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The Weird Girl
One shattered birthday party. Two teenage victims. A city drowning in fentanyl.
Social worker Georgia Thayer (The Orchid Tattoo) has spent her career fighting for the vulnerable, but nothing could prepare her for being a foster mom to Tessa—a teenager haunted by her traumatic past. Determined to give her a normal life, Georgia's efforts to give her a normal life crumble when a neighborhood party spirals into disaster, leaving one girl fighting for her life while another disappears from the front yard of her family's home.
As Georgia undertakes a frantic search for the missing girl, she uncovers a dangerous fentanyl trade that snakes from hospital emergency rooms to high school hallways to the darkest corners of her city. She is up against a charismatic candidate for attorney general and a ruthless drug kingpin, two powerful men willing to use lethal means to bury their secrets.
With her chosen family threatened, her faith in herself shaken, and an unexpected ally emerging from the shadows, Georgia’s efforts to save one girl puts her own in danger.
The clock is ticking. The truth is deadly. And every second lost could mean another life destroyed.
Social worker Georgia Thayer (The Orchid Tattoo) has spent her career fighting for the vulnerable, but nothing could prepare her for being a foster mom to Tessa—a teenager haunted by her traumatic past. Determined to give her a normal life, Georgia's efforts to give her a normal life crumble when a neighborhood party spirals into disaster, leaving one girl fighting for her life while another disappears from the front yard of her family's home.
As Georgia undertakes a frantic search for the missing girl, she uncovers a dangerous fentanyl trade that snakes from hospital emergency rooms to high school hallways to the darkest corners of her city. She is up against a charismatic candidate for attorney general and a ruthless drug kingpin, two powerful men willing to use lethal means to bury their secrets.
With her chosen family threatened, her faith in herself shaken, and an unexpected ally emerging from the shadows, Georgia’s efforts to save one girl puts her own in danger.
The clock is ticking. The truth is deadly. And every second lost could mean another life destroyed.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 22, 2025
I have enjoyed everything written by Carla Damron. When we met as Freshman roommates at Wake Forest University, I knew there was something special about Carla and I was right. Now, oh so many years later having watched ourselves grow, have careers and hone our passions, it is fun to look back and remember our early days. Carla has matured into an exceptional author interweaving her passion of social issues with a wonderful talent for great storytelling. She tackles the tough issues but makes them approachable to the regular person. Here ability to teach others is woven skillfully in strong characters, descriptive prose and just good old fashioned edge of your seat suspense. Even if I didn't know Carla I would still love her books. The fact she is a friend just makes them more intriguing to devour. Put her on your to read list!!
September 1, 2025
Carla Damron has a gift for taking the issues you would rather not look at and turning them into a novel you cannot take your eyes off.
In The Weird Girl, Damron exposes the devastation of the opioid crisis and the ravages of slipping into its grasp. In true Damron style, she skillfully weaves this multifaceted story through the lives of her characters, setting them on a collision course that will have you turning the pages until your eyes give out.
Never predictable, Damron’s plot twists and turns perfectly to illuminate probably the most frightening element of the story—how easily any one of us or a family member could fall prey to the scourge. At the top of a very long list of reasons Carla Damron’s books are exceptional is her character development. The Weird Girl is no exception. Damron has created a cast of authentic, multi-dimensional characters relatable to any reader. You cannot help but invest in their struggles. There are no action figures here. These are real heroes who find the courage to take up the battle while dealing with all the messy challenges of life. You will be on the edge of your seat urging them on.
The Weird Girl is a riveting read that will fill you with outrage and hope in equal measure. It’s a must-read!
In The Weird Girl, Damron exposes the devastation of the opioid crisis and the ravages of slipping into its grasp. In true Damron style, she skillfully weaves this multifaceted story through the lives of her characters, setting them on a collision course that will have you turning the pages until your eyes give out.
Never predictable, Damron’s plot twists and turns perfectly to illuminate probably the most frightening element of the story—how easily any one of us or a family member could fall prey to the scourge. At the top of a very long list of reasons Carla Damron’s books are exceptional is her character development. The Weird Girl is no exception. Damron has created a cast of authentic, multi-dimensional characters relatable to any reader. You cannot help but invest in their struggles. There are no action figures here. These are real heroes who find the courage to take up the battle while dealing with all the messy challenges of life. You will be on the edge of your seat urging them on.
The Weird Girl is a riveting read that will fill you with outrage and hope in equal measure. It’s a must-read!
February 2, 2026
3,5 stars
February 4, 2026
I loved the story and the characters and didn't want the book to end. I want to read more of Ms Damron's books!
August 7, 2025
The Weird Girl by Carla Damron is a fast-moving and emotionally charged novel that plunges into the dark heart of opioid addiction, teen vulnerability, and the long shadows of power and privilege. Set in a small South Carolina town, the book follows a multi-threaded narrative centered around Tessa, a trauma-scarred foster teen; Lily Grace, a sheltered, socially awkward girl; and Georgia, a social worker struggling to hold her foster family together. When a tragic hit-and-run at a high school party injures popular girl Sara Clark, the town is forced to reckon with secrets, lies, and the consequences of denial. As police investigations unfold, truths about drugs, justice, and who gets protected come to light.
The thing I liked about Damron’s writing was how authentic and raw it felt. The dialogue is crisp, often painfully real, and never overpolished. Characters felt alive, flawed, messy, complicated. Tessa’s inner world, filled with a mix of bitterness, longing, and resilience, was beautifully rendered. Georgia, the foster mom and social worker, was probably my favorite. She’s stubborn and human and funny in all the right ways. The scenes from the hospital, in particular, hit hard. As someone who’s seen how addiction can gut a community, I appreciated that this book didn’t sugarcoat anything. The emotional weight is heavy, but never cheap. There were moments when I had to stop and breathe.
Parts of the book made me furious, not about the book, though. The way the legal system is manipulated by those with money, how teenagers are left to flounder while adults spin their reputations like a game, got under my skin. And it should. The book pulls no punches about privilege and corruption, and I found myself wanting to shake some of the characters. Damron doesn’t wrap everything up in a neat little bow, and I loved that. Real life isn’t tidy.
I’d recommend The Weird Girl to readers who appreciate character-driven fiction with heart, guts, and grit. It’s perfect for anyone interested in social issues, especially those who work in schools, healthcare, or with youth. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one. And while the book tackles big themes, it’s the quiet moments, two girls walking after school, a mom worrying late at night, that you’ll remember after finishing this book.
The thing I liked about Damron’s writing was how authentic and raw it felt. The dialogue is crisp, often painfully real, and never overpolished. Characters felt alive, flawed, messy, complicated. Tessa’s inner world, filled with a mix of bitterness, longing, and resilience, was beautifully rendered. Georgia, the foster mom and social worker, was probably my favorite. She’s stubborn and human and funny in all the right ways. The scenes from the hospital, in particular, hit hard. As someone who’s seen how addiction can gut a community, I appreciated that this book didn’t sugarcoat anything. The emotional weight is heavy, but never cheap. There were moments when I had to stop and breathe.
Parts of the book made me furious, not about the book, though. The way the legal system is manipulated by those with money, how teenagers are left to flounder while adults spin their reputations like a game, got under my skin. And it should. The book pulls no punches about privilege and corruption, and I found myself wanting to shake some of the characters. Damron doesn’t wrap everything up in a neat little bow, and I loved that. Real life isn’t tidy.
I’d recommend The Weird Girl to readers who appreciate character-driven fiction with heart, guts, and grit. It’s perfect for anyone interested in social issues, especially those who work in schools, healthcare, or with youth. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one. And while the book tackles big themes, it’s the quiet moments, two girls walking after school, a mom worrying late at night, that you’ll remember after finishing this book.
September 4, 2025
A hospital social worker, Georgia, and her foster daughter, Tessa, are the emotional center of a range of people dealing with the dangerous aftermath of a teen party. While this book deals with the opioid crisis, it’s first and foremost a gripping story. The author’s orchestration of the chorus of points of view was dazzling; the supporting characters all felt like real people who moved the plot forward by acting on their own motivations and interacting with each other. The reader ends up with a remarkably nuanced view of the opioid trade, and feels invested in the outcomes for some initially unsympathetic people, which is actually an underlying theme of the book. The plot contained some unexpected twists and turns, and while not everyone had a happy ending, the values of bravery, kindness, and caring for one other were firmly upheld in the end.
After reading, I feel sadder and wiser in some ways, and also encouraged by the power of simple human connection to make a real difference. I look forward to Damron’s other books.
After reading, I feel sadder and wiser in some ways, and also encouraged by the power of simple human connection to make a real difference. I look forward to Damron’s other books.
September 28, 2025
A heart-racing thriller about a heart-stopping social issue.
After encountering social worker Georgia Thayer within the pages of The Orchid Tattoo, getting a second glimpse into her life in this novel was like catching up with a friend. Georgia, with her courage, strong moral compass, and struggles and victories with her own mental health, is a protagonist worthy of many books. I hope to encounter her in future books.
Damron has a knack for crafting engaging plots that tackle important social issues needing increased public awareness. Her novels open the door to a better understanding of human trafficking and the fentanyl crisis. As difficult as these gritty topics are to read about, this book was equally hard to put down. Like she did with the first novel in this series, Damron subtly educates while she entertains. That alone would make me enjoy this series, but the excellent writing, character development, and well-executed twists make these books outstanding.
I look forward to reading whatever novel Carla Damron writes next.
After encountering social worker Georgia Thayer within the pages of The Orchid Tattoo, getting a second glimpse into her life in this novel was like catching up with a friend. Georgia, with her courage, strong moral compass, and struggles and victories with her own mental health, is a protagonist worthy of many books. I hope to encounter her in future books.
Damron has a knack for crafting engaging plots that tackle important social issues needing increased public awareness. Her novels open the door to a better understanding of human trafficking and the fentanyl crisis. As difficult as these gritty topics are to read about, this book was equally hard to put down. Like she did with the first novel in this series, Damron subtly educates while she entertains. That alone would make me enjoy this series, but the excellent writing, character development, and well-executed twists make these books outstanding.
I look forward to reading whatever novel Carla Damron writes next.
December 11, 2025
Another page turner from Damron. Following her style in The Orchid Tatoo, chapters are short and leave you wanting more. This makes for a quick read as you keep devouring "just one more" chapter. The momentum of the plot starts from the very beginning and never lets up. Characters are well developed even the minor ones, they all seem real. A fun thing for Columbia/South Carolina readers is Damron works some local/state current events into her books, and her inspiration for The Weird Girl came from quite sensational headlines that I suspect a broader readership will catch the reference and enjoy. All of that alone makes for a wonderful book, and then you add the heart of her books, highlighting and educating about real social issues that are in everyone's backyard whether or not we want to acknowledge them. She makes them okay to discuss, bringing them out of the darkness. Awareness is the first step to change, and Carla is lighting and leading the way with her gifts.
August 20, 2025
Georgia Thayer battles a deadly fentanyl trade and men who’ll stop at nothing to protect it and their secrets
Fans of Carla Damron’s The Orchid Tattoo will be delighted to reconnect with social worker Georgia Thayer as she becomes embroiled in the underbelly of South Carolina, this time combatting a deadly fentanyl crisis that’s killing the community’s youth. Every character is nuanced and Damron goes deep into their motivations and psychology while maintaining a page-turning pace. We fear for Lily Grace and Rus, root for Georgia and her foster daughter, Tessa, despise Marcus and the privileged country club set he targets and are enthralled by Saul, surely one of Damron’s most complex creations. Be prepared to stay up late with this book. You won’t regret the loss of sleep. Fingers crossed that we won’t have to wait too long for the next Georgia Thayer novel.
August 24, 2025
The Weird Girl hooked me from the very first pages and never let go. Georgia Thayer is back, this time confronting the deadly fentanyl crisis gripping her community. Carla Damron delivers nonstop suspense, layered characters, and emotional depth. You’ll root for Georgia and Tessa, fear for Lily Grace and Rus, despise Marcus, and be captivated by Saul. A gripping, unforgettable read—I lost sleep and loved every minute. Can’t wait for the next Georgia Thayer novel!
September 2, 2025
A killer combination of characters as real and unflinching as the opioid crisis they're embroiled in, a gripping narrative laced with surprises, and an insightful examination of pressing social issues that proves as informative as it is wildly entertaining. Like badass social worker Georgia Thayer herself, THE WEIRD GIRL is fiction on a mission, grabbing you by the collar and daring you to just try looking away.
October 8, 2025
The characters touch your heart. This story deals with the dangers of fentanyl and human trafficking, especially to teens, in a way that is gripping, caring, and all too realistic. It was hard to put down
October 7, 2025
A great novel about making friends based on the person inside, all set amidst the dangerous world of fentanyl and the illegal drug trade. Loved this book and its predecessor, The Orchid Tattoo!
October 26, 2025
Great! Carla has that magic storyteller touch!
August 27, 2025
Carla Damron has a gift for taking the issues you would rather not look at and turning them into a novel you cannot take your eyes off of. In The Weird Girl, Damron exposes the devastation of the opioid crisis and the ravages of slipping into its grasp. In true Damron style, she skillfully weaves this multifaceted story through the lives of her characters, setting them on a collision course that will have you turning the pages until your eyes give out. Never predictable, Damron’s plot twists and turns perfectly to illuminate probably the most frightening element of the story—how easily any one of us or a family member could fall prey to the scourge. At the top of a very long list of reasons Carla Damron’s books are exceptional is her character development. The Weird Girl is no exception. Damron has created a cast of authentic, multi-dimensional characters relatable to any reader. You cannot help but invest in their struggles. There are no action figures here. These are real heroes who find the courage to take up the battle while dealing with all the messy challenges of life. You will be on the edge of your seat urging them on. The Weird Girl is a riveting read that will fill you with outrage and hope in equal measure. It’s a must-read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews