the town where the eldest grew up. Tensions are high as Anna recovers from a traumatic event, her grandmother battles dementia, her sister has one foot in womanhood and one foot in childhood, and her mom is just trying to hold everything together. Anna finds herself hyper-focused on the murder of 2 girls, 3 years apart. The anniversary of their deaths are coming up and Anna isn’t convinced their actual killer has been found.
I loved the meld of reality and psychological confusion as Anna tried to piece everything together. Anna’s trauma is referred to as “the thing”, allowing enough information to not be frustratingly mysterious, but also allowing Anna to protect her experience, even to the reader. That choice of who knew the details in the book was taken from her, so I appreciated her being able to choose when to divulge her truth. The characters were well developed, the tension was thick, the emotions raw, and the family bonds were complex. I only wanted the best for Anna and I grew suspicious of the town and the men along side her.
Thank you NetGalley Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 25 2026
July 12, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
Another interesting read from Sarah Pinborough, although some parts of the story revolving around Anna did leave me puzzled. The writing however is on point and the author draws you into the story which is full of mystery and has a wonderful haunting atmosphere. It's a slow burn that materialises into a twisty layers with the pace elevating towards the end. I loved the small town vibe with the people and the weather really coming through the pages. There is no doubt Sarah Pinborough is a master story teller, but the ambiguity surrounding Anna and the ending stopped me giving it five stars. However this is still a very good and solid read.
July 31, 2026
The thing that got me was i totally forgot the authors penchant for the supernatural/otherworldly and totally found myself immersed in a murder mystery thriller and then suddenly hit with a twist that blindsided me 😆 big fan!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rtc
June 1, 2026
I really love this author, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this ARC and make it my vacation read! I went in blind, so I had no idea what to expect. Anna moves from the big city to her grandma's small childhood town with her mom and sister. They all live together in a sort of rundown house, as her grandma is starting to lose her faculties. Anna suffers from PTSD with a terrible occurrence from her past, and it causes her to act out sometimes. This leaves both Anna and her grandma not 100% trusted by her mom and those around them. So when things start happening, stirrings of the story of the "farmhand" who killed two girls in town three years apart and another three years is coming up, people are reluctant to trust Anna and her judgement. Grandma and Anna make an unlikely pairing, but the two women connect and help each other through what transpires in this book. There is seriously so much more to this, but you'll have to read to get the whole story, which is part murder-mystery, part familial obligation and bond, and part rediscovering oneself. I was hooked! The small town vibe and psychological suspense had me entirely in Sarah Pinborough's grasp. And while I was dying to know the truth of the "farmhand" and the murders, the emotional currents make it something special. There are twists and turns and even a touch of magical realism. Another great read by Sarah Pinborough! I definitely recommend it!
Thank you Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for the ARC. Book releases 8/25/26.
Thank you Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar for the ARC. Book releases 8/25/26.
March 23, 2026
This book was BRUTAL but in a good way. A small town is haunted by the deaths of 2 young girls 3 years a part. So haunted that an urban legend named The Farmhand has been blamed for their deaths. Enter Anna, a city girl who moves with her family to the small town after something happens in college. She doesn't believe the police have the right man for the deaths of these girls and with the 3 year anniversary coming up, she must investigate the murders before another girl is taken...This book was quick, twisty, and an easy read that also tackled traumatic and sensitive topics in an easy to read way. I definitely recommend this is you want a quick thriller that will have you questioning every character.
Want to Read
April 12, 2026I'm a big fan of this author! August release, can't wait to read it!
July 28, 2026
I absolutely loved Behind Her Eyes and We Live here Now by Pinborough so I was really excited to receive this ARC! After a traumatic episode so disturbing that her memory has shut down and won’t let her remember, Anna Maybourne moves to a small town named Harper’s Creek to live with her mother, sister, and grandmother. Her grandmother has dementia and keeps repeating the same phrase “They say a girl died here”. Anna believes she is referring to the girls who were murdered years ago in this town by a killer called “the farmhand”. The killer was never caught and the legend says he kills every 3 years, the anniversary that is fast approaching. Not really believing the story, but still intrigued and concerned about her grandmothers rambling… Anna begins to do a little research into the deaths of the two girls, Lila and Bonnie, and find out what really happened all of those years ago. But someone doesn’t want her to uncover the long hidden secrets behind these murders and Anna soon finds that her own life may be in danger. Struggling to remember her own violent experience, Anna has doubts about herself and doubts about the current reality, But she carries on searching for the answers before another girl (possibly herself or her little sister) is murdered. A very twisty read with a very unforeseen ending! Great read!
August 27, 2026
I was absolutely engrossed in this novel, but I got so lost. The flipping between realities, the "bleed through" of different lifetimes- frankly I am still confused. I get that our girl is the 3rd victim because she got nosey, but why can Grandma bend time? We are just supposed to accept that with no reasoning? I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to swallow that without any lead up to it. I do like that the killer had shaky logic and that part of the town was in on it because that was the only way any of that made sense.
Great audio narration- I have listened to this narrator before and she is always awesome.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Pinborough, and MacMillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
Great audio narration- I have listened to this narrator before and she is always awesome.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sarah Pinborough, and MacMillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
I’m a little torn on this one. Absolutely loved the atmosphere of the creepy town, with the anxiety riddled people waiting to see who the next victim of this “farmhand” would be. Anna was a great lead, and I found her struggles to line up with her actions. The grandma creeped the hell out of me. There was a strange twist that I don’t want to give away, but it was confusing as hell. The end reveals seemed a little far fetched to me, but I suppose in a tight-knit town I can leave some room for imagination. Overall, not a bad listen. The narrator was awesome!
Thank you MacMillan Audio for the early listen!
Thank you MacMillan Audio for the early listen!
August 25, 2026
Oh this gave off some creepy and eerie vibes, book peeps! Some of the things Evelyn said seriously gave me the heebie jeebies! And the twists were great! I definitely recommend checking out the audiobook, as the narration was excellent! 👏
Thank you partners Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Thank you partners Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
July 19, 2026
THEY SAY A GIRL DIED HERE is a haunting, slow-burn thriller. It was filled with small-town secrets, psychological suspense, and supernatural undertones. I enjoyed all of these characters while trying to figure out the mystery. It definitely kept me guessing until the final twist at the end. I really enjoy Sarah Pinborough’s books, and this is one you will want to add to your TBR list if you enjoy thrillers as much as I do. Saskia Maarlrveld is a wonderful narrator and really did an amazing job with the audiobook. I can’t thank Macmillian Audio enough for my gifted ALC!
August 17, 2026
Bookish Thoughts: This book was ok. I kept reading this book just because of the fantastic narrator Saskia Maarleveld. It is so easy to listen to her voice. I listened at 1.75x speed.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook and the opportunity to preview this book. All opinions are my own.
#MacAudio2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook and the opportunity to preview this book. All opinions are my own.
#MacAudio2026
July 8, 2026
This was a SLOW burn small town mystery thriller that was good, but took a while to get into.
After a traumatic experience, Ana moves to Harper’s Creek with her mom, sister & grandma to live in her grandmother’s old house. But this small town has problems & trauma of its own.
2 young girls were unalived in the same way, their bodies left in a field, exactly 3 years apart. It’s been almost another 3 years and the town is reeling with their memory & urban legend rumors of “The Farmhand” coming back to do it again!
The atmosphere was thick with dread & the oppressive heat & prolonged drought added to the suffocating feel of it all.
It was hard to grasp what was true because of Ana’s lapses in memory/PTSD and her grandmas dementia, which made everything seem unreliable.
I really liked the creepy farmhand myth, the constant unsettling sense of foreboding, character development, & evolution of the familial relationships - from complicated & strained to strengthened & comforting- especially between Ana & her grandma.
But there was one twist/element of the story that didn’t really hit for me. It was never really explained & didn’t make sense, leaving me with unanswered questions, so I wasn’t a fan. But other than that, I did enjoy the story.
Overall this was a very atmospheric, eerie & suspenseful mystery that also touches on grief, guilt and recovery from trauma!
3.5⭐️
Releases 8/25/26
Thank you to NeGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
After a traumatic experience, Ana moves to Harper’s Creek with her mom, sister & grandma to live in her grandmother’s old house. But this small town has problems & trauma of its own.
2 young girls were unalived in the same way, their bodies left in a field, exactly 3 years apart. It’s been almost another 3 years and the town is reeling with their memory & urban legend rumors of “The Farmhand” coming back to do it again!
The atmosphere was thick with dread & the oppressive heat & prolonged drought added to the suffocating feel of it all.
It was hard to grasp what was true because of Ana’s lapses in memory/PTSD and her grandmas dementia, which made everything seem unreliable.
I really liked the creepy farmhand myth, the constant unsettling sense of foreboding, character development, & evolution of the familial relationships - from complicated & strained to strengthened & comforting- especially between Ana & her grandma.
But there was one twist/element of the story that didn’t really hit for me. It was never really explained & didn’t make sense, leaving me with unanswered questions, so I wasn’t a fan. But other than that, I did enjoy the story.
Overall this was a very atmospheric, eerie & suspenseful mystery that also touches on grief, guilt and recovery from trauma!
3.5⭐️
Releases 8/25/26
Thank you to NeGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 27, 2026
4.5 stars!
Thank you so much to #MacAudio2026 for my very first audio widget, and what a story it turned out to be! This tale will linger in my mind as I keep reflecting on the plot and its surprising conclusion.
In this story, we meet Anna Maybourne, who lives in the small town of Harper's Creek, where two murders remain unsolved three years apart. As the anniversary of these tragic events approaches, Anna and her sister can't shake the feeling that they might be next. Anna's grandmother, who struggles with dementia, experiences strange episodes of clarity, which will ultimately prove crucial for Anna as her grandmother harbors secrets about the crimes. Some of her ramblings won’t make sense until later, when everything finally clicks together. As Anna takes it upon herself to investigate, we find ourselves clinging to each clue and questioning everyone involved. In such a tight-knit community, it's baffling how these murders could stay unsolved. Prepare for unexpected twists and a jaw-dropping ending!
The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, truly brings the story to life with her captivating performance. She excels at setting the perfect atmosphere, making you feel chills at just the right moments, and her ability to embody various characters adds depth to the narrative. This audiobook was a delightful surprise, and I truly enjoyed it. The choice of narrator was spot on!
The author did an excellent job of hooking me from the very start. Descriptions of the events and eerie settings felt particularly unsettling at night, especially the isolated farms that contribute to the overall mystery. I never saw the twists or the ending coming, which is a big part of what I love. No matter how much I analyze the narrative! I’ve enjoyed the previous works of this author, and her unique writing style kept me engaged. Once you experience the ending, you'll find yourself reconsidering everything, as that punch and somewhat open finale is remarkably fitting!
If you’re a fan of small-town cold cases, amateur sleuthing, and stories that keep you guessing, this is definitely for you. This suspenseful paranormal murder mystery delivers a surprising conclusion, and it's both fast-paced and dark! There’s so much packed into this book that will catch you off guard. I found myself staring at the wall for a while, trying to process my thoughts. I’m not sure why this book doesn’t have higher ratings, but trust me, I'm being honest—this is a mind-bending story!
Thank you, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you so much to #MacAudio2026 for my very first audio widget, and what a story it turned out to be! This tale will linger in my mind as I keep reflecting on the plot and its surprising conclusion.
In this story, we meet Anna Maybourne, who lives in the small town of Harper's Creek, where two murders remain unsolved three years apart. As the anniversary of these tragic events approaches, Anna and her sister can't shake the feeling that they might be next. Anna's grandmother, who struggles with dementia, experiences strange episodes of clarity, which will ultimately prove crucial for Anna as her grandmother harbors secrets about the crimes. Some of her ramblings won’t make sense until later, when everything finally clicks together. As Anna takes it upon herself to investigate, we find ourselves clinging to each clue and questioning everyone involved. In such a tight-knit community, it's baffling how these murders could stay unsolved. Prepare for unexpected twists and a jaw-dropping ending!
The narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, truly brings the story to life with her captivating performance. She excels at setting the perfect atmosphere, making you feel chills at just the right moments, and her ability to embody various characters adds depth to the narrative. This audiobook was a delightful surprise, and I truly enjoyed it. The choice of narrator was spot on!
The author did an excellent job of hooking me from the very start. Descriptions of the events and eerie settings felt particularly unsettling at night, especially the isolated farms that contribute to the overall mystery. I never saw the twists or the ending coming, which is a big part of what I love. No matter how much I analyze the narrative! I’ve enjoyed the previous works of this author, and her unique writing style kept me engaged. Once you experience the ending, you'll find yourself reconsidering everything, as that punch and somewhat open finale is remarkably fitting!
If you’re a fan of small-town cold cases, amateur sleuthing, and stories that keep you guessing, this is definitely for you. This suspenseful paranormal murder mystery delivers a surprising conclusion, and it's both fast-paced and dark! There’s so much packed into this book that will catch you off guard. I found myself staring at the wall for a while, trying to process my thoughts. I’m not sure why this book doesn’t have higher ratings, but trust me, I'm being honest—this is a mind-bending story!
Thank you, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for a #gifted advanced listener copy of They Say A Girl Died here by Sarah Pineborough as part of their Early Listeners Program and in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I initially requested this ALC knowing that the narrator is the talented Saskia Maarleveld. Ms Maarleveld’s voice provides an especially creepy, chilling performance which makes it a great choice to enjoy with your ears.
They Say A Girl Died here is an atmospheric suspense novel with dark, Gothic elements. The story takes place in a small town where two possibly unsolved murders of young women have taken place. 22-year old Anna returns home after dropping out of college following an unnamed trauma. She moves into an old house (with a potentially haunted basement) with her mother, grandmother with dementia, and tween sister. Anna’s unresolved trauma plus her grandmother's cognitive decline and strange behavior leads her to believe the case remains unsolved.
This dark story kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing. I enjoyed the ambiguous use of the grandmother’s cognitive decline that hinted at her receiving messages from the victims. I also appreciated Anna’s character growth from victim to amateur detective. I fell for several of the red herrings and only figured out a few of the many final reveals. There were a few moments where I needed to suspend disbelief and wasn’t sure if time was slipping, but overall I found this to be a carefully paced and engaging thriller 3.25/5⭐️
They Say A Girl Died here is an atmospheric suspense novel with dark, Gothic elements. The story takes place in a small town where two possibly unsolved murders of young women have taken place. 22-year old Anna returns home after dropping out of college following an unnamed trauma. She moves into an old house (with a potentially haunted basement) with her mother, grandmother with dementia, and tween sister. Anna’s unresolved trauma plus her grandmother's cognitive decline and strange behavior leads her to believe the case remains unsolved.
This dark story kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing. I enjoyed the ambiguous use of the grandmother’s cognitive decline that hinted at her receiving messages from the victims. I also appreciated Anna’s character growth from victim to amateur detective. I fell for several of the red herrings and only figured out a few of the many final reveals. There were a few moments where I needed to suspend disbelief and wasn’t sure if time was slipping, but overall I found this to be a carefully paced and engaging thriller 3.25/5⭐️
July 17, 2026
the kind of book that makes you feel like you’re losing your mind alongside the characters.. oh this was such a good read! i loved the fact that we have 3 different generations of women at the core of this story, all strong and likeable in their own ways and all with their own problems. i found myself rooting for our lead, Anna from the very first chapter and even more so, once learning of her back story.
the setting is BRILLIANT!!!!! a creepy, small town called Harper’s Creek in the middle of a drought that’s known for the gruesome murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart. although authorities are confident the man responsible was caught, the locals aren’t so sure and start to worry as the three year anniversary of the second death comes closer. will another woman be killed? is the killer still out there?
considering we haven’t had rain here either in 26 days, it was extremely easy to immerse myself into the story. that feeling of constant uncomfortableness from both the heat, and the town’s secrets had me hooked. the end twists are well executed and although i saw a few of them coming, it was still a real enjoyable read.
the setting is BRILLIANT!!!!! a creepy, small town called Harper’s Creek in the middle of a drought that’s known for the gruesome murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart. although authorities are confident the man responsible was caught, the locals aren’t so sure and start to worry as the three year anniversary of the second death comes closer. will another woman be killed? is the killer still out there?
considering we haven’t had rain here either in 26 days, it was extremely easy to immerse myself into the story. that feeling of constant uncomfortableness from both the heat, and the town’s secrets had me hooked. the end twists are well executed and although i saw a few of them coming, it was still a real enjoyable read.
August 7, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!
Anna Maybourne feels trapped in Harper’s Creek, a small town known for the murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart at the hands of the presumed Farmhand killer. As the three-year anniversary of the last murders approaches, Anna’s younger sister worries it could happen again, while their grandmother’s strange paranoid episodes make Anna question whether the case was ever really solved. As Anna starts looking into the murders, she begins to wonder if her grandmother may know more than she should and if something strange is happening inside their old house. The closer she gets to the truth, the more it feels like the mystery is starting all over again.
I have really enjoyed Sarah Pinborough’s books, and this one was no different! The story started and ended at a fast pace, while the middle was more of a slow burn. I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were definitely some heavy and tense moments, especially involving Anna’s past, how she was treated, and the complicated family dynamic. I didn’t fully guess the ending, which is always exciting because I love a good twist. I would recommend reading the audiobook, it was so well done!
Anna Maybourne feels trapped in Harper’s Creek, a small town known for the murders of two young women who died exactly three years apart at the hands of the presumed Farmhand killer. As the three-year anniversary of the last murders approaches, Anna’s younger sister worries it could happen again, while their grandmother’s strange paranoid episodes make Anna question whether the case was ever really solved. As Anna starts looking into the murders, she begins to wonder if her grandmother may know more than she should and if something strange is happening inside their old house. The closer she gets to the truth, the more it feels like the mystery is starting all over again.
I have really enjoyed Sarah Pinborough’s books, and this one was no different! The story started and ended at a fast pace, while the middle was more of a slow burn. I still enjoyed watching everything unfold. There were definitely some heavy and tense moments, especially involving Anna’s past, how she was treated, and the complicated family dynamic. I didn’t fully guess the ending, which is always exciting because I love a good twist. I would recommend reading the audiobook, it was so well done!
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