The Nowhere Girls

by Carmel Harrington

From the bestselling author of The Stolen Child and The Lighthouse Secret comes a gripping new novel about two abandoned sisters, a missing mother and a shocking twenty-five year old mystery.

On a cold afternoon in December 1995, two small girls are found abandoned on a platform at Pearse Station in Dublin, Ireland.

Twenty-five years later, investigative journalist Vega is determined to find out what happened to the so-called 'Nowhere Girls'. Where did their mother go? Why did no one come forward to claim them? And where are they now?

Little does Vega know that her investigation will reveal much more than she bargained for . . .

Praise for Carmel

'This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease' SUNDAY TIMES

'One of the greatest twists I've ever read' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD

'An addictive, immersive, incredibly poignant page-turner' ANDREA MARA

'Clever, compelling and compulsive, a read-until-the-early-hours rollercoaster' AMANDA GEARD

'A compelling, extremely tender page-turner' ADELE PARKS

400 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 8, 2026

About the author

Carmel Harrington is an International bestseller of thirteen novels. She is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband, Roger, children Amelia and Nate, and their beloved rescue dog, George Bailey.

Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, was a Sunday Times best crime fiction of the year selection and was described as ‘Endlessly surprising. This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’ Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She is a regular on Irish TV screens and radio and has been a guest speaker at Literary events in Ireland, UK and USA. She was also Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.

Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters, twisting plots and evocative locations, has captured readers' hearts worldwide. Her novels, including The Lighthouse Secret, The Girl From Donegal, A Mother’s Heart, and The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, have been Irish Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers.

Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @HappyMrsH, or join Curl Up With Carmel Book Club, an online book club on Facebook.

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journalist Vega is looking for her next big story and decides to investigate the case of two abandoned sisters left at a railway station in Dublin in 1995.
This story has a few twist and turns as she questions people from both America and Ireland.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Judefire33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive just finished #TheNowhereGirls by @happymrsh published in January 2026 by @headlinebooks

A really engrossing read full of excellent characters,including Vega the lead protagonist who i loved. Its a mystery, thriller with a lot of heart and anguish in it and I felt very deeply for Vega. A well written story with a couple of twists that I didn't see coming however I hated the ending!

But still a great 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
Carmel Harrington’s beautifully written ‘The Nowhere Girls’ is a touching story about Vega’s search for the truth. I really enjoyed Vega’s character and was completely drawn into her journey. There are a few twists, but you can usually guess them coming, so there aren’t any real surprises, except for the ending, which was quite good.
This moving story will likely delight many readers, but since I’m not usually in this genre, it didn’t quite hit the suspense levels I was hoping for.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the wow factor. One thing that I love about Carmel Harrington’s books is the depth of research and planning that takes the reader on a journey of discovery. I simply couldn’t stop reading this one, The Nowhere Girls and struggled to put it down.

The opening scenes are poignant as it becomes clear that nobody is coming to claim the two girls abandoned on the train platform at Dublin’s Pearse Station. The feeling of abandonment lifted from the pages and gripped me. I was fully invested within moments.

The story revolves around investigative journalist Vega, who is determined to learn more about the fate of the children the press called The Nowhere Girls. The reader is given a shotgun seat in Vega’s search, and it is a rollercoaster of a ride.

Vega is a fiery character. She has a grit and determination that seem perfect for her chosen career path. Sadly, she is also closed off and unwilling to let others inside her walls. It was clear that she was nursing intense emotional pain, but it wasn’t clear how deep her wounds were, at first.

I would hate to include any spoilers, so I won’t reveal any of the story beyond the synopsis, but I can promise that this is a truly addictive book that had me guessing as I read. The writing is perfectly paced, allowing me to make informed guesses that made me feel as though I could crack the case, but nothing prepared me for the twists or the final reveal.

This may be a shift in genre, but Carmel Harrington is making it her own. It’s a triumph.

[Beth Reads Crime]

In 1995 in Ireland, two young girls, aged just 3 and 4, are found sitting alone at a train station. They tell the stationmaster they are waiting for their mother, but she never shows.

30 years later, we meet journalist Vega, who is reporting on the cold case of “The Nowhere Girls”. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to investigate what really happened that day.

The girls claimed they lived in the woods/in the middle of nowhere, hence their moniker. But given their ages, they are unable to share much more information at the time. Where did they go after being found? Were they adopted? Did they change their names and have their identities protected? And just who was their mother?

Because of Vega’s profession, she must rely entirely on research, persistence and people skills to uncover any insight into the case. As a result, the story unfolds slowly, but the careful build-up really allows you to soak in the mystery and feel for those involved. Harrington’s descriptions of both the characters and the landscape are rich, making it easy to picture events as they unfold.

It’s easy to play detective alongside Vega, and while the twists didn’t completely shock me, I loved the journey and my time with the characters. THE NOWHERE GIRLS is a thoughtful, character-driven mystery.

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Headline for including me on the tour.

[Honestmamreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nowhere Girls is a story which follows the tale of Vega. She is an investigative journalist on the quest to discover the truth about the Nowhere Girls. "In December 1995, two young girls are found abandoned on a platform at Pearse Station in Dublin."

Through Vega's findings we as the reader are taken on a journey of mystery and discovery. From America, to Woodstock 1969, along the way there are plenty of communes and people to meet. Where we end up in Ireland. But, will we find out the identities of The Nowhere Girls? Will we find out why they were abandoned in the train station?

I found this story similar to Lucinda Riley's Seven Sisters. But, only because of it's similarities in themes, such as a strong female character searching for her roots. There is the whole star gazing and constellation talk. And, the globe trotting and discovering slowly through new characters the mystery.

I did find this easy to read, and enjoyed as the mystery was slowly unravelled. I'm not a 100% certain I was happy with the final chapter of the book though. That just changed the whole dynamic of what we had found out. It added in extra layers of lying and deceiving.

Apart from that final chapter I did really enjoy The Nowhere Girls, and I will read more from Carmel Harrington

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prologue for The Nowhere Girls is heartbreaking. On December 1st 1995, as crowds gather in Dublin to catch a glimpse of US president Bill Clinton, two little girls sit on a bench at Pearse Street Station, waiting for their mother to come back for them, but she fails to return. 🧳
The story then jumps forward to the present day, and we meet Vega Pearse, a journalist with a mission: to find out what happened to the Nowhere Girls. 🧳
This is quite a twisty story, that takes the reader from Co. Wexford to Vermont in the USA, and to the heart of Connemara, as Vega follows the trail of Cassie, mother of the Nowhere Girls. As each possible clue leads to a dead end, one can feel Vega's frustration, especially when she comes close to the truth only to find people stonewalling her. 🧳
This is, without a doubt, a poignant story, and with it's myriad twists, it is engrossing. Two things spoiled it for me:
- Try as I might, I didn't like Vega. I can't pin down any specific reason, I just didn't warm to her.
- The ending. Sure, it was a major twist, but it felt like an afterthought tacked on at the end. 🧳
They're just my bugbears. Don't be swayed by them. Read it and make up your own mind. 🧳
Thanks to Headline Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel starts with a heartbreaking but enticing prologue, 2 small girls waiting at a railway station for their mother to reappear to collect them.
This was an engrossing, poignant read as Vega a journalist and one of the girls, tries to find out what happened to her mum and sister.
Her endeavour to find out takes her over to America and the far reaches of Ireland, discovering interesting and harrowing tales along the way.
I loved the majority of the characters, Mama Lulu was a delight I wish I could taste her pies. The ending caught me by surprise

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmel Harrington is one of my favourite authors so it’s always with great excitement and enthusiasm I look forward to reading her new book. The Nowhere Girls was just as I expected , an unputdownable and page turning read. As soon as I had finished reading the prologue and wiped a few tears from my eyes, I just knew I wouldn’t be able to put this book down until the very end. What a read , one that brought so much emotional feelings out in me. There wasn’t one part of this book I didn’t enjoy and the ending had me lost for words.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this, kept me engrossed from beginning to end, and that ending!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Maddie Grigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vega is a tenacious journalist in Ireland, whose writing and work is becoming lauded. When she learns about the story of the so-called Nowhere Girls, who were abandoned at a train station many years ago, she embarks on a quest to find out what happened to them.
This is a contemporary thriller with a fair few twists, although some of them you will see coming a mile off. Well-plotted, characters well drawn and the book would make a very good TV series, as the various locations seem very cinematic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.

[Wynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Vega feels like she needs to dig deeper into a story where a 4-year-old girl and her younger sister were left by their mother at Dublin's Pearse Station in November 1995. They were told not to move until she returned. Who are they? Where did they come from? Why did their mother not return to collect them like she said she would?

Written with compassion, empathy, and heart, Carmel Harrington unleashes her new novel on us. It’s a moving, beautifully crafted novel that keeps you turning pages until the very end.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nowhere Girls< by Carmel Harrington will publish January 29th with Headline Review and is described as ‘gripping and suspenseful‘. Taking the reader on a sweeping adventure from Dublin to Wexford and from Vermont to Connemara this emotive tale tells the shocking mystery surrounding two little girls and their missing mother.

Vega and Nova were left seated on a bench in Pearse Station in Dublin in 1995 by their mother, with a promise that she would be back very shortly…but she never returned. Their mysterious origin story was never unravelled, so the state had to step in and find them new homes. Nova was adopted but Vega was put into fostercare, leaving her guarded and very protective of her story, and her own personal space. In later years Vega’s career choices led to her becoming an investigative journalist. She owned a small cottage in Wexford which was her sanctuary. She would often sit outside, wrapped in a blanket and looking at the stars, hoping that one day she would reconnect with Nova and her mother.

Vega never stopped searching, with the online trail eventually leading her to Vermont. Using all her skills she set off on a journey that would eventually reveal some answers to her lifelong questions. But would they be the words she wanted to hear?

Vega had always kept her relationships very loose, never committing to anyone, and never bringing anyone home to her cottage in Wexford. But slowly she lets someone in, someone she starts to have feelings about. Vega isn’t used to this type of connection and the possibility of her spoiling it before it even starts is very real. She has never learned what it is to be truly loved, truly accepted for who she is. Can she let her guard down? Can she finally let someone in to share her heart and home with?

Vega is relentless and, as time passes, she digs up more and more information that could potentially lead to the truth. On this journey of self-discovery Vega is faced with many challenging obstacles, leaving her, at times, unsure of herself. But Vega is tough. All her life she has had to stand on her own two feet. Now, as she finally closes in on what actually happened on that fateful day in 1995, she may have to accept certain painful truths but will it be worth it?

I am being intentionally vague in my review, as the truth behind The Nowhere Girls is one that, like Vega, you have to unravel all by yourselves. While I wasn’t totally sold on the outcome of one particular thread, the rest of the novel does carry plenty of surprising and fitting moments. Carmel Harrington vividly depicts the ache that seems to constantly inhabit Vega, that sense of belonging that she hankers after at all times. There is something very authentic about her character as she pushes her way through some extremely emotional obstacles in her search for her family. There are numerous twists and turns in The Nowhere Girls as the scent picks up and the momentum gathers speed. Is this crime fiction? Is this a novel of suspense? Is this a contemporary tale? The Nowhere Girls seems to straddle all three, which gives it a broad appeal and will definitely please Carmel Harrington’s fans, both new and old. A mysterious and emotional story The Nowhere Girls is ultimately an exploration of our need as human beings to feel connected, to have a loving family and to belong.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something quietly compelling about The Nowhere Girls that pulled me in from the very first chapter and kept me turning the pages at speed. Carmel Harrington blends emotional depth with a gently twisty investigative thread, creating a story that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.


The novel opens with an unsettling premise: two very young girls left alone on a freezing December afternoon at Pearse Station in 1995, waiting for a mother who never comes back. Fast forward thirty years and the mystery remains unresolved, the girls long since labelled “the Nowhere Girls”. Enter Vega, an investigative journalist whose professional curiosity and personal determination won’t let the case lie.

Vega is a strong, believable protagonist and very easy to root for. Her determination to uncover what happened to the girls takes her across Ireland and over to the US, following a trail that grows more complicated the deeper she digs. The author balances the procedural elements of the investigation with Vega’s personal life beautifully, showing how the case begins to seep into every corner of her world; her relationships, her career, and how she looks at herself.

The plot unfolds at a good pace, there's plenty of intrigue to keep the reader hooked. This is very much a character-driven story, and the author really excellently explores themes of motherhood, identity, abandonment, and deeply buried secrets. While there are twists along the way, the real strength of the story, for me, is in its emotional depth.

I raced through this one, eager to understand the truth behind the girls’ disappearance, but I also really enjoyed how Vega thinks about herself, and changes as a result of her search. The ending felt satisfying and thoughtful.

Overall, The Nowhere Girls is a poignant, engaging and highly readable mystery that will appeal to fans of emotional thrillers with heart. A compelling journey into the past, and a reminder that some stories refuse to stay buried.

[Avril · Rating 5 out of 5]

1995, Pearse Station, Dublin. Two little girls are left by their mother, who promises to return but never does. The girls are separated in the care system and thirty years later the eldest of the sisters and journalist, Veja, is determined to uncover the truth of her abandonment. The search for her mother and sister leads her to reveal many secrets and hidden pasts.

Carmel Harrington has become an auto-read author for me in recent years and this book solidifies that for me even more. I've said it in previous reviews and I'll say it again. Carmel writes intergenerational family dramas like no other, full of emotion and suspense.

This book had everything I love. A gripping opening chapter, with the following chapters being well paced. The characters were well fleshed out, with really interesting primary and secondary characters. I was completely invested in the romance element between Vega and Luka.

The journey this story takes you on is something else. There are so many elements to Vega's investigation and while it had the potential to feel like a bit of a wild goose chase, the author handled the pacing and suspense with ease, enabling the reader stay with Vega on her quest to discover her story.

This story is full of twists, turns and surprises. It is Carmel Harrington at her best and a book that I would highly recommend.

Available now to preorder. Publication dare: 29 January 2026

With sincere thanks to Headline publishers, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review an advanced copy of The Nowhere Girls.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Headline and Random Things Tours for an advanced copy of the book.

📝 The Details

In December 1995, two young girls are found alone at a Dublin train platform, seemingly abandoned. Now, journalist Vega wants to find out what happened to ‘the Nowhere Girls’ and how their experience has shaped their lives. But she has no idea what secrets her search is about to unravel.

⚡️ My Review

On the cover, Claire Douglas describes it as a ‘thriller with heart’, and that is such a perfect description of this book! It’s not your typical thriller – at times it was heart-warming and more of a family drama, at others it was really quite dark, full of sadness, regret and suspense.

Vega was a strong main character and goes on an incredible journey, not only uncovering the secrets of the past but also learning how open up her own heart and life to other people for the first time.

I loved how the plot unfolds, with us as the reader finding everything out at the same time as Vega, experiencing all the shocks and twists with her. It’s only when we get to the final chapter that the full story slots into place.

I can’t say too much about the plot itself without spoiling the story, but it captured my heart with the emotional family mystery side, whilst also ticking all the boxes on the creepy/trust no-one side!

And I really enjoyed all the settings – from the Irish countryside to Dublin and the gorgeous Gilmore Girls-esque Vermont maple farm in the Autumn!

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nowhere Girls by Carmel Harrington blends emotional suspense with a compelling cold-case mystery. The novel opens in 1995, when two little girls are found abandoned at Pearse Station in Dublin. Decades later, investigative journalist Vega becomes obsessed with uncovering what really happened to them, a story that echoes her own search for her missing mother, Star, and her sister, Nova.

Carmel Harrington builds the mystery with steady, thoughtful tension. Vega’s investigation is gripping not because of shock twists, but because every clue forces her to confront the emotional wounds she’s carried for years. The abandoned sisters’ story becomes intertwined with her own, giving the mystery real emotional weight.

Vega is a strong, flawed, and deeply human protagonist, and Carmel Harrington writes her with empathy and nuance. The pacing is tight, the revelations feel earned, and the final answers land with both impact and heart.

Carmel Harrington blends the pull of crime and mystery with the emotional nuance of contemporary fiction effortlessly. Settings are vivid without being over-described, and secondary characters feel lived-in rather than functional. The result is a story that you read both to “solve” and to feel, to inhabit Vega’s longing and the lingering ache of the abandoned sisters’ story.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmel Harrington has a gift for weaving heart and suspense together, and The Nowhere Girls is no exception. The story begins in 1995, when two little girls are found abandoned at Pearse Station in Dublin. Thirty years later, journalist Vega is determined to uncover what really happened — a search that pulls her into secrets far deeper than she imagined.

What struck me most is how Harrington balances the emotional weight of the mystery with the human connections at its core. Vega isn’t just chasing a story; she’s risking her career, her relationships, and even her sense of self to bring the truth to light. The novel is full of twists, but it’s the compassion behind the narrative that makes it so compelling.

The atmosphere is beautifully drawn — cold train platforms, hidden truths, and the quiet ache of unanswered questions. Yet there’s also warmth in the way Harrington writes about resilience, love, and the bonds that survive even the darkest circumstances.

Casually speaking, this is one of those books that keeps you turning pages late into the night. It’s gripping, heartfelt, and leaves you thinking about the power of stories to heal old wounds.

My thanks to Carmel Harrington, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Mary Carbajosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read by Carmel Harrington and I enjoyed my introduction to her work. This is a well written story which is billed as a thriller, but for me it’s more of a family drama mystery. Set in Ireland and New England, the story revolves around Vega, a journalist at one of Ireland’s national newspapers who, with the help of her new boyfriend Luka, is on a quest to uncover the truth behind the story of two little girls who were abandoned at a train station in 1995.

The author drew me into the story, had me invested in its outcome, and I was surprised by the ending, however, apart from one twist early on, I didn’t feel there was enough suspense or tension and a few more twists would have been welcome.

The characterisation is excellent and the main protagonist Vega, is likeable, I felt she was a strong female lead, resolute, intelligent and intuitive and I got to know her easily. I also enjoyed Carmel Harrington’s descriptions of Vermont, which were vivid and helped bring the story to life.

All in all this is an interesting, emotional and heartfelt story which takes you on a journey of discovery full of believable characters and wonderfully descriptive settings. 3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟💫

Thank you to Headline Books and Net Galley for the advanced copy.

[Sandie McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a cold afternoon in December 1995, two young girls are discovered abandoned on a platform at Pearse Station in Dublin a haunting mystery that shocks the nation and is soon forgotten. Thirty years later, investigative journalist Vega becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about the “Nowhere Girls.” What happened to their mother? Why did no one ever come forward? And, most importantly, where are the sisters now?

As Vega digs deeper, she finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and hidden pasts that stretch far beyond what she ever imagined. Her search for the truth soon threatens to unravel not only the mystery of the girls but also her own life her career, her new relationship, and her sense of identity.

This gripping mystery blends emotional depth with sharp investigative suspense. The narrative moves between past and present, keeping you hooked as Vega pieces together fragments of a dark and forgotten story. Themes of motherhood, identity, and the price of truth are explored with sensitivity and tension in equal measure.

I really enjoyed it I have never read any of her other books but definitely will now.

Thank you to Netgalley and Head Line Books for an ARC

[Paula Sterling-Stead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot begins in December 1995. Two young children, Nova and Vega, are placed in a train station by their mother and told to wait until her return. Hours later they are discovered by a station master. While both are placed into care, the younger sister Nova is quickly adopted, leaving her sibling to negotiate a series of foster care homes.

Thirty years later a journalist who writes about displaced children decides that this is a story that needs to be investigated and embarks on a discovery which spans America, Ireland and UK.

The descriptions of the young Star (the children’s mother) attending Woodstock before being sucked into a commune was particularly well written and developed. Her complex layering often leaves you conflicted about her own predicament and how she came to leave her children behind.

There are sub plots running side by side which I didn’t necessarily need, and which made the novel a tad too long. The twist at the end was totally unexpected, well done! All in all, a very strong read with some excellent writing and character development.



Thank you NetGalley and Headline Books for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling story, two small girls, Vega aged 4 and her sister Nova aged 3 left alone at a train station. Their mother tells Vega to wait, she will be back soon, but she never returns.
Both girls are placed in foster care where Vega remains until she is 18, Nova is adopted.
Vega is now a working as a journalist and she is determined to find her mother, Cassie and her sister Nova.
Once she starts to investigate she discovers family, a grandmother, an aunt, they welcome her and want to help with the search. She has always been alone in the world, she struggles with trust, she isn’t perfect and breaks her boyfriends trust in her and it’s only when he isn’t by her side that she realises how important he is to her.
We meet some interesting and rather diverse characters as the story evolves.
I found myself rooting for Vega, desperately wanting her to find her family., she has a burning need for answers and for the truth. I was engrossed in this emotionally charged story which I highly recommend.
My first book by this author and will definitely be reading more

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

[Pauline Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had previously read The Stolen Child by the same author and was delighted to be offered The Nowhere Girls by the same author. I was not disappointed. This absolute page turner is a complex and sad story of child abandonment. Vega is an excellent journalist who works hard to find the truth in a story and convey her findings in an articulate and compelling manner. The so called ‘Nowhere Girls’ concerns two sisters aged 3 and 4 who were abandoned on a railway platform by their mother in 1995. Their true identity was never discovered. Vega takes it upon herself to investigate this mystery. Given a month to get results by her editor, she begins the long process of finding the truth. As long held secrets are revealed amid various shocking twists, Vega begins to make progress but at what cost? The further she delves, the more dangerous the quest but she doesn’t know the meaning of giving up. As this excellent book reaches its dramatic conclusions, there are both heartwarming and heartbreaking implications for all concerned. Written in a fast paced way with well conceived characters that perfectly fit their roles. I thoroughly recommend this brilliant book.

[Claire Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nowhere Girls is an incredibly emotional and engaging story that centers on a haunting image: two young girls abandoned at a Dublin train station by their mother. The narrative follows Vega, one of the sisters, on a desperate quest to uncover the truth behind that abandonment. Harrington does a masterful job of balancing the pain of the past with the drive of the present, making it nearly impossible not to root for Vega as she digs into her history.

What truly set this book apart for me was how Harrington handled the ending. It is a rare and bold choice to let the reader in on the whole truth while leaving the main character in the dark. I usually pride myself on sniffing out a mystery's conclusion, but I can honestly say I didn’t see this ending coming. It was both surprising and poignant, and shed a whole new light on the story.

This book is a beautiful exploration of motherhood, trauma, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. If you enjoy mysteries that prioritize emotional depth and character growth over non stop action, this is a must read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[Sarina Markey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A powerful, emotional read that stays with you long after the last page

The Nowhere Girl by Carmel Harrington is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that completely drew me in. From the very first chapter, Harrington handles complex, emotional themes with sensitivity, compassion, and incredible insight. The characters feel achingly real, each carrying their own pain, hope, and resilience, and it’s impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

What really stood out to me was how the story balances heartbreak with warmth and humanity. Carmel Harrington has a rare gift for exploring difficult subjects while still offering moments of tenderness, connection, and quiet hope. The pacing is perfect, the writing is evocative without being heavy-handed, and the emotional payoff is genuinely powerful.

This is one of those books that makes you stop, reflect, and feel deeply—about family, belonging, and the strength it takes to survive. I couldn’t put it down, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since finishing.

An unforgettable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves emotional, character-driven fiction. 💙📚

[Rebecca Ambrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I said it for her last novel, and I'll say it again here; this style of writing and genre is Carmel Harrington coming into her own. Her ability to weave familial stories, often involving intergenerational narratives and timelines, makes her a go-to read in my books, and elevating that into the thriller genre makes her a must-read author.
The Nowhere Girls also starts with a mystery: two young girls, abandoned at Pearse St. train station, are separated and placed in foster care, only to disappear from the public consciousness until a reporter decides to resurrect their story when a similar case makes headlines in modern-day Ireland. Needless to say, their story is not what it seems, and the hunt to find both girls spans Ireland and America (a common element of Harrington's stories), involving many women who each hold different threads that pull the final conclusion together.
While I did guess some elements of the story, I absolutely did not connect all of the dots until they were presented to me , so credit to her for keeping me guessing until the final pages.
My only question is, when is the next one out?!

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vega Pearse, a journalist, embarks on a new investigative story, this time about two girls abandoned in 1995 at Pearse Street Station. She tries, with the help of her boyfriend, Luka, to identify the girls and find out what brought them the the station and why their mother didn't return to get them.
This is an emotional rollercoaster of book, as Vega makes discoveries only to be thwarted by her own impetuousness or by time as trails go cold. It is a compelling read, and several twists and turns keep the plot moving forward at pace.
Vega is a strong character, although, indeed most of the characters in the book turn out to be strong too, but she is well balanced in kindness and caring to off set her outspokenness and impulsiveness. The story switches between Ireland and America, and the clever use of interviews interspersed in the text allows us some insight into background information that the author doesn't have to explain.
Well written, fast moving and an intriguing plot.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Headline Books for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Nowhere Girls follows journalist Vega Pearse, who becomes intrigued by the mystery of two young girls abandoned at Pearse Street Station in 1995. After a career-defining story, Vega decides to investigate what really happened to these “Nowhere Girls.” With the help of her boyfriend, Luka, she sets out to uncover their identities and find out why their mother never came back for them.


(Spoiler alert!) It’s eventually revealed that Vega herself is the older of the two girls, and as she opens up to Luka, they embark on an emotional and eye-opening journey across America. I found myself completely hooked, eager to keep turning the pages to uncover more of the truth.
The pacing was excellent—fast without ever feeling rushed—and I loved the mix of interviews and narrative storytelling. It kept me engaged from start to finish. Carmel Harrington is a new author to me, but after reading this, I’m definitely looking forward to exploring more of her work.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Nowhere Girls by Carmel Harrington

“A storm that was about to shatter them all”

Who are ‘The Nowhere Girls’? ‘Where did their mother go? Did she really leave them? They were so young, too young to be left all alone. Maybe she was trying to protect them but from what…..or who? Vega a talented journalist wants to know more about the girls but why? She is deeply invested in discovering the truth. What happened all those years ago and why does it mean so much to her?

Due to the year the ‘Nowhere Girls’ were found and where the story begins I initially thought there was going to be a lot of going back and forth. However you become very quickly engrossed regarding the girls, why they were left and who left them. Vega is one determined young lady looking for answers. The question is will she find them? A brilliant read!

Thank you to NetGalley, @headlinebooks and Carmel Harrington for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of #thenowheregirls due for release 29th January 2026

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsive, addictive reading that I totally devoured over the course of an afternoon.

And from the wow moment early on towards the end of Part 1, I knew i needed to do nothing else other than read this book.

I was totally invested in Vega's story and that of the Nowhere Girls and never would have dreamt the directions this story took

Suffice to say it will keep you on tender hooks throughout.

Vega is an amazing character, she is determined to find out the truth, no matter what methods she uses, and over the course of the story we meet some fascinating characters. Some far more likeable than others.

This is Carmel Harrington at her absolute finest. She is able to tug at heartstrings, make you emotionally invested in the story, while still trying to flabbergast the reader. And it totally works.

I couldn't have devoured this faster, and I thought my time spent between the covers of this book was time incredibly well spent.

Thank you to Headline and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.