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Thornbird
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26The highly anticipated thriller about a serial killer's daughter and her race to solve the crimes of her family's twisted past before it's too late, from New York Times bestselling author E. Kennedy.
The world is hunting for answers—but what if the truth leads straight to you?
Ten years after her father—the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn—was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee, trying to lay low. No one can know who she really is. No one can know the truth about her past.
But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering—does Ryan know more than she’s letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.
Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Jeneva Rose—get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won’t see coming.
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 2, 2026
19 people are currently reading
1562 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 29, 2026
I went into this for the author—I stayed for the creeping, unsettling mystery.
I’m always equal parts excited and nervous when a beloved author branches into a new genre. I’ve followed Elle Kennedy for years, so I was especially intrigued when I learned she was stepping into the world of YA true crime thrillers.
In terms of characters and atmosphere, this book absolutely delivers. We’re introduced to the seemingly wholesome small town of Starling—only to quickly realize it harbors a chilling obsession with the convicted serial killer known as the “Starling Slayer.” Our main character, Ryan, at first, doesn’t want any part of the obsession, but soon, joins others in the town on a mission to uncover the locations of the killer’s missing victims.
The characters are engaging, easy to root for, and carry that signature charm Kennedy writes so well. That charm is ultimately what sustains the first half of the novel—because, unfortunately, the pacing is where things begin to falter. The story takes its time building, and while the premise is compelling, it doesn’t fully capitalize on its tension early on. Much of the first half feels like setup, with limited plot progression.
That said, I didn’t entirely mind the slower pace because of the character dynamics—especially the romance subplot. Kennedy’s strength in writing relationships and romance definitely shines here. There’s even a slight love triangle, which felt somewhat unnecessary at times, but it still managed to enhance the emotional stakes rather than detract from them.
Once the story does pick up, though, it truly finds its footing. The final portion of the book is unsettling, intense, and completely gripping. Without giving anything away, the ending delivers that eerie, lingering feeling that every good thriller should leave behind—and that was easily one of the biggest highlights for me.
Verdict:
I would definitely recommend this to both YA and adult readers, especially those who enjoy character-driven thrillers. While the slow start may be a drawback for some, the strong character work and chilling payoff make it well worth the read.
4 stars ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’m always equal parts excited and nervous when a beloved author branches into a new genre. I’ve followed Elle Kennedy for years, so I was especially intrigued when I learned she was stepping into the world of YA true crime thrillers.
In terms of characters and atmosphere, this book absolutely delivers. We’re introduced to the seemingly wholesome small town of Starling—only to quickly realize it harbors a chilling obsession with the convicted serial killer known as the “Starling Slayer.” Our main character, Ryan, at first, doesn’t want any part of the obsession, but soon, joins others in the town on a mission to uncover the locations of the killer’s missing victims.
The characters are engaging, easy to root for, and carry that signature charm Kennedy writes so well. That charm is ultimately what sustains the first half of the novel—because, unfortunately, the pacing is where things begin to falter. The story takes its time building, and while the premise is compelling, it doesn’t fully capitalize on its tension early on. Much of the first half feels like setup, with limited plot progression.
That said, I didn’t entirely mind the slower pace because of the character dynamics—especially the romance subplot. Kennedy’s strength in writing relationships and romance definitely shines here. There’s even a slight love triangle, which felt somewhat unnecessary at times, but it still managed to enhance the emotional stakes rather than detract from them.
Once the story does pick up, though, it truly finds its footing. The final portion of the book is unsettling, intense, and completely gripping. Without giving anything away, the ending delivers that eerie, lingering feeling that every good thriller should leave behind—and that was easily one of the biggest highlights for me.
Verdict:
I would definitely recommend this to both YA and adult readers, especially those who enjoy character-driven thrillers. While the slow start may be a drawback for some, the strong character work and chilling payoff make it well worth the read.
4 stars ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2026
For years, I have devoured Elle Kennedy’s romance novels. Her Off-Campus college romance series is a comfort favorite, and her fantasy romance Royals series (written under the pseudonym Erin Watt) completely swept me away. So when I heard she was releasing a YA thriller, I didn’t even hesitate—I jumped in without reading the blurb.
At first, when I realized the story revolved around the daughter of a serial killer, I thought, Okay… we’ve seen this concept before. But then I reminded myself—this is Elle Kennedy. With her imagination and emotional storytelling, I knew she would bring something fresh. And while the story didn’t completely blow me away, it was far more entertaining and gripping than I expected.
The novel blends high school drama, romance, and mystery with a dark, haunting backstory. Our main character, Gabriel Thorn, is an outsider who has lost her mother and is forced to rebuild her life under a false identity. She moves into her estranged aunt’s house in the same town where her father once lived—and where he buried his victims in unknown locations. To protect her cousins and avoid bullying, she changes her name to Ryan Shipley and pretends she is a niece who attended boarding school in Switzerland.
Is the cover story a little unbelievable? Yes—but her cousins are only sixteen, and they buy it. Once Ryan starts school, she instantly attracts attention—especially from the charming golden boy Everett, her cousin Jasmine’s best friend’s brother. But Ryan seems more drawn to the mysterious biker boy Chase, who quickly becomes her knight in shining armor. These moments definitely echo classic Elle Kennedy romance vibes, even inside a darker thriller setting.
The mystery deepens with the town’s obsession over the serial killer case and a disturbing trophy reward for anyone who can locate the victims’ remains. Jasmine’s desire to profit from the tragedy is unsettling, and I found her ambition both disturbing and irritating. Nikki, the mean-girl antagonist, also felt a bit cliché, immediately targeting Ryan and making her life miserable.
Ryan begins receiving threatening anonymous messages, which at first felt a little mild—but as the story unfolds, the twists surrounding their origin are surprisingly effective. The “Free the Sparrows” forum adds another chilling layer, and the final act truly accelerates the pacing. By the end, the mystery and romance finally find their balance, delivering a satisfying and tense conclusion.
While I struggled to fully connect with some of the characters, the storytelling, pacing, and twists made this a compelling read. As Elle Kennedy’s first step into YA mystery, this is a very promising start. Because of the strong final quarter, I happily rounded my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.
What can I say? A great writer can truly shine in any genre she chooses.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for sharing this fast-paced YA thriller with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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At first, when I realized the story revolved around the daughter of a serial killer, I thought, Okay… we’ve seen this concept before. But then I reminded myself—this is Elle Kennedy. With her imagination and emotional storytelling, I knew she would bring something fresh. And while the story didn’t completely blow me away, it was far more entertaining and gripping than I expected.
The novel blends high school drama, romance, and mystery with a dark, haunting backstory. Our main character, Gabriel Thorn, is an outsider who has lost her mother and is forced to rebuild her life under a false identity. She moves into her estranged aunt’s house in the same town where her father once lived—and where he buried his victims in unknown locations. To protect her cousins and avoid bullying, she changes her name to Ryan Shipley and pretends she is a niece who attended boarding school in Switzerland.
Is the cover story a little unbelievable? Yes—but her cousins are only sixteen, and they buy it. Once Ryan starts school, she instantly attracts attention—especially from the charming golden boy Everett, her cousin Jasmine’s best friend’s brother. But Ryan seems more drawn to the mysterious biker boy Chase, who quickly becomes her knight in shining armor. These moments definitely echo classic Elle Kennedy romance vibes, even inside a darker thriller setting.
The mystery deepens with the town’s obsession over the serial killer case and a disturbing trophy reward for anyone who can locate the victims’ remains. Jasmine’s desire to profit from the tragedy is unsettling, and I found her ambition both disturbing and irritating. Nikki, the mean-girl antagonist, also felt a bit cliché, immediately targeting Ryan and making her life miserable.
Ryan begins receiving threatening anonymous messages, which at first felt a little mild—but as the story unfolds, the twists surrounding their origin are surprisingly effective. The “Free the Sparrows” forum adds another chilling layer, and the final act truly accelerates the pacing. By the end, the mystery and romance finally find their balance, delivering a satisfying and tense conclusion.
While I struggled to fully connect with some of the characters, the storytelling, pacing, and twists made this a compelling read. As Elle Kennedy’s first step into YA mystery, this is a very promising start. Because of the strong final quarter, I happily rounded my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.
What can I say? A great writer can truly shine in any genre she chooses.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for sharing this fast-paced YA thriller with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I found out that Elle Kennedy would be releasing a YA thriller, I immediately wanted to read it—and this book did not disappoint!
The main character is the daughter of a serial killer. After her grandmother’s death, she returns to her hometown to live with her aunt and uncle—but under a fake name. Reporters, detectives, and the townspeople are still actively discussing a decade-old case, as the bodies of the women were never found.
Is Gabrielle Thorn really the killer everyone thinks he is? Readers try to answer this and other questions throughout the book, and it was so thrilling! In the first half, I didn’t even have any theories; I was just enjoying the story. Towards the end, some ideas started to form, but the ending surprised me more than once!
This book is atmospheric, tense, and captivating! The romance, while not the main focus, is also well done, which I really appreciated.
I enjoyed it so much! I really hope we get more thrillers from E. Kennedy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books (Delacorte Press) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The main character is the daughter of a serial killer. After her grandmother’s death, she returns to her hometown to live with her aunt and uncle—but under a fake name. Reporters, detectives, and the townspeople are still actively discussing a decade-old case, as the bodies of the women were never found.
Is Gabrielle Thorn really the killer everyone thinks he is? Readers try to answer this and other questions throughout the book, and it was so thrilling! In the first half, I didn’t even have any theories; I was just enjoying the story. Towards the end, some ideas started to form, but the ending surprised me more than once!
This book is atmospheric, tense, and captivating! The romance, while not the main focus, is also well done, which I really appreciated.
I enjoyed it so much! I really hope we get more thrillers from E. Kennedy!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books (Delacorte Press) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 10, 2026
As the daughter of a serial killer, Ryan wants to finish her senior year unnoticed. No one in Starling knows her secret, but with her father's execution looming and his victim’s bodies still missing, Ryan must hide her identity, even from her cousins. When the reward for the missing victims increases, Ryan helps her cousin search for clues—until someone threatens to expose her if she doesn't stop looking.
I was curious to see how this book would play out. As an author who mainly focuses on the romance genre, a YA thriller/mystery is completely surprising. However, I was amazed by how much I enjoyed this book. There were so many mysteries to solve while reading Thornbird that it became a very fast-paced read. Although I had figured out some of the mystery, I was completely shocked at the conclusion. This was a fantastic debut into the YA mystery/thriller genre, and I believe fans of Maureen Johnson and Holly Jackson would enjoy this YA novel.
Thornbird releases June 30th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the opportunity to review Thornbird. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was curious to see how this book would play out. As an author who mainly focuses on the romance genre, a YA thriller/mystery is completely surprising. However, I was amazed by how much I enjoyed this book. There were so many mysteries to solve while reading Thornbird that it became a very fast-paced read. Although I had figured out some of the mystery, I was completely shocked at the conclusion. This was a fantastic debut into the YA mystery/thriller genre, and I believe fans of Maureen Johnson and Holly Jackson would enjoy this YA novel.
Thornbird releases June 30th.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the opportunity to review Thornbird. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Want to Read
April 1, 2026secured the arc 🤝🏻
mother Elle writes = I read. no questions asked.
mother Elle writes = I read. no questions asked.
February 21, 2026
3.5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was a fun ya book nothing outstanding but super interesting. The romance was super bland in my opinion and definitely not Elle Kennedys best work. The mystery itself was predictable but enjoyable. I will say the ending was super rushed and anticlimactic. A fine first thriller from mrs. kennedy and i would definitely check out any more she decides to write.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was a fun ya book nothing outstanding but super interesting. The romance was super bland in my opinion and definitely not Elle Kennedys best work. The mystery itself was predictable but enjoyable. I will say the ending was super rushed and anticlimactic. A fine first thriller from mrs. kennedy and i would definitely check out any more she decides to write.
March 1, 2026
I was excited when I saw Elle Kennedy’s name on a thriller!! This hooked me from the start and held my interest. I was expecting a little more from the ending but I still think worth the read.
April 4, 2026
It’s been a minute since I hopped into the ya thriller world (my ya reading has been more horror as of late) but I’m so glad I read this one! Thornbird is everything you want in an angsty High school mystery/thriller. Ryan is forced to return to her childhood hometown after her grandma dies to live with her only remaining relatives. They hide her identity bc the town only knows her as the daughter of a notorious serial killer who confessed but never told them where the bodies were. Needless to say, the town has no warm feelings toward her family.
The townspeople were definitely intense and not going to lie, her cousin Jasmine annoyed me most of the time with her main character syndrome but I really enjoyed Ryan and her story. There’s the unfortunate love triangle that so often occurs in YA but it is not the really angsty part which I appreciated. The story really focuses on the shame and guilt that loved ones left behind feel behind the wake of a serial killer. I was so happy to see Ryan be able to shed some of that by the end of the book. This was a wonderful entry into the genre for Elle!
If you like Holly Jackson or Kara Thomas, this book is definitely for you!
The townspeople were definitely intense and not going to lie, her cousin Jasmine annoyed me most of the time with her main character syndrome but I really enjoyed Ryan and her story. There’s the unfortunate love triangle that so often occurs in YA but it is not the really angsty part which I appreciated. The story really focuses on the shame and guilt that loved ones left behind feel behind the wake of a serial killer. I was so happy to see Ryan be able to shed some of that by the end of the book. This was a wonderful entry into the genre for Elle!
If you like Holly Jackson or Kara Thomas, this book is definitely for you!
March 17, 2026
This was my most anticipated release... and omg was it worth it. This is the type of book that is so good you think the characters are going to pop out and murder you. You truly are so immersed you think you are there. My girl Elle Kennedy, please write more suspenses!!!
The book starts out with Ryan moving back to Tennessee, the exact town where she grew up, and where her dad murdered seven women. Ryan has to pretend to be someone else so nobody will know who her father is, because he is a big deal in this small town. It's been over a decade since the killings and still no bodies have been found, so one of the victims' sons creates a one million dollar award for whoever finds them, setting the town, and country off. Ryan's cousin is a part of the crowd that wants the award, but Ryan will do anything to get aware of the shadow of her father.
When she loses her childhood locket, which holds her real name in it, she starts to receive mysterious text messages, telling her to stop looking for the bodies, and that they know her real identity. But the secrets and mystery don’t stop when she finds the bodies….
This was one of the best suspenses that I have ever read! Plot twist after plot twist this was a wild ride!!
The book starts out with Ryan moving back to Tennessee, the exact town where she grew up, and where her dad murdered seven women. Ryan has to pretend to be someone else so nobody will know who her father is, because he is a big deal in this small town. It's been over a decade since the killings and still no bodies have been found, so one of the victims' sons creates a one million dollar award for whoever finds them, setting the town, and country off. Ryan's cousin is a part of the crowd that wants the award, but Ryan will do anything to get aware of the shadow of her father.
When she loses her childhood locket, which holds her real name in it, she starts to receive mysterious text messages, telling her to stop looking for the bodies, and that they know her real identity. But the secrets and mystery don’t stop when she finds the bodies….
This was one of the best suspenses that I have ever read! Plot twist after plot twist this was a wild ride!!
February 21, 2026
I have always been an avid fan of Elle Kennedy for years. I ADORED her Off Campus series and the spin offs. When I learned she was branching into YA thriller, I knew I was going to love it. Absolutely thrilled that I was trusted enough to receive this e-ARC!
We follow Ryan Shipley, born Gabrielle Thorn, daughter of the notorious serial killer Gabriel Thorn. It has been 10 years since he was arrested for the murder of 6 women, and his execution date is coming up. Ryan's grandmother recently died, so she is moving in with her aunt on her mother's side. The drawback? They live in the same town that her father committed his crimes all those years ago.
Ryan is a fantastic character. She is very likable and easy to root for. She has a lot of trauma from her father that she has to work through as well as navigating her hidden identity in a town that wants vengeance for the victims. I think Kennedy did a great job of showing Ryan growing into herself and separating herself from her father.
There is also a romance subplot that I was very much into. Sometimes with thrillers that have a romantic subplot, I tend to not be super invested. This is definitely not the case. There is a hint of a love triangle with Everett, golden retriever football star, and Chase, local bad boy. It is pretty obvious early on who is endgame and it really felt like more of a slow burn than anything else. The romance was very sweet and I loved how the characters would interact together.
The mystery itself was expertly balanced between the expected drama of high school students and the serial killer plot line. While the murders have been solved, the bodies were never found. Ryan and her friends take it upon themselves to try to find them. I was deeply invested in this aspect of the story. There were some shocking plot twists thrown in at the end that I did not anticipate, and added a layer of darkness to this novel.
I absolutely would recommend this not only to thriller lovers, but to Elle Kennedy fans!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We follow Ryan Shipley, born Gabrielle Thorn, daughter of the notorious serial killer Gabriel Thorn. It has been 10 years since he was arrested for the murder of 6 women, and his execution date is coming up. Ryan's grandmother recently died, so she is moving in with her aunt on her mother's side. The drawback? They live in the same town that her father committed his crimes all those years ago.
Ryan is a fantastic character. She is very likable and easy to root for. She has a lot of trauma from her father that she has to work through as well as navigating her hidden identity in a town that wants vengeance for the victims. I think Kennedy did a great job of showing Ryan growing into herself and separating herself from her father.
There is also a romance subplot that I was very much into. Sometimes with thrillers that have a romantic subplot, I tend to not be super invested. This is definitely not the case. There is a hint of a love triangle with Everett, golden retriever football star, and Chase, local bad boy. It is pretty obvious early on who is endgame and it really felt like more of a slow burn than anything else. The romance was very sweet and I loved how the characters would interact together.
The mystery itself was expertly balanced between the expected drama of high school students and the serial killer plot line. While the murders have been solved, the bodies were never found. Ryan and her friends take it upon themselves to try to find them. I was deeply invested in this aspect of the story. There were some shocking plot twists thrown in at the end that I did not anticipate, and added a layer of darkness to this novel.
I absolutely would recommend this not only to thriller lovers, but to Elle Kennedy fans!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press for sending me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 2, 2026
5/5 stars! I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not put it down. I finished this book in one sitting. I was so excited to receive this arc as E. Kennedy is author Elle Kennedy who is one of my favorite authors. Besides the intrigue of the author the synopsis seemed very interesting. Thornbird is about Gabrielle Thorn the daughter of a serial killer who has to CR- cozy nook bookshop back to her hometown where her father committed the murders and was apprehended. Now “Ryan” must hide her past the uncover the secrets surrounding her father’s past. Thornbird is releasing June 30, 2026. Thank you so much to Netgalley, E. Kennedy and Random House Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
May 10, 2026
I’m not typically into YA, but I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this one, so I gave it a go. It’s an easy read and I genuinely enjoyed it. The twists were interesting and mostly unpredictable, and the story was good. Like most YA, there were times when I was rolling my eyes because “those things just don’t happen IRL” but I was able to get past those. I found myself thinking - just one more chapter - over and over again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⊹₊⟡⋆✦ ARC review
I inhaled this book. Written from a first person point of view, Ryan, the daughter of a serial killer is trying to get through her final year of high school and separate herself from her father’s murderous past.
ᯓ➤ Ryan (Gabrielle Thorn)
Ryan was a really interesting character. After moving in with her Aunt and cousins and starting at a new school, she has no choice but to listen to everyone around her talk about Gabriel Thorn and what he did. I loved reading her internal monologue; her thinking back on childhood memories, internally correcting people with what actually happened because Gabriel was her father and she knew him better than anyone.
I will say, as much as Ryan was shitting on Jasmine’s high school for being cliche, Ryan was a walking cliche herself.
➥ ch. 13 “She should know by now that destroyed jeans, flannels and hoodies, crop tops, and combat boots are my style.”
ᯓ➤ Jasmine
I wasn’t crazy about Jasmine at first but her character did grow on me. I honestly thought she was kind of a bitch, especially when Ryan’s necklace went missing. Jasmine is clearly emotionally and mentally immature but she was also a good and supportive friend.
ch. 14 “Who cares about the kid!” Jasmine declares. ”Whatever, I get it’s our cousin, but come on! You find out your husband murdered six women, you call the cops!”
➥ This I really felt was a testament to Jasmine’s immaturity.
ᯓ➤ Aunt Maggie
I loved Maggie, she was such a comforting and supportive character. I’m so glad Ryan had her in her corner.
── .✦
➢ ch. 15 “In the mud room, I tell my aunt about the text as her brows dip in concern”
Thank you. I can’t even express what a breath of fresh air this is. An FMC that communicates, fucking thank you. I don’t even care that she deleted the texts - she told her aunt about them and within a very reasonable amount of time too, she didn’t wait 4 months until they got way worse.
╰┈➤ Ryan even told JP about Nikki stealing money from the shelter’s petty cash box. Fucking outstanding, Ryan is such a likable FMC. She doesn’t keep things to herself for no reason, she knows how to communicate effectively and she’s not stupid. I was SO happy to see her lean on her aunt for support and even talk to her every know and then about how she was feeling.
➢ ch. 38 “I don’t need you to make it up to me. But you have answers that none of us will ever have, and I think you owe it to us to share them.”
This is where I heavily disagree with all of these stupid people. Ryan doesn’t owe anyone anything. She’s been hurt just as much by what her dad had done as these other people. Natalie and everyone else saying that Ryan owes them this much - she really doesn’t. Yes, Ryan eventually figured out where the bodies were. But I do believe Ryan has just as much of a right to move on and heal as everyone else. And sadly, I think this is a very realistic aspect of this book when it comes to what the family members of serial killers have to endure when someone they are related to commits such horrific acts.
I did notice one small grammatical error:
ch. 45 “But I don’t want this decision on my hands, because I honestly doesn’t know what will be better for Everett - ….”
✧ ˖°⪼------➢
I absolutely loved this book, I blew through this in a couple days and it managed to pull every emotion out of me: thrill, anger, frustration, happiness. It kept me on the edge of my seat, all of the characters were very well written and the plot was fantastic. I absolutely will be checking out more of Elle Kennedy’s work.
I inhaled this book. Written from a first person point of view, Ryan, the daughter of a serial killer is trying to get through her final year of high school and separate herself from her father’s murderous past.
ᯓ➤ Ryan (Gabrielle Thorn)
Ryan was a really interesting character. After moving in with her Aunt and cousins and starting at a new school, she has no choice but to listen to everyone around her talk about Gabriel Thorn and what he did. I loved reading her internal monologue; her thinking back on childhood memories, internally correcting people with what actually happened because Gabriel was her father and she knew him better than anyone.
I will say, as much as Ryan was shitting on Jasmine’s high school for being cliche, Ryan was a walking cliche herself.
➥ ch. 13 “She should know by now that destroyed jeans, flannels and hoodies, crop tops, and combat boots are my style.”
ᯓ➤ Jasmine
I wasn’t crazy about Jasmine at first but her character did grow on me. I honestly thought she was kind of a bitch, especially when Ryan’s necklace went missing. Jasmine is clearly emotionally and mentally immature but she was also a good and supportive friend.
ch. 14 “Who cares about the kid!” Jasmine declares. ”Whatever, I get it’s our cousin, but come on! You find out your husband murdered six women, you call the cops!”
➥ This I really felt was a testament to Jasmine’s immaturity.
ᯓ➤ Aunt Maggie
I loved Maggie, she was such a comforting and supportive character. I’m so glad Ryan had her in her corner.
── .✦
➢ ch. 15 “In the mud room, I tell my aunt about the text as her brows dip in concern”
Thank you. I can’t even express what a breath of fresh air this is. An FMC that communicates, fucking thank you. I don’t even care that she deleted the texts - she told her aunt about them and within a very reasonable amount of time too, she didn’t wait 4 months until they got way worse.
╰┈➤ Ryan even told JP about Nikki stealing money from the shelter’s petty cash box. Fucking outstanding, Ryan is such a likable FMC. She doesn’t keep things to herself for no reason, she knows how to communicate effectively and she’s not stupid. I was SO happy to see her lean on her aunt for support and even talk to her every know and then about how she was feeling.
➢ ch. 38 “I don’t need you to make it up to me. But you have answers that none of us will ever have, and I think you owe it to us to share them.”
This is where I heavily disagree with all of these stupid people. Ryan doesn’t owe anyone anything. She’s been hurt just as much by what her dad had done as these other people. Natalie and everyone else saying that Ryan owes them this much - she really doesn’t. Yes, Ryan eventually figured out where the bodies were. But I do believe Ryan has just as much of a right to move on and heal as everyone else. And sadly, I think this is a very realistic aspect of this book when it comes to what the family members of serial killers have to endure when someone they are related to commits such horrific acts.
I did notice one small grammatical error:
ch. 45 “But I don’t want this decision on my hands, because I honestly doesn’t know what will be better for Everett - ….”
✧ ˖°⪼------➢
I absolutely loved this book, I blew through this in a couple days and it managed to pull every emotion out of me: thrill, anger, frustration, happiness. It kept me on the edge of my seat, all of the characters were very well written and the plot was fantastic. I absolutely will be checking out more of Elle Kennedy’s work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
E. Kennedy’s “Thornbird” combines small-town secrets, buried grief, and the lingering shadow of a serial killer into a slow-burn mystery that ultimately delivers emotional depth and a dark, satisfying payoff. While it may open with familiar high-school dynamics and a touch of “new girl in town” melodrama, “Thornbird” steadily shifts into something more complex and unsettling; it’s more a character study than a traditional thriller, yet still rich with tension and unexpected revelations.
Ryan Shipley returns to Starling, Tennessee under a name that hides who she really is: the daughter of notorious serial killer Gabriel Thorn. Her grandmother’s recent death leaves her no choice but to move back to the place she’s spent her life trying to forget, just as the ten-year anniversary of her father’s arrest and upcoming execution reignites community obsession with his crimes. Rumors swirl, rewards resurface, and the search for his missing victims becomes town gossip, especially since many believe Ryan may secretly know where the bodies are hidden.
The beginning leans into high-school stereotypes. Almost every archetype seems drawn to Ryan, and the drama surrounding her social circle can feel shallow at first. Yet beneath that surface is a heavier emotional core: Ryan’s struggle to reconcile her lingering love for the father who raised her with the monstrous legacy he left behind. Kennedy slowly reveals how this tension has shaped her identity, her trauma, and the way others see her. The story’s pacing mirrors Ryan’s internal conflict; it’s quiet, steady, and introspective in the middle, but builds toward an ending laced with darkness and revelation.
Though I didn’t find “Thornbird” traditionally “thrilling,” especially since it’s such a long book, the mystery deepens in the final act as long-hidden truths surface and the eerie symbolism of birds becomes disturbingly clear. The twist involving one of the victims is haunting, and the way Kennedy ties the imagery of preservation, beauty, and captivity to Gabriel Thorn’s worldview makes the resolution particularly chilling. By the end, the characters emerge scarred but striving toward growth, showing that no one is perfect, but everyone is capable of becoming more than the past that shaped them.
With careful pacing, emotional weight, and just enough romantic tension to complicate rather than distract, “Thornbird” is well-suited for older teens and fans of mysteries that prioritize character over shock factor. Those looking for nonstop action may find the journey slow, but those who appreciate layered storytelling, morally tangled characters, and an ending that lingers long after the final page will find much to admire.
Overall, “Thornbird” is a reflective, atmospheric mystery that quietly sharpens into something dark and unforgettable. Stick through the slow start; the final revelations are worth the wait.
E. Kennedy’s “Thornbird” combines small-town secrets, buried grief, and the lingering shadow of a serial killer into a slow-burn mystery that ultimately delivers emotional depth and a dark, satisfying payoff. While it may open with familiar high-school dynamics and a touch of “new girl in town” melodrama, “Thornbird” steadily shifts into something more complex and unsettling; it’s more a character study than a traditional thriller, yet still rich with tension and unexpected revelations.
Ryan Shipley returns to Starling, Tennessee under a name that hides who she really is: the daughter of notorious serial killer Gabriel Thorn. Her grandmother’s recent death leaves her no choice but to move back to the place she’s spent her life trying to forget, just as the ten-year anniversary of her father’s arrest and upcoming execution reignites community obsession with his crimes. Rumors swirl, rewards resurface, and the search for his missing victims becomes town gossip, especially since many believe Ryan may secretly know where the bodies are hidden.
The beginning leans into high-school stereotypes. Almost every archetype seems drawn to Ryan, and the drama surrounding her social circle can feel shallow at first. Yet beneath that surface is a heavier emotional core: Ryan’s struggle to reconcile her lingering love for the father who raised her with the monstrous legacy he left behind. Kennedy slowly reveals how this tension has shaped her identity, her trauma, and the way others see her. The story’s pacing mirrors Ryan’s internal conflict; it’s quiet, steady, and introspective in the middle, but builds toward an ending laced with darkness and revelation.
Though I didn’t find “Thornbird” traditionally “thrilling,” especially since it’s such a long book, the mystery deepens in the final act as long-hidden truths surface and the eerie symbolism of birds becomes disturbingly clear. The twist involving one of the victims is haunting, and the way Kennedy ties the imagery of preservation, beauty, and captivity to Gabriel Thorn’s worldview makes the resolution particularly chilling. By the end, the characters emerge scarred but striving toward growth, showing that no one is perfect, but everyone is capable of becoming more than the past that shaped them.
With careful pacing, emotional weight, and just enough romantic tension to complicate rather than distract, “Thornbird” is well-suited for older teens and fans of mysteries that prioritize character over shock factor. Those looking for nonstop action may find the journey slow, but those who appreciate layered storytelling, morally tangled characters, and an ending that lingers long after the final page will find much to admire.
Overall, “Thornbird” is a reflective, atmospheric mystery that quietly sharpens into something dark and unforgettable. Stick through the slow start; the final revelations are worth the wait.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
🕊️
i actually requested this book without realizing this is elle kennedy and as a girl who doesn't like spicy romance i was a slightly skeptical but let me tell you, i was highly blown away by elle kennedy's writing. it was very lyrical and the humor was top tier!
as a certified thriller and mystery girlie, i will say that nothing really surprises me at all in mysteries, i can usually plot the plot from a mile away and even with good writing, it can dock down a star. instead i did sniff out the entire plot save for one tiny thing that connected at the end (i love a slightly elusive ending btw) but that's mainly because NOTHING surprises me anymore. truly a saddening thing.
ryan (aka gabrielle)
oh to be the fmc where two guys like you 😭 anyways, for the fmc of a ya thriller she ate down. oftentimes fmc's of books like this are genuinely the MOST INSUFFERABLE PEOPLE but instead i was like "yes queen!!!!" like idk she just felt real? trust me im not even glazing i just really liked her. she was true to herself and due to her unfortunate family situation (hi my name is ryan and my dad's a serial killer) that vibe? she handled things so REAL
chase
guys i fear im a sucker for a bad boy trope in books, genuinely sue me for this. 😭 i just really like the mystery part of that trope DONE WELL, i repeat, you cannot be saying the character is a bad boy and they have the genuine like output of a butterfly. thats like me going "im a bad girl, earlier, i forgot to use my blinker when i turned" like...sweetie you just suck!!!
anyways, i love chase and how he like accepted and loved ryan was like yes. thank you. they were such a perfect match that it was sooo obvious.
everett (aka everest)
i also didn't hate him i fear. he was honestly such a cinnamon role in unfortaunte circumstances and he also really liked ryan and i tried to find something to dislike and i didn't sadly. he deserves better fr fr 😭
...
i really enjoyed the plot! i thought it was well thought out and everything tied together as nicely as it could but we still left things hanging on purpose because real life doesn't have everything with a cutesy little pink bow (unless ur a nepo baby. "they hate meee cuz my daddy is rich" anyways! i also liked the romance subplot (though a note for the girlies who dont like any sexual content at all, there is two semi descriptive fade to black scenes in the book (maybe 3? idk) so just noting that for u guys!)
all in all, loved this more than i thought i would!
🕊️
i actually requested this book without realizing this is elle kennedy and as a girl who doesn't like spicy romance i was a slightly skeptical but let me tell you, i was highly blown away by elle kennedy's writing. it was very lyrical and the humor was top tier!
as a certified thriller and mystery girlie, i will say that nothing really surprises me at all in mysteries, i can usually plot the plot from a mile away and even with good writing, it can dock down a star. instead i did sniff out the entire plot save for one tiny thing that connected at the end (i love a slightly elusive ending btw) but that's mainly because NOTHING surprises me anymore. truly a saddening thing.
ryan (aka gabrielle)
oh to be the fmc where two guys like you 😭 anyways, for the fmc of a ya thriller she ate down. oftentimes fmc's of books like this are genuinely the MOST INSUFFERABLE PEOPLE but instead i was like "yes queen!!!!" like idk she just felt real? trust me im not even glazing i just really liked her. she was true to herself and due to her unfortunate family situation (hi my name is ryan and my dad's a serial killer) that vibe? she handled things so REAL
chase
guys i fear im a sucker for a bad boy trope in books, genuinely sue me for this. 😭 i just really like the mystery part of that trope DONE WELL, i repeat, you cannot be saying the character is a bad boy and they have the genuine like output of a butterfly. thats like me going "im a bad girl, earlier, i forgot to use my blinker when i turned" like...sweetie you just suck!!!
anyways, i love chase and how he like accepted and loved ryan was like yes. thank you. they were such a perfect match that it was sooo obvious.
everett (aka everest)
i also didn't hate him i fear. he was honestly such a cinnamon role in unfortaunte circumstances and he also really liked ryan and i tried to find something to dislike and i didn't sadly. he deserves better fr fr 😭
...
i really enjoyed the plot! i thought it was well thought out and everything tied together as nicely as it could but we still left things hanging on purpose because real life doesn't have everything with a cutesy little pink bow (unless ur a nepo baby. "they hate meee cuz my daddy is rich" anyways! i also liked the romance subplot (though a note for the girlies who dont like any sexual content at all, there is two semi descriptive fade to black scenes in the book (maybe 3? idk) so just noting that for u guys!)
all in all, loved this more than i thought i would!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Delacorte Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. The premise of this book fascinated me and it was so worth the read! Ryan Shipley isn’t really who she says she is. Before moving back to Starling Tennessee she was Ryan Mayfair, and long before that she was Gabrielle Thorn. She’s the daughter of the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn. Ten years ago her father killed her mother and confessed to killing six other women. Ryan would give anything not to go back to Starling but the only family she has left resides there. She keeps telling herself she’ll graduate in a year, she only has to make it a year. A year in which no one can know who she really is, not even her twin cousins. It should be easy, after all her mother and aunt were estranged so it’s not like she ever met them. The town is still obsessed with the murders, made worse by the fact that Gabriel has never said where the bodies are. Now, as his execution draws near, the families are desperate for information. The town is crawling with true crime junkies and reporters. Flying under the radar will be harder than ever, especially when she catches the eye of the schools golden boy and resident bad boy. Then things get worse when she starts receiving anonymous messages warning her that if she looks for the bodies that they will tell everyone who she is. But her father also left her clues to where they are she just has to figure them out. Can she find the bodies? And if she is outed how dangerous will it be? Someone clearly doesn’t want her looking but how far are they willing to go to keep her from finding information? And why? I really enjoyed reading about how Ryan navigates things between that fact that people hate her family, everyone seems to forget that her father also killed her mother, and that she has good memories of her father where he showed he loved her. E. Kennedy does an excellent job of showing the panic and PTSD that Ryan goes through in her situation. I loved the mystery and romantic aspects of this book and the tangled web of small town dynamics! Thrilling and intense! I was on the edge of my seat and the twists right up until the very end! So didn’t see it coming!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Elle Kennedy writing a YA thriller about a serial killer’s daughter? I did not even read the blurb. I just clicked request.
📚 Thornbird by E. Kennedy
Genre: YA thriller
Vibes: small town secrets, hidden identity, high school drama, serial killer legacy
Ten years after her father, infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn, was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in his old town under a false name. No one can know who she really is. No one can know whose daughter she is.
At first I thought okay… serial killer’s child trying to escape the past. We have seen this before. But this is Elle Kennedy. And she knows how to build tension around messy emotions and complicated attraction.
What worked for me:
🕵️♀️ The layered mystery surrounding the unsolved burial sites
📱 Anonymous threatening messages that slowly escalate
💻 The chilling Free the Sparrows forum element
🔥 Romance woven through the suspense without overpowering it
⚡ A final act that absolutely picked up the pace
The blend of high school drama and dark backstory felt very Elle Kennedy. There is the golden boy. The mysterious biker boy. The mean girl energy. Some of it leans a little cliché, but it also carries that addictive early 2000s teen drama vibe that makes you keep turning pages.
I did not fully connect with every character, and parts of the setup required a little suspension of disbelief. But the final quarter? That is where this really shines. The twists land stronger than expected, and the mystery and romance finally balance each other in a way that feels satisfying.
As her first step into YA mystery, this is a promising pivot. A great storyteller can cross genres and still deliver tension, chemistry, and emotional stakes.
💬 Do you love thrillers that mix romance and mystery, or do you prefer your suspense completely romance free?
#EKennedy #Thornbird #DelacortePress #YAthriller #Bookstagram
📚 Thornbird by E. Kennedy
Genre: YA thriller
Vibes: small town secrets, hidden identity, high school drama, serial killer legacy
Ten years after her father, infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn, was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in his old town under a false name. No one can know who she really is. No one can know whose daughter she is.
At first I thought okay… serial killer’s child trying to escape the past. We have seen this before. But this is Elle Kennedy. And she knows how to build tension around messy emotions and complicated attraction.
What worked for me:
🕵️♀️ The layered mystery surrounding the unsolved burial sites
📱 Anonymous threatening messages that slowly escalate
💻 The chilling Free the Sparrows forum element
🔥 Romance woven through the suspense without overpowering it
⚡ A final act that absolutely picked up the pace
The blend of high school drama and dark backstory felt very Elle Kennedy. There is the golden boy. The mysterious biker boy. The mean girl energy. Some of it leans a little cliché, but it also carries that addictive early 2000s teen drama vibe that makes you keep turning pages.
I did not fully connect with every character, and parts of the setup required a little suspension of disbelief. But the final quarter? That is where this really shines. The twists land stronger than expected, and the mystery and romance finally balance each other in a way that feels satisfying.
As her first step into YA mystery, this is a promising pivot. A great storyteller can cross genres and still deliver tension, chemistry, and emotional stakes.
💬 Do you love thrillers that mix romance and mystery, or do you prefer your suspense completely romance free?
#EKennedy #Thornbird #DelacortePress #YAthriller #Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Something a little different than Kennedy's hockey romance books, Thornbird presents as a YA mystery. I wouldn't classify this book as a thriller, but there are also some romantic elements as well.
Ryan Shipley is really Gabrielle Thorn, the daughter of a serial killer on death row. Her mother was murdered by her father when she was just 7 and she suffers PTSD. After her grandmother took her in until she was 17 and passed away, Ryan has to leave Allentown, PA and go back to Tennessee to live with her aunt and uncle. She has to hide her identity, even though she is also a victim and lost her mother. The mystery isn't whether her father Gabriel is a serial killer, he is. But he wouldn't disclose where the bodies are located, so the victims' families can't get closure.
Ryan meets her cousins, Jasmine and Connor, and their friends. Not so long into her senior year, she starts receiving cryptic texts threatening to reveal her identity. She receives pressure from the FBI to go through hypnosis to figure out where the bodies are located. It's suggested she knows more than she's saying, even though she was only 7 when her mother died.
The dating stuff was ok because she's a teenager, after all, but i couldn't stand Jasmine's best friend, Nikki. Then, after the reveal, her life falls apart, and she's shunned for keeping her identity a secret. While hard to understand, I have seen daughters/children of real life serial killers harassed too. While the book ended on a happy note, I was bothered that Nikki never apologized to Ryan for what she did. I guess that makes sense, but it still bothered me.
One small error I hope gets fixed before publication: Allentown is in PA, not Philly. Chew Street is an actual street in Allentown, PA. I liked that mention as my mother grew up there.
Available 6/30/26 4.25☆ trigger warning for some details of violent deaths.
Ryan Shipley is really Gabrielle Thorn, the daughter of a serial killer on death row. Her mother was murdered by her father when she was just 7 and she suffers PTSD. After her grandmother took her in until she was 17 and passed away, Ryan has to leave Allentown, PA and go back to Tennessee to live with her aunt and uncle. She has to hide her identity, even though she is also a victim and lost her mother. The mystery isn't whether her father Gabriel is a serial killer, he is. But he wouldn't disclose where the bodies are located, so the victims' families can't get closure.
Ryan meets her cousins, Jasmine and Connor, and their friends. Not so long into her senior year, she starts receiving cryptic texts threatening to reveal her identity. She receives pressure from the FBI to go through hypnosis to figure out where the bodies are located. It's suggested she knows more than she's saying, even though she was only 7 when her mother died.
The dating stuff was ok because she's a teenager, after all, but i couldn't stand Jasmine's best friend, Nikki. Then, after the reveal, her life falls apart, and she's shunned for keeping her identity a secret. While hard to understand, I have seen daughters/children of real life serial killers harassed too. While the book ended on a happy note, I was bothered that Nikki never apologized to Ryan for what she did. I guess that makes sense, but it still bothered me.
One small error I hope gets fixed before publication: Allentown is in PA, not Philly. Chew Street is an actual street in Allentown, PA. I liked that mention as my mother grew up there.
Available 6/30/26 4.25☆ trigger warning for some details of violent deaths.
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April 2, 2026Review of an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley
The story is about a girl starting her senior year of high-school back in the home town she lived in until her father killed her mom, and was arrested for murdering other women.
I enjoyed Ryan's character. While she wants to keep her head down and finish senior year before leaving town again, deep down she really does want to belong. She wants friends and family, something she hasn't had.
Aunt Maggie I loved right away. Uncle Dan took me a bit to warm up to him, he gave me bad vibes from the get go. Spoiler he has an affair, but is not a murderer. I was waiting to find out he was the dad's partner for a portion of the book.
I disliked Jasmine at first, but by the middle of the book she grew on me. I never was a fan of Everett from the start. His all American boy vibe just seemed too off putting.
I suspected from the moment we meet the other guy he would be the one Ryan would end being drawn to.
I felt the pacing of the book was good. Kept me guessing for the most part.
While Zed did her wrong, in the end it helped Ryan to be able to move on, or at least helps her to begin to move forward with her life. She never felt she could be happy because of the guilt she carried for what her dad did, losing her mother like she did, and then needing to hide who she was ( in name at least ) in order to have a somewhat normal life.
I had suspicion about the one victim since Ryan discovers who she is. I immediately questioned whether she truly had been a victim of her dad's or not. And then finding out the truth wasnt a full on shock.
If you enjoy YA thriller books I would recommend picking this book up once it is released.
Dark, grief, murder, spice 🌶 - it is a YA book.
The story is about a girl starting her senior year of high-school back in the home town she lived in until her father killed her mom, and was arrested for murdering other women.
I enjoyed Ryan's character. While she wants to keep her head down and finish senior year before leaving town again, deep down she really does want to belong. She wants friends and family, something she hasn't had.
Aunt Maggie I loved right away. Uncle Dan took me a bit to warm up to him, he gave me bad vibes from the get go. Spoiler he has an affair, but is not a murderer. I was waiting to find out he was the dad's partner for a portion of the book.
I disliked Jasmine at first, but by the middle of the book she grew on me. I never was a fan of Everett from the start. His all American boy vibe just seemed too off putting.
I suspected from the moment we meet the other guy he would be the one Ryan would end being drawn to.
I felt the pacing of the book was good. Kept me guessing for the most part.
While Zed did her wrong, in the end it helped Ryan to be able to move on, or at least helps her to begin to move forward with her life. She never felt she could be happy because of the guilt she carried for what her dad did, losing her mother like she did, and then needing to hide who she was ( in name at least ) in order to have a somewhat normal life.
I had suspicion about the one victim since Ryan discovers who she is. I immediately questioned whether she truly had been a victim of her dad's or not. And then finding out the truth wasnt a full on shock.
If you enjoy YA thriller books I would recommend picking this book up once it is released.
Dark, grief, murder, spice 🌶 - it is a YA book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
What a trip! Elle Kennedy has found a way to string her signature romance into a YA murder mystery thriller.
We follow Gabriella Thorn (now Ryan Shipley) as she moves back to the town, under an alias, where her father, Gabriel Thorn, an infamous serial killer was caught and currently sits on death row. The catch - the bodies were never found.
As she attempts to keep her past buried and live a normal life, the town is still haunted by her father’s crimes. When a huge reward is offered for the recovery of the bodies, the town lights up in search for answers. Creepy text messages and hand written letters from her father surface. The police/FBI and amateur sleuths lurk around. As it turns out, everyone has their own secrets and many of them lead back to Gabriella.
Navigating high school, romantic encounters & her new-found estranged family, Gabriella has to come to terms with the hurt her father has caused nearly everyone in the town and the guilt she carries.
A solid read that brings into question how much children should have to carry/pay for the crimes of their parents for sharing a name/proximity?
Loved the quick + witty named chapters! The red herrings and intertwining ensemble of characters were definitely some of my favourite aspects of the book. Also, the denouement was well timed, and perfectly unraveled.
However, worth noting, the pacing of the time compression/expansion threw me off slightly as it felt like we glided over a few months about 70% of the way through the book before it corrected itself.
Overall, there’s something for everyone in this YA novel.
——-
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books (Delacorte Press) & Barnes+Noble Union Square Book Con for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Gabriella Thorn (now Ryan Shipley) as she moves back to the town, under an alias, where her father, Gabriel Thorn, an infamous serial killer was caught and currently sits on death row. The catch - the bodies were never found.
As she attempts to keep her past buried and live a normal life, the town is still haunted by her father’s crimes. When a huge reward is offered for the recovery of the bodies, the town lights up in search for answers. Creepy text messages and hand written letters from her father surface. The police/FBI and amateur sleuths lurk around. As it turns out, everyone has their own secrets and many of them lead back to Gabriella.
Navigating high school, romantic encounters & her new-found estranged family, Gabriella has to come to terms with the hurt her father has caused nearly everyone in the town and the guilt she carries.
A solid read that brings into question how much children should have to carry/pay for the crimes of their parents for sharing a name/proximity?
Loved the quick + witty named chapters! The red herrings and intertwining ensemble of characters were definitely some of my favourite aspects of the book. Also, the denouement was well timed, and perfectly unraveled.
However, worth noting, the pacing of the time compression/expansion threw me off slightly as it felt like we glided over a few months about 70% of the way through the book before it corrected itself.
Overall, there’s something for everyone in this YA novel.
——-
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books (Delacorte Press) & Barnes+Noble Union Square Book Con for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thornbird follows Ryan Shipley as she returns to Starling to live with her aunt and uncle after her grandmother dies. There’s only one problem: her real name is Gabrielle Thorn and she’s the daughter of a serial killer who hunted in Starling ten years ago. But the victims were never found and Ryan gets swept up in the investigation to bring the victims families closure.
This was such a fun read!! It was a little less of a thriller/mystery than I thought. Although there is still a lot of mystery elements. It’s very much a blended story of high school drama, romance, and mystery. A lot of the story is Ryan adjusting to life back in Starling and making friends with her cousins and other local kids. There’s a nice romantic subplot as well that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed Ryan as a character. Her cousin Jazzy is a bit annoying, but entertaining. I loved her aunt and uncle and thought the relationships were really well done.
I really loved the mystery/thriller moments and true crime elements. The addition of posts/reddit type threads were so fun. I thought the twist was so interesting and one I did not see coming! There were a lot of great haunting, spooky moments woven into the story that set the mood really well. It was such an engaging read and I flew through it in a day. I was hooked so easily and I cannot wait to read more thrillers from this author!
If you love Holly Jackson, I’d highly recommend this one!
💕 Found family
🔪 True crime
🔎 Serial killer’s daughter
❤️🔥 Slow burn
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
This was such a fun read!! It was a little less of a thriller/mystery than I thought. Although there is still a lot of mystery elements. It’s very much a blended story of high school drama, romance, and mystery. A lot of the story is Ryan adjusting to life back in Starling and making friends with her cousins and other local kids. There’s a nice romantic subplot as well that I thoroughly enjoyed. I really enjoyed Ryan as a character. Her cousin Jazzy is a bit annoying, but entertaining. I loved her aunt and uncle and thought the relationships were really well done.
I really loved the mystery/thriller moments and true crime elements. The addition of posts/reddit type threads were so fun. I thought the twist was so interesting and one I did not see coming! There were a lot of great haunting, spooky moments woven into the story that set the mood really well. It was such an engaging read and I flew through it in a day. I was hooked so easily and I cannot wait to read more thrillers from this author!
If you love Holly Jackson, I’d highly recommend this one!
💕 Found family
🔪 True crime
🔎 Serial killer’s daughter
❤️🔥 Slow burn
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thornbird by E. Kennedy is an intricately woven thriller set in the small town of Starling, Tennessee. The narrative follows Ryan Shipley, who returns to her hometown a decade after her father, the notorious serial killer Gabriel Thorn, was apprehended. The book blends themes of identity, secrecy, and the impact of the past, creating intrigue and suspense. The author easily establishes a haunting atmosphere that permeates the town and the characters. Ryan's struggle to navigate her life under the heavy shadow of her father's crimes adds a compelling emotional layer to the story. As she attempts to lay low and keep her true identity hidden, the narrative intensifies with the emergence of fresh investigations into the Thorn case. I liked the cryptic texts and eerie coincidences surrounding her, which kept me guessing and trying to figure out if Ryan was a victim of her past or harboring dark secrets of her own. The pacing of Thornbird is done well, with each chapter leaving clues that build toward a shocking conclusion. The author’s writing style is engaging, painting vivid images of the eerie Tennessee landscape while skillfully crafting suspenseful scenes that make it difficult to put the book down.
Overall, Thornbird is an engaging exploration of guilt and legacy. I felt the author delivered an interesting story filled with good twists and turns. The book is an enjoyable psychological thriller. I would recommend this book and read more from this author.
#Thornbird #NetGalley @randomhousekids @RHCBEducators
Overall, Thornbird is an engaging exploration of guilt and legacy. I felt the author delivered an interesting story filled with good twists and turns. The book is an enjoyable psychological thriller. I would recommend this book and read more from this author.
#Thornbird #NetGalley @randomhousekids @RHCBEducators
April 25, 2026
Having read Elle Kennedy’s other books, I was intrigued by her spin on a Young Adult thriller, and I was not disappointed by this book.
This fast-paced story follows Gabrielle Thorn, the daughter of serial killer, Gabriel Thorn, as she returns to the site of the murders to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins following the death of her grandmother. To avoid the scrutiny that comes with being associated with a serial killer, Gabrielle now goes by the name Ryan Shipley and even her cousins do not know her true identity as she works to fly under the radar and make it through her last year of high school. Things become more complicated as her father is set to be executed, bringing renewed interest to the town and the case. Despite Ryan’s desire to stay isolated from other, lest they learn who she really is, she is drawn into friendships with some of her classmates, her cousins, and the son of one of her father’s victims.
While the first 60% or so of the book is a bit slower, it helps to establish character relationships and a bit more about Starling. The last 40% really picks up as we learn more about the location of Thorn’s victims. I was waiting for the reveal of Ryan’s true identity and the following repercussions, and I was not disappointed. There are unexpected twists that keep the reader going and just when things seem to be wrapping up, another twist occurs.
4.5 rounded up
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books (Delacorte Press), for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This fast-paced story follows Gabrielle Thorn, the daughter of serial killer, Gabriel Thorn, as she returns to the site of the murders to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins following the death of her grandmother. To avoid the scrutiny that comes with being associated with a serial killer, Gabrielle now goes by the name Ryan Shipley and even her cousins do not know her true identity as she works to fly under the radar and make it through her last year of high school. Things become more complicated as her father is set to be executed, bringing renewed interest to the town and the case. Despite Ryan’s desire to stay isolated from other, lest they learn who she really is, she is drawn into friendships with some of her classmates, her cousins, and the son of one of her father’s victims.
While the first 60% or so of the book is a bit slower, it helps to establish character relationships and a bit more about Starling. The last 40% really picks up as we learn more about the location of Thorn’s victims. I was waiting for the reveal of Ryan’s true identity and the following repercussions, and I was not disappointed. There are unexpected twists that keep the reader going and just when things seem to be wrapping up, another twist occurs.
4.5 rounded up
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books (Delacorte Press), for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ryan Shipley, aka Gabrielle Thorn, is back in her hometown now, living with her aunt and uncle for her senior year of high school. Ten years ago Ryan's dad, Gabriel Thorn, was arrested for murdering multiple women, including his wife, all of which he confessed to. Now with his execution around the corner, Ryan is trying to keep her real name a secret in hopes of having a semi-normal senior year. Ryan receives a text saying they know who she is and to quit looking into her dad's case.
This is my first read by Kennedy, as it's her first thriller, and I'm not into romance. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a thriller unless you're only talking about the last 15%. The first half almost felt like a romance more than a thriller, and the plot barely moved. It definitely got more interesting in the second half but was missing the fast pacing I'm used to with YA thrillers. When the story really picked up and I was eager to turn the page, I was suddenly at the end with everything tied in a pretty bow. I'm giving this three stars mostly because I really enjoyed Ryan's character and seeing how she dealt with the different relationships in her life, especially her dad, and how she grew by the end. Not as thrilling and twisting as I'd like, but still a good read! Since this is her first thriller, I'd definitely give her another go if she continues to write in this genre! If you're a fan of Kennedy's romance books and you're wanting to try out thrillers, I think this is a perfect starting point!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Pub: July 2026
This is my first read by Kennedy, as it's her first thriller, and I'm not into romance. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as a thriller unless you're only talking about the last 15%. The first half almost felt like a romance more than a thriller, and the plot barely moved. It definitely got more interesting in the second half but was missing the fast pacing I'm used to with YA thrillers. When the story really picked up and I was eager to turn the page, I was suddenly at the end with everything tied in a pretty bow. I'm giving this three stars mostly because I really enjoyed Ryan's character and seeing how she dealt with the different relationships in her life, especially her dad, and how she grew by the end. Not as thrilling and twisting as I'd like, but still a good read! Since this is her first thriller, I'd definitely give her another go if she continues to write in this genre! If you're a fan of Kennedy's romance books and you're wanting to try out thrillers, I think this is a perfect starting point!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Pub: July 2026
May 11, 2026
As a huuuuge Elle Kennedy fan, I was beyond excited to receive this proof from Electric Monkey. Writing under E. Kennedy, Thornbird is a YA Thriller following Ryan Shipley, daughter of a serial killer, as she moves back to Starling in the midst of her father’s planned execution. She is navigating high school, making new friends, meeting her cousins, all whilst hiding the secret of her true identity.
I found this book sooo addictive. I literally devoured it in one afternoon/evening. I was gripped from the outset with the thriller storyline, but loved the additional romance and ‘coming of age’ plotlines. It wasn’t a typical ‘murder mystery’ thriller. It definitely had a strong character-driven plotlne which I loved, following Ryan as she navigated life back in her hometown with this weight on her shoulders and the secrets she was hiding. As the book progressed, it got darker, more creepy and atmospheric, and ILOVED it.
Ryan was a great character and so easy to root for. To be honest, all of the characters were all loveable in their own ways, in true Kennedy fashion. I loved the mystery around Chase, and loved Ryan’s besties Mar and Ty. The fact we had a mini love triangle within a thriller was brilliant, and didn’t detract from the overarching story at all!
I would have liked a little more ‘shock’ from the ending, but overall this was such a fun and additictive read. I hope this is the first of many E.Kennedy thrillers!
I found this book sooo addictive. I literally devoured it in one afternoon/evening. I was gripped from the outset with the thriller storyline, but loved the additional romance and ‘coming of age’ plotlines. It wasn’t a typical ‘murder mystery’ thriller. It definitely had a strong character-driven plotlne which I loved, following Ryan as she navigated life back in her hometown with this weight on her shoulders and the secrets she was hiding. As the book progressed, it got darker, more creepy and atmospheric, and ILOVED it.
Ryan was a great character and so easy to root for. To be honest, all of the characters were all loveable in their own ways, in true Kennedy fashion. I loved the mystery around Chase, and loved Ryan’s besties Mar and Ty. The fact we had a mini love triangle within a thriller was brilliant, and didn’t detract from the overarching story at all!
I would have liked a little more ‘shock’ from the ending, but overall this was such a fun and additictive read. I hope this is the first of many E.Kennedy thrillers!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy of this title. All opinions are my own.
I previewed this with the intention of adding it to my district's collection (either my building-a MS- or the local HS). Students are voracious mystery/thriller readers and this seemed like a solid choice. It did not disappoint. After previewing it, I would definitely recommend it for high school readers. There is some language and casual mentions of sex. Besides that, the main characters are juniors and seniors in high school ready for the next stage of life. They are going to be most relatable to high school readers.
Ryan Shipley has spent most of her life avoiding the fact that her father, Gabriel Thorn, was a serial killer. Her grandmother took her in, changed her name, and they did their best to cut all ties. But now that her grandma passed away, the only family she has left is in her hometown. As she moves back, the community is reliving much of her father's history since the 10 year anniversary of his arrest is coming up, as well as his execution date. The bodies of his victims were never recovered, and with a new reward up for grabs, it's all anyone can talk about. Ryan tries to keep her head down, live the lie her aunt wants her to, and get out by the end of her senior year. But it won't be easy.
Highly recommend.
I previewed this with the intention of adding it to my district's collection (either my building-a MS- or the local HS). Students are voracious mystery/thriller readers and this seemed like a solid choice. It did not disappoint. After previewing it, I would definitely recommend it for high school readers. There is some language and casual mentions of sex. Besides that, the main characters are juniors and seniors in high school ready for the next stage of life. They are going to be most relatable to high school readers.
Ryan Shipley has spent most of her life avoiding the fact that her father, Gabriel Thorn, was a serial killer. Her grandmother took her in, changed her name, and they did their best to cut all ties. But now that her grandma passed away, the only family she has left is in her hometown. As she moves back, the community is reliving much of her father's history since the 10 year anniversary of his arrest is coming up, as well as his execution date. The bodies of his victims were never recovered, and with a new reward up for grabs, it's all anyone can talk about. Ryan tries to keep her head down, live the lie her aunt wants her to, and get out by the end of her senior year. But it won't be easy.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advance Read Copy provided by NetGalley.
I was completely obsessed with this YA thriller! I went in not knowing what to expect, especially since this is Elle’s first venture into the YA crime thriller genre. As a fan of her romance books, I was excited—and she did not disappoint. The story follows Gabrielle Thorn, whose father is a serial killer on death row. After his capture and her mother’s murder, Gabrielle is forced to change her identity and is raised by her grandmother, who tries to give her a normal life.
When her grandmother dies, Gabrielle takes on the identity of the long-lost cousin, Ryan Shipley, and moves back to the small town where her father, known as the Sparrow Slayer, committed his crimes. A decade later, the FBI and victims’ families are still searching for the missing bodies, and many believe Gabrielle knows more than she admits. In a town full of secrets, tension builds as the past refuses to stay buried.
This story is layered with dark secrets, complicated relationships, and twists that kept me guessing. I loved that it wasn’t easy to figure out, and the suspense made it such an exciting read. There’s also a subtle romance that added just enough depth without taking away from the mystery. Overall, I’m a big fan of this new direction and will definitely be reading more of her thrillers!
I was completely obsessed with this YA thriller! I went in not knowing what to expect, especially since this is Elle’s first venture into the YA crime thriller genre. As a fan of her romance books, I was excited—and she did not disappoint. The story follows Gabrielle Thorn, whose father is a serial killer on death row. After his capture and her mother’s murder, Gabrielle is forced to change her identity and is raised by her grandmother, who tries to give her a normal life.
When her grandmother dies, Gabrielle takes on the identity of the long-lost cousin, Ryan Shipley, and moves back to the small town where her father, known as the Sparrow Slayer, committed his crimes. A decade later, the FBI and victims’ families are still searching for the missing bodies, and many believe Gabrielle knows more than she admits. In a town full of secrets, tension builds as the past refuses to stay buried.
This story is layered with dark secrets, complicated relationships, and twists that kept me guessing. I loved that it wasn’t easy to figure out, and the suspense made it such an exciting read. There’s also a subtle romance that added just enough depth without taking away from the mystery. Overall, I’m a big fan of this new direction and will definitely be reading more of her thrillers!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really, really like the premise of the story centering on a serial killer's child, and I think it did a really good job of portraying the emotions that would come with finding out your parent is capable of such a vile act. One thing I didn't get, though, was how much people seemed to blame her for her dad's actions. Like, I get being wary around her (I don't condone it but I get it), but some of the characters genuinely seemed to think she was an accomplice. She was SEVEN when the murders took place. What could she have possibly done???
And speaking of the other characters, while some of them were interesting to read about, I couldn't stand the majority of them. ESPECIALLY the side characters. With some of them, like Nikki and Everett, there was at least a reason for their actions, but Jazzy and Zed were just plain annoying.
I went in assuming there would be a big twist but the way the way we kept getting hit with new twists at the very end made me feel less interested each time something new was discovered. And about one twist in particular:
And speaking of the other characters, while some of them were interesting to read about, I couldn't stand the majority of them. ESPECIALLY the side characters. With some of them, like Nikki and Everett, there was at least a reason for their actions, but Jazzy and Zed were just plain annoying.
I went in assuming there would be a big twist but the way the way we kept getting hit with new twists at the very end made me feel less interested each time something new was discovered. And about one twist in particular:
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
When your dad is a serial killer, high school drama is the least of your problems.
Young Adult novels seem to thrive on the trope of the fish-out-of-water protagonist who beats the odds to find acceptance but Elle Kennedy’s “Thornbird” takes this common sentiment and slams on the gas. For our protagonist Ryan, starting a new school (under a false identity) is the least of her problems compared to her dark past that haunts her nightmares and lives rent-free in the minds of many of her new classmates. The mystery and dramatic tension of this book gripped me from the start (I read 25% of the book after thinking “I’ll just read a few pages right now to get the vibe”). I devoured this book as its mystery and the tension of her hidden identity drew me in.
Where the narrative sagged for me, however, was the mid-book genre switch. While the romance subplot was clear throughout the story, the mystery and tension took a huge backseat to the romantic teenage drama by the end of the book. By the end, the plot twists, which were there perhaps to heighten suspense, felt excessive rather than captivating.
Regardless of the perceived genre confusion, this book was a snappy, engaging read. I would recommend this book particularly as a beach read, book club pick, or palate cleanser between heavier novels.
When your dad is a serial killer, high school drama is the least of your problems.
Young Adult novels seem to thrive on the trope of the fish-out-of-water protagonist who beats the odds to find acceptance but Elle Kennedy’s “Thornbird” takes this common sentiment and slams on the gas. For our protagonist Ryan, starting a new school (under a false identity) is the least of her problems compared to her dark past that haunts her nightmares and lives rent-free in the minds of many of her new classmates. The mystery and dramatic tension of this book gripped me from the start (I read 25% of the book after thinking “I’ll just read a few pages right now to get the vibe”). I devoured this book as its mystery and the tension of her hidden identity drew me in.
Where the narrative sagged for me, however, was the mid-book genre switch. While the romance subplot was clear throughout the story, the mystery and tension took a huge backseat to the romantic teenage drama by the end of the book. By the end, the plot twists, which were there perhaps to heighten suspense, felt excessive rather than captivating.
Regardless of the perceived genre confusion, this book was a snappy, engaging read. I would recommend this book particularly as a beach read, book club pick, or palate cleanser between heavier novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
YA novels are some of my favorites and Thornbird has just been added to my list of top books in that genre.
It’s a terrific thriller with moments of intense suspense and a few well-placed surprises. One in particular that I didn’t see coming at all. The characters are well developed and complex, with nobody being the one wearing the proverbial white hat. There are shades of gray in all of the people, which makes them, and the story more realistic.
The novel centers on Ryan Shipley, AKA Ryan Thorn, a high school senior who is trying to avoid association with her father, a serial killer on death row in Tennessee. She’s living with relatives and juggles the many difficulties that arise because of trying to hide her real identity, even from her cousins, who don’t know that she isn’t a cousin who’s been living in Switzerland. As the school year progresses that deception becomes harder and harder to pull off.
The famous quote by Sir Walter Scott from his 1808 poem Marmion, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive” is apropos for her situation; and as the story unfolds the challenges increase, which then ramps up the tension.
Thornbird is a satisfying thriller for readers who enjoy a complicated plot, flawed characters, and a narrative style that keeps one wanting to read just one more page before turning off the light.
It’s a terrific thriller with moments of intense suspense and a few well-placed surprises. One in particular that I didn’t see coming at all. The characters are well developed and complex, with nobody being the one wearing the proverbial white hat. There are shades of gray in all of the people, which makes them, and the story more realistic.
The novel centers on Ryan Shipley, AKA Ryan Thorn, a high school senior who is trying to avoid association with her father, a serial killer on death row in Tennessee. She’s living with relatives and juggles the many difficulties that arise because of trying to hide her real identity, even from her cousins, who don’t know that she isn’t a cousin who’s been living in Switzerland. As the school year progresses that deception becomes harder and harder to pull off.
The famous quote by Sir Walter Scott from his 1808 poem Marmion, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive” is apropos for her situation; and as the story unfolds the challenges increase, which then ramps up the tension.
Thornbird is a satisfying thriller for readers who enjoy a complicated plot, flawed characters, and a narrative style that keeps one wanting to read just one more page before turning off the light.
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