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They Say a Girl Died Here
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26Anna was once the life and soul of the party - until a terrible night unravelled everything - a night she can't remember, but can't forget either...
Moving with her family back to where Grandma grew up, Anna becomes obsessed with two murders that took place in the town - three years apart, with the third anniversary looming...
The town of Harper's Creek suffers through a drought - people talk, people pray, and people wait. As Anna's trauma deepens, and Grandma's Alzheimer's worsens - they share a bond made of missing memories. They say both are, in their own ways, mad.
But when Grandma speaks, Anna listens, and she understands - but above all she fears that the girls are in there, and they're trying to tell her something...
Moving with her family back to where Grandma grew up, Anna becomes obsessed with two murders that took place in the town - three years apart, with the third anniversary looming...
The town of Harper's Creek suffers through a drought - people talk, people pray, and people wait. As Anna's trauma deepens, and Grandma's Alzheimer's worsens - they share a bond made of missing memories. They say both are, in their own ways, mad.
But when Grandma speaks, Anna listens, and she understands - but above all she fears that the girls are in there, and they're trying to tell her something...
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Sarah Pinborough
89 books8,222 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
Want to Read
May 19, 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
"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
Want to Read
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.
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.
December 7, 2025
Haunting, emotional, and gripping from start to finish, They Say a Girl Died Here is an exceptional psychological thriller that absolutely earns a full five stars. The story’s eerie setting sets the stage for a mystery that grows more compelling with every chapter. The protagonist’s journey is filled with tension and vulnerability, making every moment feel personal and urgent. The writing is sharp, evocative, and beautifully atmospheric. By the time the final twist landed, I was completely blown away. This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves intelligent suspense with real emotional depth.
Want to Read
April 12, 2026I'm a big fan of this author! August release, can't wait to read it!
December 7, 2025
They Say a Girl Died Here is the kind of psychological thriller that stays with you long after you finish. The atmosphere is thick with dread, the pacing is addictive, and the mystery is so well-constructed that I was constantly second-guessing myself. The character work is phenomenal—flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human. This book explores grief, guilt, and the echoes of tragedy with a sensitivity that elevates the entire story. It’s haunting, immersive, and absolutely unforgettable. A brilliant five-star read that should be on every thriller fan’s list.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Anna Maybourne hasn't been the same since "the thing." Having derailed her college plans to become a journalist and her fast-track to living independently, "the thing" has re-routed Anna straight to Harper's Creek, the tired, dusty farm town where her Grandma grew up.
And as if the memories of college aren't haunting Anna already, Harper's Creek is a town plagued by drought and full of ghosts; two murders, two girls Anna's age, and a deceased suspect that the town seemed too eager to accept to close the case. As Anna settles in and tries her best to make Harper's Creek a home, strange things begin to happen within her own four walls. Grandma's dementia seems to be worsening, and Anna's own memory begins slipping away in fractures.
"They Say a Girl Died Here" is a slow-burn, small town setting mystery that boasts little to set it apart in that over-saturated genre. Having loved many of Sarah Pinborough's previous novels, I expected either a more unique premise or the classic twists and turns that propelled "Behind Her Eyes" to one of my favorite thrillers. Overall, this novel was too much slow-burn and clung to the same plot points to carry it through; "the thing" with Anna, Grandma's dementia, angry farmers. After awhile, the characters felt like caricatures and I found myself forcing through the second half only for the payoff to not be entirely worth it. When it comes to Sarah Pinborough, I would leave "They Say a Girl Died Here" and start with some of her older novels instead.
*Thank you Flatiron Books and NetGalley for my advanced review copy!*
And as if the memories of college aren't haunting Anna already, Harper's Creek is a town plagued by drought and full of ghosts; two murders, two girls Anna's age, and a deceased suspect that the town seemed too eager to accept to close the case. As Anna settles in and tries her best to make Harper's Creek a home, strange things begin to happen within her own four walls. Grandma's dementia seems to be worsening, and Anna's own memory begins slipping away in fractures.
"They Say a Girl Died Here" is a slow-burn, small town setting mystery that boasts little to set it apart in that over-saturated genre. Having loved many of Sarah Pinborough's previous novels, I expected either a more unique premise or the classic twists and turns that propelled "Behind Her Eyes" to one of my favorite thrillers. Overall, this novel was too much slow-burn and clung to the same plot points to carry it through; "the thing" with Anna, Grandma's dementia, angry farmers. After awhile, the characters felt like caricatures and I found myself forcing through the second half only for the payoff to not be entirely worth it. When it comes to Sarah Pinborough, I would leave "They Say a Girl Died Here" and start with some of her older novels instead.
*Thank you Flatiron Books and NetGalley for my advanced review copy!*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
They Say a Girl Died Here was a book I could not put down—I read it in a single day. It has so many elements that made it an outstanding read. There is the suspense of a possible serial killer, plenty of creepy atmosphere, and a constant feeling that someone is watching.
Anna, her younger sister, her mother, and their grandmother move to a small town just as the anniversary of the murders of two girls is approaching. Anna isn’t convinced that the real killer was ever caught. Her fears are heightened by a traumatic incident that happened before the family moved there, making her especially sensitive to danger and suspicion.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is Anna’s grandmother, who is suffering from dementia. At times, she seems to have remarkable insights into the murders, or does she? The uncertainty adds another layer of mystery to the novel.
I also loved the interactions and relationships among the three generations of women living in the household. Their bonds, struggles, and support for one another were beautifully written and added depth to the suspenseful plot.
This was an easy 5-star read for me. If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with compelling characters and plenty of twists, you should rush out and get this book!
Anna, her younger sister, her mother, and their grandmother move to a small town just as the anniversary of the murders of two girls is approaching. Anna isn’t convinced that the real killer was ever caught. Her fears are heightened by a traumatic incident that happened before the family moved there, making her especially sensitive to danger and suspicion.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is Anna’s grandmother, who is suffering from dementia. At times, she seems to have remarkable insights into the murders, or does she? The uncertainty adds another layer of mystery to the novel.
I also loved the interactions and relationships among the three generations of women living in the household. Their bonds, struggles, and support for one another were beautifully written and added depth to the suspenseful plot.
This was an easy 5-star read for me. If you enjoy atmospheric mysteries with compelling characters and plenty of twists, you should rush out and get this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough. Thanks to pineandcedar for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Anna Maybourne is in the small farm town of Harper’s Creek helping to care for her grandmother with dementia. Her town had a string of murders attributed to the mysterious legend, the Farmhand. Now that the anniversary is coming up, the town is on edge.
This one had a real creep factor. The small town really added to the creepiness. I loved how the main character felt something was off, but no one seemed to be on her side. The reader is not quite sure if she’s mislead or onto something. This was a bit of a long one but it helped with the character development and getting to know the different town members. I loved the grandmother character. The author did a great job of balancing her dementia and wit.
“There has always been blood. And in the quiet of the night, the land knows there will be more blood to come.”
Read if you like:
-Atmospheric small town thrillers
-Murder mysteries
-Coming home stories
-Mental health or recovery tropes
They Say a Girl Died Here comes out 8/25.
Anna Maybourne is in the small farm town of Harper’s Creek helping to care for her grandmother with dementia. Her town had a string of murders attributed to the mysterious legend, the Farmhand. Now that the anniversary is coming up, the town is on edge.
This one had a real creep factor. The small town really added to the creepiness. I loved how the main character felt something was off, but no one seemed to be on her side. The reader is not quite sure if she’s mislead or onto something. This was a bit of a long one but it helped with the character development and getting to know the different town members. I loved the grandmother character. The author did a great job of balancing her dementia and wit.
“There has always been blood. And in the quiet of the night, the land knows there will be more blood to come.”
Read if you like:
-Atmospheric small town thrillers
-Murder mysteries
-Coming home stories
-Mental health or recovery tropes
They Say a Girl Died Here comes out 8/25.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)
They Say a Girl Died Here was an engaging, atmospheric thriller with a strong emotional core. While I correctly guessed a couple of the twists early on, there was one reveal I genuinely didn’t see coming, and it added a really interesting layer to the story that elevated it for me.
I also really appreciated Anna as a protagonist. She’s flawed, messy, and emotionally complicated in a way that felt realistic, and I enjoyed watching her growth over the course of the novel. Her relationship with her grandmother was especially well done. It was strained, layered, and deeply tied to the larger mysteries unfolding throughout the book. The evolution of that relationship ended up being one of the strongest aspects of the story for me.
Overall, a compelling thriller with strong character work and a few twists that definitely kept me invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
They Say a Girl Died Here was an engaging, atmospheric thriller with a strong emotional core. While I correctly guessed a couple of the twists early on, there was one reveal I genuinely didn’t see coming, and it added a really interesting layer to the story that elevated it for me.
I also really appreciated Anna as a protagonist. She’s flawed, messy, and emotionally complicated in a way that felt realistic, and I enjoyed watching her growth over the course of the novel. Her relationship with her grandmother was especially well done. It was strained, layered, and deeply tied to the larger mysteries unfolding throughout the book. The evolution of that relationship ended up being one of the strongest aspects of the story for me.
Overall, a compelling thriller with strong character work and a few twists that definitely kept me invested.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
They Say A Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough
Pub Date: 8/25 Publisher: Flatiron
I want to start this review off by saying, I love a Pinborough book. The way there’s always sort of a weird/paranormal element is my favorite! However, the element in this book I wasn’t a fan of, I think maybe because it wasn’t really explained maybe? Idk just something about it didn’t hit.
The storyline was great, and the chapters were super short, loved the setting. The MC was annoying though, and there was one part of the book where she discovers something but later on it changes and that was never really touched on. I found the mystery part of the book great, but the weird paranormal twisty part didn’t do it for me this time. Still a good read and would recommend if you are looking for a quick murder mystery.
Pub Date: 8/25 Publisher: Flatiron
I want to start this review off by saying, I love a Pinborough book. The way there’s always sort of a weird/paranormal element is my favorite! However, the element in this book I wasn’t a fan of, I think maybe because it wasn’t really explained maybe? Idk just something about it didn’t hit.
The storyline was great, and the chapters were super short, loved the setting. The MC was annoying though, and there was one part of the book where she discovers something but later on it changes and that was never really touched on. I found the mystery part of the book great, but the weird paranormal twisty part didn’t do it for me this time. Still a good read and would recommend if you are looking for a quick murder mystery.
April 21, 2026
[Review of advance copy received by the publisher.]
I think my favourite book from Sarah Pinborough so far!!
From the very start I was right into it. I loved the main character, Anna, and the story.
Like usual, the paranormal side of the story blew my mind and was something I’ve never read before.
This book was the perfect thriller for me. Even if it wasn’t the same, it reminded me when I read A Good Girl Guide to Murder, the book series, which I adored reading.
No gory details, and until the very end, I couldn’t guessed the murderer and what had happened.
Plus, I marked down two quotes/paragraphs that were truly amazing to read and deeply resonated with me.
So smart and well written, this book was a great reading experience from start to finish!
I think my favourite book from Sarah Pinborough so far!!
From the very start I was right into it. I loved the main character, Anna, and the story.
Like usual, the paranormal side of the story blew my mind and was something I’ve never read before.
This book was the perfect thriller for me. Even if it wasn’t the same, it reminded me when I read A Good Girl Guide to Murder, the book series, which I adored reading.
No gory details, and until the very end, I couldn’t guessed the murderer and what had happened.
Plus, I marked down two quotes/paragraphs that were truly amazing to read and deeply resonated with me.
So smart and well written, this book was a great reading experience from start to finish!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year but sadly I was hoping for more. I did still enjoy the story and it was intriguing but it definitely was a very slow burn. I felt it dragged and could of been shorter or at least more things happen to give me that OMG factor. I think since I read Behind Her Eyes I was beyond shocked with that book so I was hoping to get that out of this story too. I did enjoy though the perspective of the grandma with dementia and what she would say to Anna and all the mysterious stuff she was telling her.
Overall I give this one 3-3.5
Overall I give this one 3-3.5
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
If you like Pinborough, you will like this. Throughout the novel there is a gripping sense of dread and foreboding. The most compelling theme. I think, is the violence done to women as a matter of course which makes up a significant portion of the story. At its most basic level this is a psychological thriller about a young woman attempting to find out who murdered two other young women but there is more going on in addition to that.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Pretty good mystery here! Not as mind bending as Pinborough's book usually are. Anna and her Grandma were great characters, very realistic and overall, a good story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews