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What Happened to Those Girls
Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project in this harrowing thriller from the author of Murder Land, brimming with betrayal, unsettling town secrets, and a killer lurking in the woods.
Emma knows her friends all lie to her. And everyone knows Emma is the outcast of their group. She's usually fine with that, until her friends go on a camping trip that she planned...without her. The next morning, she wakes up to the news that all three of them died at the campsite.
When Emma starts receiving unnerving videos of the girls the night they died from an anonymous source, it becomes clear their deaths weren't an accident. And if this becomes a murder case, Emma will be suspect number one. Because while everyone knows she had been excluded from the plans, what they don't know is that she went to the campsite that night after all, and someone has proof.
Emma teams up with Beck, one of the victims' sisters, to return to the woods and figure out what really happened the night her friends died, uncover who is behind the mysterious videos she is receiving, and make sure that nobody can pin their murders on her. But stranded in an eerie town that doesn't welcome outsiders with a murderer on their heels, Emma and Beck just might be next…
Emma knows her friends all lie to her. And everyone knows Emma is the outcast of their group. She's usually fine with that, until her friends go on a camping trip that she planned...without her. The next morning, she wakes up to the news that all three of them died at the campsite.
When Emma starts receiving unnerving videos of the girls the night they died from an anonymous source, it becomes clear their deaths weren't an accident. And if this becomes a murder case, Emma will be suspect number one. Because while everyone knows she had been excluded from the plans, what they don't know is that she went to the campsite that night after all, and someone has proof.
Emma teams up with Beck, one of the victims' sisters, to return to the woods and figure out what really happened the night her friends died, uncover who is behind the mysterious videos she is receiving, and make sure that nobody can pin their murders on her. But stranded in an eerie town that doesn't welcome outsiders with a murderer on their heels, Emma and Beck just might be next…
323 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
July 2, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the pre-release copy of What Happened to Those Girls by Carlyn Greenwald. Below is my honest review.
This one was a wild ride! From the moment the main character got the text message about how they're all going to die out there that then was unsent to the very end, it was explosive. I couldn't put it down!
It was a well-plotted and twisty mystery thriller, and I was very impressed with the author's ability to give depth to even the characters that weren't alive any more.
Highly entertaining, will read more by Greenwald.
Four stars, definitely recommend to mystery-thriller fans and YA readers who like a dark gruesome murder mystery.
This one was a wild ride! From the moment the main character got the text message about how they're all going to die out there that then was unsent to the very end, it was explosive. I couldn't put it down!
It was a well-plotted and twisty mystery thriller, and I was very impressed with the author's ability to give depth to even the characters that weren't alive any more.
Highly entertaining, will read more by Greenwald.
Four stars, definitely recommend to mystery-thriller fans and YA readers who like a dark gruesome murder mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i like my mysteries fast paced enough to keep me entertained, but not too fast to make me feel like some aspects are getting glossed over. it's a tough balance to find, and unfortunately i don't think that what happened to those girls fully succeeded in doing so.
the characters are fine. emma is a compelling protagonist and you want to see her succeed, even if you're questioning her intentions like beck does: does she want to find out the truth about what happened to her friends because they were her friends or is it because she wants to clear her name? is it both? even though the book is written in first person, there's still a seed being planted that makes you doubt what's going on, and i quite enjoyed that. i did, however, wrinkle my nose at the friendships themselves, as the girls were terrible friends to emma (even opal through inaction), but that just made it all more tragic. you're told from the start that these girls aren't great to her, and maybe that ended up saving her life after all.
the pacing of the mystery itself was entertaining, and it's an easy book to breeze through. unfortunately, some supposedly big things ended up feeling inconsequential or didn't get enough foreshadowing, so it was hard to care about them.
another thing i liked was the constant doubt about there being something supernatural involved in the mystery. it's often not done well, but i think it worked out quite nicely in this one.
overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, enthralling mystery featuring queer characters, this will be a good read for you.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
the characters are fine. emma is a compelling protagonist and you want to see her succeed, even if you're questioning her intentions like beck does: does she want to find out the truth about what happened to her friends because they were her friends or is it because she wants to clear her name? is it both? even though the book is written in first person, there's still a seed being planted that makes you doubt what's going on, and i quite enjoyed that. i did, however, wrinkle my nose at the friendships themselves, as the girls were terrible friends to emma (even opal through inaction), but that just made it all more tragic. you're told from the start that these girls aren't great to her, and maybe that ended up saving her life after all.
the pacing of the mystery itself was entertaining, and it's an easy book to breeze through. unfortunately, some supposedly big things ended up feeling inconsequential or didn't get enough foreshadowing, so it was hard to care about them.
another thing i liked was the constant doubt about there being something supernatural involved in the mystery. it's often not done well, but i think it worked out quite nicely in this one.
overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced, enthralling mystery featuring queer characters, this will be a good read for you.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
September 22, 2025
Hi everyone and welcome to my sophomore YA thriller, WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE GIRLS. WHTTG sits on the intersection of mystery/thriller with some horror elements, inspired by me asking myself the question "would I have survived a slasher in high school?" and the answer being "I wouldn't have been invited to the party where the slasher took place." This book contains:
- A bisexual, Jewish, autistic (undiagnosed, but has a feeling she is) main character. She has the kind of neurodivergence I have, which manifests as special interests primarily forming around media in a "fangirl"ish way. I've never seen a character quite like the teen (and adult) I was, so I hope Emma helps folks feel seen. :)
- A weird small mountain town in Southern California that's convinced that a witch protects their town from wildfires (and that witch needs sacrifices). Very folklore/urban legend-y and the main aspect inspired by Blair Witch.
- Interstitial chapters that depict videos that take place on the night of the murders. They're the most "horror" I've written and I love them.
- A fair amount of body horror and gore. (think: teeth, fingernails, severed ears, that kind of thing). It's definitely more intense than Murder Land
- A trauma-bonded sapphic romance subplot
- A one-eyed cat named Aemond (who stays thriving the whole book)
As for TWs, this book contains the following:
Murder (on the page), attempted murder, blood and gore, bullying, sibling abuse (verbal/emotional and physical), stalking, gun usage, grief, panic attacks, internalized homophobia and ableism, discussion of disordered eating, self destruction via substance abuse and reckless behavior, mentioned (non-lethal) car crash, vomiting.
No animals are harmed in this book. People are. There is no spice because this is YA.
Hope everyone enjoys!
- A bisexual, Jewish, autistic (undiagnosed, but has a feeling she is) main character. She has the kind of neurodivergence I have, which manifests as special interests primarily forming around media in a "fangirl"ish way. I've never seen a character quite like the teen (and adult) I was, so I hope Emma helps folks feel seen. :)
- A weird small mountain town in Southern California that's convinced that a witch protects their town from wildfires (and that witch needs sacrifices). Very folklore/urban legend-y and the main aspect inspired by Blair Witch.
- Interstitial chapters that depict videos that take place on the night of the murders. They're the most "horror" I've written and I love them.
- A fair amount of body horror and gore. (think: teeth, fingernails, severed ears, that kind of thing). It's definitely more intense than Murder Land
- A trauma-bonded sapphic romance subplot
- A one-eyed cat named Aemond (who stays thriving the whole book)
As for TWs, this book contains the following:
Murder (on the page), attempted murder, blood and gore, bullying, sibling abuse (verbal/emotional and physical), stalking, gun usage, grief, panic attacks, internalized homophobia and ableism, discussion of disordered eating, self destruction via substance abuse and reckless behavior, mentioned (non-lethal) car crash, vomiting.
No animals are harmed in this book. People are. There is no spice because this is YA.
Hope everyone enjoys!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emma’s anger turns to shock when her friends, who have ditched her to go on a camping trip without her, all end up dead. The book is written in Emma’s POV, with a few flashbacks to her friends from their trip in the woods. Emma and Beck, one of the victim’s sisters, must solve the mystery while trying to stay alive themselves.
This was a great mystery and suspense story with a supernatural feel. There were some sections that felt a bit slow, but once the book ramped up, I couldn’t put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This was a great mystery and suspense story with a supernatural feel. There were some sections that felt a bit slow, but once the book ramped up, I couldn’t put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 5, 2026
I found Emma surprisingly relatable from the start.
Emma is eccentric, a little awkward, and a big Winona Ryder movie fangirl, with references to Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Girl, Interrupted woven in. She’s the black sheep of her friend group, and unfortunately she knows it.
When the weekly sleepover gets cancelled, Emma is devastated to learn that not only have her friends lied to her, but they’ve gone on the camping trip that SHE planned — without her!
What Happened to Those Girls is a YA thriller involving a camping trip that ends in tragedy, a ghost town in the mountains, and friends who don’t make it back alive.
It has slasher vibes, creepy woods, weird townsfolk, a witch legend, and nonstop tension.
I couldn’t put it down.
Emma is eccentric, a little awkward, and a big Winona Ryder movie fangirl, with references to Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Girl, Interrupted woven in. She’s the black sheep of her friend group, and unfortunately she knows it.
When the weekly sleepover gets cancelled, Emma is devastated to learn that not only have her friends lied to her, but they’ve gone on the camping trip that SHE planned — without her!
What Happened to Those Girls is a YA thriller involving a camping trip that ends in tragedy, a ghost town in the mountains, and friends who don’t make it back alive.
It has slasher vibes, creepy woods, weird townsfolk, a witch legend, and nonstop tension.
I couldn’t put it down.
June 1, 2026
WAITTT. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS TO BE THIS GOOD! This ended up being one of the best YA thrillers I’ve read in a good bit! I was a bit hesitant because while that synopsis sounds insanely interesting, I couldn’t get into Murderland and it ended up being a dnf, but I knew from the first chapter that this was going to be one that I was going to like. Also, while this is technically a thriller, this is more horror leaning than most thrillers are. This gets bizarre SO FAST that I truly could not begin to guess how this book was going to end or what the explanation for anything was, until we were well over halfway. This book has LAYERS and oh my gosh I could not stop kicking my feet because the mystery was SO GOOD. Conspiracies, a whole town that’s keeping secrets, and a potential witch?
Emma’s dynamic with her friend group does feel a bit unconventional to begin with, as you get the vibe that Emma (who literally works at a horror museum) is the odd one out in the friend group. But opposites attract with friendships all the time so it isn’t necessarily out of the ordinary. Yet, the other girls zip off and go on this haunted camping trip (that she planned!) without her, for no apparent reason. When Emma calls them out over text that evening, she gets a response saying that she “did her a favor because they’re all going to die out there”. Even though it’s late in the evening, Emma spontaneously drives hours away to this sparsely populated town to go to the campground and confront them, and what happens there is…..strange. That’s when this book really starts to verge into horror territory. Emma drives home that evening none the wiser, despite all the strange happenings that evening, and lo and behold, all 3 of her friends are reported dead the next morning.
I couldn’t wait to get to the end because I desperately needed answers, and my impatient ass was resisting skipping to the end because I HAD TO KNOW. And why is it that every local in that town runs off as soon as there is any mention of a witch? I truly couldn’t even begin to guess where this was going and I’m usually pretty good at guessing.
Sure, some parts are too convenient, like the fact that this whole entire town happens to have basically no service, or the fact that their parents just let two teenagers go on a remote getaway on their own just 8 months after their friends died from a remote getaway traveling on their own, and that the cops are completely incompetent like they’re straight out of scooby doo. Emphasis on the last one. But, I mean, it’s a YA thriller, and all of them are like this to some degree.
This was so close to a 5 star, but it feels more like a 4. The middle does have a bit of a lag. It’s close, but doesn’t quite feel like a perfect 5 star. But, the end is so twisty and just when you think you’ve got the reveal, more twists unravel! This book really gets under your skin and is a stand out read in this genre. Murder mystery lovers cannot skip this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Emma’s dynamic with her friend group does feel a bit unconventional to begin with, as you get the vibe that Emma (who literally works at a horror museum) is the odd one out in the friend group. But opposites attract with friendships all the time so it isn’t necessarily out of the ordinary. Yet, the other girls zip off and go on this haunted camping trip (that she planned!) without her, for no apparent reason. When Emma calls them out over text that evening, she gets a response saying that she “did her a favor because they’re all going to die out there”. Even though it’s late in the evening, Emma spontaneously drives hours away to this sparsely populated town to go to the campground and confront them, and what happens there is…..strange. That’s when this book really starts to verge into horror territory. Emma drives home that evening none the wiser, despite all the strange happenings that evening, and lo and behold, all 3 of her friends are reported dead the next morning.
I couldn’t wait to get to the end because I desperately needed answers, and my impatient ass was resisting skipping to the end because I HAD TO KNOW. And why is it that every local in that town runs off as soon as there is any mention of a witch? I truly couldn’t even begin to guess where this was going and I’m usually pretty good at guessing.
Sure, some parts are too convenient, like the fact that this whole entire town happens to have basically no service, or the fact that their parents just let two teenagers go on a remote getaway on their own just 8 months after their friends died from a remote getaway traveling on their own, and that the cops are completely incompetent like they’re straight out of scooby doo. Emphasis on the last one. But, I mean, it’s a YA thriller, and all of them are like this to some degree.
This was so close to a 5 star, but it feels more like a 4. The middle does have a bit of a lag. It’s close, but doesn’t quite feel like a perfect 5 star. But, the end is so twisty and just when you think you’ve got the reveal, more twists unravel! This book really gets under your skin and is a stand out read in this genre. Murder mystery lovers cannot skip this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
February 24, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book!
Emma is part of a friend group, but actually, she's more of an outsider. She's usually fine with that, until her friends decide to go on a camping trip she originally planned. Emma is not included on the trip. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds out that her three friends are dead. Emma starts to get messages and videos of the girls from an anonymous person. Emma now believes it wasn't an accident, but it was a murder. She needs to prove it. To do so, she asks one of the victims sisters, Beck, to help find evidence at the campsite. The campsite where a witch would live and kill people....
This young adult thriller is definitely a must read for fans of Pretty Little Liars and Holly Jackson. It fits exactly those vibes. The story starts off more slowly, but once we get on the campsite with Emma and Beck, the events starts to get really thrilling. The author has done a great job by building up the story and thereby creating a portion of tension.
Emma is not a very likable character, but I felt really sorry for what happened to her. I actually love that she's morally grey and not the perfect main character, she also has her flaws. Bonuspoints for the diversity because Emma thinks she has autisme, but doesn't have the diagnosis yet. You can definitely see her struggling with that throughout the book. In my opinion, the representation was okay, but I'm not the right person to judge that.
The plot twist... Oh my god. What was that?! I was completely shocked by the reveals. I absolutely did not see that coming. At all. So if you're looking for a YA thriller with a very good plot twist, this is your book! I honestly thought I would be getting some regular plot twists that are known in a lot of YA thrillers, but the author did an outstanding job on this.
I highly recommend this book. I don't have anything negative to say about this book, I had to finish this in one day, I couldn't stop reading. Five stars!
Emma is part of a friend group, but actually, she's more of an outsider. She's usually fine with that, until her friends decide to go on a camping trip she originally planned. Emma is not included on the trip. When she wakes up the next morning, she finds out that her three friends are dead. Emma starts to get messages and videos of the girls from an anonymous person. Emma now believes it wasn't an accident, but it was a murder. She needs to prove it. To do so, she asks one of the victims sisters, Beck, to help find evidence at the campsite. The campsite where a witch would live and kill people....
This young adult thriller is definitely a must read for fans of Pretty Little Liars and Holly Jackson. It fits exactly those vibes. The story starts off more slowly, but once we get on the campsite with Emma and Beck, the events starts to get really thrilling. The author has done a great job by building up the story and thereby creating a portion of tension.
Emma is not a very likable character, but I felt really sorry for what happened to her. I actually love that she's morally grey and not the perfect main character, she also has her flaws. Bonuspoints for the diversity because Emma thinks she has autisme, but doesn't have the diagnosis yet. You can definitely see her struggling with that throughout the book. In my opinion, the representation was okay, but I'm not the right person to judge that.
The plot twist... Oh my god. What was that?! I was completely shocked by the reveals. I absolutely did not see that coming. At all. So if you're looking for a YA thriller with a very good plot twist, this is your book! I honestly thought I would be getting some regular plot twists that are known in a lot of YA thrillers, but the author did an outstanding job on this.
I highly recommend this book. I don't have anything negative to say about this book, I had to finish this in one day, I couldn't stop reading. Five stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW
Rating:- ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes:-
🩸Witchcraft
🔪 Girls' love
🩸Friend's sister
I would like to begin this review by saying WHAT THE HECK??? This book was CRAZY. Like, awesome and crazy.
It's one thing to lead the readers to suspect an innocent person, but this author just played with my thoughts.
In the beginning, this book just feels like another 'high school drama' kind of book, but then you will uncover the secrets and past mysteries. The first 70% of the book seemed almost normal, but then you get to the last 30% and so many things happened all at once. I couldn't keep track of all the events of the book.
I love how the author gave all the smallest details like Emma on the verge of a panic attack, the gore details about the condition of the bodies (which I haven't really read in many thriller books) and their murders (I still can't get those horrible images out of my head), Emma's personality and Beck's personality. I honestly feel very connected to Emma because I've noticed that we are kind of similar.
This book kind of reminds me of the movie 'Fear Street' because of all the witchcraft and the rituals and because of this, I totally loved the book. However, I was NOT ready for what happened at the end of the book. Nothing could have prepared me for it. I honestly want to say so many things about the book but I can't say much without spoiling it, but I have one word to describe this book- supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (extraordinarily good).
Ps:- I also love how the last part of the book takes place on June 29th and the book comes out on June 30th.
Rating:- ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tropes:-
🩸Witchcraft
🔪 Girls' love
🩸Friend's sister
I would like to begin this review by saying WHAT THE HECK??? This book was CRAZY. Like, awesome and crazy.
It's one thing to lead the readers to suspect an innocent person, but this author just played with my thoughts.
In the beginning, this book just feels like another 'high school drama' kind of book, but then you will uncover the secrets and past mysteries. The first 70% of the book seemed almost normal, but then you get to the last 30% and so many things happened all at once. I couldn't keep track of all the events of the book.
I love how the author gave all the smallest details like Emma on the verge of a panic attack, the gore details about the condition of the bodies (which I haven't really read in many thriller books) and their murders (I still can't get those horrible images out of my head), Emma's personality and Beck's personality. I honestly feel very connected to Emma because I've noticed that we are kind of similar.
This book kind of reminds me of the movie 'Fear Street' because of all the witchcraft and the rituals and because of this, I totally loved the book. However, I was NOT ready for what happened at the end of the book. Nothing could have prepared me for it. I honestly want to say so many things about the book but I can't say much without spoiling it, but I have one word to describe this book- supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (extraordinarily good).
Ps:- I also love how the last part of the book takes place on June 29th and the book comes out on June 30th.
July 1, 2026
This was a great twisty YA thriller read, with a touch of horror! 🙌
I absolutely loved the creepy, witchy vibes, which had me hooked! I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this one after having mixed feelings on the author’s previous book, but I was honestly pleasantly surprised! If you enjoy YA thrillers, definitely check this one out! 👏
Thank you partner Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
I absolutely loved the creepy, witchy vibes, which had me hooked! I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this one after having mixed feelings on the author’s previous book, but I was honestly pleasantly surprised! If you enjoy YA thrillers, definitely check this one out! 👏
Thank you partner Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
July 4, 2026
literally read it in one day
July 1, 2026
This YA thriller/horror takes place in the woods when a camping trip among a group of teenagers ends with their death. One of the girls meant to go on the trip is excluded, and when she goes to confront them on the night of, she slashes their tires and leaves a threatening voicemail. When she notices she’s being watched, she flees the scene in a hurry. The next morning, she wakes to the news that they are all dead. Some time has passed, and she gets a text message from someone anonymous with footage from the night from one of the girl’s cellphone, luring her back to the campsite with the sister of one of the victims. Both are there to figure out the mystery of what happened, to get ahold of that message, delete the incriminating voicemail, and to see if the lore of the witch that haunts that area is true.
This book has a little of everything for beginner horror fans, those who love suspense, and the mystery surrounding this town with locals who don’t like to talk about what happened to the girls and the “paranormal” happenings from the witch, especially with outsiders. The town seems to be full of secrets. This has the same feelings you get when you watch a slasher movie, and you’re yelling at your TV when the victims are doing everything wrong and running towards danger. You have your final girl, who you wonder how they even survived the night. There’s gross body horror that is found near the campsite, not located by local police, which adds to the creepiness of the forest. This is a fast paced book is full of dread and mystery, that just happens to release in the perfect time of the year to read it. I did figure out one thing, but the other I was not expecting at all. In fact, there were two twists I didn’t see.
If you’re looking for a YA slasher film type of book with a camp setting, this is your book.
This book has a little of everything for beginner horror fans, those who love suspense, and the mystery surrounding this town with locals who don’t like to talk about what happened to the girls and the “paranormal” happenings from the witch, especially with outsiders. The town seems to be full of secrets. This has the same feelings you get when you watch a slasher movie, and you’re yelling at your TV when the victims are doing everything wrong and running towards danger. You have your final girl, who you wonder how they even survived the night. There’s gross body horror that is found near the campsite, not located by local police, which adds to the creepiness of the forest. This is a fast paced book is full of dread and mystery, that just happens to release in the perfect time of the year to read it. I did figure out one thing, but the other I was not expecting at all. In fact, there were two twists I didn’t see.
If you’re looking for a YA slasher film type of book with a camp setting, this is your book.
April 17, 2026
4.25 ⭐ ARC Review - Spooky vibes, sapphic romance, and lots of neurodivergence representation in this high school murder mystery thriller!
⛺️ For Fans of:
- young adult thriller horror
- murder mystery thriller
- supernatural ambiguity
- high schoolers
- friends go missing
- amateur detectives
- crimes at national parks
- sapphic yearning
- autism FMC rep
- anxiety FMC rep
- bisexual rep
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Emma’s three friends are found dead after they go on a camping trip that they didn’t even invite her to. To find out what happens, and clear herself of being a suspect, she teams up with Beck, her friend’s sister, to find out what happens.
From the beginning, you immediately fall in line with the main character’s intense emotions. It’s easy to connect with Emma, as nearly everyone knows the feeling of being left out and the betrayal and anger that comes along with it. But there’s also the fear that creeps in and builds as the creepy evidence mounts.
The supernatural ambiguity reminded me a lot of Riley Sager where you’re not sure if it’s a ghost/demon or a real killer, and a storyline in which aren’t sure which is scarier.
I absolutely loved how the two girls, the friend and the sister, are forced together, become friends, a lowkey romance blooming, and that they ultimately share in the truths and emotions of guilt and grief that come with death.
This book was a wild ride of grief, shock, creepy vibes, neurodivergent struggles, and lots of healing.
🖤 This is a review of an advanced reader copy (ARC). As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: What Happened to Those Girls
📅 Release Date: June 30, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5
⛺️ For Fans of:
- young adult thriller horror
- murder mystery thriller
- supernatural ambiguity
- high schoolers
- friends go missing
- amateur detectives
- crimes at national parks
- sapphic yearning
- autism FMC rep
- anxiety FMC rep
- bisexual rep
✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
Emma’s three friends are found dead after they go on a camping trip that they didn’t even invite her to. To find out what happens, and clear herself of being a suspect, she teams up with Beck, her friend’s sister, to find out what happens.
From the beginning, you immediately fall in line with the main character’s intense emotions. It’s easy to connect with Emma, as nearly everyone knows the feeling of being left out and the betrayal and anger that comes along with it. But there’s also the fear that creeps in and builds as the creepy evidence mounts.
The supernatural ambiguity reminded me a lot of Riley Sager where you’re not sure if it’s a ghost/demon or a real killer, and a storyline in which aren’t sure which is scarier.
I absolutely loved how the two girls, the friend and the sister, are forced together, become friends, a lowkey romance blooming, and that they ultimately share in the truths and emotions of guilt and grief that come with death.
This book was a wild ride of grief, shock, creepy vibes, neurodivergent struggles, and lots of healing.
🖤 This is a review of an advanced reader copy (ARC). As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!
📚 Book: What Happened to Those Girls
📅 Release Date: June 30, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5
March 22, 2026
Thanks kindly to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC 👻🧙🏼♀️
I’ve yet to read a Sourcebooks Fire book that doesn’t hit! This book follows a group of teen girls who all best friends who don’t realllly like each other (almost a hatred, we’ve all been there) and decide to spend a night in the woods much to the chagrin of our main character, Emma, who is left out of the adventure. Things take a turn for the worst when all our woodsy adventurers die 🫢🤫 was it a witch? A murderer? Or a small town conspiracy?
Overall, this book was good and completed what it set out to do. There were minimal pacing issues yet I found there were some story issues. A LOT was happening, including characters being introduced as seemingly important and then forgotten, I think I misunderstood certain characters (particularly the one starting with V) and their purpose to the story other than a catalyst to lead us to twist after twist.
A big plus to the book was how realised the two main characters, Emma and Beck, felt. Particularly with Emma’s neurodivergence, I had yet to see someone written on the page who had a lot of similar traits of neurodivergence to myself, which felt special.
Beck was a strong character who never felt like she was making out of character decisions, and displayed the complex sibling dynamics between her and Paisley in a way I have yet to read.
Overall, 3.75 ⭐️💅🏼
I’ve yet to read a Sourcebooks Fire book that doesn’t hit! This book follows a group of teen girls who all best friends who don’t realllly like each other (almost a hatred, we’ve all been there) and decide to spend a night in the woods much to the chagrin of our main character, Emma, who is left out of the adventure. Things take a turn for the worst when all our woodsy adventurers die 🫢🤫 was it a witch? A murderer? Or a small town conspiracy?
Overall, this book was good and completed what it set out to do. There were minimal pacing issues yet I found there were some story issues. A LOT was happening, including characters being introduced as seemingly important and then forgotten, I think I misunderstood certain characters (particularly the one starting with V) and their purpose to the story other than a catalyst to lead us to twist after twist.
A big plus to the book was how realised the two main characters, Emma and Beck, felt. Particularly with Emma’s neurodivergence, I had yet to see someone written on the page who had a lot of similar traits of neurodivergence to myself, which felt special.
Beck was a strong character who never felt like she was making out of character decisions, and displayed the complex sibling dynamics between her and Paisley in a way I have yet to read.
Overall, 3.75 ⭐️💅🏼
May 29, 2026
3.5 overall!
The summary called this Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project, which had me so excited to read this book. Add in that it’s camping in the woods during summer with a witch lore, sign me up. This book definitely started out strong and had me hooked wanting to keep turning the page. I loved how the timeline of the book started in the past with what happened and then transitioned into the present with Emma figuring out what happened to her friends.
However, it took a turn for me a little halfway through the book. I felt like things weren’t explained much and were just brushed over. I also guessed two of the twists early on so when they happened it didn’t have much of an impact on me. I also just wanted so much more from the book. With it being described as Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project I wanted more of those themes than what was given, which saddened me.
Overall, even though this book ended up falling in the middle for me it was still a fast paced YA thriller and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys toxic friendships, camping in the woods thrillers, and small town lores.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The summary called this Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project, which had me so excited to read this book. Add in that it’s camping in the woods during summer with a witch lore, sign me up. This book definitely started out strong and had me hooked wanting to keep turning the page. I loved how the timeline of the book started in the past with what happened and then transitioned into the present with Emma figuring out what happened to her friends.
However, it took a turn for me a little halfway through the book. I felt like things weren’t explained much and were just brushed over. I also guessed two of the twists early on so when they happened it didn’t have much of an impact on me. I also just wanted so much more from the book. With it being described as Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project I wanted more of those themes than what was given, which saddened me.
Overall, even though this book ended up falling in the middle for me it was still a fast paced YA thriller and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys toxic friendships, camping in the woods thrillers, and small town lores.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
June 30, 2026
This ended up being way more gruesome than I expected and I really enjoyed that.
Emma has three best friends, only they don't see her the same way. It all comes to a boiling point when the other girls go on a camping trip without her. However before Emma has a chance to confront them, they die. Everyone thinks it was a tragic accident, however Emma has her reasons to think otherwise and joins one of the victim's sisters on a sleuthing adventure to figure out the truth.
My favourite part of this book was how well it keeps the reader on their toes regarding whether or not something supernatural is going on. The ending is pretty predictable but the way we get there is still pretty fun.
I've really enjoyed the relationship between Emma and Beck however because of the time skip between the girls death and the main action of the story, it feels like we miss out on a lot of depth to the characters and their grief.
It's still a fun YA thriller with an engaging mystery.
Emma has three best friends, only they don't see her the same way. It all comes to a boiling point when the other girls go on a camping trip without her. However before Emma has a chance to confront them, they die. Everyone thinks it was a tragic accident, however Emma has her reasons to think otherwise and joins one of the victim's sisters on a sleuthing adventure to figure out the truth.
My favourite part of this book was how well it keeps the reader on their toes regarding whether or not something supernatural is going on. The ending is pretty predictable but the way we get there is still pretty fun.
I've really enjoyed the relationship between Emma and Beck however because of the time skip between the girls death and the main action of the story, it feels like we miss out on a lot of depth to the characters and their grief.
It's still a fun YA thriller with an engaging mystery.
July 2, 2026
3.5 - ARC review
What Happened to Those Girls was definitely a fast paced YA thriller that kept me reading. The vibes were Blair Witch x Pretty Little Liars - two highschool girls trying to solve the murder of three peers/ a sister.
This was interesting enough that I kept wanting to pick up my kindle and read on, but this also wasn’t a five star read for me.
I could’ve used less talk about Winona Ryder and more talk about what was literally happening. So many things felt brushed aside or simply ignored, while key scenes ended abruptly without really delivering the emotional impact they were supposed to.
The characters also fell flat for me. Apart from Beck, and Emma’s obsession with Winona, all of the characters had no real personality. I couldn’t form any connection with them - consequently, I didn’t really care about any of them. I would’ve loved some more world building and getting to know the characters.
What I liked was the eerie atmosphere. I kept wondering if there truly was a witch haunting the woods and the campers. The ending was a surprise, even though I kind of suspected it. I would recommend this if you like YA mysteries, toxic friendships and some queer romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ☀️
What Happened to Those Girls was definitely a fast paced YA thriller that kept me reading. The vibes were Blair Witch x Pretty Little Liars - two highschool girls trying to solve the murder of three peers/ a sister.
This was interesting enough that I kept wanting to pick up my kindle and read on, but this also wasn’t a five star read for me.
I could’ve used less talk about Winona Ryder and more talk about what was literally happening. So many things felt brushed aside or simply ignored, while key scenes ended abruptly without really delivering the emotional impact they were supposed to.
The characters also fell flat for me. Apart from Beck, and Emma’s obsession with Winona, all of the characters had no real personality. I couldn’t form any connection with them - consequently, I didn’t really care about any of them. I would’ve loved some more world building and getting to know the characters.
What I liked was the eerie atmosphere. I kept wondering if there truly was a witch haunting the woods and the campers. The ending was a surprise, even though I kind of suspected it. I would recommend this if you like YA mysteries, toxic friendships and some queer romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC ☀️
July 10, 2026
3.5 rounded up
The protagonist is by her own description annoying at times, but she is definitely going through so much that you can't really blame her for it.
It's a messy story about grieving people who may have been terrible for you but that doesn't mean they weren't a part of your life.
Potential spoilers below
I do have 1 major plot hole that I believe is supposed to be covered by "the local police just don't care about outsiders enough to investigate" but it's never mentioned except as "what if someone finds out"
You punctured the tires with a crowbar someone should have at least been considering foul play even if they didn't suspect you specifically, the whole "locals want to say accident" makes so much sense and works for most things, but this additional detail bugs me for some reason.
The protagonist is by her own description annoying at times, but she is definitely going through so much that you can't really blame her for it.
It's a messy story about grieving people who may have been terrible for you but that doesn't mean they weren't a part of your life.
Potential spoilers below
I do have 1 major plot hole that I believe is supposed to be covered by "the local police just don't care about outsiders enough to investigate" but it's never mentioned except as "what if someone finds out"
You punctured the tires with a crowbar someone should have at least been considering foul play even if they didn't suspect you specifically, the whole "locals want to say accident" makes so much sense and works for most things, but this additional detail bugs me for some reason.
February 17, 2026
This book was amazing!! I loved all the action, suspense, and terror I felt while reading it!! I read it in 3 days and can’t wait to read more books from this author!! This book was everything I wanted in a thriller!! The LGBTQ+ representation was the best!! There was not one dull moment in this book!! I read it so fast because I needed to know what happened to the girls in the book!! It was very fast paced and exciting throughout the book! This is a book I will not forget reading!! It was so fun and frightening at the same time!! I love this author so much and can’t wait to read more books from her in the future!!
March 30, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.25 to 4.5 stars.
This is described as pretty little liars meets the blair witch and I think thats a fair description. The whole story is steeped in eerie tension and a mystery that has you thinking wth quite often. I did kind of guess an aspect of the twist, but there’s no way I could’ve guessed the full insanity that unfolded.
I enjoy our main characters Beck and Emma, an unlikely duo who bring slightly decent detective work and loyalty to the story. I was quite surprised how the plot originally unfolded as I did not expect the dark turn of events that send Beck and Emma on their path.
This is described as pretty little liars meets the blair witch and I think thats a fair description. The whole story is steeped in eerie tension and a mystery that has you thinking wth quite often. I did kind of guess an aspect of the twist, but there’s no way I could’ve guessed the full insanity that unfolded.
I enjoy our main characters Beck and Emma, an unlikely duo who bring slightly decent detective work and loyalty to the story. I was quite surprised how the plot originally unfolded as I did not expect the dark turn of events that send Beck and Emma on their path.
July 5, 2026
This was a fun, enjoyable read. What Happened to Those Girls kept me engaged and guessing and delivered a satisfying twist. We get a witch-in-the-woods urban legend, gruesome deaths, and two girls determined to find the truth at any cost. There's also a tiny romance arc that I wasn't expecting at all. I only wish we'd gotten more insight into the investigation, and without any spoilers, the ending, the motives, and other behaviors that might have hinted they were capable of the act. Overall, I would recommend this book and plan to read more from Carlyn Greenwald.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire for gifting me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire for gifting me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
March 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for this ARC on exchange for an honest review!
Oh wow finally an interesting and eerie thriller that left me guessing the whole way!! I loved the whole disappearing camping vibe. It was too good. The vibes of the book were spooky, eerie, dark and just amazing all around! I definitely recommend this author and I hope to read more from
Oh wow finally an interesting and eerie thriller that left me guessing the whole way!! I loved the whole disappearing camping vibe. It was too good. The vibes of the book were spooky, eerie, dark and just amazing all around! I definitely recommend this author and I hope to read more from
Want to Read
February 13, 2026A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!
This book sounded like something that would be perfectly in my reading sphere. I love survival YA, especially when combined with mysteries. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite land. The plot twists were really predicatable. I knew the major story arc very early on, and that was definitely a bummer. I also really didn't like Emma. I get that she's ~different~ and struggling, but she was also so frustrating and annoying. The whole story centers around her feeling betrayed when her friends go on a camping trip without her, and that betrayal takes full center stage. It honestly never really felt like she cared that any of her "friends" died horrific deaths in the woods. The dialogue at points is absolutely bizzare. I work with kids, and I cannot image any of them saying "the guys collected us" or referring to a friend group as "Paisley and co." There's a lot of major plot points that don't add up at the end, as well. I've had Murderland on my TBR for a while now, and reading this hasn't compelled me to move it up any further.
This book sounded like something that would be perfectly in my reading sphere. I love survival YA, especially when combined with mysteries. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite land. The plot twists were really predicatable. I knew the major story arc very early on, and that was definitely a bummer. I also really didn't like Emma. I get that she's ~different~ and struggling, but she was also so frustrating and annoying. The whole story centers around her feeling betrayed when her friends go on a camping trip without her, and that betrayal takes full center stage. It honestly never really felt like she cared that any of her "friends" died horrific deaths in the woods. The dialogue at points is absolutely bizzare. I work with kids, and I cannot image any of them saying "the guys collected us" or referring to a friend group as "Paisley and co." There's a lot of major plot points that don't add up at the end, as well. I've had Murderland on my TBR for a while now, and reading this hasn't compelled me to move it up any further.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
3.5 stars
what happened to those girls is a very compelling ya thriller that immediately pulls you in with its premise. the pacing is one of its biggest strengths. it is the kind of book that makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter, especially as the twists start to unfold and reframe what you thought you knew.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the story, particularly the small town setting, the local legend, and the tension surrounding the events at the campsite. the central reveal was effective and tied the mystery together in a way that felt both eerie and satisfying.
however, some of the elements
overall, this is a compelling and addictive thriller that prioritizes momentum and twists. while some plot points could have been explored more deeply, it remains an entertaining read that fans of fast paced ya mysteries will likely enjoy.
3.5 stars
what happened to those girls is a very compelling ya thriller that immediately pulls you in with its premise. the pacing is one of its biggest strengths. it is the kind of book that makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter, especially as the twists start to unfold and reframe what you thought you knew.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the story, particularly the small town setting, the local legend, and the tension surrounding the events at the campsite. the central reveal was effective and tied the mystery together in a way that felt both eerie and satisfying.
however, some of the elements
overall, this is a compelling and addictive thriller that prioritizes momentum and twists. while some plot points could have been explored more deeply, it remains an entertaining read that fans of fast paced ya mysteries will likely enjoy.
March 21, 2026
When Emma finds out that her three best friends have gone on a camping trip without her– a trip that she planned– she is understandably hurt and angry. Emma plans to confront her friends, but when she finds out the next morning that they have been killed in what has been ruled a tragic accident, she is left with more questions than answers. Soon, Emma teams up with Beck, her friend’s sister, to investigate the girls’ deaths– or possibly, murders.
WHTTG is fast paced, grabbing the reader's attention from the first page and never letting go. The main characters, especially Emma, are well-developed and relatable. Emma’s insecurities, as well as her growth throughout the book, struck me as very realistic. It was easy to root for her as she and Beck tried to solve the mystery of “what happened to those girls.”
I would recommend this book for older teens, fans of horror and/or mysteries similar to Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, and anyone who has ever felt out of place or lonely among friends. There are some scary elements in this story– mainly, the town is rumored to be haunted by a witch– and some depictions of gore that may be too graphic for a younger audience. Overall, WHTTG is an enjoyable read that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley.
WHTTG is fast paced, grabbing the reader's attention from the first page and never letting go. The main characters, especially Emma, are well-developed and relatable. Emma’s insecurities, as well as her growth throughout the book, struck me as very realistic. It was easy to root for her as she and Beck tried to solve the mystery of “what happened to those girls.”
I would recommend this book for older teens, fans of horror and/or mysteries similar to Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, and anyone who has ever felt out of place or lonely among friends. There are some scary elements in this story– mainly, the town is rumored to be haunted by a witch– and some depictions of gore that may be too graphic for a younger audience. Overall, WHTTG is an enjoyable read that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“What Happened to Those Girls” by Carlyn Greenwald is an eerie, fast-paced YA thriller/horror that combines small-town horror with emotional mystery into a suspenseful story about grief, betrayal, and the search for truth. With its unsettling atmosphere, supernatural hints, and compelling main character, this book keeps you hooked from the first page to its intense conclusion.
The story follows Emma, an awkward and relatable teen who is devastated when she discovers her three best friends went on a camping trip she planned without her. When the girls are found dead the next morning in what authorities call a tragic accident, Emma is left with crushing guilt, anger, and unanswered questions. But when she begins receiving anonymous texts suggesting the deaths were no accident, complete with disturbing evidence, Emma teams up with Beck, the sister of one of the victims, to uncover what really happened.
Emma is one of the book’s strongest elements. She self-identifies as neurodivergent and struggles socially, making her deeply relatable, especially for those who have felt out of place or excluded. Her inner world is richly portrayed; she’s insecure, obsessive with her niche interests, and emotionally complex, yet also determined and resilient. Watching her grow stronger and confront her fears throughout the investigation adds emotional weight to the suspenseful plot.
The mystery itself is engaging and layered. Emma and Beck investigate the remote campground and eerie small town where the girls died, uncovering local folklore about a witch tied to the area. Some townspeople believe the witch demands sacrifices, while others refuse to discuss the legend at all. As the girls dig deeper, strange and threatening events occur like cut fuel lines, shadowy figures in the woods, and chilling clues suggesting the victims may have been tortured. The story plays effectively with the question of whether the danger is supernatural or something far more human.
The atmosphere is a standout feature. The isolated mountain setting, distrustful locals, and creeping sense of dread create strong horror vibes reminiscent of stories like The Blair Witch Project, while the combination of mystery and teen drama keeps you entertained throughout. The tension builds steadily with frequent cliffhangers and revelations that make the book difficult to put down.
Alongside the mystery is a slow-burn sapphic romance between Emma and Beck. Their developing relationship adds warmth and emotional grounding without overshadowing the central investigation. The story also explores themes of friendship, betrayal, trauma, and how fear and belief can shape people’s actions, particularly in communities driven by superstition.
While the book delivers plenty of suspense, it leans toward older YA readers due to graphic descriptions, moments of body horror, and darker themes. Some twists may feel predictable, and I did hope for more found-footage elements as those helped make this book feel more unique. Still, the emotional climax is intense and satisfying, wrapping up the mystery while offering a hopeful note of healing and growth.
Overall, “What Happened to Those Girls” is a gripping YA horror-mystery with a compelling protagonist, strong atmosphere, and plenty of twists. This book is perfect for those who enjoy unsettling small-town secrets, folklore-driven suspense, and character-driven thrillers with a touch of romance, this chilling story explores what happens when the survivor of a horror story decides to go back and face the truth.
“What Happened to Those Girls” by Carlyn Greenwald is an eerie, fast-paced YA thriller/horror that combines small-town horror with emotional mystery into a suspenseful story about grief, betrayal, and the search for truth. With its unsettling atmosphere, supernatural hints, and compelling main character, this book keeps you hooked from the first page to its intense conclusion.
The story follows Emma, an awkward and relatable teen who is devastated when she discovers her three best friends went on a camping trip she planned without her. When the girls are found dead the next morning in what authorities call a tragic accident, Emma is left with crushing guilt, anger, and unanswered questions. But when she begins receiving anonymous texts suggesting the deaths were no accident, complete with disturbing evidence, Emma teams up with Beck, the sister of one of the victims, to uncover what really happened.
Emma is one of the book’s strongest elements. She self-identifies as neurodivergent and struggles socially, making her deeply relatable, especially for those who have felt out of place or excluded. Her inner world is richly portrayed; she’s insecure, obsessive with her niche interests, and emotionally complex, yet also determined and resilient. Watching her grow stronger and confront her fears throughout the investigation adds emotional weight to the suspenseful plot.
The mystery itself is engaging and layered. Emma and Beck investigate the remote campground and eerie small town where the girls died, uncovering local folklore about a witch tied to the area. Some townspeople believe the witch demands sacrifices, while others refuse to discuss the legend at all. As the girls dig deeper, strange and threatening events occur like cut fuel lines, shadowy figures in the woods, and chilling clues suggesting the victims may have been tortured. The story plays effectively with the question of whether the danger is supernatural or something far more human.
The atmosphere is a standout feature. The isolated mountain setting, distrustful locals, and creeping sense of dread create strong horror vibes reminiscent of stories like The Blair Witch Project, while the combination of mystery and teen drama keeps you entertained throughout. The tension builds steadily with frequent cliffhangers and revelations that make the book difficult to put down.
Alongside the mystery is a slow-burn sapphic romance between Emma and Beck. Their developing relationship adds warmth and emotional grounding without overshadowing the central investigation. The story also explores themes of friendship, betrayal, trauma, and how fear and belief can shape people’s actions, particularly in communities driven by superstition.
While the book delivers plenty of suspense, it leans toward older YA readers due to graphic descriptions, moments of body horror, and darker themes. Some twists may feel predictable, and I did hope for more found-footage elements as those helped make this book feel more unique. Still, the emotional climax is intense and satisfying, wrapping up the mystery while offering a hopeful note of healing and growth.
Overall, “What Happened to Those Girls” is a gripping YA horror-mystery with a compelling protagonist, strong atmosphere, and plenty of twists. This book is perfect for those who enjoy unsettling small-town secrets, folklore-driven suspense, and character-driven thrillers with a touch of romance, this chilling story explores what happens when the survivor of a horror story decides to go back and face the truth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you like thrillers with messy friendships, creepy woods, and enough secrets to fill an entire group chat archive, then this is the book for you and it absolutely delivers. I gave this one 4.5 stars and flew through it faster than you can say, maybe we shouldn't go into the exact woods our friends were murdered.
The story follows Emma, the self-proclaimed outsider of her friend group. She knows the girls (Paisley, Harlow & Opal) lie to her, she knows she's not exactly their favorite person, and honestly? She's mostly made peace with that. Until her so-called friends go on a camping trip that Emma planned...and conveniently forget to invite her. Rude...
But things take a dark turn when the next morning brings shocking news: all three girls are dead. And it only gets worse from there.
Emma starts receiving anonymous videos showing the girls the night they died. Suddenly it's clear their deaths weren't an accident and if the investigation turns into a murder case, Emma is sitting in the worst position: Prime Suspect.
Enter Beck, the sister of Paisley. Beck is determined to figure out what happened to her sister and friends and she reluctantly teams up with Emma to dig into the truth. Their uneasy partnership becomes the heart of the story-two girls who don't fully trust each other but desperately need answers. As they return to the woods and start pulling threads, they uncover a whole web of town secrets, buried grudges, and lies within the friend group that run much deeper than anyone expected.
Character-wise, this book shines. Emma is prickly, sarcastic, and understandably defensive after years of being the odd one out. Beck is driven, grieving, and stubborn in a way that makes her impossible not to root for. And the three girls at the center of the mystery-though gone-still loom large through flashbacks, videos, and the complicated history they shared with Emma.
The atmosphere is also chef's kiss. The woods are creepy, the town is suspicious, and the tension builds in that delicious "something is very wrong here" way.
As for the mystery? I didn't guess the outcome until almost the very end, and even then the way everything finally came together still managed to surprise me. The twists feel earned, and the story keeps you guessing as every new piece of evidence makes you question what you thought you knew.
If you love thrillers with toxic friendships, small-town secrets, and a creeping sense of dread, this one is absolutely work picking up when it's released June 20, 2026. Just maybe read it somewhere well lit...and not right before a camping trip!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based off of an uncorrected proof which did not sway my thoughts either way. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!
The story follows Emma, the self-proclaimed outsider of her friend group. She knows the girls (Paisley, Harlow & Opal) lie to her, she knows she's not exactly their favorite person, and honestly? She's mostly made peace with that. Until her so-called friends go on a camping trip that Emma planned...and conveniently forget to invite her. Rude...
But things take a dark turn when the next morning brings shocking news: all three girls are dead. And it only gets worse from there.
Emma starts receiving anonymous videos showing the girls the night they died. Suddenly it's clear their deaths weren't an accident and if the investigation turns into a murder case, Emma is sitting in the worst position: Prime Suspect.
Enter Beck, the sister of Paisley. Beck is determined to figure out what happened to her sister and friends and she reluctantly teams up with Emma to dig into the truth. Their uneasy partnership becomes the heart of the story-two girls who don't fully trust each other but desperately need answers. As they return to the woods and start pulling threads, they uncover a whole web of town secrets, buried grudges, and lies within the friend group that run much deeper than anyone expected.
Character-wise, this book shines. Emma is prickly, sarcastic, and understandably defensive after years of being the odd one out. Beck is driven, grieving, and stubborn in a way that makes her impossible not to root for. And the three girls at the center of the mystery-though gone-still loom large through flashbacks, videos, and the complicated history they shared with Emma.
The atmosphere is also chef's kiss. The woods are creepy, the town is suspicious, and the tension builds in that delicious "something is very wrong here" way.
As for the mystery? I didn't guess the outcome until almost the very end, and even then the way everything finally came together still managed to surprise me. The twists feel earned, and the story keeps you guessing as every new piece of evidence makes you question what you thought you knew.
If you love thrillers with toxic friendships, small-town secrets, and a creeping sense of dread, this one is absolutely work picking up when it's released June 20, 2026. Just maybe read it somewhere well lit...and not right before a camping trip!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based off of an uncorrected proof which did not sway my thoughts either way. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the free ARC giveaway at C2E2 back in March!
I am thoroughly shocked at how much I loved this. After my last read, I had lost some hope in finding anything good to bring me out of my slump. But Greenwald absolutely delivered. I normally don't read YA anymore because the writing is too juvenile and the characters are too angst-y. But I think this shows two characters going through their mixed emotions of grief and anger at the ones who were murdered very well. All while creating a heavy atmosphere and trying to solve said murders in a California national park. I appreciated that this is one the few novels this year that I've encountered that is a "show and tell" instead of just saying so and so did this and now we're here (see my last review of Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous). No. This was thick with emotion and action and my goodness it was soooo refreshing.
The setting for this is perfect. Set mostly in a woodsy national park with ranger stations (honestly I immediately think of the Fears to Fathom games and the ranger episode that scared the living daylights out of me) and a dilapidated little town with crumbling buildings. Outside of the park is this creepy little town that is weird about their witch legend and you don't know who to trust.
The characters were actually (in my opinion) mature for their age - possibly due to the tragedy they live through - which was also refreshing in a YA novel because I can't stand the whiny, irresponsible teen thing. Were they irresponsible to go alone to investigate these murders? Sure, but it's a storyline I can and have seen people of many ages do in other books. The biggest "inexperienced" thing they did that started to bother me was literally touching everything they found. Like, why would you jeopardize evidence like that???? Anyway, beside the point. I really did enjoy watching Emma and Beck's relationship form and seeing them through their stages of grief. I liked seeing the dynamics between Beck and Paisley's relationship from the past and how Emma compares it to her relationship with her older brother even though he doesn't really play a role in the story.
I sort of saw part of the twist coming, but definitely not the whole thing so I am impressed with that although I do feel like there were some loose ends from the subplot that could have been tied up more neatly. But, that doesn't change the fact that I couldn't put this down and I think any fan of thrillers - regardless if you read YA or not - should give this a try.
I am thoroughly shocked at how much I loved this. After my last read, I had lost some hope in finding anything good to bring me out of my slump. But Greenwald absolutely delivered. I normally don't read YA anymore because the writing is too juvenile and the characters are too angst-y. But I think this shows two characters going through their mixed emotions of grief and anger at the ones who were murdered very well. All while creating a heavy atmosphere and trying to solve said murders in a California national park. I appreciated that this is one the few novels this year that I've encountered that is a "show and tell" instead of just saying so and so did this and now we're here (see my last review of Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous). No. This was thick with emotion and action and my goodness it was soooo refreshing.
The setting for this is perfect. Set mostly in a woodsy national park with ranger stations (honestly I immediately think of the Fears to Fathom games and the ranger episode that scared the living daylights out of me) and a dilapidated little town with crumbling buildings. Outside of the park is this creepy little town that is weird about their witch legend and you don't know who to trust.
The characters were actually (in my opinion) mature for their age - possibly due to the tragedy they live through - which was also refreshing in a YA novel because I can't stand the whiny, irresponsible teen thing. Were they irresponsible to go alone to investigate these murders? Sure, but it's a storyline I can and have seen people of many ages do in other books. The biggest "inexperienced" thing they did that started to bother me was literally touching everything they found. Like, why would you jeopardize evidence like that???? Anyway, beside the point. I really did enjoy watching Emma and Beck's relationship form and seeing them through their stages of grief. I liked seeing the dynamics between Beck and Paisley's relationship from the past and how Emma compares it to her relationship with her older brother even though he doesn't really play a role in the story.
I sort of saw part of the twist coming, but definitely not the whole thing so I am impressed with that although I do feel like there were some loose ends from the subplot that could have been tied up more neatly. But, that doesn't change the fact that I couldn't put this down and I think any fan of thrillers - regardless if you read YA or not - should give this a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.8/5
What Happened to Those Girls is a solid young adult murder mystery that has you really guessing.
It follows Emma, who's part of a friend group with some mean girls who make her feel like an outcast. When they go on a camping trip SHE planned without her, Emma is upset. Then the next day she wakes up to the news that they all died. After she starts receiving strange videos of the girls out in the woods that suggest their deaths weren't accidental, Emma teams up with one of the dead girl's sister to try and discover what really happened out in those woods.
What Happened to Those Girls doesn't present a whole lot of obvious suspects, but the ones that I thought were the most suspicious were actually not even explored at all, which I thought was strange. However, it still managed to surprise me with what happened, even though looking back, I probably should have seen the end coming lol.
I didn't really like Emma a whole lot as a main character. She was kind of timid and didn't really stand up for herself ever and let those girls walk all over her. She definitely has improved by the end of the book, so it's a good character arc, but during the book, I just didn't find a whole lot of aspects of her character to love. She had distinct likes and interests, but she was a little bland outside of that.
Beck was a lot more likable to me. She's a strong character and helps drive the adventure. She's a tough girl and also very candid, which is nice, because there's one point in the story where I think she's going to get mad at Emma for something, but she ends up being pretty awesome about it lol. She's very laidback until she's angry, which I like about her.
Emma's friends are very unlikable, which makes it kind of difficult to care about bringing them justice. They're pretty much all petulant teenage girls, with the exception of one who's not as bad.
I was decently surprised by the ending and thought it was a good climax for the book and showed some growth in the characters. I also liked how you're always kind of wondering if the book is going to take a supernatural turn or not.
Overall, it's a good mystery with decent characters and a surprising twist ending.
What Happened to Those Girls is a solid young adult murder mystery that has you really guessing.
It follows Emma, who's part of a friend group with some mean girls who make her feel like an outcast. When they go on a camping trip SHE planned without her, Emma is upset. Then the next day she wakes up to the news that they all died. After she starts receiving strange videos of the girls out in the woods that suggest their deaths weren't accidental, Emma teams up with one of the dead girl's sister to try and discover what really happened out in those woods.
What Happened to Those Girls doesn't present a whole lot of obvious suspects, but the ones that I thought were the most suspicious were actually not even explored at all, which I thought was strange. However, it still managed to surprise me with what happened, even though looking back, I probably should have seen the end coming lol.
I didn't really like Emma a whole lot as a main character. She was kind of timid and didn't really stand up for herself ever and let those girls walk all over her. She definitely has improved by the end of the book, so it's a good character arc, but during the book, I just didn't find a whole lot of aspects of her character to love. She had distinct likes and interests, but she was a little bland outside of that.
Beck was a lot more likable to me. She's a strong character and helps drive the adventure. She's a tough girl and also very candid, which is nice, because there's one point in the story where I think she's going to get mad at Emma for something, but she ends up being pretty awesome about it lol. She's very laidback until she's angry, which I like about her.
Emma's friends are very unlikable, which makes it kind of difficult to care about bringing them justice. They're pretty much all petulant teenage girls, with the exception of one who's not as bad.
I was decently surprised by the ending and thought it was a good climax for the book and showed some growth in the characters. I also liked how you're always kind of wondering if the book is going to take a supernatural turn or not.
Overall, it's a good mystery with decent characters and a surprising twist ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the ARC of What Happened to Those Girls
by Carlyn Greenwald.
Emma feels like an outsider even among her group of friends. Sure she is happy to be part of the popular girls’ club, but when she learns that her friends have ditched her to go on the camping trip that she had been planning for them, that’s the final straw. She heads out to the campsite to confront them when she experiences some rather strange things, including a really strange woman. Everything that happens is enough to scare her home before she even gets to confront her “friends”. She later finds out that two of her friends are found dead as a result of a hiking accident and the third friend is missing. Needless to say, the book opens with a bang, but the page-turning excitement doesn’t end there.
At the funeral of one of the friends, Emma receives a text message from an unknown number saying something ominous about the deaths and the town overall. There are so many unknowns, so many things about the deaths and the text message that simply don’t add up. So Emma and Becks, the sister of one of the missing and/or dead girl’s sister, decide to take the investigation of the deaths and the messages into their own hands.
This was my first book by the author and I will definitely read whatever she writes next. Her writing style makes the book VERY difficult to put down. The story was incredibly written and there were no plotholes in the story. This is often an issue I have found, especially in YA mysteries. The character development and the way the characters were written allows readers to feel like they truly know the characters. I feel the characters are written in a way that young adult readers will find relatable. This book was such an entertaining read that had me reading way past my bedtime. I especially loved trying to figure out the mystery at the same time the characters were.
Yes, I can highly recommend this book for fans of thrillers and murder mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the ARC of What Happened to Those Girls
by Carlyn Greenwald.
Emma feels like an outsider even among her group of friends. Sure she is happy to be part of the popular girls’ club, but when she learns that her friends have ditched her to go on the camping trip that she had been planning for them, that’s the final straw. She heads out to the campsite to confront them when she experiences some rather strange things, including a really strange woman. Everything that happens is enough to scare her home before she even gets to confront her “friends”. She later finds out that two of her friends are found dead as a result of a hiking accident and the third friend is missing. Needless to say, the book opens with a bang, but the page-turning excitement doesn’t end there.
At the funeral of one of the friends, Emma receives a text message from an unknown number saying something ominous about the deaths and the town overall. There are so many unknowns, so many things about the deaths and the text message that simply don’t add up. So Emma and Becks, the sister of one of the missing and/or dead girl’s sister, decide to take the investigation of the deaths and the messages into their own hands.
This was my first book by the author and I will definitely read whatever she writes next. Her writing style makes the book VERY difficult to put down. The story was incredibly written and there were no plotholes in the story. This is often an issue I have found, especially in YA mysteries. The character development and the way the characters were written allows readers to feel like they truly know the characters. I feel the characters are written in a way that young adult readers will find relatable. This book was such an entertaining read that had me reading way past my bedtime. I especially loved trying to figure out the mystery at the same time the characters were.
Yes, I can highly recommend this book for fans of thrillers and murder mysteries.
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