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Alle slechte meisjes
Iedereen houdt van Summer Ryan. Ze is een voorbeeldige leerling met een groot muzikaal talent en een zonnestraaltje in het stoffige stadje Grace, Alabama. Ze verschilt dag en nacht van haar moeilijke, rebelse tweelingzusje Raine.
Op een dag verdwijnt Summer. Ze is het zevende meisje in Grace dat niet meer thuiskomt. Na deze nieuwe tragedie heeft de politie moeite de onrust in het stadje te beteugelen. De sheriff gaat ervan uit dat Summer is weggelopen, maar Raine laat het er niet bij zitten en gaat zelf op onderzoek uit.
Was Summer wel zo'n voorbeeldig meisje?
Op een dag verdwijnt Summer. Ze is het zevende meisje in Grace dat niet meer thuiskomt. Na deze nieuwe tragedie heeft de politie moeite de onrust in het stadje te beteugelen. De sheriff gaat ervan uit dat Summer is weggelopen, maar Raine laat het er niet bij zitten en gaat zelf op onderzoek uit.
Was Summer wel zo'n voorbeeldig meisje?
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2017
592 people are currently reading
12389 people want to read
About the author
Chris Whitaker
8 books7,769 followersChris Whitaker is the author of the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling All The Colours Of The Dark. His other acclaimed and bestselling novels include We Begin At The End, Tall Oaks, and All The Wicked Girls.
Chris’s novels have been translated into thirty-one languages and have won the CWA Gold Dagger, the CWA John Creasey Dagger, the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, the Ned Kelly International Award, and numerous awards around the world.
His books have also been selected for the Read With Jenna Book Club, Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Good Morning America Book Club, and for BBC2’s Between The Covers.
All The Colours Of The Dark is currently in development with Universal Pictures.
Chris was born in London and lives in the UK.
Follow him on Instagram @chriswhitakerauthor
Chris’s novels have been translated into thirty-one languages and have won the CWA Gold Dagger, the CWA John Creasey Dagger, the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, the Ned Kelly International Award, and numerous awards around the world.
His books have also been selected for the Read With Jenna Book Club, Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Good Morning America Book Club, and for BBC2’s Between The Covers.
All The Colours Of The Dark is currently in development with Universal Pictures.
Chris was born in London and lives in the UK.
Follow him on Instagram @chriswhitakerauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
August 14, 2017
This is a dark, bleak and atmospheric novel in the southern gothic tradition located within the bible belt of Alabama. Set in the small town of Grace, of which there is precious little, it is a place populated by rednecks, hell, fire and brimstone preachers crushing in their judgements, and palpably short on hope and in its ability to offer a future to its young people. The terminal economical decline is painted in the lives of its inhabitants, barely scraping by, making do with occasional sporadic employment and with the prevalence of addictions to drink and drugs. Its people are no strangers to pain and suffering, magnified by the devastating sense of loss felt by the entire community for the missing Summer Ryan, the 15 year old twin sister of Raine. A dark cloud with its omen of a violent storm hangs over Grace, both literally and metaphorically, as a community is torn apart by fear and their burning need to find Summer. In the midst of this, precarious lives burdened by grief, loss, guilt, poor health, violence, secrets and more are slowly revealed in the compulsive and melancholic narrative of the novel.
Joe and Ada Ryan call on their close connections in the community in their hunt for Summer, plagued by frightening thoughts that their daughter has been taken by the almost mythic Bird, a man that has taken 5 Briar church going girls, whose bodies have never been found. The repercussions on a wounded community in the wake of this horror are plain to see, in the guilt and helplessness felt by Chief Black, parents terrified for their daughters and the advice for girls to quit going to church. Raine is the wild and unpredictable twin, getting into trouble and negotiating the world by knowingly flaunting her sexuality. Her closeness to Summer though is never in doubt as her pain drives her to conduct her own search for her sister, looking into the backgrounds of the girls that went missing, an abortion facility, and any suspects associated with the Briar girls. She is aided by Noah Wild, with his strong feelings for Raine, and his close friend, Purv, with his volatile and violent father. Chief Black is teetering on the brink of his own personal and emotional hell, struggling to be taken seriously, amidst an intense media focus. The seething mass of feelings unleashed by the Ryan family and the religious fervour fanned by Pastor Lumen grow to alarming proportions. Summer's feelings and life reveal there is much more to her than might at first be surmised, given her musical and academic gifts.
This is a hauntingly harrowing read of a novel that is so vital and vibrant in its sense of place and narrative. The characters come alive with their traumas, feelings and relationships. Grace is a town where everyone knows everyone, littered with broken lives and despair, and where it would not take much to trigger violence. I was so caught by the fact that for so many, getting involved with looking for Summer provides a sense of identity and a source of pride, not surprising, given how challenging their lives are. It is no wonder that religion thrives here, although not much peddles hope, when it is so sorely needed. Pastor Bobby, a gentler person than Pastor Lumen, is far too consumed by the loss of his son, and his own personal secrets, to be a greater force in the local community. I particularly adored both Noah and Purv, along with Raine, and her determination to find her sister, no matter what. Thankfully, the book ends with some grace and redemption in the town. Chris Whitaker has written a novel that I loved with a passion, despite its dark themes. I would really like him to return with these characters, but I am guessing that is not going to happen. Cannot recommend this highly enough! Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
Joe and Ada Ryan call on their close connections in the community in their hunt for Summer, plagued by frightening thoughts that their daughter has been taken by the almost mythic Bird, a man that has taken 5 Briar church going girls, whose bodies have never been found. The repercussions on a wounded community in the wake of this horror are plain to see, in the guilt and helplessness felt by Chief Black, parents terrified for their daughters and the advice for girls to quit going to church. Raine is the wild and unpredictable twin, getting into trouble and negotiating the world by knowingly flaunting her sexuality. Her closeness to Summer though is never in doubt as her pain drives her to conduct her own search for her sister, looking into the backgrounds of the girls that went missing, an abortion facility, and any suspects associated with the Briar girls. She is aided by Noah Wild, with his strong feelings for Raine, and his close friend, Purv, with his volatile and violent father. Chief Black is teetering on the brink of his own personal and emotional hell, struggling to be taken seriously, amidst an intense media focus. The seething mass of feelings unleashed by the Ryan family and the religious fervour fanned by Pastor Lumen grow to alarming proportions. Summer's feelings and life reveal there is much more to her than might at first be surmised, given her musical and academic gifts.
This is a hauntingly harrowing read of a novel that is so vital and vibrant in its sense of place and narrative. The characters come alive with their traumas, feelings and relationships. Grace is a town where everyone knows everyone, littered with broken lives and despair, and where it would not take much to trigger violence. I was so caught by the fact that for so many, getting involved with looking for Summer provides a sense of identity and a source of pride, not surprising, given how challenging their lives are. It is no wonder that religion thrives here, although not much peddles hope, when it is so sorely needed. Pastor Bobby, a gentler person than Pastor Lumen, is far too consumed by the loss of his son, and his own personal secrets, to be a greater force in the local community. I particularly adored both Noah and Purv, along with Raine, and her determination to find her sister, no matter what. Thankfully, the book ends with some grace and redemption in the town. Chris Whitaker has written a novel that I loved with a passion, despite its dark themes. I would really like him to return with these characters, but I am guessing that is not going to happen. Cannot recommend this highly enough! Many thanks to Bonnier Zaffre for an ARC.
August 27, 2017
I've been struggling with figuring out how to review this mind boggling book. It will make you feel. It will make you uncomfortable. It's very dark, very atmospheric, quite disturbing. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is easily shaken. I'm not, and I felt it. It's mostly written in a kind of small town southern dialect, and it took me awhile to get used to the vernacular. After about 10% it just flowed, I adapted easily even thought it's a bit different than what I usually read. Definitely worth the initial struggle. Sexual themes and themes of abuse feature, so that's something you should expect when you pick it up.
Summer and Raine are young teens, and they're twins. They couldn't be more different. Raine is a little wild... drinking, staying out late, running around with boys, and exploring her sexuality. Summer is sweet, intelligent, a voracious reader, a bit shy, and accomplished. Who disappears? Summer.
Though she packed a bag and appears to have left on her own accord, Summer is not the first pretty young lady to disappear in the area. They were all church going girls, devout and well-behaved. They are all gone without a trace, vanished leaving no clue as to their whereabouts.
Everyone is looking for Summer. Her father roams the town with his friends, his "boys" with their guns, seeking vigilante justice. Raine is looking too. She's as fierce and determined as anyone else. She has allies in Noah and Purv, two young men deemed as losers from most of their peers but eager to help. Uncovering Summer's life before she disappeared, who she spoke to, who she spent time with, is no easy task. They're determined. The popular opinion is that the girls have been taken by some kind of fearful perhaps even supernatural creature that can simply vanish into the woods, making the parents hold their pretty young daughters tight and pray for a reckoning.
This story features a lot of characters and very dark themes. We get chapters from Summer before she disappeared, and also from twin sister Raine, her friends Noah and Purv, and what passes for law enforcement in town. Every single character has many layers and a lot of backstory. It can be hard to keep track at times, but staying focused is worth it.
A heavily religious old school poor town during the panic about the occult in the 90's, you're in for a wild ride. This time period is when parents worried about everything from the music their children preferred to the books they read, thinking they were somehow connected with the devil. It's dark and disturbing, and worth the read.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Bonnier Zaffre, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
October 12, 2017
Another wonderful traveling sister read with Brenda!
A dark, disturbing novel that at first was a grind getting into. Taking place in the town of Grace, deep in the South, it’s told in a dialect that at times was difficult to both read and comprehend.
Summer Ryan goes missing and her twin sister Raine is worried sick. She knows for certain her sister would never just up and leave. The local Sheriffs’ Dept. is searching for her, but Raine isn’t buying they’re doing everything possible to bring Summer home. After all...she isn’t the first girl to go missing in this area. Recently a group of girls have disappeared from neighboring towns and now dubbed the Briar Girls. Raine’s greatest fear is that Summer will end up as another one of The Missing Briar Girls - or worse.
There were so many characters that at times it seemed nearly unmanageable keeping everyone straight. I was only a page or two away from needing to keep a scorecard! This book did not grab me right away as I struggled through a good part of it with thoughts once again of the dreaded DNF. I persevered, and was glad I did. As the dark clouds finally broke over the town of Grace, so too did this novel see daylight as well. The final 20-30% took off at an incredible speed that made the book a worthwhile read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Chris Whitaker for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
A dark, disturbing novel that at first was a grind getting into. Taking place in the town of Grace, deep in the South, it’s told in a dialect that at times was difficult to both read and comprehend.
Summer Ryan goes missing and her twin sister Raine is worried sick. She knows for certain her sister would never just up and leave. The local Sheriffs’ Dept. is searching for her, but Raine isn’t buying they’re doing everything possible to bring Summer home. After all...she isn’t the first girl to go missing in this area. Recently a group of girls have disappeared from neighboring towns and now dubbed the Briar Girls. Raine’s greatest fear is that Summer will end up as another one of The Missing Briar Girls - or worse.
There were so many characters that at times it seemed nearly unmanageable keeping everyone straight. I was only a page or two away from needing to keep a scorecard! This book did not grab me right away as I struggled through a good part of it with thoughts once again of the dreaded DNF. I persevered, and was glad I did. As the dark clouds finally broke over the town of Grace, so too did this novel see daylight as well. The final 20-30% took off at an incredible speed that made the book a worthwhile read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Chris Whitaker for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2020
4 ⭐️
More like 3.5 stars but I'm feeling generous as this was my first read of 2020.
Cause in the end we all get taken."
Grace is a dark town, full of dark secrets. Ever since a young pregnant teen was found hung in the woods. Slap bang in the middle of bible belt America, the people of Grace will fight, drink and gossip and then turn up to church the next day. In a town like this the locals make their own rules, the local police force holding no real sway.
So when Summer Ryan goes missing, her daddy Joe Ryan rounds up his boys and takes the law into his own hands. Summer is the 5th girl to go missing - referred to as the Briar Girls. Disappeared but never found - the kidnapper named The Bird.
Summer left behind a note, so Sheriff Black believes she is just a runaway. But Summer's twin sister Raine doesn't believe her sister would run off - especially not without telling her. They are a close as sisters can be. Raine joins up with local boys Noah and Purv and they launch their own investigation into Summer's disappearance.
What eventually comes to light regarding the Briar Girls is shocking. I mean this in both a good and bad way. Good because you don't see it coming, but then equally
Overall I enjoyed all the different characters, and the scene was set. Just not 100% on board with the final reveal.
"There ain't no scooby-doo moment in my story. The bad guy ain't wearing a disguise. What ya'll hope ain't gonna happen. It's gonna happen."
More like 3.5 stars but I'm feeling generous as this was my first read of 2020.
Cause in the end we all get taken."
Grace is a dark town, full of dark secrets. Ever since a young pregnant teen was found hung in the woods. Slap bang in the middle of bible belt America, the people of Grace will fight, drink and gossip and then turn up to church the next day. In a town like this the locals make their own rules, the local police force holding no real sway.
So when Summer Ryan goes missing, her daddy Joe Ryan rounds up his boys and takes the law into his own hands. Summer is the 5th girl to go missing - referred to as the Briar Girls. Disappeared but never found - the kidnapper named The Bird.
Summer left behind a note, so Sheriff Black believes she is just a runaway. But Summer's twin sister Raine doesn't believe her sister would run off - especially not without telling her. They are a close as sisters can be. Raine joins up with local boys Noah and Purv and they launch their own investigation into Summer's disappearance.
What eventually comes to light regarding the Briar Girls is shocking. I mean this in both a good and bad way. Good because you don't see it coming, but then equally
Overall I enjoyed all the different characters, and the scene was set. Just not 100% on board with the final reveal.
"There ain't no scooby-doo moment in my story. The bad guy ain't wearing a disguise. What ya'll hope ain't gonna happen. It's gonna happen."
August 13, 2017
Once again author Chris Whitaker has penned another fabulous book - this time "All The Wicked Girls" in a similar theme to his highly successful "Tall Oaks".
I highly enjoyed this book, I was drawn into the story immediately and it never let go, keeping me gripped to the very end.
Everyone loves model student Summer Ryan, she's a ray of light in the struggling small town of Grace, Alabama, especially compared to her troubled sister Raine. Then Summer goes missing, after several girls also went missing in Briar County and never found the residents aren't sure whether the same person nicknamed "The Bird" is responsible for Summer's disappearance. Her sister throws herself into finding her, supported by a most unlikely ally. But maybe there was more to Summer than meets the eye.....
There was a very compelling storyline that ran through this book with some adorable characters like Noah and Purv, who in my opinion stole the show, however it was quite heartbreaking and I have to admit to being very tearful at the ending.
The author has created a fantastic story here, being British and writing an American book is a brilliant achievement, getting the dialogue and narrative perfect for the setting. Though at times I did find the southern accent quite thick to comfortably read I still thought this was a highly entertaining book that i'd happily recommend and can't wait for a third book to be written!!
5 well deserved stars.
I highly enjoyed this book, I was drawn into the story immediately and it never let go, keeping me gripped to the very end.
Everyone loves model student Summer Ryan, she's a ray of light in the struggling small town of Grace, Alabama, especially compared to her troubled sister Raine. Then Summer goes missing, after several girls also went missing in Briar County and never found the residents aren't sure whether the same person nicknamed "The Bird" is responsible for Summer's disappearance. Her sister throws herself into finding her, supported by a most unlikely ally. But maybe there was more to Summer than meets the eye.....
There was a very compelling storyline that ran through this book with some adorable characters like Noah and Purv, who in my opinion stole the show, however it was quite heartbreaking and I have to admit to being very tearful at the ending.
The author has created a fantastic story here, being British and writing an American book is a brilliant achievement, getting the dialogue and narrative perfect for the setting. Though at times I did find the southern accent quite thick to comfortably read I still thought this was a highly entertaining book that i'd happily recommend and can't wait for a third book to be written!!
5 well deserved stars.
August 23, 2017
All The Wicked Girls is a gripping crime novel that is dark, intense, and atmospheric. Chris Whitaker's writing style is perfection, from the realistic characters to the way he captures the expressions and mannerisms of a small southern town. I found myself reading with a southern drawl throughout - I don't do that very often.
"Raine sometimes complains that nothing exciting is ever gonna happen in Grace again. Daddy told her careful what you wish for."
15-year-old Summer Ryan goes missing in the small town of Grace, Alabama. Unfortunately, she isn't the first teenage girl to go missing in the last few years. Sheriff Black thinks she ran away, her troubled twin sister Raine doesn't believe that at all. Raine will do everything in her power to find her sister and bring her back home. But is there more to the model student and musical prodigy, Summer Ryan, than meets the eye...
This is more than a crime novel, this is a story of tragedy, heartbreak, hope, and love between two sisters. This book will definitely keep you guessing until the end. My hat goes off to Chris Whitaker and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books very soon! Highly recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for the ARC of this book.
"Raine sometimes complains that nothing exciting is ever gonna happen in Grace again. Daddy told her careful what you wish for."
15-year-old Summer Ryan goes missing in the small town of Grace, Alabama. Unfortunately, she isn't the first teenage girl to go missing in the last few years. Sheriff Black thinks she ran away, her troubled twin sister Raine doesn't believe that at all. Raine will do everything in her power to find her sister and bring her back home. But is there more to the model student and musical prodigy, Summer Ryan, than meets the eye...
This is more than a crime novel, this is a story of tragedy, heartbreak, hope, and love between two sisters. This book will definitely keep you guessing until the end. My hat goes off to Chris Whitaker and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books very soon! Highly recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre for the ARC of this book.
October 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this. It had everything you would want from a thriller and had you guessing til the end.
I also have to say that Chris Whitaker really shines at writing believable characters; characters that are strong, 3 dimensional and you really end up rooting for. He reminds me of Stephen King for his characterisation and dialogue.
I'm looking forward to reading more by the author.
I also have to say that Chris Whitaker really shines at writing believable characters; characters that are strong, 3 dimensional and you really end up rooting for. He reminds me of Stephen King for his characterisation and dialogue.
I'm looking forward to reading more by the author.
May 13, 2017
I couldn't stop reading. I know this is a phrase overused, but I mean it truly. Yesterday I picked up five separate books, tried and failed to engage with their story. This I couldn’t let go, I read it from cover to cover because there was no way I could leave it without knowing.
It was all sharp details and roving suspicion. It reminded me somewhat of how I felt reading The Dry last year, suffused in the sweltering heat. Once again, I am lost in the place, fearful of the dark cloud and broken people living beneath it. There is a depth and beauty to the characters that puts you right in it with them, their confessions seem directed at you, and you can’t help but listen. I guessed and guessed, following the clues but never sure of where their stories were heading. I identified what I thought were telltale details, some deftly hidden, some sun bright, but still didn’t see the end till it opened out before me, that is until my feet were kicked hard from under me. I’m still reeling.
I loved Tall Oaks and gave it 5 stars. I give this the same but it feels almost a disservice to do so. That book was good, but this, this is great. If I thought Chris Whitaker could write before, now I am awed by his talent. This is an exceptional piece of work, literary crime fiction with a pitch dark heart.
I might come back and add more to the review once I’ve thought it though but for now i’ll just say: read it.
ARC via Netgalley
It was all sharp details and roving suspicion. It reminded me somewhat of how I felt reading The Dry last year, suffused in the sweltering heat. Once again, I am lost in the place, fearful of the dark cloud and broken people living beneath it. There is a depth and beauty to the characters that puts you right in it with them, their confessions seem directed at you, and you can’t help but listen. I guessed and guessed, following the clues but never sure of where their stories were heading. I identified what I thought were telltale details, some deftly hidden, some sun bright, but still didn’t see the end till it opened out before me, that is until my feet were kicked hard from under me. I’m still reeling.
I loved Tall Oaks and gave it 5 stars. I give this the same but it feels almost a disservice to do so. That book was good, but this, this is great. If I thought Chris Whitaker could write before, now I am awed by his talent. This is an exceptional piece of work, literary crime fiction with a pitch dark heart.
I might come back and add more to the review once I’ve thought it though but for now i’ll just say: read it.
ARC via Netgalley
September 5, 2017
3.5 Stars.
1995 - A dark cloud hangs over the small town of Grace Alabama.....in more ways than one.
AND NOW.....Summer Ryan has gone missing too, but unlike the other devoted church girls....the only one who packed a bag.
The main theme in ALL THE WICKED GIRLS is the search for an innocent, talented 15 year old that, in turn, introduces a multitude of flawed characters with lifestyles to match from the poor town of Grace.....including a substance dependent police chief.
Twin sister Raine is a wild one. She has Sticky fingers...likes her drink...and flaunts her body when necessary, but she loves her sister and will NEVER give up the hunt. With her two new faithful partners in crime, Noah and Purv....each with their own devastating difficulties in life, they seek out to find truth and destroy evil.
Even with a devil about and a storm brewing, if truth be told, a good portion of the first half of this dark novel turned out to be a somewhat tedious read for me, but the last half kept me fully engaged despite being left with a few unanswered questions.
Tragic. Filled with Despair. Lots of Secrets.
Many thanks to NetGalley, and Bonnier Zaffre for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2017
3.5 stars
So I’ve spent a couple of days rolling this around in my head. It’s one of those books where you could write 2 very different reviews depending on whether you based it on more technical aspects or just pure enjoyment factor.
From the blurb, we know 15 year old Summer Ryan has gone missing from the small (and ironically named) town of Grace. She did leave a note but the area has a grim history. Over the course of a year, 5 young church-going girls went missing from various spots around Briar County. So the question is: did she run or was she taken? Either way, it’s her sister Raine who would have been voted most likely to disappear. She’s the dark, troubled flip side of her sunny, accomplished sister.
As with many small towns, you may not like your neighbour but that doesn’t stop you lending a hand in a crisis. The whole area is galvanized & soon there are 3 groups searching for Summer. Joe Ryan is an intimidating ex-con who puts together his own posse of family & friends to look for his daughter. Chief Black is a good ol’ boy still haunted by the failure to find any of the 5 church girls. That Summer could be #6 is almost too much for him to bear. He’s also trying to keep an eye on Joe in an effort to make sure he doesn’t shoot first & ask questions later. Raine is not relying on either of the search parties. She mounts her own investigation, dragging along friends Noah & Purv to help.
The majority of the story is told by the 2 girls in alternating chapters. We follow Raine in the present & through Summer, we learn about events leading up to her disappearance.
This is a tough read. I can’t think of a single character who is not dealing with poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence or a combination of the three. Grace is a town that is on its last legs since the loss of a mill that provided jobs. The author does an amazing job of creating an atmosphere of desperation & decay that feels almost gothic at times. The result is one of the most unrelentingly depressing books I’ve ever read. So while I’m truly in awe of his ability to pull you into the story, I don’t know if I can say I enjoyed it.
Oddly enough, it wasn’t the main characters I found most interesting. I was much more invested in the lives of Noah & Purv, 2 teenage boys who rely on each other to survive. They’re frequently at Raine’s disposal but it was the scenes with just the 2 boys that I found most affecting. Their friendship is literally the only good thing in their sad lives & the mutual support they share is both touching & heartbreaking. Somehow they manage to cling to something rarely seen in these parts…..hope. I almost resented leaving their chapters to return to those narrated by the girls.
There were several times throughout the story where I felt like I missed a significant point. A scene would end & I’d be left with the feeling I’d skated by something of import, that I should be taking away more than I did from a comment or a look. So while many of the story lines are tied up by the end, I have a few lingering questions but it’s quite possible the answers are there & I just didn’t pick them up.
So is this a well written book? Absolutely. The author immerses you in this bleak little corner of the world & preys on your emotions. He even allows a literal ray of light at the end. I found myself thinking about some of the characters for several days after finishing & that’s always a good sign.
In the end, I split the difference between 4 stars for writing & 3 for enjoyment. And I just might need to select something a bit more upbeat as my next read.
So I’ve spent a couple of days rolling this around in my head. It’s one of those books where you could write 2 very different reviews depending on whether you based it on more technical aspects or just pure enjoyment factor.
From the blurb, we know 15 year old Summer Ryan has gone missing from the small (and ironically named) town of Grace. She did leave a note but the area has a grim history. Over the course of a year, 5 young church-going girls went missing from various spots around Briar County. So the question is: did she run or was she taken? Either way, it’s her sister Raine who would have been voted most likely to disappear. She’s the dark, troubled flip side of her sunny, accomplished sister.
As with many small towns, you may not like your neighbour but that doesn’t stop you lending a hand in a crisis. The whole area is galvanized & soon there are 3 groups searching for Summer. Joe Ryan is an intimidating ex-con who puts together his own posse of family & friends to look for his daughter. Chief Black is a good ol’ boy still haunted by the failure to find any of the 5 church girls. That Summer could be #6 is almost too much for him to bear. He’s also trying to keep an eye on Joe in an effort to make sure he doesn’t shoot first & ask questions later. Raine is not relying on either of the search parties. She mounts her own investigation, dragging along friends Noah & Purv to help.
The majority of the story is told by the 2 girls in alternating chapters. We follow Raine in the present & through Summer, we learn about events leading up to her disappearance.
This is a tough read. I can’t think of a single character who is not dealing with poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence or a combination of the three. Grace is a town that is on its last legs since the loss of a mill that provided jobs. The author does an amazing job of creating an atmosphere of desperation & decay that feels almost gothic at times. The result is one of the most unrelentingly depressing books I’ve ever read. So while I’m truly in awe of his ability to pull you into the story, I don’t know if I can say I enjoyed it.
Oddly enough, it wasn’t the main characters I found most interesting. I was much more invested in the lives of Noah & Purv, 2 teenage boys who rely on each other to survive. They’re frequently at Raine’s disposal but it was the scenes with just the 2 boys that I found most affecting. Their friendship is literally the only good thing in their sad lives & the mutual support they share is both touching & heartbreaking. Somehow they manage to cling to something rarely seen in these parts…..hope. I almost resented leaving their chapters to return to those narrated by the girls.
There were several times throughout the story where I felt like I missed a significant point. A scene would end & I’d be left with the feeling I’d skated by something of import, that I should be taking away more than I did from a comment or a look. So while many of the story lines are tied up by the end, I have a few lingering questions but it’s quite possible the answers are there & I just didn’t pick them up.
So is this a well written book? Absolutely. The author immerses you in this bleak little corner of the world & preys on your emotions. He even allows a literal ray of light at the end. I found myself thinking about some of the characters for several days after finishing & that’s always a good sign.
In the end, I split the difference between 4 stars for writing & 3 for enjoyment. And I just might need to select something a bit more upbeat as my next read.
October 16, 2017
All the Wicked Girls is a dark, unsettling and complex read that started off a bit rocky for me. So many characters here with this one and introduced too quickly. This really had me confused with keeping them straight and it required too much work and focus to do that. It became too easy to miss clues and developments and this result in me not being unable to connect with the story and characters.
It really was too bad this one didn’t hook me in from the start as I really did enjoy the ending and it was worth the struggle to get to. Even though I missed a bit and it did leave me a bit confused with some things, the ending was still very satisfying.
It really was too bad this one didn’t hook me in from the start as I really did enjoy the ending and it was worth the struggle to get to. Even though I missed a bit and it did leave me a bit confused with some things, the ending was still very satisfying.
October 7, 2024
4,5 Copleșitoare, chiar m-a făcut să lăcrimez la final, care a fost surprinzător, pentru că nicio bănuială nu mi s-a adeverit. Atmosfera în care se desfășoară acțiunea face ca totul să fie intens. Credință dusă la extrem, păcate care nu pot fi iertate, dispariții misterioase, iar peste toate un nor negru misterios. Summer e lumină în exterior, dar înăuntrul ei e doar întuneric, Raine e întuneric în exterior, dar o forță plină de lumină interior. Mai bună decât prima carte a autorului ( Eleonora asta-i pentru tine).
July 2, 2017
The story of two sisters and the efforts Raine goes to find her missing sister Summer. This crime thriller will keep you guessing until the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank NetGalley for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2017
After the sheer, breathtaking brilliance of Chris Whitaker’s debut, Tall Oaks, I had high hopes that this would be another completely ingenious, well plotted novel with a host of oddball characters that wear their hearts on their sleeve. Admittedly, it had all of those components and the same bristling whip-smart humour, but I found All The Wicked Girls a slog to make it through. Why? First and foremost is that this follow-up is essentially a rip off of Tall Oaks. Replace small-town suburban Tall Oaks with the deeply religious but morally dubious town of Grace, Alabama, throw in a missing persons enquiry, a brewing storm and a cast of eccentrics. Sprinkle with southern American drawl, some evangelical eulogising and frequent comparisons of the approaching storm with the devil entering the town, and the result is All The Wicked Girls set in 1995. Grace is a town where every Sunday, reeking of booze the townsfolk roll up to church in order to rid themselves of the sins of the weekend. Whilst this second effort is still tightly pinned down and hard to fault Whitaker’s execution, it is also drawn out, often repetitive and all overseen by a dysfunctional detective who has a heck of a lot of similarities to Tall Oak’s Sergeant Young. It was also uncannily similar to The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel but lacked the necessarily air of menace.
When one of the fifteen-year-old Ryan twins packs a bag and leaves a note saying, “I’m sorry”, it is no surprise that she wants to leave a community in despair and awash with alcohol, drugs and hard drinking men who take exactly what they want. The surprise, however, is that is in not wayward Raine, who is no stranger to trouble, but the church going, god fearing, golden girl, Summer. The twins might be chalk and cheese but they are bonded tight and so when Summer disappears Raine, parents Joe and Ava Ryan and Chief Black are all thinking one and the same thing, namely that “the Bird” has returned. However, only Raine is brave enough to articulate Grace’s fears that the unknown perpetrator, termed “the Bird” and responsible for taking five church going pretty young girls in neighbouring Briar County, has struck once again. The five girls has never been found, alive or dead, but with Raine on the back of a disheartened Chief Black and conducting her own inquiries with an unlikely couple of allies in Noah Wild and Purv Bowdoin things are stirring. It may have been six-months since the last Briar girl vanished, but Raine knows something isn’t right. Meanwhile, Joe Ryan, brother Tommy and their rednecks pals are chomping at the bit to take matters in their own hands meaning that the descending dark clouds over Grace aren’t the only ominous threat.
Much is made of the impending storm that is responsible for the simmering tension, yet with all the references to god, the devil and the church, I felt this was a little overdone and didn’t rouse the dark atmosphere that Whitaker was obviously intending to inspire. The narrative is comprised of Summer’s first person account of the time leading up to her disappearance, alternating with chapters in the third person showing Raine, Noah and Purv’s exploits and the reinvigorated drive of Chief Black. As with life in Tall Oaks, the town of Grace is home to plenty of characters with hidden motivations and a multitude of sordid secrets. In Grace, religion figures large in people's minds and Pastor Bobby Ritter has replaced the intimidating Pastor Lumen in town after his stroke. As a devout church goer and a cello protégée of Pastor Bobby’s wealthy wife, Savannah, Summer was a frequent visitor to their home. But Pastor Bobby has his own problems too, and the death of their young child, Michael, has left he and Savannah effectively living separate lives. With Savannah lining Summer up for a music scholarship to Maidenville, she needs to turn in one final paper, but has her chosen subject, the missing Briar girls, taken her into risky territory and can this explain her disappearance?
Pastor Lumen casts a shadow over the town, scornful of his son, Samson, a recent attendee at the church since his father’s medical woes. As a friend to Summer, the slow-witted Samson is a viable suspect, along with Uncle Tommy, the man who oversaw the lives of Joe’s girls when he went down for an eight stretch. Eager to assist the worldly-wise and scathing Raine, a genuinely kind girl who is hiding behind a smart-mouth and an teflon exterior, are teenage losers and hero cop’s son, Noah Wild, and Purv Bowdoin, son of the unforgiving construction worker, Ray, who thinks nothing of dishing out a beating to his boy. Not quite an invincible duo but a truly comical combination who see life through rose-tinted spectacles, even in a town as hard bitten as Grace. As secrets are driven out, potential suspects come to light and the elusive hunt for “the Bird” builds up a potent head of steam.
The chapters relayed from Summer’s point of view reveal that appearances can be very deceptive, and she is not quite as pure as the driven snow. Behind this ethereal golden girl lies a much more nuanced young woman who knows exactly what powers she has within her the palm of her hand. Deeper and much darker than Tall Oaks, it is impossible to not find yourself enthralled by being a fly on the wall in a fascinating town, but I felt Whitaker overdid the deep and meaningful life lessons on morality which held the story back from really firing my imagination. I stayed with this story, but it wasn’t one that I felt myself continuously pulled back to or felt invested in. The writing is undoubtedly of high quality, but All The Wicked Girls has a very different style to Whitaker’s debut. This story is dark, raw and beyond redemption and on a sheer entertainment scale it is a much harder story to trawl through and requires concentration. As a U.K. citizen I must also admit that the southern drawl and use of the vernacular wasn’t always crystal clear and along with a cast well into double figures, I found this novel a laboured read.
When one of the fifteen-year-old Ryan twins packs a bag and leaves a note saying, “I’m sorry”, it is no surprise that she wants to leave a community in despair and awash with alcohol, drugs and hard drinking men who take exactly what they want. The surprise, however, is that is in not wayward Raine, who is no stranger to trouble, but the church going, god fearing, golden girl, Summer. The twins might be chalk and cheese but they are bonded tight and so when Summer disappears Raine, parents Joe and Ava Ryan and Chief Black are all thinking one and the same thing, namely that “the Bird” has returned. However, only Raine is brave enough to articulate Grace’s fears that the unknown perpetrator, termed “the Bird” and responsible for taking five church going pretty young girls in neighbouring Briar County, has struck once again. The five girls has never been found, alive or dead, but with Raine on the back of a disheartened Chief Black and conducting her own inquiries with an unlikely couple of allies in Noah Wild and Purv Bowdoin things are stirring. It may have been six-months since the last Briar girl vanished, but Raine knows something isn’t right. Meanwhile, Joe Ryan, brother Tommy and their rednecks pals are chomping at the bit to take matters in their own hands meaning that the descending dark clouds over Grace aren’t the only ominous threat.
Much is made of the impending storm that is responsible for the simmering tension, yet with all the references to god, the devil and the church, I felt this was a little overdone and didn’t rouse the dark atmosphere that Whitaker was obviously intending to inspire. The narrative is comprised of Summer’s first person account of the time leading up to her disappearance, alternating with chapters in the third person showing Raine, Noah and Purv’s exploits and the reinvigorated drive of Chief Black. As with life in Tall Oaks, the town of Grace is home to plenty of characters with hidden motivations and a multitude of sordid secrets. In Grace, religion figures large in people's minds and Pastor Bobby Ritter has replaced the intimidating Pastor Lumen in town after his stroke. As a devout church goer and a cello protégée of Pastor Bobby’s wealthy wife, Savannah, Summer was a frequent visitor to their home. But Pastor Bobby has his own problems too, and the death of their young child, Michael, has left he and Savannah effectively living separate lives. With Savannah lining Summer up for a music scholarship to Maidenville, she needs to turn in one final paper, but has her chosen subject, the missing Briar girls, taken her into risky territory and can this explain her disappearance?
Pastor Lumen casts a shadow over the town, scornful of his son, Samson, a recent attendee at the church since his father’s medical woes. As a friend to Summer, the slow-witted Samson is a viable suspect, along with Uncle Tommy, the man who oversaw the lives of Joe’s girls when he went down for an eight stretch. Eager to assist the worldly-wise and scathing Raine, a genuinely kind girl who is hiding behind a smart-mouth and an teflon exterior, are teenage losers and hero cop’s son, Noah Wild, and Purv Bowdoin, son of the unforgiving construction worker, Ray, who thinks nothing of dishing out a beating to his boy. Not quite an invincible duo but a truly comical combination who see life through rose-tinted spectacles, even in a town as hard bitten as Grace. As secrets are driven out, potential suspects come to light and the elusive hunt for “the Bird” builds up a potent head of steam.
The chapters relayed from Summer’s point of view reveal that appearances can be very deceptive, and she is not quite as pure as the driven snow. Behind this ethereal golden girl lies a much more nuanced young woman who knows exactly what powers she has within her the palm of her hand. Deeper and much darker than Tall Oaks, it is impossible to not find yourself enthralled by being a fly on the wall in a fascinating town, but I felt Whitaker overdid the deep and meaningful life lessons on morality which held the story back from really firing my imagination. I stayed with this story, but it wasn’t one that I felt myself continuously pulled back to or felt invested in. The writing is undoubtedly of high quality, but All The Wicked Girls has a very different style to Whitaker’s debut. This story is dark, raw and beyond redemption and on a sheer entertainment scale it is a much harder story to trawl through and requires concentration. As a U.K. citizen I must also admit that the southern drawl and use of the vernacular wasn’t always crystal clear and along with a cast well into double figures, I found this novel a laboured read.
August 30, 2017
Well I thought I wasn't going to like this one but after a clunky start I started to get into the flow of it and then was transfixed for the rest of the read.
All The Wicked Girls tells the story of two sisters, Summer and Raine Ryan in the small town of Grace Alabama. Coming from a very poor background and troublesome family, Summer seems the squeaky clean one, quite and polite, a model student and musical prodigy. Raine is the opposite. Always in trouble, be it with the law or sleeping with older boys. Although seemingly opposites the two are incredibly close.
When Summer goes missing an already tense town of Grace gets even more tense. A serial killer has been on the loose and killing young girls and the locals are afraid he may have striked again. While tensions rise and law enforcement struggle to keep the peace between the different factions, the Ryan family and friends and religious factions who think the killings are the work of the devil, Raine decides it's up to her to find out what happened to her sister. She forms an unlikely bond with two local younger boys and the three set out to uncover what happened to Summer and the simmering secrets that the town holds.
It's hard to describe this book. Although it sounds like a straight forward thriller it's far from it. Summer being missing and being searched for is not really the central theme of this excellent and unique book. It's so hard to describe. It's more the study and description of a down on its luck small town, consumed by strong religious beliefs and full of shady characters that are all struggling with their financial and mental health. It's a nearly hypnotic read once you get into it. Full of metaphors and imagery and fantastic character studies, it's an all consuming, depressing but totally enjoyable read. So many vivid passages and character studies, the town of Grace and it's inhabitants have an almost other worldly feel to them. A constant sense of foreboding and secrets, the presence of the huge cloud and impending storm hanging over the town for the duration is a great metaphor and Stephen Kingesque in its feel.
The only reason I haven't given this 5 stars is I found this initially quite hard to get in to. We are bombarded with characters at the start and I found myself reading back a couple of times to remember who was who. The narrative changes and jumps from one character to another very quickly, numerous times within individual chapters, which I found a little disorientating at the start but once I got used to it, it was fine and part of the charm of this unique book.
One more slight criticism I would have is that the story is told, no matter from who's perspective it is being told, be it a character or just the general narrative, with a heavy Southern drawl with loads of double negatives that are many as a single negative etc and I found that all a bit of hard work to read in the first few chapters until again I got used to it.
These overall minor criticisms of this book though should in no way take away from the sheer brilliance and individuality of it. It really is that good and unique. It's a bleak read with plenty of uplifting moments along the way and it's nearly imposssible to describe in a synopsis.
I'd highly recommended this book. If you find it hard work initially, stick with it. The pay off more than makes up for it. I guarantee once you find your feet with this one and get into the rhythm of the novel, you will be totally transfixed.
4.5 stars from me. One of my favourite reads of the reads so far and most certainly the most memorable.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Chris Whitaker for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All The Wicked Girls tells the story of two sisters, Summer and Raine Ryan in the small town of Grace Alabama. Coming from a very poor background and troublesome family, Summer seems the squeaky clean one, quite and polite, a model student and musical prodigy. Raine is the opposite. Always in trouble, be it with the law or sleeping with older boys. Although seemingly opposites the two are incredibly close.
When Summer goes missing an already tense town of Grace gets even more tense. A serial killer has been on the loose and killing young girls and the locals are afraid he may have striked again. While tensions rise and law enforcement struggle to keep the peace between the different factions, the Ryan family and friends and religious factions who think the killings are the work of the devil, Raine decides it's up to her to find out what happened to her sister. She forms an unlikely bond with two local younger boys and the three set out to uncover what happened to Summer and the simmering secrets that the town holds.
It's hard to describe this book. Although it sounds like a straight forward thriller it's far from it. Summer being missing and being searched for is not really the central theme of this excellent and unique book. It's so hard to describe. It's more the study and description of a down on its luck small town, consumed by strong religious beliefs and full of shady characters that are all struggling with their financial and mental health. It's a nearly hypnotic read once you get into it. Full of metaphors and imagery and fantastic character studies, it's an all consuming, depressing but totally enjoyable read. So many vivid passages and character studies, the town of Grace and it's inhabitants have an almost other worldly feel to them. A constant sense of foreboding and secrets, the presence of the huge cloud and impending storm hanging over the town for the duration is a great metaphor and Stephen Kingesque in its feel.
The only reason I haven't given this 5 stars is I found this initially quite hard to get in to. We are bombarded with characters at the start and I found myself reading back a couple of times to remember who was who. The narrative changes and jumps from one character to another very quickly, numerous times within individual chapters, which I found a little disorientating at the start but once I got used to it, it was fine and part of the charm of this unique book.
One more slight criticism I would have is that the story is told, no matter from who's perspective it is being told, be it a character or just the general narrative, with a heavy Southern drawl with loads of double negatives that are many as a single negative etc and I found that all a bit of hard work to read in the first few chapters until again I got used to it.
These overall minor criticisms of this book though should in no way take away from the sheer brilliance and individuality of it. It really is that good and unique. It's a bleak read with plenty of uplifting moments along the way and it's nearly imposssible to describe in a synopsis.
I'd highly recommended this book. If you find it hard work initially, stick with it. The pay off more than makes up for it. I guarantee once you find your feet with this one and get into the rhythm of the novel, you will be totally transfixed.
4.5 stars from me. One of my favourite reads of the reads so far and most certainly the most memorable.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Chris Whitaker for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2017
Last year I was raving about Tall Oaks, a truly special debut that ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2016. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on All The Wicked Girls and I was simultaneously giddy and nervous when I started. I was so enraptured by TO that I worried that maybe I wouldn’t be as crazy about this one but all that worry was totally unnecessary as this was another amazing read that blew me away just as much as TO did.
I have a hard time reviewing books that truly move me and I think I may have finally found a structure that works for me recently with my review of The Good Daughter. I’m going to try that approach again here and hope that it shows you guys just how much I loved this book.
Small town America has never been portrayed so brilliantly.
What does a U.K. based author know about life in small town southern America? If you’re Chris Whitaker, EVERYTHING. ATWG is set in Grace, Alabama in the nineties and he captures the dynamics of a small southern town perfectly. Grace is a town full of despair and oppression, the residents are so tired and defeated, there is an overwhelming feeling of desperation and hopelessness that made me feel stifled and weary. Evoking unexpected emotions is always the hallmark of a gifted storyteller in my opinion. There is such a strong sense of place that imagining this town was effortless.
His writing is intense and his voice is wholly unique.
Adding to the amazing setting is the stylized writing used, the Southern expressions and mannerisms were dead on and I instantly found myself reading Whitaker’s prose in a lazy drawl. The weather plays a large role and I was immersed in the atmospheric nature by the extremely well crafted imagery he created. I can so easily imagine this town that I would love to see it as a movie!
His characterization is flawless.
For everyone that loved Manny in TO you’ll be pleased to know that Whitaker’s ability to create a memorable teenage boy was not a fluke. Noah and Purv are best friends who help Raine search for her sister, Summer and they were both the type of characters that you can picture leaping off the pages and walking down the street, they’re truly larger than life. Chief Black is a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders and Samson may be one of the oddest fictional characters I’ve ever encountered. That’s just a taste of the flawed, raw, astounding cast that features in this book.
He writes thrillers that make you feel all of the feelings.
Very few writers can move me to tears, I’m pretty stone cold but I definitely shed a few tears while reading this. Alright fine, it was more than a few tears, Whitaker completely shattered my heart and took my emotions on a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I also laughed though, there is humor here as well which brings levity to an otherwise dark plot. He also explores dark themes such as domestic violence, drug abuse, poverty, loss and love in such a profoundly poetic way, its breathtakingly beautiful.
He takes intricate plotting to a new level.
You know how annoying it can be when you’re always two steps ahead of an author and you can see the plot twists coming a mile away? That doesn’t happen here, Whitaker is constantly leading the reader down one path only to knock you down just when you think you know exactly what’s going on. Nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets, remember that and you’ll figure it all out. 😜
I’ll stop rambling now but I’ll finish by saying that this book proves that Whitaker is a force to be reckoned with, he is insanely talented and I would be honored to read his to do list. If you haven’t read TO yet, what are you waiting for?! Then when you get done and are desperate for more grab this one.
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I have a hard time reviewing books that truly move me and I think I may have finally found a structure that works for me recently with my review of The Good Daughter. I’m going to try that approach again here and hope that it shows you guys just how much I loved this book.
Small town America has never been portrayed so brilliantly.
What does a U.K. based author know about life in small town southern America? If you’re Chris Whitaker, EVERYTHING. ATWG is set in Grace, Alabama in the nineties and he captures the dynamics of a small southern town perfectly. Grace is a town full of despair and oppression, the residents are so tired and defeated, there is an overwhelming feeling of desperation and hopelessness that made me feel stifled and weary. Evoking unexpected emotions is always the hallmark of a gifted storyteller in my opinion. There is such a strong sense of place that imagining this town was effortless.
His writing is intense and his voice is wholly unique.
Adding to the amazing setting is the stylized writing used, the Southern expressions and mannerisms were dead on and I instantly found myself reading Whitaker’s prose in a lazy drawl. The weather plays a large role and I was immersed in the atmospheric nature by the extremely well crafted imagery he created. I can so easily imagine this town that I would love to see it as a movie!
His characterization is flawless.
For everyone that loved Manny in TO you’ll be pleased to know that Whitaker’s ability to create a memorable teenage boy was not a fluke. Noah and Purv are best friends who help Raine search for her sister, Summer and they were both the type of characters that you can picture leaping off the pages and walking down the street, they’re truly larger than life. Chief Black is a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders and Samson may be one of the oddest fictional characters I’ve ever encountered. That’s just a taste of the flawed, raw, astounding cast that features in this book.
He writes thrillers that make you feel all of the feelings.
Very few writers can move me to tears, I’m pretty stone cold but I definitely shed a few tears while reading this. Alright fine, it was more than a few tears, Whitaker completely shattered my heart and took my emotions on a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. I also laughed though, there is humor here as well which brings levity to an otherwise dark plot. He also explores dark themes such as domestic violence, drug abuse, poverty, loss and love in such a profoundly poetic way, its breathtakingly beautiful.
He takes intricate plotting to a new level.
You know how annoying it can be when you’re always two steps ahead of an author and you can see the plot twists coming a mile away? That doesn’t happen here, Whitaker is constantly leading the reader down one path only to knock you down just when you think you know exactly what’s going on. Nothing is as it seems and everyone has secrets, remember that and you’ll figure it all out. 😜
I’ll stop rambling now but I’ll finish by saying that this book proves that Whitaker is a force to be reckoned with, he is insanely talented and I would be honored to read his to do list. If you haven’t read TO yet, what are you waiting for?! Then when you get done and are desperate for more grab this one.
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
August 28, 2017
This is the story of twin sisters, Summer considered the be the "good twin" and Raine the more challenging of the two, it seems that they are like chalk and cheese, but are they really? Over the last few years five young girls have disappeared in the town of Grace and now Summer has disappeared. Tension arises in the community, family and others believe something terrible has happened to Summer but the local law enforcement think that she has taken off on her own free will. The story alternates between the two sisters, Raine tells the story from the present and Summer from the past which works very well. There are a lot of other characters portrayed in this story and initially I was finding it hard to keep up but about 20% in it all comes together. Grace is not an affluent town, there is a lot of poverty and drug and drink dependence, in saying this it is these characters that make this book shine. Would I recommend this book?, yes definitely, the ending was not what I expected and this just added to the fact that I kept thinking about it long after I finished. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2017
I only need 3 words to sum up this solid mystery:
Dark, haunting, atmospheric.
Well I decided to leave this review as it stands now that some time has passed....I don't think I can add anymore to it that will spark more interest! ;)
ARC provided by NetGalley
Dark, haunting, atmospheric.
Well I decided to leave this review as it stands now that some time has passed....I don't think I can add anymore to it that will spark more interest! ;)
ARC provided by NetGalley
August 25, 2017
This really is something else. Given the acclaim that greeted his debut novel, it must have been tempting to play safe with the notoriously difficult second novel by staying close to the format that served him so well in Tall Oaks. Instead Chris Whitaker has opted for a much broader canvas, pushing out the boundaries with an ambitious novel that is part parable, part morality tale, part crime novel and which will stay with the reader for a long time.
It’s set in Grace, an Alabama backwater town whose inhabitants understand that they are never going to rub shoulders with the American Dream. Economically deprived, their lives framed by the Bible Belt and its fire and brimstone preachers, its inhabitants do what they can to make ends meet and live up to the standards expected of them. Theirs is a hard-bitten existence but one based on the sort of mutual support which is found in most small communities.
The story itself is easily described. When young girls start to go missing it is the start of The Panic, a feverish, superstitious reaction which their hardline guides and mentors are quick to exploit. For these are not girls with loose morals who have brought it all on themselves – they are church-going teenagers, models of the community as it appears on the surface. The already dangerous mix of guilt and religious excess is further exacerbated by the arrival of a huge dark cloud which squats over Grace and refuses to move on, casting the entire town into darkness which is so localised the whole community can be in no doubt as to what it means – divine disapproval in physical form of the town as a whole.
What makes this such a special novel though is the characters and the remarkable skill with which Chris Whitaker brings them to life. Many of the reviews of Tall Oaks have heaped praise on the book for the character of Manny and there are undoubted echoes in Raine, Noah and Purv – “Seriously?” she said. “Purv with a u,” Purv said. She chewed cinnamon gum. “Well that’s somethin’, I guess.” The author is clearly in his comfort zone when firing off one-liners and sharp put-downs which means there will always be humour in his work however serious the subject matter might be. And again, just as in his debut novel, he manages to tap into the young characters and find the inner purity, decency and moral courage that they are so desperate to keep hidden most of the time to avoid being uncool and we love them all the more for it.
But in All The Wicked Girls he has the courage to move onto a different level altogether. He demonstrated in Tall Oaks that he can do the same with adults but there are passages here, especially in conversation, when he shows great insight into how people cope with loss and the challenges life throws at them. Black’s burning need to atone for mistakes of the past, Bobby’s spiritual crisis, Savannah’s fears that she may be losing him, Summer’s desperate desire to find some way of reconciling the beauty within her with the concept of sin and temptation, the oh-so-touching relationship Noah has with both Purv and the wonderful Raine who, for me at any rate, is the star of the show – all of these combine to make this a book that will linger long in the memory and should bring the author to the much wider audience his talents deserve.
This really is writing of a very high quality.
It’s set in Grace, an Alabama backwater town whose inhabitants understand that they are never going to rub shoulders with the American Dream. Economically deprived, their lives framed by the Bible Belt and its fire and brimstone preachers, its inhabitants do what they can to make ends meet and live up to the standards expected of them. Theirs is a hard-bitten existence but one based on the sort of mutual support which is found in most small communities.
The story itself is easily described. When young girls start to go missing it is the start of The Panic, a feverish, superstitious reaction which their hardline guides and mentors are quick to exploit. For these are not girls with loose morals who have brought it all on themselves – they are church-going teenagers, models of the community as it appears on the surface. The already dangerous mix of guilt and religious excess is further exacerbated by the arrival of a huge dark cloud which squats over Grace and refuses to move on, casting the entire town into darkness which is so localised the whole community can be in no doubt as to what it means – divine disapproval in physical form of the town as a whole.
What makes this such a special novel though is the characters and the remarkable skill with which Chris Whitaker brings them to life. Many of the reviews of Tall Oaks have heaped praise on the book for the character of Manny and there are undoubted echoes in Raine, Noah and Purv – “Seriously?” she said. “Purv with a u,” Purv said. She chewed cinnamon gum. “Well that’s somethin’, I guess.” The author is clearly in his comfort zone when firing off one-liners and sharp put-downs which means there will always be humour in his work however serious the subject matter might be. And again, just as in his debut novel, he manages to tap into the young characters and find the inner purity, decency and moral courage that they are so desperate to keep hidden most of the time to avoid being uncool and we love them all the more for it.
But in All The Wicked Girls he has the courage to move onto a different level altogether. He demonstrated in Tall Oaks that he can do the same with adults but there are passages here, especially in conversation, when he shows great insight into how people cope with loss and the challenges life throws at them. Black’s burning need to atone for mistakes of the past, Bobby’s spiritual crisis, Savannah’s fears that she may be losing him, Summer’s desperate desire to find some way of reconciling the beauty within her with the concept of sin and temptation, the oh-so-touching relationship Noah has with both Purv and the wonderful Raine who, for me at any rate, is the star of the show – all of these combine to make this a book that will linger long in the memory and should bring the author to the much wider audience his talents deserve.
This really is writing of a very high quality.
September 23, 2017
You can also read my reviews on WP: https://anisabookreviews.wordpress.co...
Dark. Mind-blowing. Disturbing.
In the small town of Grace, nothing out of the ordinary happens. But there was that one year five church girls from Briar went missing. Six months later, Summer's is nowhere to be found. A note left suggests she ran off. But Raine, her twin sister, knows it the Bird monster's work. She sets on her own to find her sister and to solve the mystery that has bewildered the town police. And Raine learns there is more than meets the eye with Summer.
The novel, alternating between the voice of Raine in the present and Summer in the past is darkly atmospheric and ominous. The setting is a small town, deeply religious, and decompensating after the Mill shut down. The children are on their own; the law neglected by the police and its inhabitants. This statement by Raine's friend Noah summarizes the town- "Grace. It's a funny kinda town. People go to church every Sunday, reeking of booze and the sins of the weekend. They pray it away then do it again, same each and every." The town of Grace has created its own rules to survive the desolation.
The characters are rich, layered and full of history. There are many characters to keep track of, but each has a story to be told. Raine is a rebel, drinking, smoking and always in trouble. She has met the hook a few times. Summer is a child prodigy, with musical skills and a passion for books. The fifteen-year-old twins could not be any more different. And yet they have a love that is unbreakable. "They held hands, Even now, if they were sad or mad or happy, they held hands." As the chapters unfold, we discover the events leading up to Summer's fate. Raine's relentless hunt to find her sister is tense and heartbreaking.
The language of the small town is challenging takes a couple of chapters to understand, but it adds depth to character and setting. The southern drawl is deep south, and broken and creates realism. The storyline is well plotted and played and will leave you feeling unsettled. Not necessarily for the crime story, but for the love and tragedy between two sisters.
All the Wicked Girls, is a dark and disturbing novel and not for the faint heart. The writing is phenomenal! It is confusing at the start, but continue reading, as you will be drawn into the darkest elements of Briar County.
Thank you, NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Dark. Mind-blowing. Disturbing.
In the small town of Grace, nothing out of the ordinary happens. But there was that one year five church girls from Briar went missing. Six months later, Summer's is nowhere to be found. A note left suggests she ran off. But Raine, her twin sister, knows it the Bird monster's work. She sets on her own to find her sister and to solve the mystery that has bewildered the town police. And Raine learns there is more than meets the eye with Summer.
The novel, alternating between the voice of Raine in the present and Summer in the past is darkly atmospheric and ominous. The setting is a small town, deeply religious, and decompensating after the Mill shut down. The children are on their own; the law neglected by the police and its inhabitants. This statement by Raine's friend Noah summarizes the town- "Grace. It's a funny kinda town. People go to church every Sunday, reeking of booze and the sins of the weekend. They pray it away then do it again, same each and every." The town of Grace has created its own rules to survive the desolation.
The characters are rich, layered and full of history. There are many characters to keep track of, but each has a story to be told. Raine is a rebel, drinking, smoking and always in trouble. She has met the hook a few times. Summer is a child prodigy, with musical skills and a passion for books. The fifteen-year-old twins could not be any more different. And yet they have a love that is unbreakable. "They held hands, Even now, if they were sad or mad or happy, they held hands." As the chapters unfold, we discover the events leading up to Summer's fate. Raine's relentless hunt to find her sister is tense and heartbreaking.
The language of the small town is challenging takes a couple of chapters to understand, but it adds depth to character and setting. The southern drawl is deep south, and broken and creates realism. The storyline is well plotted and played and will leave you feeling unsettled. Not necessarily for the crime story, but for the love and tragedy between two sisters.
All the Wicked Girls, is a dark and disturbing novel and not for the faint heart. The writing is phenomenal! It is confusing at the start, but continue reading, as you will be drawn into the darkest elements of Briar County.
Thank you, NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 15, 2018
Verhaal op zich zit wel goed in elkaar, maar voor mij iets te langdradig geschreven.
June 5, 2023
Dacă am citit “Începem cu sfârșitul” și “Eternii”, era musai să citesc și “Toate fetele rele”, să bifez toate operele autorului traduse la noi. Deși tot “Începem cu sfârșit” rămâne favorita și cea cu cel mai mare impact asupra mea, și “Toate fetele rele” a avut acel ceva al ei care m-a determinat să continui a o citi, chiar dacă nu m-a impresionat în mod deosebit.
Cinci fete au dispărut fără urmă, de-a lungul timpului, iar când Summer Ryan dispare și ea, comunitatea intră în alertă, mai ales că sora geamănă a acesteia, Raine, nu are pace până nu află ce s-a întâmplat cu sora sa, dacă a dispărut din proprie inițiativă sau a fost răpită. I se alătură și Noah, dar și Purv, doi prieteni la cataramă, total diferiți de Raine, dar care se completează tare fain. Ce nu știe Raine însă, este că, o dată ce pornește în căutarea surorii sale, va scoate la lumină secrete periculoase.
O poveste despre familie, comunitate, dar și despre impactul religiei asupra oamenilor, când extremul devine extrem, iar realitatea este departe de adevăr…
M-a bulversat puțin povestea, recunosc, dar o dată ce am reușit să mă obișnuiesc cu firul acțiunii și să învăț personajele, a mers altfel. Mi s-au părut a fi atât de multe și tindeam să le încurc, la un moment dat, însă m-am focusat pe personajele mele îndrăgite, Raine, Noah și Purv, cei trei fiind o plăcere și o distracție continuă în a fi urmăriți, mai ales că Raine era din topor, spunea tot ce îi venea la gură, era francă și nu se dădea după vișin, dar și neînfricată, dorința de a-și găsi sora ardea neîncetat în sufletul meu. Noah și Purv au fost doi simpatici, se dădeau viteji, dar mereu ajungeau carne de tun, însă acest lucru nu-i demoraliza, din contră, tratau situația cu umor și speranță, imposibil să nu-i fi îndrăgit de la prima apariție. Împreună se completau atât de bine și tânjeam să-i urmăresc în acțiune.
Revenind la poveste, a fost dubioasă, mă cam bătea subiectul religiei până am înțeles care e treaba și după ce am aprofundat firul narativ, mi-a provocat puțin dezgust, misterul fetelor dispărute mă intriga și abia spre final am fost lămurită, iar ideea de sătuc, de comunitate restrânsă, a fost surprinsă perfect. Povestea nu este una extrem de alertă și nici nu se întâmplă mare lucru, dar sunt conturate personajele atât de bine că îți fură atenția și nu deranjează acțiunea statică, din contră, îți stârnește curiozitatea tot mai mult. Ori eu așa am pățit… O poveste întunecată, străpunsă de raze de lumină pe ici, pe colo… și chiar vi-o recomand!
Cinci fete au dispărut fără urmă, de-a lungul timpului, iar când Summer Ryan dispare și ea, comunitatea intră în alertă, mai ales că sora geamănă a acesteia, Raine, nu are pace până nu află ce s-a întâmplat cu sora sa, dacă a dispărut din proprie inițiativă sau a fost răpită. I se alătură și Noah, dar și Purv, doi prieteni la cataramă, total diferiți de Raine, dar care se completează tare fain. Ce nu știe Raine însă, este că, o dată ce pornește în căutarea surorii sale, va scoate la lumină secrete periculoase.
O poveste despre familie, comunitate, dar și despre impactul religiei asupra oamenilor, când extremul devine extrem, iar realitatea este departe de adevăr…
M-a bulversat puțin povestea, recunosc, dar o dată ce am reușit să mă obișnuiesc cu firul acțiunii și să învăț personajele, a mers altfel. Mi s-au părut a fi atât de multe și tindeam să le încurc, la un moment dat, însă m-am focusat pe personajele mele îndrăgite, Raine, Noah și Purv, cei trei fiind o plăcere și o distracție continuă în a fi urmăriți, mai ales că Raine era din topor, spunea tot ce îi venea la gură, era francă și nu se dădea după vișin, dar și neînfricată, dorința de a-și găsi sora ardea neîncetat în sufletul meu. Noah și Purv au fost doi simpatici, se dădeau viteji, dar mereu ajungeau carne de tun, însă acest lucru nu-i demoraliza, din contră, tratau situația cu umor și speranță, imposibil să nu-i fi îndrăgit de la prima apariție. Împreună se completau atât de bine și tânjeam să-i urmăresc în acțiune.
Revenind la poveste, a fost dubioasă, mă cam bătea subiectul religiei până am înțeles care e treaba și după ce am aprofundat firul narativ, mi-a provocat puțin dezgust, misterul fetelor dispărute mă intriga și abia spre final am fost lămurită, iar ideea de sătuc, de comunitate restrânsă, a fost surprinsă perfect. Povestea nu este una extrem de alertă și nici nu se întâmplă mare lucru, dar sunt conturate personajele atât de bine că îți fură atenția și nu deranjează acțiunea statică, din contră, îți stârnește curiozitatea tot mai mult. Ori eu așa am pățit… O poveste întunecată, străpunsă de raze de lumină pe ici, pe colo… și chiar vi-o recomand!
May 16, 2017
Summer and Raine are twin sisters, young teenagers. They are as different as night and day. Summer is the 'good' daughter. She's a model student and musical prodigy. Raine is the one running around all hours, flirting with the boys, drinking.
Everything changes when Summer goes missing. Most people are scared ... there have already been several teenage girls who have disappeared from the area over the last few years. The local law enforcement officer thinks she's just taken off.
Did she take off on her own? Or has something unspeakable happened to her?
Raine intends to find out because she does not believe that Summer would leave her behind. Finding someone ... anyone ... who believes her is harder than it sounds. But Raine is determined ....
There is talk about evil in the woods and that's where Raine will start looking .... and then a violent storm hits the area.
This is a crime novel, a love story of sisters, a family torn apart. The story is told by each of the sisters in turn. There are lots of memories invoked. The sisters have always been close ..always worried about the other...and always having each others' backs.
Once started, it's a fast read. The characters are skillfully written, so easy to get lost in their lives.
Many thanks to the author / Bonnier Zaffre / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Everything changes when Summer goes missing. Most people are scared ... there have already been several teenage girls who have disappeared from the area over the last few years. The local law enforcement officer thinks she's just taken off.
Did she take off on her own? Or has something unspeakable happened to her?
Raine intends to find out because she does not believe that Summer would leave her behind. Finding someone ... anyone ... who believes her is harder than it sounds. But Raine is determined ....
There is talk about evil in the woods and that's where Raine will start looking .... and then a violent storm hits the area.
This is a crime novel, a love story of sisters, a family torn apart. The story is told by each of the sisters in turn. There are lots of memories invoked. The sisters have always been close ..always worried about the other...and always having each others' backs.
Once started, it's a fast read. The characters are skillfully written, so easy to get lost in their lives.
Many thanks to the author / Bonnier Zaffre / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 26, 2024
Mi-au placut multe lucruri in carte, de la stilul de scriere, la personaje. De la acțiune am avut așteptări mai mari, nu mi s-a părut că s-a întâmplat ceva spectaculos. A fost și previzbilă intr-o mare măsură, dar m-a ținut in suspans, iar relatiile dintre personaje mi-au placut mult. Chiar a redat atmosfera de sătuc cu localnici care ascund secrete și tema bisericii s-a potrivit bine.
Nu toată lumea care merge la biserică e ,,usa de biserica”, așa cum nici toți preoții sunt fără de pacat. Unii chiar au păcate mari😂😅. Am adorat grupul Raine-Purv-Noah și mi-a placut și de polițiștii Milk și Black.
Fetele dispărute au fost cu adevărat un mister pana la dezvăluirea lui. Adevarul nu a fost cel pe care îl doream, dar a fost ok, per total. Un thriller bunicel, care merge repede și nu te plictiseste deloc. 👍🏻
Nu toată lumea care merge la biserică e ,,usa de biserica”, așa cum nici toți preoții sunt fără de pacat. Unii chiar au păcate mari😂😅. Am adorat grupul Raine-Purv-Noah și mi-a placut și de polițiștii Milk și Black.
Fetele dispărute au fost cu adevărat un mister pana la dezvăluirea lui. Adevarul nu a fost cel pe care îl doream, dar a fost ok, per total. Un thriller bunicel, care merge repede și nu te plictiseste deloc. 👍🏻
January 3, 2018
This wonderful, wonderful book has left me speechless and in tears. Superb.
June 1, 2025
Слаба книга от Уитакър все още не съм случвал. Персонажите, които рисува, винаги са неповторими и запомнящи се. Това е южняшки роман, трилър, драма и трагедия в едно. Сюжетът е изпълнен със съспенс, но същият бледнее пред сложните съдби на героите. Никой не идва на този свят без минало, колкото и да ни се иска. Малко градче из дълбините на Алабама през средата на 90-те е разтърсено от случаите на изчезващи момичета. Дали обаче отвличането им от сериен убиец би било "най-лошият" вариант или напротив - съсредоточаването на злото в един индивид, който да бъде заловен и наказан, би било лесния изход за една малка общност. Уитакър показва, че най-често "Дяволът" не се качва на Земята, вселявайки се в един или друг, а живее във всеки човек - в неговите най-скришни демони. Защото е лесно да разпнем, убием с камъни и запалим злото, когато то е заключено в образа на един човек, но ще го разпознаем ли, когато то се крие зад фасадата на доброто? Уитакър съветва да не бързаме с присъдите и оценките. От пепелта израстват красиви цветя, а най-високите дървета понякога се оказват без сърцевина. В романа разбираме и че лишеният от суеверие разум е нещо непривично дори за модерния човек, а крачката обратно към "тъмните векове" на сляпата вяра е твърде примамлива.
December 12, 2017
A magnificent novel. A mix of dark and light, evil and redemption. By turns poetical and brutally real. Parts of it read as if they were passages from the Bible. Each of the main characters, young and old, has a story worth telling and Chris Whitaker tells them wonderfully. Other reviews on here will explain the story much better than I can. All I can say is that - along with "The Do-Right"
by Lisa Sandlin - this is one of the best books I've read in 2017. Highly recommended.
by Lisa Sandlin - this is one of the best books I've read in 2017. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2025
M-a durut puțin sufletul să nu dau maximul de steluțe, dar și tristă că nu aveam cum...
Am citit de la autor ,,Toate culorile întunericului", un mamut de thriller, și a fost absolut superbă. Greșeala mea a fost că am așteptat ca și această carte sa fie la fel. Pe alocuri, au semănat, dar nu și unde era nevoie.
Cartea vorbește despre un mic orășel, unde toată lumea știe pe toată lumea, iar biserica are un cuvânt greu de spus în dezvoltarea societății. Când mai multe fete dispar, liniștea orășelului este pierdută, iar frica se instalează. Când dispare și Summer, fiica lui Joe, un cunoscut al poliției locale, Raine, sora ei geamănă începe căutările alături de Noah și Purv. Disperarea crește de la o zi la alta pentru fată, mai ales când află detalii din viața surorii ei de care nu avea habar.
Ideea a fost foarte bună, cea de la care a plecat toată acțiunea, și mi s-a confirmat și că avea mult potențial până la final. Problema a fost elementul ușor SF, care a furat prim-planul acțiunii și care nu părea că își avea rostul (am înțeles scopul, dar putea să se dezlănțuie natura și altfel în momentul cheie...). Nici finalul nu a fost ce mă așteptam. A fost grăbit și fără sens pe alocuri, contrar cu restul acțiunii, care a parut lentă în unele momente.
Am apreciat, însă, temele alese în carte: iubirea din familiile disfuncționale, drama familiilor fără copii, rolul Bisericii și al pastorilor, mai ales, violența domestică și pasivitatea societății în fața ei. Poate nu a fost cartea pe care o așteptam eu, dar nu a fost rea, are mult potențial și merge bine până intr-un punct. Deși nu cu toată inima, recomand cartea de față pentru idee si temele propuse.
Am citit de la autor ,,Toate culorile întunericului", un mamut de thriller, și a fost absolut superbă. Greșeala mea a fost că am așteptat ca și această carte sa fie la fel. Pe alocuri, au semănat, dar nu și unde era nevoie.
Cartea vorbește despre un mic orășel, unde toată lumea știe pe toată lumea, iar biserica are un cuvânt greu de spus în dezvoltarea societății. Când mai multe fete dispar, liniștea orășelului este pierdută, iar frica se instalează. Când dispare și Summer, fiica lui Joe, un cunoscut al poliției locale, Raine, sora ei geamănă începe căutările alături de Noah și Purv. Disperarea crește de la o zi la alta pentru fată, mai ales când află detalii din viața surorii ei de care nu avea habar.
Ideea a fost foarte bună, cea de la care a plecat toată acțiunea, și mi s-a confirmat și că avea mult potențial până la final. Problema a fost elementul ușor SF, care a furat prim-planul acțiunii și care nu părea că își avea rostul (am înțeles scopul, dar putea să se dezlănțuie natura și altfel în momentul cheie...). Nici finalul nu a fost ce mă așteptam. A fost grăbit și fără sens pe alocuri, contrar cu restul acțiunii, care a parut lentă în unele momente.
Am apreciat, însă, temele alese în carte: iubirea din familiile disfuncționale, drama familiilor fără copii, rolul Bisericii și al pastorilor, mai ales, violența domestică și pasivitatea societății în fața ei. Poate nu a fost cartea pe care o așteptam eu, dar nu a fost rea, are mult potențial și merge bine până intr-un punct. Deși nu cu toată inima, recomand cartea de față pentru idee si temele propuse.
August 24, 2017
Summer Ryan goes missing from her home town. She’s not the first girl to disappear. Four other girls, all sweet church going ones, have vanished from a neighbouring town. They’ve not been found, nor the person responsible who they call The Bird. The local police force is tired and feels beaten. So when Summer goes missing, it’s Raine who throws herself into the search for her twin sister.
There is a dark cloud hanging over the small town of Grace, Alabama. In more ways than one. I mean, there really is an actual dark cloud threatening a huge storm. But there’s more than that as tension in the town rises and people turn on one another.
I have to say this book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. At its heart, it’s crime fiction dealing with missing girls but there is so much more to it than that. All the Wicked Girls is quite slow and incredibly dark but the tension is palpable throughout. It’s incredibly intelligently plotted and amazingly descriptive. Not having read the author’s previous book, Tall Oaks, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. While it took me a while to get used to the very distinct writing, it was the atmosphere that sucked me in as it oozes from the pages. I could hear the Southern drawl in my head, hear the crickets chirping at night and completely imagine the oppressiveness of living in a small and poor town in Bible Belt country.
These characters will stay with you for a long time as the author really brings them to life. It’s all incredibly realistic and believable as the town residents try to cope with the challenges life throws at them, with topics ranging from child abuse to drug addiction to dealing with the loss of a child. And yet somehow, the author manages to occasionally lighten the mood with brilliantly witty one-liners.
There is a dark cloud hanging over the small town of Grace, Alabama. In more ways than one. I mean, there really is an actual dark cloud threatening a huge storm. But there’s more than that as tension in the town rises and people turn on one another.
I have to say this book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. At its heart, it’s crime fiction dealing with missing girls but there is so much more to it than that. All the Wicked Girls is quite slow and incredibly dark but the tension is palpable throughout. It’s incredibly intelligently plotted and amazingly descriptive. Not having read the author’s previous book, Tall Oaks, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for. While it took me a while to get used to the very distinct writing, it was the atmosphere that sucked me in as it oozes from the pages. I could hear the Southern drawl in my head, hear the crickets chirping at night and completely imagine the oppressiveness of living in a small and poor town in Bible Belt country.
These characters will stay with you for a long time as the author really brings them to life. It’s all incredibly realistic and believable as the town residents try to cope with the challenges life throws at them, with topics ranging from child abuse to drug addiction to dealing with the loss of a child. And yet somehow, the author manages to occasionally lighten the mood with brilliantly witty one-liners.
March 2, 2018
After reading Tall Oaks and loving it, I had high hopes for All The Wicked Girls. Unfortunately, this one fell somewhat short.
The story is of a missing child again, which surprised me as it had been done before. Summer Ryan, a young adolescent, goes missing. Baffling locals and family alike, her sister, Raine, is not convinced that Summer would run away and is convinced that something more sinister has happened. She persists in hassling the local police in her quest for answers as her sister's disappearance is not the first from the surrounding areas.
All The Wicked Girls is very much character driven as indeed Tall Oaks was. But where Tall Oaks was full of quirky characters that continually held your attention, here I felt the same draw wasn't present. There were lots of characters in the book and at times more concentration was required than perhaps I wanted to give in keeping track of them. The novel is slow in parts and occasionally I did think about giving up. However, I persevered and I'm glad I did because the last third of the book was riveting. It's a shame that some of what went on before did but the end saves it. There's no doubt that Whitaker can write and I loved the atmosphere he created and some of the subplots with the smaller characters.
Overall it's a book that is really good in parts and slow in others with a terrific end. I look forward to what else Whitaker will be offering in the future and would like to thank all concerned for my ARC.
The story is of a missing child again, which surprised me as it had been done before. Summer Ryan, a young adolescent, goes missing. Baffling locals and family alike, her sister, Raine, is not convinced that Summer would run away and is convinced that something more sinister has happened. She persists in hassling the local police in her quest for answers as her sister's disappearance is not the first from the surrounding areas.
All The Wicked Girls is very much character driven as indeed Tall Oaks was. But where Tall Oaks was full of quirky characters that continually held your attention, here I felt the same draw wasn't present. There were lots of characters in the book and at times more concentration was required than perhaps I wanted to give in keeping track of them. The novel is slow in parts and occasionally I did think about giving up. However, I persevered and I'm glad I did because the last third of the book was riveting. It's a shame that some of what went on before did but the end saves it. There's no doubt that Whitaker can write and I loved the atmosphere he created and some of the subplots with the smaller characters.
Overall it's a book that is really good in parts and slow in others with a terrific end. I look forward to what else Whitaker will be offering in the future and would like to thank all concerned for my ARC.
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