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What Happened to Those Girls
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Expected 30 Jun 26Pretty 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…
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
11 people are currently reading
6797 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Emma is hurt to find out that her three best friends excluded her from the camping trip near a ghost town that she planned, but then the three girls die tragically and Emma is devastated.
Emma is a bit of a geek and definitely not the most popular girl in her friend group. She self identifies as neurodivergent and has special interests she obsesses over, including crushes on female celebrities. After the deaths, Emma is trying to move on with her life, but then she starts getting weird text messages from someone who insists the deaths were not accidents. Emma gets involved in trying to solve the mystery with her dead friend Paisley’s older sister Beck. Emma isn’t doing this for purely selfless reasons, though; when she found out her friends ditched her, she left an angry voicemail on Paisley’s phone and even went to the campsite to confront her friends. What if she becomes a suspect? Emma and Beck decide to camp near where the girls were found to try to figure out what happened, but strange things start to happen like the fuel line being cut on Beck’s car and a stranger following them in the dark. Some people in the small town believe the town is haunted by a witch and others are reluctant to talk to the girls at all. As they get deeper and deeper into the mystery of what happened to the girls, Emma and Beck get closer and the two begin to catch feelings for each other. They also find evidence that the girls were potentially tortured.
My favorite part of this book is actually Emma’s interior world. The narration is in first person point of view and Emma is believable as a somewhat awkward, autistic teen girl who struggles interpersonally, but is tougher than she appears and has deep integrity. Emma and Beck’s slow burn romance is another strength. The twists in the final third of the book are quick and surprising with a bit of body horror. Recommended for readers who enjoy thrillers that have Blair Witch Project vibes.
All characters read as white.
Emma is a bit of a geek and definitely not the most popular girl in her friend group. She self identifies as neurodivergent and has special interests she obsesses over, including crushes on female celebrities. After the deaths, Emma is trying to move on with her life, but then she starts getting weird text messages from someone who insists the deaths were not accidents. Emma gets involved in trying to solve the mystery with her dead friend Paisley’s older sister Beck. Emma isn’t doing this for purely selfless reasons, though; when she found out her friends ditched her, she left an angry voicemail on Paisley’s phone and even went to the campsite to confront her friends. What if she becomes a suspect? Emma and Beck decide to camp near where the girls were found to try to figure out what happened, but strange things start to happen like the fuel line being cut on Beck’s car and a stranger following them in the dark. Some people in the small town believe the town is haunted by a witch and others are reluctant to talk to the girls at all. As they get deeper and deeper into the mystery of what happened to the girls, Emma and Beck get closer and the two begin to catch feelings for each other. They also find evidence that the girls were potentially tortured.
My favorite part of this book is actually Emma’s interior world. The narration is in first person point of view and Emma is believable as a somewhat awkward, autistic teen girl who struggles interpersonally, but is tougher than she appears and has deep integrity. Emma and Beck’s slow burn romance is another strength. The twists in the final third of the book are quick and surprising with a bit of body horror. Recommended for readers who enjoy thrillers that have Blair Witch Project vibes.
All characters read as white.
February 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC via NetGalley — thank you!
The author describes this as Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project — and honestly? That’s exactly the vibe. Small town. Big secrets. Witch legend. Trust no one.
Emma is closeted, movie-obsessed (yes, Winona Ryder energy), socially out of sync, and painfully aware she doesn’t quite fit with her so-called best friends. When they lie about canceling their weekly sleepover and secretly go on a camping trip without her, the betrayal stings hard.
Then their bodies are discovered in a ghost town tied to a local witch legend.
Months later — just when grief starts to settle — Emma begins receiving anonymous, incriminating texts that place her at the scene of the crime.
Now she’s not just mourning complicated friendships… she’s a suspect.
Teaming up with her dead best friend’s hot, tattooed, intimidating sister, Emma tries to uncover:
• Who is sending the messages?
• What really happened on that camping trip?
• And why does it feel like someone wants her to take the fall?
This book delivers:
• eerie small-town atmosphere
• queer coming-of-age depth
• messy, complicated grief
• paranoia you can feel
• and constant “who do you even trust?” tension
It’s fast-paced, emotional, and full of twists. Carlyn Greenwald really knows how to capture an audience.
Fasten your seatbelts. I can’t wait to see what thrillers she comes up with next.
ARC via NetGalley — thank you!
The author describes this as Pretty Little Liars meets The Blair Witch Project — and honestly? That’s exactly the vibe. Small town. Big secrets. Witch legend. Trust no one.
Emma is closeted, movie-obsessed (yes, Winona Ryder energy), socially out of sync, and painfully aware she doesn’t quite fit with her so-called best friends. When they lie about canceling their weekly sleepover and secretly go on a camping trip without her, the betrayal stings hard.
Then their bodies are discovered in a ghost town tied to a local witch legend.
Months later — just when grief starts to settle — Emma begins receiving anonymous, incriminating texts that place her at the scene of the crime.
Now she’s not just mourning complicated friendships… she’s a suspect.
Teaming up with her dead best friend’s hot, tattooed, intimidating sister, Emma tries to uncover:
• Who is sending the messages?
• What really happened on that camping trip?
• And why does it feel like someone wants her to take the fall?
This book delivers:
• eerie small-town atmosphere
• queer coming-of-age depth
• messy, complicated grief
• paranoia you can feel
• and constant “who do you even trust?” tension
It’s fast-paced, emotional, and full of twists. Carlyn Greenwald really knows how to capture an audience.
Fasten your seatbelts. I can’t wait to see what thrillers she comes up with next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC From NetGalley!
Real Rating: 4.25 Stars
The opening line to this book is an absolute hook! The use of active, present voice was clever which definitely told me I was in it for a ride. I was already so curious from the get-go, and I genuinely was able to feel like I was with Emma, experiencing all her feelings with her. This story offers an immersive and clever plot that created the perfect eerie and thrilling atmosphere full of suspense and intriguing twists. The biggest reveal of information wasn't quite unexpected as it was built up early on, but trust that it will still shock you nonetheless. While it focuses more on that thrill, some details were horrifying and scary enough to get your toes curling. I love the build-up between Emma and Beck, I'm a complete sucker for queer-sapphic romances, and it's great to see it included here as well. If there's anything that reminds me of this story aside from The Blair Witch Project, it would have to be the Fear Street Trilogy on Netflix, so if you're a big fan of sapphic horror/thriller stories that isn't super lengthy and paced just right, this book is definitely for you. The only reason I'm taking some points off is that while it felt like I was with the character at all times, I didn't really feel connected to them as it's very plot-driven, but this is more of a preference thing, so if that's not a problem for you, this might be your next 5 star read!
Real Rating: 4.25 Stars
The opening line to this book is an absolute hook! The use of active, present voice was clever which definitely told me I was in it for a ride. I was already so curious from the get-go, and I genuinely was able to feel like I was with Emma, experiencing all her feelings with her. This story offers an immersive and clever plot that created the perfect eerie and thrilling atmosphere full of suspense and intriguing twists. The biggest reveal of information wasn't quite unexpected as it was built up early on, but trust that it will still shock you nonetheless. While it focuses more on that thrill, some details were horrifying and scary enough to get your toes curling. I love the build-up between Emma and Beck, I'm a complete sucker for queer-sapphic romances, and it's great to see it included here as well. If there's anything that reminds me of this story aside from The Blair Witch Project, it would have to be the Fear Street Trilogy on Netflix, so if you're a big fan of sapphic horror/thriller stories that isn't super lengthy and paced just right, this book is definitely for you. The only reason I'm taking some points off is that while it felt like I was with the character at all times, I didn't really feel connected to them as it's very plot-driven, but this is more of a preference thing, so if that's not a problem for you, this might be your next 5 star read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review for Netgalley
What Happened to Those Girls
Carlyn Greenwald
This story is about betrayal, grief, and the terrifying realization that you might be the perfect suspect. After being excluded from a camping trip she planned, Emma wakes up to the news that her three friends are dead in a ghost town tied to a local witch legend. Months later, anonymous videos surface placing her at the scene. What makes this book special is the atmosphere. The small town paranoia, the eerie woods, and the emotional weight of messy teenage friendships blend into a thriller that feels personal and unsettling.
My favorite part was the dynamic between Emma and Beck. Grief laced with suspicion, reluctant teamwork, and tension that simmers under every interaction made the investigation feel raw and dangerous.
Tropes & Vibes
🌲 Eerie small town secrets
👀 Anonymous messages and paranoia
🕯 Witch legend folklore
💔 Messy complicated friendships
🏳️🌈 Queer coming of age depth
🔪 Amateur investigation tension
🌫 Blair Witch meets teen drama energy
Read this if you like
📺 Pretty Little Liars style secrets
🌲 Isolated woods horror vibes
🖤 Unreliable friendships and betrayal
📱 Tech fueled psychological tension
💥 Fast paced YA thrillers with twists
#YAThriller #MysteryReads #SmallTownSecrets #QueerThriller #BookstagramThriller @sourcebooksfire
What Happened to Those Girls
Carlyn Greenwald
This story is about betrayal, grief, and the terrifying realization that you might be the perfect suspect. After being excluded from a camping trip she planned, Emma wakes up to the news that her three friends are dead in a ghost town tied to a local witch legend. Months later, anonymous videos surface placing her at the scene. What makes this book special is the atmosphere. The small town paranoia, the eerie woods, and the emotional weight of messy teenage friendships blend into a thriller that feels personal and unsettling.
My favorite part was the dynamic between Emma and Beck. Grief laced with suspicion, reluctant teamwork, and tension that simmers under every interaction made the investigation feel raw and dangerous.
Tropes & Vibes
🌲 Eerie small town secrets
👀 Anonymous messages and paranoia
🕯 Witch legend folklore
💔 Messy complicated friendships
🏳️🌈 Queer coming of age depth
🔪 Amateur investigation tension
🌫 Blair Witch meets teen drama energy
Read this if you like
📺 Pretty Little Liars style secrets
🌲 Isolated woods horror vibes
🖤 Unreliable friendships and betrayal
📱 Tech fueled psychological tension
💥 Fast paced YA thrillers with twists
#YAThriller #MysteryReads #SmallTownSecrets #QueerThriller #BookstagramThriller @sourcebooksfire
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
After her friends leave her out of the camping trip she organized, the next morning Emma is shocked to learn they’ve died at the campsite. Later, she receives anonymous messages from someone who seems to know what really happened that night. So Emma and one of the victims sister, Beck decide to go to the abandoned town and investigate themselves. But the town has an eerie feeling, especially because of stories about a witch tied to its past.
I really enjoyed this story and to me it was so much more than a thriller. I loved the way certain topics were handled. The atmosphere was my favorite part and I think the author really nailed it with the small town, the camping, the witch legend, and the trust no one energy from the locals that made this thriller so much more engaging and put me through a loop about what really could've happened. The grief and betrayal portrayed from our main characters was so real and heartbreaking. I related to Emma and Beck in so many ways- their fears and desires and family dynamics. The pacing was perfect (i read this in one night) and the dash of romance was everything.
Recommended for readers who love a well written YA Thriller with twists until the end.
After her friends leave her out of the camping trip she organized, the next morning Emma is shocked to learn they’ve died at the campsite. Later, she receives anonymous messages from someone who seems to know what really happened that night. So Emma and one of the victims sister, Beck decide to go to the abandoned town and investigate themselves. But the town has an eerie feeling, especially because of stories about a witch tied to its past.
I really enjoyed this story and to me it was so much more than a thriller. I loved the way certain topics were handled. The atmosphere was my favorite part and I think the author really nailed it with the small town, the camping, the witch legend, and the trust no one energy from the locals that made this thriller so much more engaging and put me through a loop about what really could've happened. The grief and betrayal portrayed from our main characters was so real and heartbreaking. I related to Emma and Beck in so many ways- their fears and desires and family dynamics. The pacing was perfect (i read this in one night) and the dash of romance was everything.
Recommended for readers who love a well written YA Thriller with twists until the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Fire, for providing the copy of What Happened to Those Girls by Carlyn Greenwald. I loved Murder Land, so I was excited to read this one! It took me a while to get totally invested, and the relationship of the friends felt more YA than the previous book. (Not a bad thing because I read lots of YA books!) If you like lots of shocking reveals, this is the book for you. If you are disappointed by figuring out what was going on before the big reveal, this might not be your favorite! 4 stars
September 21, 2025
Counting books in my reading challenge that I copyedited or proofread, when they're available here on Goodreads for me to add in a timely manner. It's only fair. It's a damn lot of reading I'm not including otherwise.
Very fun queer all-my-friends-but-me-died whodunnit thriller mystery.
Very fun queer all-my-friends-but-me-died whodunnit thriller mystery.
December 3, 2025
I called it but being able to guess the end aside, this was a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to like this book so much but had such a hard time getting into it. I did complete it but it wasn't my favorite.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews