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Girl Gone Mad
They say everything is fun and games until someone gets hurt. Well, someone did—and now the game has changed…
Emily Bennett works as a therapist in Pennsylvania, helping children overcome their troubled pasts—even as she struggles to forget her own. Once upon a time, Emily was part of a middle school clique called the Harpies—six popular girls who bullied the new girl to her breaking point.
The Harpies took a blood oath: never tell a soul what they did to Grace Farmer.
Now, fourteen years later, it seems karma has caught up to them when one member of that vicious circle commits suicide. But when a second Harpy is discovered dead shortly after, also from apparent suicide, the deaths start to look suspicious. And when Emily starts seeing a woman who looks a lot like Grace Farmer lurking in the shadows, she’s forced to wonder: Is Grace back for revenge? Or is Emily’s guilt driving her mad?
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but the Harpies are about to find out just how much words can hurt you.
Emily Bennett works as a therapist in Pennsylvania, helping children overcome their troubled pasts—even as she struggles to forget her own. Once upon a time, Emily was part of a middle school clique called the Harpies—six popular girls who bullied the new girl to her breaking point.
The Harpies took a blood oath: never tell a soul what they did to Grace Farmer.
Now, fourteen years later, it seems karma has caught up to them when one member of that vicious circle commits suicide. But when a second Harpy is discovered dead shortly after, also from apparent suicide, the deaths start to look suspicious. And when Emily starts seeing a woman who looks a lot like Grace Farmer lurking in the shadows, she’s forced to wonder: Is Grace back for revenge? Or is Emily’s guilt driving her mad?
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but the Harpies are about to find out just how much words can hurt you.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
8323 people are currently reading
22344 people want to read
About the author
Avery Bishop
5 books403 followersAvery Bishop is the bestselling author of Girl Gone Mad, One Year Gone, and Dear Seraphina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,405 reviews
September 21, 2020
Hurray! My hair is smoking: rest of my brain cells are on fire! I need a quick reset and upgrade them. This book stole a little sanity left in my soul and last marbles keep me functioning! Well played, well written!
Especially last twists pulled the rug out from under my feet! I’m sitting on the floor and banging my head to the wall, repeating “stupid! How couldn’t you see them coming!” Yes, guilty as charged: I didn’t expect them.
Book started like a great psychological drama and thought provoking, heart wrenching, disturbing bullying story with mysterious vibes. But especially after passing through second half, it turned into whirlwind, fast paced, action packed thriller.
So many conspiracy theory thought balloons start to fly above my head but I misdirected and I partly slowed the mystery. I must have to warn you these Harpy girls are frightening than Heathers, the witches of Macbeth, three elder Kardashian sisters, Wicked Witch of East, green vomit faced Reagan from Exorcist or Nurse Ratched.
They’re like Lilith and Harvey Weinstein’s children. Poor evil, selfish, sociopaths! There’s no reason why they chose to be like that. They ruin the lives because they can. They’re unstoppable, ruthless bitches.
Our narrator is Emily Bennett lives in Philadelphia, working as therapist, an old member of Harpy’s (worse then herpes), disconnected herself from high school life, unfriended her old buddies because she was ashamed what they have done to Grace Farmer when they were teenagers. Now she tries to help problematic kids who have suicidal tendencies for paying her debt, postponing her marriage date with long term fiancée, rejecting having a child. She feels like she doesn’t deserve happiness.
And her life completely changes when her mom tells her she got a message from an old friend informs them: Olivia: one of the Harpy’s member she removed from her life is death.
Her mother forces her to reconnect Courtney: another Harpy’s she resumed her friendship till she left for college.
Both of them attend to the funeral and after that they find out Olivia’s death may be connected with Grace.
A few days later Emily also learns another group member Destiny is also death. Could Grace Farmer target then to avenge what they had done to her 14 years ago?
Somebody is out there, threatening the rest of Harpy members’ lives by ruining their relationships, careers, mental state and Emily can swear she has seen Grace watching her at the boardwalk.
But as they dig deeper, facing the past means bringing out more dirty secrets which will change their lives forever.
It’s unputdownable, entertaining, more gripping than I expected.
I was thinking to give four stars but last third of the book earned extra half star from me so I’m rounding up 4.5 to 5 blazing, fast paced, riveting, breath taking, jaw dropping stars!
I really enjoyed it a lot!
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Especially last twists pulled the rug out from under my feet! I’m sitting on the floor and banging my head to the wall, repeating “stupid! How couldn’t you see them coming!” Yes, guilty as charged: I didn’t expect them.
Book started like a great psychological drama and thought provoking, heart wrenching, disturbing bullying story with mysterious vibes. But especially after passing through second half, it turned into whirlwind, fast paced, action packed thriller.
So many conspiracy theory thought balloons start to fly above my head but I misdirected and I partly slowed the mystery. I must have to warn you these Harpy girls are frightening than Heathers, the witches of Macbeth, three elder Kardashian sisters, Wicked Witch of East, green vomit faced Reagan from Exorcist or Nurse Ratched.
They’re like Lilith and Harvey Weinstein’s children. Poor evil, selfish, sociopaths! There’s no reason why they chose to be like that. They ruin the lives because they can. They’re unstoppable, ruthless bitches.
Our narrator is Emily Bennett lives in Philadelphia, working as therapist, an old member of Harpy’s (worse then herpes), disconnected herself from high school life, unfriended her old buddies because she was ashamed what they have done to Grace Farmer when they were teenagers. Now she tries to help problematic kids who have suicidal tendencies for paying her debt, postponing her marriage date with long term fiancée, rejecting having a child. She feels like she doesn’t deserve happiness.
And her life completely changes when her mom tells her she got a message from an old friend informs them: Olivia: one of the Harpy’s member she removed from her life is death.
Her mother forces her to reconnect Courtney: another Harpy’s she resumed her friendship till she left for college.
Both of them attend to the funeral and after that they find out Olivia’s death may be connected with Grace.
A few days later Emily also learns another group member Destiny is also death. Could Grace Farmer target then to avenge what they had done to her 14 years ago?
Somebody is out there, threatening the rest of Harpy members’ lives by ruining their relationships, careers, mental state and Emily can swear she has seen Grace watching her at the boardwalk.
But as they dig deeper, facing the past means bringing out more dirty secrets which will change their lives forever.
It’s unputdownable, entertaining, more gripping than I expected.
I was thinking to give four stars but last third of the book earned extra half star from me so I’m rounding up 4.5 to 5 blazing, fast paced, riveting, breath taking, jaw dropping stars!
I really enjoyed it a lot!
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June 30, 2022
3.15✨
Too many unbelievable situations and events. Lorry-load of NSFW Language.
Well when I completed this book I had similar feelings like His and hers like it was good but it was like rather unbelievable and full of chance events. Other reviewers have discussed the plot, so I’ll only do a review.
1. PLOT / THEME / STORY LINE
I thought this started out pretty good. I thought with a bit of a cleanup of the language it might make a great young persons story. It felt formulated l seem to pick many of the first reads that are written by authors who attend the same writing retreats. They have the same scenes in them. Basement scenes, treating a mother in the story like she is an idiot, and young people manipulating social media. It is now part of life the reason I thought this might be a great young persons book. Then it became about a sociopath in a group of girls. While I thought the psychology of the main character was pretty good the way her story ended seemed a bit rushed or far fetched. The villain by the end was so unsympathetic....I wish the story had been developed more from her vantage point. This book’s multiple flashbacks storyline—about middle school bullying by upper income “mean girls”—is very believable. Not so the storyline about the grown up, adult versions of the “mean girls” and their former victim. As a crime fiction reader, I skimmed the repetitive tea drinking, mom visits, mean girl chats, fiancé folderol, and other filler. I focused on the mystery and correctly chose the culprits responsible for the early deaths. However, I found the culprits’ convoluted machinations hard to believe.
2. CHARACTERS
the protagonist is an unpleasant, judgmental adult mean girl, none of the characters are likable or even developed beyond broad superficial strokes, and the depiction of a therapist is obnoxiously inaccurate.
3. WRITING
At times, this book was like trying to gargle with peanut butter. Far too many unnecessary details and descriptions. Great, clogging chunks of backstory that stopped the plot, and sometimes there was a back flash within the backstory. Also, the "mean girls" are cliche, inhabiting nearly every teenage movie and book that exists these days--rich and pretty with one leader who is the richest and prettiest. It's not that hard to come up with something fresh and original.
This author is a good writer, but there's nothing wrong with trying to stretch from good to great by leaving behind worn-out old stereotypes and deleting sections that do nothing but take up space. Predictable and dull, but with some really good passages.
4. ENDING
The end was convoluted and somehow managed to let Emily off the hook for being flat out cruel and vicious as an adolescent with no real growth, development, or learning. I suppose the idea of guilt played a huge part of the writing. The ending was rushed and not satisfying.
Advice to author :- Maybe use less foul language next time
The book includes a lot of foul language, including about 2 dozen uses of God's Name in vain, sadly & unnecessarily, 8 of them as curses, and one of the parents uses the racist n-word.
I read it because it was free and it was worth that but I am glad I didn't pay for it! If you want to read a book about bullying and therapists you might like it.
Too many unbelievable situations and events. Lorry-load of NSFW Language.
Well when I completed this book I had similar feelings like His and hers like it was good but it was like rather unbelievable and full of chance events. Other reviewers have discussed the plot, so I’ll only do a review.
1. PLOT / THEME / STORY LINE
I thought this started out pretty good. I thought with a bit of a cleanup of the language it might make a great young persons story. It felt formulated l seem to pick many of the first reads that are written by authors who attend the same writing retreats. They have the same scenes in them. Basement scenes, treating a mother in the story like she is an idiot, and young people manipulating social media. It is now part of life the reason I thought this might be a great young persons book. Then it became about a sociopath in a group of girls. While I thought the psychology of the main character was pretty good the way her story ended seemed a bit rushed or far fetched. The villain by the end was so unsympathetic....I wish the story had been developed more from her vantage point. This book’s multiple flashbacks storyline—about middle school bullying by upper income “mean girls”—is very believable. Not so the storyline about the grown up, adult versions of the “mean girls” and their former victim. As a crime fiction reader, I skimmed the repetitive tea drinking, mom visits, mean girl chats, fiancé folderol, and other filler. I focused on the mystery and correctly chose the culprits responsible for the early deaths. However, I found the culprits’ convoluted machinations hard to believe.
2. CHARACTERS
the protagonist is an unpleasant, judgmental adult mean girl, none of the characters are likable or even developed beyond broad superficial strokes, and the depiction of a therapist is obnoxiously inaccurate.
3. WRITING
At times, this book was like trying to gargle with peanut butter. Far too many unnecessary details and descriptions. Great, clogging chunks of backstory that stopped the plot, and sometimes there was a back flash within the backstory. Also, the "mean girls" are cliche, inhabiting nearly every teenage movie and book that exists these days--rich and pretty with one leader who is the richest and prettiest. It's not that hard to come up with something fresh and original.
This author is a good writer, but there's nothing wrong with trying to stretch from good to great by leaving behind worn-out old stereotypes and deleting sections that do nothing but take up space. Predictable and dull, but with some really good passages.
4. ENDING
The end was convoluted and somehow managed to let Emily off the hook for being flat out cruel and vicious as an adolescent with no real growth, development, or learning. I suppose the idea of guilt played a huge part of the writing. The ending was rushed and not satisfying.
Advice to author :- Maybe use less foul language next time
The book includes a lot of foul language, including about 2 dozen uses of God's Name in vain, sadly & unnecessarily, 8 of them as curses, and one of the parents uses the racist n-word.
I read it because it was free and it was worth that but I am glad I didn't pay for it! If you want to read a book about bullying and therapists you might like it.
September 14, 2020
2.5 ⭐ because I have difficulty enjoying a book that relies on shock value instead of realism or convincing writing.
Girl Gone Mad has a compelling and dark storyline. It also deals with some very heavy subjects.
Unfortunately there are too many plot holes and corny, stereotypical characters for me to rate this book any higher.
However, this book has received quite a few high ratings so I'd say that if you're considering reading it.... go for it! Especially if you enjoy YA books like One Of Us Is Lying as there are a lot of similarities.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me to read an advance copy of this book.
Girl Gone Mad has a compelling and dark storyline. It also deals with some very heavy subjects.
Unfortunately there are too many plot holes and corny, stereotypical characters for me to rate this book any higher.
However, this book has received quite a few high ratings so I'd say that if you're considering reading it.... go for it! Especially if you enjoy YA books like One Of Us Is Lying as there are a lot of similarities.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me to read an advance copy of this book.
September 5, 2020
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."
The story follows this past and present narrative. In the past, Emily Bennett was a member of this bully girl gang in middle school known as the 'Harpies'. Enter quiet new girl Grace Farmer. The Harpies did something to her in that time. Something terribly bad and concerning. After with what happened to Grace, the Harpies took a blood oath not tell anyone what they did to her. Fourteen years later, Emily is a therapist helping children to fight their own troubles. While working her mother texted her telling that one of her former best friends committed suicide. Later she learned that six months prior to that another friend also died under a different circumstance. Was there any foul play in it? Or is it Grace Farmer back for revenge?
Girl Gone Mad is a powerful debut from Avery Bishop dealing about mental illness, toxic friendships and the evils of peer pressure. Wow, what a wild ride reading this one! One of those stories that I will always remember. Hesitant to read this one because first it talked about things which are quite difficult for me to read and second the length. A thriller book with 400 pages? Huh okay. Time to push through!
This was unapologetically painful and felt raw especially their time back in middle school. Generally backstories are misses for me because books that follows this kind of narrative seems to get dragged but it's just different with this one. It felt necessary to understand more the present characters. It helped me to be emotionally invested all through out.
I appreciate the author's take on the mental illness and/or depression in this book. It didn't feel cheap. It wasn't clickbait. It felt real. I read past works from certain authors before where the main twist in the end revolves around the mental state of the character. 299 pages of showing the same character to be sane then on the last page out of the blue suddenly she's suffering from some personality disorder. I loved those books before and gave them 5 stars but if given the chance to read them again I believe my rating wouldn't be the same.
I thought the overall pacing was really good. Things are happening right away. Glimpses from the past were inserted in most parts of the story to create a good build up. Right from the beginning when Emily learned the apparent suicide of her former best, former Harpy right there and there you already know something dark is about to happen. And yeah it did.
Lastly as for the twists and the ending, I never guessed it obviously. I have like 3 alternate endings in my mind waiting for one of them to somehow fit. It didn't. I felt betrayed in a really shocked way. The betrayal stemmed from not because the book turned sour but more of I just thought I already knew things when in fact I was far from the real truth.
The story follows this past and present narrative. In the past, Emily Bennett was a member of this bully girl gang in middle school known as the 'Harpies'. Enter quiet new girl Grace Farmer. The Harpies did something to her in that time. Something terribly bad and concerning. After with what happened to Grace, the Harpies took a blood oath not tell anyone what they did to her. Fourteen years later, Emily is a therapist helping children to fight their own troubles. While working her mother texted her telling that one of her former best friends committed suicide. Later she learned that six months prior to that another friend also died under a different circumstance. Was there any foul play in it? Or is it Grace Farmer back for revenge?
Girl Gone Mad is a powerful debut from Avery Bishop dealing about mental illness, toxic friendships and the evils of peer pressure. Wow, what a wild ride reading this one! One of those stories that I will always remember. Hesitant to read this one because first it talked about things which are quite difficult for me to read and second the length. A thriller book with 400 pages? Huh okay. Time to push through!
This was unapologetically painful and felt raw especially their time back in middle school. Generally backstories are misses for me because books that follows this kind of narrative seems to get dragged but it's just different with this one. It felt necessary to understand more the present characters. It helped me to be emotionally invested all through out.
I appreciate the author's take on the mental illness and/or depression in this book. It didn't feel cheap. It wasn't clickbait. It felt real. I read past works from certain authors before where the main twist in the end revolves around the mental state of the character. 299 pages of showing the same character to be sane then on the last page out of the blue suddenly she's suffering from some personality disorder. I loved those books before and gave them 5 stars but if given the chance to read them again I believe my rating wouldn't be the same.
I thought the overall pacing was really good. Things are happening right away. Glimpses from the past were inserted in most parts of the story to create a good build up. Right from the beginning when Emily learned the apparent suicide of her former best, former Harpy right there and there you already know something dark is about to happen. And yeah it did.
Lastly as for the twists and the ending, I never guessed it obviously. I have like 3 alternate endings in my mind waiting for one of them to somehow fit. It didn't. I felt betrayed in a really shocked way. The betrayal stemmed from not because the book turned sour but more of I just thought I already knew things when in fact I was far from the real truth.
September 1, 2020
*** HAPPY PUB DATE- September 1st***
"Once a Harpy, always a Harpy." Holy mean girls! There are mean girls and then there are MEAN girls. I can honestly say this is the meanest bunch of girls I have ever encountered. Popular, powerful, hated and envied, these 14 year old's have it all, until they went too far....way too far.
We all know them, that group of girls that just have it all and they make sure you know it. This is why the new girl Grace couldn't help herself when they invited her into their group. Ohhh Grace...please keep walking..but she didn't. The things they did to Grace, the torture, the bullying, the abuse were heartbreaking. Yet, Grace kept on being a Harpy.
What happens when the mean girls grow up? Do they mend their ways or does a leopard never change it spots? What happened to Grace that night at the barn? Something so awful that some people have erased it from their memory just because...just because..
I LOVE a good mean girls story and this took the cake. These girls were ...insane...Will they take it too far and push someone over the edge? Maybe even each other? As the dead Harpies start piling up, I began to wonder...what really is going on....Til death do the Harpies part.
Huge shoutout to Kathleen Carter for this gorgeous finished copy! I loved it. Publication day is September 1st!!
"Once a Harpy, always a Harpy." Holy mean girls! There are mean girls and then there are MEAN girls. I can honestly say this is the meanest bunch of girls I have ever encountered. Popular, powerful, hated and envied, these 14 year old's have it all, until they went too far....way too far.
We all know them, that group of girls that just have it all and they make sure you know it. This is why the new girl Grace couldn't help herself when they invited her into their group. Ohhh Grace...please keep walking..but she didn't. The things they did to Grace, the torture, the bullying, the abuse were heartbreaking. Yet, Grace kept on being a Harpy.
What happens when the mean girls grow up? Do they mend their ways or does a leopard never change it spots? What happened to Grace that night at the barn? Something so awful that some people have erased it from their memory just because...just because..
I LOVE a good mean girls story and this took the cake. These girls were ...insane...Will they take it too far and push someone over the edge? Maybe even each other? As the dead Harpies start piling up, I began to wonder...what really is going on....Til death do the Harpies part.
Huge shoutout to Kathleen Carter for this gorgeous finished copy! I loved it. Publication day is September 1st!!
September 3, 2020
I often thought through my teaching years that girls have a greater capacity for meanness but this book takes it to a whole new level. ‘Once a harpy always a harpy’ is the motto of a clique formed at Junior High, known as The Harpies. They are so well named. To say that they have delinquent tendencies, are competitive, can be bullies and downright saccharine nasty to their victims is perhaps an understatement. Emily, Olivia, Elise, Destiny, Courtney and leader MacKenzie target new girl Grace Farmer in a prolonged and shocking campaign. Many years later Emily learns that Olivia has committed suicide and shortly after this Destiny dies, also apparent suicide. Are the harpies being picked off one by one in a revenge spree???
This is a very well written novel which vividly depicts a Lord of the Flies tribe mentality of female vindictiveness and horrifying manipulation. As the song says ‘the female of the species is more deadly than the male’ which is completely accurate where this clique are concerned as they are vicious and twisted sisters. The story backtracks from present day to the past in order to fill gaps in our understanding and appreciation of the depths they sunk to in targeting Grace. The pace is good and slowly builds and builds extremely effectively and whilst you can’t be too surprised by the ending, it is satisfying. There are some very good moments of tension, you give a sharp intake of breathe at times at the inventiveness of the harpies twisted cruelty. How did they live with themselves???
Overall, this is a revealing insight into toxic friendships and the harm they can wreak. It’s a good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, with interesting though not likeable characters.
With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union
This is a very well written novel which vividly depicts a Lord of the Flies tribe mentality of female vindictiveness and horrifying manipulation. As the song says ‘the female of the species is more deadly than the male’ which is completely accurate where this clique are concerned as they are vicious and twisted sisters. The story backtracks from present day to the past in order to fill gaps in our understanding and appreciation of the depths they sunk to in targeting Grace. The pace is good and slowly builds and builds extremely effectively and whilst you can’t be too surprised by the ending, it is satisfying. There are some very good moments of tension, you give a sharp intake of breathe at times at the inventiveness of the harpies twisted cruelty. How did they live with themselves???
Overall, this is a revealing insight into toxic friendships and the harm they can wreak. It’s a good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, with interesting though not likeable characters.
With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union
September 7, 2020
The Harpies were mean girls...but mean is way too nice. I’d probably use another adjective, or even a noun, that would get me kicked off Goodreads. So we can stick with mean girls.
Emily is a therapist who helps children with issues from their past. Fourteen years ago, she was a part of The Harpies, the popular middle school group who cruelly befriended new girl Grace, bullied her, and ruined her life. Now, when one of the Harpies commits suicide...and Emily thinks she sees Grace in a crowd of people, she starts thinking that there is more to the story of the recent suicide. Who will be the next Harpy to meet an untimely end?
This book caught me hook, line, and sinker. I thought it sounded like an average story, but I was wrong. It was very suspenseful and hard to put down as I learned what happened fourteen years ago, and tried to figure out what was happening in the present. As terrible as the Harpies were, I couldn’t help liking Emily (as well as Courtney, another former Harpy) in the present. It was difficult to get my head around the actions of the past with their current behaviors. The ending really got me too! I thought I had it all figured out at certain points, but I did not see THAT coming.
Once a Harpy, always a Harpy.
4.5 stars. I definitely recommend this one. It’s not what you think.
Emily is a therapist who helps children with issues from their past. Fourteen years ago, she was a part of The Harpies, the popular middle school group who cruelly befriended new girl Grace, bullied her, and ruined her life. Now, when one of the Harpies commits suicide...and Emily thinks she sees Grace in a crowd of people, she starts thinking that there is more to the story of the recent suicide. Who will be the next Harpy to meet an untimely end?
This book caught me hook, line, and sinker. I thought it sounded like an average story, but I was wrong. It was very suspenseful and hard to put down as I learned what happened fourteen years ago, and tried to figure out what was happening in the present. As terrible as the Harpies were, I couldn’t help liking Emily (as well as Courtney, another former Harpy) in the present. It was difficult to get my head around the actions of the past with their current behaviors. The ending really got me too! I thought I had it all figured out at certain points, but I did not see THAT coming.
Once a Harpy, always a Harpy.
4.5 stars. I definitely recommend this one. It’s not what you think.
October 5, 2020
Emily makes a living today as a therapist helping young children but when Emily was 14 years old she was a member of The Harpies - a group of mean girls that took delight in tormenting others. Especially Grace Farmer. Quiet, shy, and weak Grace took punishment upon punishment at the hands of the Harpies which led to her suicide attempt.
Now, years later, and it seems the members of The Harpies are now taking their own lives and Emily fears that she'll be next unless she puts a stop to it first.
This book started out strong and I was enjoying it but at about 3/4 through I started to lose interest. Not enough to DNF or anything but reading about how awful these girls/women behaved was becoming tiresome. Emily is someone that I should have been rooting for but it was too difficult. Sure she talked about all the guilt she has held over the years which is why she became a therapist in the first place but she came across as cold and rude to every one she deals with whether it's her fiancé or her co-workers. I just didn't like her very much. In fact, it was only Courtney and her daughter Terry that I ever felt anything for. The rest of them are miserable psychos that I'm glad to not know in my real life.
I had a hard time wrapping my head around the ending. Let's just say that I did not like the final denouement at all. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Now, years later, and it seems the members of The Harpies are now taking their own lives and Emily fears that she'll be next unless she puts a stop to it first.
This book started out strong and I was enjoying it but at about 3/4 through I started to lose interest. Not enough to DNF or anything but reading about how awful these girls/women behaved was becoming tiresome. Emily is someone that I should have been rooting for but it was too difficult. Sure she talked about all the guilt she has held over the years which is why she became a therapist in the first place but she came across as cold and rude to every one she deals with whether it's her fiancé or her co-workers. I just didn't like her very much. In fact, it was only Courtney and her daughter Terry that I ever felt anything for. The rest of them are miserable psychos that I'm glad to not know in my real life.
I had a hard time wrapping my head around the ending. Let's just say that I did not like the final denouement at all. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2020
Emily is now a therapist, but she was once a Harpy (a group of bullies in high school) and plays a part in bullying a girl named Grace and with such intensity that whatever happened has to remain a secret forever. This all comes back around to Emily when one of the other Harpies dies. And then Grace returns, at least to Emily, and now Emily doubts her own sanity, measured heavily with her guilt from what she did all those years ago.
Oh boy, this one got under my skin and felt extremely authentic. As you can imagine, the Harpies are the worst, and they bring back all those emotions you may have experienced if you were ever bullied or the new kid. If you’ve ever seen the movie The Heathers, this reminded me a touch of that. It’s a story of revenge and old grudges, obsession and friendship, and overall, quite the page-turner. I enjoyed every bit! Thriller lovers will want to pick this one up!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Oh boy, this one got under my skin and felt extremely authentic. As you can imagine, the Harpies are the worst, and they bring back all those emotions you may have experienced if you were ever bullied or the new kid. If you’ve ever seen the movie The Heathers, this reminded me a touch of that. It’s a story of revenge and old grudges, obsession and friendship, and overall, quite the page-turner. I enjoyed every bit! Thriller lovers will want to pick this one up!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
April 17, 2025
A slow burning psychological drama turned red hot thriller, Girl Gone Mad certainly lived up to its title. From the serious themes that laced into the words to the toxic friendship dynamic that kept me riveted to the pages, it just couldn’t have been better. After all, I remember my own middle school days all too well and while some of the situations may have been just a bit over-the-top, thirteen-year-old girls truly can be a vicious, vicious bunch. Through Avery Bishop’s words, this became blindingly clear as these true-to-life women and girls came to life with each increasingly raw scene. Trust me when I say that you too are going to feel like a fly on the wall.
As for the dynamite premise, it was hypnotic in the extreme. With dual timelines which delivered a mesmerizing backstory that brought me straight back to just such a time in my very own life, the hard-to-stomach topic of bullying took center stage. And while I was lucky enough to avoid such a fate, I know all too well how realistic these situations can be. Also touching on mental health issues, peer pressure, and group think, it brought a thought-proving edge to this superlative tale. You see, underneath the commentary was one twist that flipped the script with quite the deft touch. So much so, in fact, that it left my jaw on the floor as I whispered “WTF?!” under my breath.
All in all, I relished spending time in Mr. Bishop’s dark, twisted world. Writing under a pseudonym, Robert Swartwood showed with this novel that he can pen not only heart-stopping crime thrillers, but that he’s brilliantly talented at writing palpably tense suspense/dramas as well. Not only that, but I was utterly shocked at how well he could dive into the psyche of a young girl as the realistic tale turned deliciously unhinged. Visceral, precisely plotted, and downright addictive, I was unbelievably impressed by the depth to this unguessable novel. Yes, it shocked even me. So grab a copy today. I guarantee that you’ll fly through these pages in no time at all. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Emily Bennett works as a therapist in Pennsylvania, helping children overcome their troubled pasts―even as she struggles to forget her own. Once upon a time, Emily was part of a middle school clique called the Harpies―six popular girls who bullied the new girl to her breaking point.
The Harpies took a blood oath: never tell a soul what they did to Grace Farmer.
Now, fourteen years later, it seems karma has caught up to them when one member of that vicious circle commits suicide. But when a second Harpy is discovered dead shortly after, also from apparent suicide, the deaths start to look suspicious. And when Emily starts seeing a woman who looks a lot like Grace Farmer lurking in the shadows, she’s forced to wonder: Is Grace back for revenge? Or is Emily’s guilt driving her mad?
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but the Harpies are about to find out just how much words can hurt you.
Thank you to Avery Bishop, Lake Union Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Content warning: bullying, suicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, gaslighting, mention of: self harm
As for the dynamite premise, it was hypnotic in the extreme. With dual timelines which delivered a mesmerizing backstory that brought me straight back to just such a time in my very own life, the hard-to-stomach topic of bullying took center stage. And while I was lucky enough to avoid such a fate, I know all too well how realistic these situations can be. Also touching on mental health issues, peer pressure, and group think, it brought a thought-proving edge to this superlative tale. You see, underneath the commentary was one twist that flipped the script with quite the deft touch. So much so, in fact, that it left my jaw on the floor as I whispered “WTF?!” under my breath.
All in all, I relished spending time in Mr. Bishop’s dark, twisted world. Writing under a pseudonym, Robert Swartwood showed with this novel that he can pen not only heart-stopping crime thrillers, but that he’s brilliantly talented at writing palpably tense suspense/dramas as well. Not only that, but I was utterly shocked at how well he could dive into the psyche of a young girl as the realistic tale turned deliciously unhinged. Visceral, precisely plotted, and downright addictive, I was unbelievably impressed by the depth to this unguessable novel. Yes, it shocked even me. So grab a copy today. I guarantee that you’ll fly through these pages in no time at all. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Emily Bennett works as a therapist in Pennsylvania, helping children overcome their troubled pasts―even as she struggles to forget her own. Once upon a time, Emily was part of a middle school clique called the Harpies―six popular girls who bullied the new girl to her breaking point.
The Harpies took a blood oath: never tell a soul what they did to Grace Farmer.
Now, fourteen years later, it seems karma has caught up to them when one member of that vicious circle commits suicide. But when a second Harpy is discovered dead shortly after, also from apparent suicide, the deaths start to look suspicious. And when Emily starts seeing a woman who looks a lot like Grace Farmer lurking in the shadows, she’s forced to wonder: Is Grace back for revenge? Or is Emily’s guilt driving her mad?
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but the Harpies are about to find out just how much words can hurt you.
Thank you to Avery Bishop, Lake Union Publishing, and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: Out now!
Content warning: bullying, suicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, gaslighting, mention of: self harm
September 28, 2020
3.5 stars
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”
I remember reciting that Nursery Rhyme as a child, and “Once Upon a Time”...that was true...
But, in today’s World of Social Media and Cyber Bullying, I think we have all learned that names can hurt worse, than sticks and stones, because the body heals faster than the mind.
Fourteen years ago, Emily Bennett was part of middle school clique called the Harpies.
Six popular girls, until there were SEVEN.
Grace Farmer was a new girl who they BRUTALLY bullied to her breaking point-by convincing her that if she would just do what she was told, she would be accepted as one of them.
Yeah, right.
Now, Emily is a therapist working with children who are struggling, and engaged to a wonderful man.
Until the past comes back to haunt her.
Why are the Harpies committing Suicide, one by one?
The deaths seem suspicious and Emily must figure out what is happening before she is next.
I don’t usually choose books about kids “coming of age”, or those with the “mean girls” theme, and rarely like books where adults are brought back together because of a secret they shared in the past, as the childhood chapters feel too YA to me, and this was no exception.
But, despite that, I found this author’s writing style to be very engaging!
I just wished the book had more complexity as there was so much potential in the sub plots which were never developed! Emily had only one therapy session with new patient, Chloe and her relationship with her Fiancée was failing...two things which could have set this book apart from the “other” mean girl stories-but neither was fleshed out!
Instead the entire focus remained on what the Harpies did back then and how the Adult Harpies, are trying to figure out if Grace is back for revenge-leaving the book a bit one dimensional- when it had the potential to be so much more!
Thank you for my gifted copy!
It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
Available now!
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”
I remember reciting that Nursery Rhyme as a child, and “Once Upon a Time”...that was true...
But, in today’s World of Social Media and Cyber Bullying, I think we have all learned that names can hurt worse, than sticks and stones, because the body heals faster than the mind.
Fourteen years ago, Emily Bennett was part of middle school clique called the Harpies.
Six popular girls, until there were SEVEN.
Grace Farmer was a new girl who they BRUTALLY bullied to her breaking point-by convincing her that if she would just do what she was told, she would be accepted as one of them.
Yeah, right.
Now, Emily is a therapist working with children who are struggling, and engaged to a wonderful man.
Until the past comes back to haunt her.
Why are the Harpies committing Suicide, one by one?
The deaths seem suspicious and Emily must figure out what is happening before she is next.
I don’t usually choose books about kids “coming of age”, or those with the “mean girls” theme, and rarely like books where adults are brought back together because of a secret they shared in the past, as the childhood chapters feel too YA to me, and this was no exception.
But, despite that, I found this author’s writing style to be very engaging!
I just wished the book had more complexity as there was so much potential in the sub plots which were never developed! Emily had only one therapy session with new patient, Chloe and her relationship with her Fiancée was failing...two things which could have set this book apart from the “other” mean girl stories-but neither was fleshed out!
Instead the entire focus remained on what the Harpies did back then and how the Adult Harpies, are trying to figure out if Grace is back for revenge-leaving the book a bit one dimensional- when it had the potential to be so much more!
Thank you for my gifted copy!
It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
Available now!
January 28, 2021
That was some seriously messed up shit! Back in middle school, 14 years ago there was a group of girls calling themselves the harpies. As it turns out the name was very apt. Mackenzie, Elise, Olivia, Courtney, Destiny and Emily were the harpies. Emily was feeling vulnerable as possibly the lowest ranked member of the group as her family wasn’t wealthy like the others. Until one day a new girl, Grace Farmer, turned up and Emily saw an opportunity to rise from the bottom rung. Of course the group was never going to accept Grace, she was weird! But they pretended to and demeaned her and bullied her until it all went just a bit too far.
Now they are adults and some of them are not so high and mighty. Emily feels remorse for what they did and works as therapist for disadvantaged people as a way of making it up. Courtney got disowned by her family when she fell pregnant to - shock, horror...a black boy and now works at a minimum wage job to support herself and her daughter. They mostly don’t keep in touch anymore. So when Emily learns, through her mother of all people, that Olivia died she is not inclined to go to the funeral. Somehow she ends up being talked into it by Courtney and off they go. They also learn that Olivia killed herself!
Not long after that Emily’s mother is the bearer of news again as she informs her daughter that Destiny died some time ago, apparently also suicide. What the??? This sets Emily and Courtney, who are becoming friendly again, on a mission to find out what, if anything, is going on. And so the mayhem starts. Soon the women are seeing conspiracies and revenge plots everywhere but the coincidences and strange happenings continue to stack up. I don’t want to say any more as the best part of this book is all the bombshells that are dropped along the way 💣 💣💣.
Is it plausible - not by a long shot! Is it fun - hell yes! It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read in literary terms but is was extremely compelling. I just had to keep reading. The term ‘mean girls’ has been bandied around in relation to this book and ok, when they were 14 it was apt. Now that they are adults, nothing short of evil genius will suffice 😈. Ok maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic. The characters were all pretty horrid even though a couple did try and redeem themselves eventually. On top of that they were quite stereotypical and as I said it wasn’t plausible. In fact when it was all clarified at the end I thought some of the explanations were very wobbly indeed. But - I sure had a lot of fun reading it. 3.5 stars rounded up (rather than down) just because it was such a page turner.
Now they are adults and some of them are not so high and mighty. Emily feels remorse for what they did and works as therapist for disadvantaged people as a way of making it up. Courtney got disowned by her family when she fell pregnant to - shock, horror...a black boy and now works at a minimum wage job to support herself and her daughter. They mostly don’t keep in touch anymore. So when Emily learns, through her mother of all people, that Olivia died she is not inclined to go to the funeral. Somehow she ends up being talked into it by Courtney and off they go. They also learn that Olivia killed herself!
Not long after that Emily’s mother is the bearer of news again as she informs her daughter that Destiny died some time ago, apparently also suicide. What the??? This sets Emily and Courtney, who are becoming friendly again, on a mission to find out what, if anything, is going on. And so the mayhem starts. Soon the women are seeing conspiracies and revenge plots everywhere but the coincidences and strange happenings continue to stack up. I don’t want to say any more as the best part of this book is all the bombshells that are dropped along the way 💣 💣💣.
Is it plausible - not by a long shot! Is it fun - hell yes! It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read in literary terms but is was extremely compelling. I just had to keep reading. The term ‘mean girls’ has been bandied around in relation to this book and ok, when they were 14 it was apt. Now that they are adults, nothing short of evil genius will suffice 😈. Ok maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic. The characters were all pretty horrid even though a couple did try and redeem themselves eventually. On top of that they were quite stereotypical and as I said it wasn’t plausible. In fact when it was all clarified at the end I thought some of the explanations were very wobbly indeed. But - I sure had a lot of fun reading it. 3.5 stars rounded up (rather than down) just because it was such a page turner.
September 6, 2020
“think it was then I realized it was true—a lot of the friends you have in high school will be friends you’ll never see again. The only thing keeping you together is a giant building. Once you’re out of that building, the invisible binds snap, and you’re set free.”
― Avery Bishop, Girl Gone Mad
Welll..well, well, well..was this a wild read or what?
I admit the beginning did not draw me in. Slow burn people! Wait for it.
And wait you should because this book is GOOD. It so plays with your head. But more than anything..it's damn creepy! Really creepy! a very so lid and riveting thriller.
"The Harpies" are in danger and they do not know who can help them. Who are the Harpies? Well the "mean girls" from school..all grown up. Going about their own little lives when one of the Harpies..out of nowhere..seemingly commits suicide. Very sad and tragic. But why does a SECOND Harpy then follow?
Is someone out to get the harpies? someone they went to school with and treated terribly? Someone like Grace?
The Harpies were popular but also dangerous..they did horrible things and the whole school was afraid of them. And then there is Grace.
Little Grace. Sweet and innocent with a naive life's view and a beguiling sweetness that drives the Harpies crazy and leads to them doing a thing or two to Grace that cannot be undone.
This story is great! It is told mostly by Emily, one of the ex Harpies and one who feels much guilt for her behavior as a kid. She cannot be happy as an adult and wonders if it is because of the sins of the past. But when Harpies start dropping, Emily, along with another Harpy or two, need to find out what is going on. The truth is more mind blowing then anyone could have imagined..
Read this one fellow mystery fans! It is a slow burn of a book that really is creepy and will have you scrambling to figure out what in the world is going on..if anything.
It is slow to heat up and I'd say around the 2nd quarter of the book is when Girl Gone Mad becomes a book one cannot put down.
So..a strong four stars from me. It completely wowed me. The only negative is things can get very confusing but trust me..all questions will be answered by the last page. Read it!
― Avery Bishop, Girl Gone Mad
Welll..well, well, well..was this a wild read or what?
I admit the beginning did not draw me in. Slow burn people! Wait for it.
And wait you should because this book is GOOD. It so plays with your head. But more than anything..it's damn creepy! Really creepy! a very so lid and riveting thriller.
"The Harpies" are in danger and they do not know who can help them. Who are the Harpies? Well the "mean girls" from school..all grown up. Going about their own little lives when one of the Harpies..out of nowhere..seemingly commits suicide. Very sad and tragic. But why does a SECOND Harpy then follow?
Is someone out to get the harpies? someone they went to school with and treated terribly? Someone like Grace?
The Harpies were popular but also dangerous..they did horrible things and the whole school was afraid of them. And then there is Grace.
Little Grace. Sweet and innocent with a naive life's view and a beguiling sweetness that drives the Harpies crazy and leads to them doing a thing or two to Grace that cannot be undone.
This story is great! It is told mostly by Emily, one of the ex Harpies and one who feels much guilt for her behavior as a kid. She cannot be happy as an adult and wonders if it is because of the sins of the past. But when Harpies start dropping, Emily, along with another Harpy or two, need to find out what is going on. The truth is more mind blowing then anyone could have imagined..
Read this one fellow mystery fans! It is a slow burn of a book that really is creepy and will have you scrambling to figure out what in the world is going on..if anything.
It is slow to heat up and I'd say around the 2nd quarter of the book is when Girl Gone Mad becomes a book one cannot put down.
So..a strong four stars from me. It completely wowed me. The only negative is things can get very confusing but trust me..all questions will be answered by the last page. Read it!
September 11, 2020
“Mean Girls” on steroids! This book takes “You can’t sit with us” to a WHOLE new level.
Having once been a junior high school girl myself, I did not find it at all a stretch to believe the mean junior high school girls (turned adults) would do any and all of the horrible things depicted in this book. You should definitely go into this book blind - maybe don’t even read the blurb - because the twists and intrigue begin early and keep coming at breakneck speed throughout the book.
Super fast-paced, scary, thrilling, and surprisingly introspective about why and how girls bully eachother, and what happens when mean girls grow up. I really enjoyed Emily, the very imperfect protagonist of this book, and also appreciated the sometimes uncomfortable insights about teenage girlhood. There was a ton of action, plus major psychological thrills, red herrings galore, and a fantastic ending. This is an exceptional thriller and was completely unputdownable. Girl Gone Mad is the he best kind of psychological thriller — one you can’t wait to get to the end of, but also wish would last forever. I’m super impressed with this author and I’m going to dedicate some serious Googling time to cracking their pseudonym so I can read the dozen other books they’ve written. Hats off to Avery Bishop, whoever she may be, for an unputdownable and heartpounding thriller worthy of a spot in this year‘s pantheon of best psychological thrillers. Fun, fun, fun. And creepy.
Thanks to Avery Bishop, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy of this book and extra thanks to my Goodreads friends who recommended it - I would have been sad to miss it!
Having once been a junior high school girl myself, I did not find it at all a stretch to believe the mean junior high school girls (turned adults) would do any and all of the horrible things depicted in this book. You should definitely go into this book blind - maybe don’t even read the blurb - because the twists and intrigue begin early and keep coming at breakneck speed throughout the book.
Super fast-paced, scary, thrilling, and surprisingly introspective about why and how girls bully eachother, and what happens when mean girls grow up. I really enjoyed Emily, the very imperfect protagonist of this book, and also appreciated the sometimes uncomfortable insights about teenage girlhood. There was a ton of action, plus major psychological thrills, red herrings galore, and a fantastic ending. This is an exceptional thriller and was completely unputdownable. Girl Gone Mad is the he best kind of psychological thriller — one you can’t wait to get to the end of, but also wish would last forever. I’m super impressed with this author and I’m going to dedicate some serious Googling time to cracking their pseudonym so I can read the dozen other books they’ve written. Hats off to Avery Bishop, whoever she may be, for an unputdownable and heartpounding thriller worthy of a spot in this year‘s pantheon of best psychological thrillers. Fun, fun, fun. And creepy.
Thanks to Avery Bishop, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy of this book and extra thanks to my Goodreads friends who recommended it - I would have been sad to miss it!
November 15, 2020
”Once a Harpy, always a Harpy”
What a nice motto, isn’t it? With such a “pleasant” nickname who would have guessed these girls weren’t the sweetest and best behaved, right?
This story came to reinforce two personal views of mine:
1. I can’t stand teenagers and much less when they come in a group.
2. Karma’s a bitch (and yes, I’m not ashamed to say that I clapped my hands when some of these girls got their comeuppance). 😅
Seeing as “Mean Girls” was already taken, this book could have also been called “Meanest Girls”, as they are one of the pettiest and more vicious bunch of girls I’ve ever read about. It’s a pretty well depiction of how sometimes kids will do anything to fit in with the group, forming toxic and unequal friendships that will push them too far at times. We’ve all been to middle and high school, so it won’t come as a surprise to anyone how twisted kids can sometimes be, and I’m sure we can all recognize some of these characters.
To say I was completely glued to my kindle would be an understatement as I read this in just a couple of sittings despite its length. I flew through the pages and the last quarter had me literally biting my nails (well, the ones I had left).
I loved how we got little snippets from the past intertwined in the chapters, instead of the Now and Then chapters usual in this kind of stories.
Although I had some theories formed in my head, the ending caught me completely unaware and I think it was quite clever.
I was doubting between 4 or 5 stars so I guess I’ll settle at 4,5 ⭐️ and I will definetely keep an eye out for what this author has next in store.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a nice motto, isn’t it? With such a “pleasant” nickname who would have guessed these girls weren’t the sweetest and best behaved, right?
This story came to reinforce two personal views of mine:
1. I can’t stand teenagers and much less when they come in a group.
2. Karma’s a bitch (and yes, I’m not ashamed to say that I clapped my hands when some of these girls got their comeuppance). 😅
Seeing as “Mean Girls” was already taken, this book could have also been called “Meanest Girls”, as they are one of the pettiest and more vicious bunch of girls I’ve ever read about. It’s a pretty well depiction of how sometimes kids will do anything to fit in with the group, forming toxic and unequal friendships that will push them too far at times. We’ve all been to middle and high school, so it won’t come as a surprise to anyone how twisted kids can sometimes be, and I’m sure we can all recognize some of these characters.
To say I was completely glued to my kindle would be an understatement as I read this in just a couple of sittings despite its length. I flew through the pages and the last quarter had me literally biting my nails (well, the ones I had left).
I loved how we got little snippets from the past intertwined in the chapters, instead of the Now and Then chapters usual in this kind of stories.
Although I had some theories formed in my head, the ending caught me completely unaware and I think it was quite clever.
I was doubting between 4 or 5 stars so I guess I’ll settle at 4,5 ⭐️ and I will definetely keep an eye out for what this author has next in store.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2020
Mean Girls to the extreme! Girl Gone Mad is one crazy psychological thriller and I could not get enough of it. I have been seeing this one all over social media and was very excited to finally read it. And it did not disappoint, this book will keep you turning pages to find out what would happen next. It was relatable, twisty and and addictive...you need to read this book.
In middle school they called themselves the Harpies and their motto was “ once a Harpie, always a Harpie” They were the popular girls, and they were the mean girls. You do not want to get in the wrong side of these girls. After a weekend when they carry out their absolute worst, they swear a blood oath to never talk about Grace Farmer again.
Fast forward 14 years and the girls have gone their separate ways. Emily Bennett is now a therapist who treats. She reconnects with her childhood friends when they discover that one of them has killed themselves and and another’s has died in suspicious circumstances. It has to be linked to what they used to do to people but how and who? I
This books shows how the actions, relationships and events of your childhood shape you as a person into adulthood. Mentally they will never be the same again.
Thanks to Lake Union and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
In middle school they called themselves the Harpies and their motto was “ once a Harpie, always a Harpie” They were the popular girls, and they were the mean girls. You do not want to get in the wrong side of these girls. After a weekend when they carry out their absolute worst, they swear a blood oath to never talk about Grace Farmer again.
Fast forward 14 years and the girls have gone their separate ways. Emily Bennett is now a therapist who treats. She reconnects with her childhood friends when they discover that one of them has killed themselves and and another’s has died in suspicious circumstances. It has to be linked to what they used to do to people but how and who? I
This books shows how the actions, relationships and events of your childhood shape you as a person into adulthood. Mentally they will never be the same again.
Thanks to Lake Union and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
September 6, 2020
Audio - 4.25 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
November 11, 2020
This was a delicious book to devour, it was different than many books I’ve read lately so I was thoroughly invested in this one.
The Harpies
I think they should have been called something else! Vicious little madams who tormented Grace. The quieter one of the pact.
Something terrible happened and years later events are unfolding.........
Suicides are happening....
But why?
And why are they “seeing” Grace? Grace is dead!
A very well written book with lots of readers to get their teeth into.
The Harpies
I think they should have been called something else! Vicious little madams who tormented Grace. The quieter one of the pact.
Something terrible happened and years later events are unfolding.........
Suicides are happening....
But why?
And why are they “seeing” Grace? Grace is dead!
A very well written book with lots of readers to get their teeth into.
September 9, 2020
Be warned, this is far more gruesome than some mean middle school kids bullying their less wealthy “friend.” Because of that, unless you have a strong constitution for horrible stuff, I don’t recommend this at all.
A group of wealthy girls do something unimaginably horrific to Grace, a new girl in town, and vow never to speak of it. Many years later, one by one they seem to die by suicide. The mystery and writing is good, but this is a read that makes you puke in your mouth.
A group of wealthy girls do something unimaginably horrific to Grace, a new girl in town, and vow never to speak of it. Many years later, one by one they seem to die by suicide. The mystery and writing is good, but this is a read that makes you puke in your mouth.
March 20, 2021
What a horrible book I am sorry but I cannot stand bullying this author might find a group of girls set up another to be raped a good or but I don't therefore I will leave it at that.😡
September 14, 2020
Best thriller I’ve read in quite awhile! This story builds slowly and kept me guessing until the final pages. The timeline alternates between the present and middle school years for a group of girls. * Trigger warnings for self harm, bullying, and suicide.
As the two narratives weave the plot, we learn the psychological damage that was done decades earlier will come back to haunt them all. I highly recommend this book for any mystery/thriller reader.
As the two narratives weave the plot, we learn the psychological damage that was done decades earlier will come back to haunt them all. I highly recommend this book for any mystery/thriller reader.
January 12, 2021
Actual rating 2.5/5 stars.
On the outside, Emily Bennett has the perfect life. She dedicates her days to working as a therapist and aiding her clients to heal from their trauma and goes home to spend her evenings with her perfectly nice fiancé. Emily has many skeletons cluttering her closet though and when she finds out that two of her former school friends have recently died they become increasingly more persistent in their attempts to resurface in her life, bringing the remnants of her former friendship group, the self-titles Harpies, back with them.
This was entirely engrossing and unguessable thriller... right up until the final grand reveal. I spent almost every single page formulating a new theory and list of suspects only to have them obliterated a chapter on. I suspected everyone and, with so many despicable individuals littering these pages, it was easy to formulate a reasoning for why these many crimes would be undertaken.
The true conclusion left me feeling a little mind-blown. It fell into the realm of unbelievability and eradicated much of the former tension that had dogged the entire book preceding it. There was both too much explosive drama and long-winded explanations on the final pages for me to find realistic or satisfactory closure.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Avery Bishop, and the publisher, , for this opportunity.
On the outside, Emily Bennett has the perfect life. She dedicates her days to working as a therapist and aiding her clients to heal from their trauma and goes home to spend her evenings with her perfectly nice fiancé. Emily has many skeletons cluttering her closet though and when she finds out that two of her former school friends have recently died they become increasingly more persistent in their attempts to resurface in her life, bringing the remnants of her former friendship group, the self-titles Harpies, back with them.
This was entirely engrossing and unguessable thriller... right up until the final grand reveal. I spent almost every single page formulating a new theory and list of suspects only to have them obliterated a chapter on. I suspected everyone and, with so many despicable individuals littering these pages, it was easy to formulate a reasoning for why these many crimes would be undertaken.
The true conclusion left me feeling a little mind-blown. It fell into the realm of unbelievability and eradicated much of the former tension that had dogged the entire book preceding it. There was both too much explosive drama and long-winded explanations on the final pages for me to find realistic or satisfactory closure.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Avery Bishop, and the publisher, , for this opportunity.
February 12, 2021
What a great debut book for Avery Bishop! I have to say that I don’t usually read books like this... but I was pleasantly surprised.
We are taken back and forth from present day to 14 years ago when the bullying incidents happen.
I found it very disturbing that Middle School girls were just SO mean... all to be accepted. Needless to say this led into adulthood as well.
My favorite character in this book was Courtney... she actually pulled her head out of the clouds... was living a hard life to support her and her child. I was surprised that we didn’t hear more from Terri’s dad...
Good book.. all Middle Schoolers, especially girls should read this to show them what can happen when you give up everything to be accepted into a cliche.
I read this with Kindle Unlimited.
This was our Feb. 2021 BOTH at Snag A Read For Free. Come check us out and see if we would be a group that you would like to join.
We are taken back and forth from present day to 14 years ago when the bullying incidents happen.
I found it very disturbing that Middle School girls were just SO mean... all to be accepted. Needless to say this led into adulthood as well.
My favorite character in this book was Courtney... she actually pulled her head out of the clouds... was living a hard life to support her and her child. I was surprised that we didn’t hear more from Terri’s dad...
Good book.. all Middle Schoolers, especially girls should read this to show them what can happen when you give up everything to be accepted into a cliche.
I read this with Kindle Unlimited.
This was our Feb. 2021 BOTH at Snag A Read For Free. Come check us out and see if we would be a group that you would like to join.
September 14, 2020
Girl Gone Mad is a fast-paced psychological thriller with some solid plot twists. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. This book was disturbing and not for the faint-hearted.
This novel follows Emily Bennett. She has an amazing job, a gorgeous fiancé, her life seems to be in order… so we thought. Until she finds out that someone from her past is coming back for revenge after what she and her former friends, dubbed the Harpies, did to them 14 years ago.
The plot was intriguing and we are thrust straight into the action from the start. It was a bit slow-moving at first but the pace picked up relatively quickly after. The flashbacks were a great addition to the narrative, but it was a bit disorientating because the flashbacks weren’t labeled as such and I had to figure it out myself.
Emily was an unlikeable character. But that’s what made her flawed and complex. I was on the fence on whether to support her and the Harpies or support the victim. Who are the actual villains in this story? The line was blurred. It was a messy game of cat-and-mouse between all the players and this made the plot and characters more compelling. However, I found some of the characters a bit tropey. It was a bit underwhelming when some of the twists were revealed because you could guess which character was the "villain".
Overall, this was really fast-paced and gripping. It highlighted the effects of bullying and its lasting consequences. I recommend if you're looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel follows Emily Bennett. She has an amazing job, a gorgeous fiancé, her life seems to be in order… so we thought. Until she finds out that someone from her past is coming back for revenge after what she and her former friends, dubbed the Harpies, did to them 14 years ago.
The plot was intriguing and we are thrust straight into the action from the start. It was a bit slow-moving at first but the pace picked up relatively quickly after. The flashbacks were a great addition to the narrative, but it was a bit disorientating because the flashbacks weren’t labeled as such and I had to figure it out myself.
Emily was an unlikeable character. But that’s what made her flawed and complex. I was on the fence on whether to support her and the Harpies or support the victim. Who are the actual villains in this story? The line was blurred. It was a messy game of cat-and-mouse between all the players and this made the plot and characters more compelling. However, I found some of the characters a bit tropey. It was a bit underwhelming when some of the twists were revealed because you could guess which character was the "villain".
Overall, this was really fast-paced and gripping. It highlighted the effects of bullying and its lasting consequences. I recommend if you're looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2025
Once a Harpy
Always a Harpy...
GIRL GONE MAD
by Avery Bishop
No spoilers. 3 stars. Six middle school aged girls, the so-called popular girls, terrorized their fellow students just because they could get away with it...
They were once called harpies by a disgusted teacher, and they enjoyed the name, so...
The moniker stuck...
Their motto: Once a Harpy always a Harpy...
After graduation...
The girls went their separate ways and lost touch with each other...
Until...
Two of their gang committed suicide. Now the surviving Harpies joined forces to prove it wasn't suicide and...
Whodunit...
Wow, I felt like I had gone back in time to those hazy crazy school days and the mad scramble among students for top of the pecking order.
I would definitely label this obvious and simplistic story as a YA novel, and as such, it was okay, but just okay. It made me wonder if the author had a bad bullying experience in school to come up with the plot.
It was obvious from the start who the culprit was, and there was very little challenge in solving the crime. The killer's motivation was so illogical that I wanted to throw the book against the wall.
I like a good mystery, but this story made me roll my eyes more than once.
Always a Harpy...
GIRL GONE MAD
by Avery Bishop
No spoilers. 3 stars. Six middle school aged girls, the so-called popular girls, terrorized their fellow students just because they could get away with it...
They were once called harpies by a disgusted teacher, and they enjoyed the name, so...
The moniker stuck...
Their motto: Once a Harpy always a Harpy...
After graduation...
The girls went their separate ways and lost touch with each other...
Until...
Two of their gang committed suicide. Now the surviving Harpies joined forces to prove it wasn't suicide and...
Whodunit...
Wow, I felt like I had gone back in time to those hazy crazy school days and the mad scramble among students for top of the pecking order.
I would definitely label this obvious and simplistic story as a YA novel, and as such, it was okay, but just okay. It made me wonder if the author had a bad bullying experience in school to come up with the plot.
It was obvious from the start who the culprit was, and there was very little challenge in solving the crime. The killer's motivation was so illogical that I wanted to throw the book against the wall.
I like a good mystery, but this story made me roll my eyes more than once.
November 19, 2019
Old grudges resurface with a vengeance in Avery Bishop’s, Girl Gone Mad, where former it-girls are dying off one by one. This twisty tale of bullying and toxic teenage friendships, of suspicions and obsessions, will keep you glued to the pages all the way to the unexpected ending. An addictive debut where revenge isn’t as neat or pretty as it seems.
February 9, 2022
Read it! What’s the worst that could happen?
I loved this book. I was hooked in the first chapter, and my interest stayed till the very end. So many emotions, up and down, throughout the book. So many memories of being that middle school girl just trying to fit In. This was a 5 for me!
I loved this book. I was hooked in the first chapter, and my interest stayed till the very end. So many emotions, up and down, throughout the book. So many memories of being that middle school girl just trying to fit In. This was a 5 for me!
September 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised to find out that Avery Bishop was a man. It's not an easy feat to write multiple characters from the opposite gender's POV, and he did an eerily good job of building this world of horrible mean girls.
I would love to know his alternative pen name so I can read more of his work.
This had some unexpected twists and turns, and I'm normally a shark for hunting out twists, so I really loved getting caught off guard by the ending.
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
I would love to know his alternative pen name so I can read more of his work.
This had some unexpected twists and turns, and I'm normally a shark for hunting out twists, so I really loved getting caught off guard by the ending.
Highly recommend! 5 stars!
August 2, 2020
Girl Gone Mad by Avery Bishop was my Kindle First Read selection for August 2020..
This book currently has me feeling that post-book high and jumble of feelings with which I know every self-respecting book addict is all too familiar. You know what I'm talking about... Your racing mind might be saying "Geez that was good!" but you're also simultaneously muttering "Come on!" under your breath as you desperately search for more pages. What can I say? This book was super addictive and while the ending was appropriate, I still want more...
More crazy.
More manipulation.
More dark secrets.
More wolves in sheep's clothing.
More dark, twisted revenge.
If you have a thing for psychological thrillers, I highly recommend letting Girl Gone Mad play with your mind for awhile.
This book currently has me feeling that post-book high and jumble of feelings with which I know every self-respecting book addict is all too familiar. You know what I'm talking about... Your racing mind might be saying "Geez that was good!" but you're also simultaneously muttering "Come on!" under your breath as you desperately search for more pages. What can I say? This book was super addictive and while the ending was appropriate, I still want more...
More crazy.
More manipulation.
More dark secrets.
More wolves in sheep's clothing.
More dark, twisted revenge.
If you have a thing for psychological thrillers, I highly recommend letting Girl Gone Mad play with your mind for awhile.
September 11, 2021
4.5 STARS
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
During middle school, Emily and her popular friends, The Harpies, brutally bully Grace, a new classmate. Fourteen years later, Emily distances herself from her past and former friends. Engaged to Daniel and working as a therapist, she hides the hold Grace still has on her. When two Harpies commit suicide, the past and present collide.
GIRL GONE MAD kept me glued to my kindle, eager to figure out who was gaslighting Emily. I even wondered if she was doing it to herself. Avery Bishop’s debut grabbed me from page one. GIRL GONE MAD is a psychological thriller that starts as a mystery and builds into a hold-your-breath thriller.
I would have rounded up to 5 stars but for a few flaws. The resolution was a bit convoluted and didn’t make perfect sense. Additionally, the change in Ben seemed out of character and therapists can’t work in the same office as their therapist; the latter might seem picky, but as a child psychologist, Emily’s profession, it bugged me.
GIRL GONE MAD is a fantastic read.
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
During middle school, Emily and her popular friends, The Harpies, brutally bully Grace, a new classmate. Fourteen years later, Emily distances herself from her past and former friends. Engaged to Daniel and working as a therapist, she hides the hold Grace still has on her. When two Harpies commit suicide, the past and present collide.
GIRL GONE MAD kept me glued to my kindle, eager to figure out who was gaslighting Emily. I even wondered if she was doing it to herself. Avery Bishop’s debut grabbed me from page one. GIRL GONE MAD is a psychological thriller that starts as a mystery and builds into a hold-your-breath thriller.
I would have rounded up to 5 stars but for a few flaws. The resolution was a bit convoluted and didn’t make perfect sense. Additionally, the change in Ben seemed out of character and therapists can’t work in the same office as their therapist; the latter might seem picky, but as a child psychologist, Emily’s profession, it bugged me.
GIRL GONE MAD is a fantastic read.
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