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The Lost Girls
"When her true-crime podcast becomes an overnight sensation, a young woman is pulled into the web of a case that may offer a surprising connection to her own sister's disappearance years earlier"--
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2021
47 people are currently reading
3224 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Chiarella
2 books100 followersJessica Chiarella grew up in the Chicago area and has a Master’s Degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is currently a student in the University of California, Riverside’s MFA in Creative Writing program.
(from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/J...)
(from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/J...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
August 21, 2021
This is absolutely a big winner! Ultra tense, extremely dark, uniquely heart breaking, depressing! If you suffer from anxiety attacks like me, just visualize your happy place and choose your best poisons during your read to consume! This is so much effective, shaking you to the core, leaving scars at your soul, squeezing your heart tight!
After I finished my reading and making breathing exercises to lower my heart rate , I wanted to scream so loud to reflect my confusing feelings ! I got tensed, my palms are snow white from clenching my fists so tight. I have never felt so sorry for a main character for so long.
But Marti! Oh Marti! When do you stop to punish yourself? I got mad to see the way how she treats herself. She slowly kills herself with the worst choices she’s made, alienating the people who care her, drinking to death, trying so hard to destroy herself to become somebody else! Somebody is deserved to be loved, garish in her desire to be wanted, to be noticed. But now she’s waterlogged, sad, divorced, turning herself into a goth chic bartender. And she still hasn’t found her sister.
Her heartbreaking story starts two decades ago. Her sixteen years old sister Maggie has been lost from her hometown Sutcliffe Heights, Illinois. She got in a car with a man perhaps she has known, perhaps he spotted her walking home alone. Even the car she rode was mystery: a Sedan but what color? Blue, grey or silver. It was twilight so it’s difficult to differentiate the real color for only eight years old Marti. Her sister let go off her hand and she told her to run. Scared Marti did she’s told.
Her true crime podcast she produces with her best and only friend Andrea becomes an overnight sensation. She gets a call from coroner tells her Jane Doe #4568 has arrived at Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The girl had left on the street outside of Illinois Masonic Medical Center during thunderstorm. Her age scale and her tattoo choice ( lizard on her thigh which was Maggie’s favorite animal) fits with Maggie’s description.
Marti and Andrea document everything and Marti kept prying to have second chance for finding her sister and DNA test answers her prayers. The girl is not her!
But her nightmares never end! After the podcast turns into an unexpected hit, she thinks she can move on, ignoring silent calls, false leads. Her family already paid too much: her father’s heart failed because of extreme pressure. Her mother reflected her anger and resentment to her. And her life is into pieces. She’s a human waste cannot deal with her grief properly.
But a call from Ava Vreeland, a respectful doctor who is doing everything to bring out justice for falsely accused brother changes everything.
A woman named Sarah Ketchum was strangled to death seven years ago and buried in LaBagh Woods. The girl has spitting image of Maggie, spending her summers at their hometown. She was at the same age with Maggie when she has disappeared.
Could those cases be connected? Could Ava’s brother Colin be convicted from a crime he didn’t commit? Could a killer still be out there lurking around to take the lost girls?
Marti already suffers from self destruction so getting herself into more dangerous situations will be obvious choice for her. She cannot stop till she finds Maggie!
This book is more powerful, effective, extremely intense and depressing from the other crime thrillers with true crime podcast premise. First person narration, the realistic definition of grief, amazing character portraits, realistic definition of self destruction were impeccably developed.
I highly recommend this book to the genre lovers who can appreciate real taste of impactful thrillers and perfectly written stories!
It’s freaking good! I honestly love to put it on your radar!!!
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN PUTNAM GROUP/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
After I finished my reading and making breathing exercises to lower my heart rate , I wanted to scream so loud to reflect my confusing feelings ! I got tensed, my palms are snow white from clenching my fists so tight. I have never felt so sorry for a main character for so long.
But Marti! Oh Marti! When do you stop to punish yourself? I got mad to see the way how she treats herself. She slowly kills herself with the worst choices she’s made, alienating the people who care her, drinking to death, trying so hard to destroy herself to become somebody else! Somebody is deserved to be loved, garish in her desire to be wanted, to be noticed. But now she’s waterlogged, sad, divorced, turning herself into a goth chic bartender. And she still hasn’t found her sister.
Her heartbreaking story starts two decades ago. Her sixteen years old sister Maggie has been lost from her hometown Sutcliffe Heights, Illinois. She got in a car with a man perhaps she has known, perhaps he spotted her walking home alone. Even the car she rode was mystery: a Sedan but what color? Blue, grey or silver. It was twilight so it’s difficult to differentiate the real color for only eight years old Marti. Her sister let go off her hand and she told her to run. Scared Marti did she’s told.
Her true crime podcast she produces with her best and only friend Andrea becomes an overnight sensation. She gets a call from coroner tells her Jane Doe #4568 has arrived at Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The girl had left on the street outside of Illinois Masonic Medical Center during thunderstorm. Her age scale and her tattoo choice ( lizard on her thigh which was Maggie’s favorite animal) fits with Maggie’s description.
Marti and Andrea document everything and Marti kept prying to have second chance for finding her sister and DNA test answers her prayers. The girl is not her!
But her nightmares never end! After the podcast turns into an unexpected hit, she thinks she can move on, ignoring silent calls, false leads. Her family already paid too much: her father’s heart failed because of extreme pressure. Her mother reflected her anger and resentment to her. And her life is into pieces. She’s a human waste cannot deal with her grief properly.
But a call from Ava Vreeland, a respectful doctor who is doing everything to bring out justice for falsely accused brother changes everything.
A woman named Sarah Ketchum was strangled to death seven years ago and buried in LaBagh Woods. The girl has spitting image of Maggie, spending her summers at their hometown. She was at the same age with Maggie when she has disappeared.
Could those cases be connected? Could Ava’s brother Colin be convicted from a crime he didn’t commit? Could a killer still be out there lurking around to take the lost girls?
Marti already suffers from self destruction so getting herself into more dangerous situations will be obvious choice for her. She cannot stop till she finds Maggie!
This book is more powerful, effective, extremely intense and depressing from the other crime thrillers with true crime podcast premise. First person narration, the realistic definition of grief, amazing character portraits, realistic definition of self destruction were impeccably developed.
I highly recommend this book to the genre lovers who can appreciate real taste of impactful thrillers and perfectly written stories!
It’s freaking good! I honestly love to put it on your radar!!!
Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN PUTNAM GROUP/ G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
April 11, 2021
A riveting mystery revolving around a true-crime podcast, a woman’s missing sister, and the possible trail of a murderer.
Marti’s sister, Maggie, disappeared over 20 years ago from their suburb right outside of Chicago. Marti was eight at the time, and saw a man pick her sister up in a car that might have been silver or beige or blue. Memory is a funny thing. Over the years, despite some initial sightings, Marti has never stopped trying to track her sister down to find out what happened to her.
Years later, Marti gets word of a Jane Doe left outside of a hospital. It could be Maggie. Marti and her friend, Andrea, document everything for a podcast. The Jane Doe is eventually identified as someone else, but the podcast turns into a huge hit!
Now that the story of Maggie is back in the headlines, Marti gets a call from a woman named Ava Vreeland, a doctor who thinks there’s a link between Maggie’s disappearance 20+ years ago...and a murder that occurred in an area near their childhood home years later. Marti is skeptical until she hears the story...and believes the connection might exist. She decides to look into it...in hopes of finally finding out what happened to her older sister.
This is an excellent and unputdownable mystery that is near perfect. I couldn’t get enough, and I can see many other readers loving it too. First of all, a story involving a podcast always intrigues me. While the story isn’t told so much through the actual podcast transcript, there are tidbits that progress the plot from one point to the next.
The characters in this are excellent! Fully fleshed out human beings...with Marti being the obvious standout. She is a broken woman who has never recovered from the loss of her sister at such a young age, and has found plenty of ways to ruin any chance of happiness in her life by turning to alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity. She can be reckless, but she has a fire burning deep within her to never give up finding out what happened to Maggie. I also love her interactions with her friend and podcast co-producer Andrea, Dr. Ava Vreeland, and her coworker Marco at the Goth bar she works at to supplement her income.
The mystery flows effortlessly as Marti and Andrea decide to track Ava’s theories about the murder linked to the disappearance and use it for season 2 of the podcast. I had a feeling where everything was going, but I was left absolutely BAMBOOZLED at least twice! It’s clever and compelling and dark, with moments of subtle dark humor.
4.5 stars rounded up. Although there is a component to the ending that I didn’t fully enjoy, I highly recommend this one to mystery lovers, and I look forward to reading more from author Jessica Chiarella, who is a major talent in my book.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on: 7/6/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Marti’s sister, Maggie, disappeared over 20 years ago from their suburb right outside of Chicago. Marti was eight at the time, and saw a man pick her sister up in a car that might have been silver or beige or blue. Memory is a funny thing. Over the years, despite some initial sightings, Marti has never stopped trying to track her sister down to find out what happened to her.
Years later, Marti gets word of a Jane Doe left outside of a hospital. It could be Maggie. Marti and her friend, Andrea, document everything for a podcast. The Jane Doe is eventually identified as someone else, but the podcast turns into a huge hit!
Now that the story of Maggie is back in the headlines, Marti gets a call from a woman named Ava Vreeland, a doctor who thinks there’s a link between Maggie’s disappearance 20+ years ago...and a murder that occurred in an area near their childhood home years later. Marti is skeptical until she hears the story...and believes the connection might exist. She decides to look into it...in hopes of finally finding out what happened to her older sister.
This is an excellent and unputdownable mystery that is near perfect. I couldn’t get enough, and I can see many other readers loving it too. First of all, a story involving a podcast always intrigues me. While the story isn’t told so much through the actual podcast transcript, there are tidbits that progress the plot from one point to the next.
The characters in this are excellent! Fully fleshed out human beings...with Marti being the obvious standout. She is a broken woman who has never recovered from the loss of her sister at such a young age, and has found plenty of ways to ruin any chance of happiness in her life by turning to alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity. She can be reckless, but she has a fire burning deep within her to never give up finding out what happened to Maggie. I also love her interactions with her friend and podcast co-producer Andrea, Dr. Ava Vreeland, and her coworker Marco at the Goth bar she works at to supplement her income.
The mystery flows effortlessly as Marti and Andrea decide to track Ava’s theories about the murder linked to the disappearance and use it for season 2 of the podcast. I had a feeling where everything was going, but I was left absolutely BAMBOOZLED at least twice! It’s clever and compelling and dark, with moments of subtle dark humor.
4.5 stars rounded up. Although there is a component to the ending that I didn’t fully enjoy, I highly recommend this one to mystery lovers, and I look forward to reading more from author Jessica Chiarella, who is a major talent in my book.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on: 7/6/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
April 11, 2021
Maggie was lost on Oct. 16, 1998. She got into a car, with a man, as she let go of her eight year old sister’s hand, and told her to RUN!
It was the last thing she would ever tell her sister, Marti to do.
Marti is now twenty eight but she has never stopped chasing the ghosts of girls who NEVER grew up-
LOST GIRLS-those never seen again by choice or by circumstance.
When she receives a phone call from police needing a DNA sample for a girl just found dead, Jane Doe #4568, her true crime Podcast “Jane Doe” is born. It becomes an overnight sensation and is nominated for an award.
But, it also starts a downward spiral of drinking, drugs, and sex...with men who are not her husband,
So, what will Marti, and Andrea, her best friend, and editor do for an encore?
As they sort through the phone calls and tips that come in following the last episode of “Jane Doe” the one made by Ava Vreeland is most intriguing. She is trying to overturn her brother’s murder conviction and she is convinced that his case could be linked to Maggie’s.
Will season two lead Marti to the answer she has been searching for?
I am always drawn to books including Podcasts, and immediately requested this one, despite having never read anything by Jessica Chiarella before.
And, it was a good one!
It moves along at a FAST pace and doesn’t glamorize the idea of searching for answers of a true crime on your own, after the case has become cold for police.
It shows both the physical and emotional toll, this search has on families, and serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when amateur sleuths turn to those obsessed with solving crimes on the web, to help them do what police have been unable to accomplish.
I was IMPRESSED, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
Don’t miss this one!!
Available July 6, 2021
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing an ARC through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
It was the last thing she would ever tell her sister, Marti to do.
Marti is now twenty eight but she has never stopped chasing the ghosts of girls who NEVER grew up-
LOST GIRLS-those never seen again by choice or by circumstance.
When she receives a phone call from police needing a DNA sample for a girl just found dead, Jane Doe #4568, her true crime Podcast “Jane Doe” is born. It becomes an overnight sensation and is nominated for an award.
But, it also starts a downward spiral of drinking, drugs, and sex...with men who are not her husband,
So, what will Marti, and Andrea, her best friend, and editor do for an encore?
As they sort through the phone calls and tips that come in following the last episode of “Jane Doe” the one made by Ava Vreeland is most intriguing. She is trying to overturn her brother’s murder conviction and she is convinced that his case could be linked to Maggie’s.
Will season two lead Marti to the answer she has been searching for?
I am always drawn to books including Podcasts, and immediately requested this one, despite having never read anything by Jessica Chiarella before.
And, it was a good one!
It moves along at a FAST pace and doesn’t glamorize the idea of searching for answers of a true crime on your own, after the case has become cold for police.
It shows both the physical and emotional toll, this search has on families, and serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when amateur sleuths turn to those obsessed with solving crimes on the web, to help them do what police have been unable to accomplish.
I was IMPRESSED, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
Don’t miss this one!!
Available July 6, 2021
I would like to thank G.P. Putnam’s Sons for providing an ARC through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
August 11, 2021
2.5 stars
I’m a fan of podcasts, usually book-related or true crime, so when I see it mentioned in a book’s blurb my interest is piqued. Unfortunately, the plot device is starting to wear thin.
This starts out with an interesting premise. Marti's sister, Maggie, disappeared when she was eight years old after getting into a car with a stranger. Now an adult, Marti won’t rest until her sister is found, and leaves no stone unturned. She isn’t coping well and infidelity, along with drinking to excess, leaves her personal life in a mess. Despite all of that, she is able to start a true-crime podcast after the latest of sightings and clues to her sister's disappearance led to yet another dead end.
While she truly wants to help all the "lost girls" and their families through her podcast, her ultimate mission is finding her sister. One day she gets a call from Ava, who believes her brother, Colin, is imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. She claims to have evidence related to her sister’s disappearance, and they team up to try and solve both cases.
Marti’s self-destruction and angsty melodramatic musings were difficult for me to stomach, and ultimately the story fell short for me as one I didn’t much enjoy. I can't always pinpoint why. I didn’t connect to the MC or the story, and I’m tiring of narrators who drink to excess and are angsty messes. Sometimes those elements work well for me but this wasn't one of those times. There are plenty of reviews from readers who enjoyed this book more than I did so do check them out.
* I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
I’m a fan of podcasts, usually book-related or true crime, so when I see it mentioned in a book’s blurb my interest is piqued. Unfortunately, the plot device is starting to wear thin.
This starts out with an interesting premise. Marti's sister, Maggie, disappeared when she was eight years old after getting into a car with a stranger. Now an adult, Marti won’t rest until her sister is found, and leaves no stone unturned. She isn’t coping well and infidelity, along with drinking to excess, leaves her personal life in a mess. Despite all of that, she is able to start a true-crime podcast after the latest of sightings and clues to her sister's disappearance led to yet another dead end.
While she truly wants to help all the "lost girls" and their families through her podcast, her ultimate mission is finding her sister. One day she gets a call from Ava, who believes her brother, Colin, is imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. She claims to have evidence related to her sister’s disappearance, and they team up to try and solve both cases.
Marti’s self-destruction and angsty melodramatic musings were difficult for me to stomach, and ultimately the story fell short for me as one I didn’t much enjoy. I can't always pinpoint why. I didn’t connect to the MC or the story, and I’m tiring of narrators who drink to excess and are angsty messes. Sometimes those elements work well for me but this wasn't one of those times. There are plenty of reviews from readers who enjoyed this book more than I did so do check them out.
* I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
August 17, 2021
This outstanding mystery thriller with a touch of dark humor is an incredible fast-paced read! The author Jessica Chiarella reached all levels of a great detective job. The "detective" is only through Marti's own premises which is a True Crime Podcasts. She is really an "over served" alcoholic, and promiscuous host. Spiraling out of control, she tries to compensate for her sister's disappearance nearly twenty years ago. It has haunted her since she watched Maggie get into a vehicle and told her to run to safety. Never forgetting what her sister encountered and always on the hunt to find her.
The story picks up when a Jane Doe is found and quickly her hopes are diminished when it is not Maggie, but opens up a whole new level of her podcast to find her sister. When a mysterious woman, Ava, approaches her with a possible lead, connecting her brother who was falsely convicted of murder. She presents it as if it may lead them to the real killer, if she will help get her brother's conviction overturned....so the hunt is on.
Who is playing who? I felt skeptical of the encounter and soon the book ties more people in, leaving loose ends everywhere. You will not want to miss this gem of a thriller. For all the "Lost Girls", Marti's presentation may throw you off, but her determination is contagious.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The story picks up when a Jane Doe is found and quickly her hopes are diminished when it is not Maggie, but opens up a whole new level of her podcast to find her sister. When a mysterious woman, Ava, approaches her with a possible lead, connecting her brother who was falsely convicted of murder. She presents it as if it may lead them to the real killer, if she will help get her brother's conviction overturned....so the hunt is on.
Who is playing who? I felt skeptical of the encounter and soon the book ties more people in, leaving loose ends everywhere. You will not want to miss this gem of a thriller. For all the "Lost Girls", Marti's presentation may throw you off, but her determination is contagious.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 22, 2021
I loved this psychological thriller. From the first page, I felt the main character, Marti, was speaking directly to me. Her heartbreak, rage and determination was so compelling. And great twists and turns. Had me to the very end.
July 27, 2022
Marti Reese's 16 year old sister Maggie disappeared 20 years ago. Marti was 8 years old at the time and she knows all about it because she witnessed the abduction. A man in a car came up and Maggie told Marti to run so she did. The case has never been solved and Marti has dealt with guilt and grief ever since. Marti and her best friend Andrea started a podcast to discuss every angle of the cold case. Dr Ava Vreeland contacts Marti with a current lead about another murdered girl who resembled Maggie and Ava is convinced the same killer is at work. The two begin working together.
This is another book from my 2021 list. I've read multiple books with podcasts this past year. Some authors use exact wording from the podcast to advance the story. This one does not focus on the podcast itself but instead readers are told that recordings are made of people.
All Marti wants in life is her sister back. Marti is a damaged person who has been self destructing for years. She drinks heavily, sleeps around, has nightmares. She is estranged from her family and ruined her marriage to a good man. How much worse can her life get?
The book was pretty long - the copy I read is 441 pages but that is large print. I enjoyed the mystery. The story had interesting twists. The book didn't end the way I thought it would. I guess I had a preconceived notion of what was going to happen and it didn't . I like surprises.
This is another book from my 2021 list. I've read multiple books with podcasts this past year. Some authors use exact wording from the podcast to advance the story. This one does not focus on the podcast itself but instead readers are told that recordings are made of people.
All Marti wants in life is her sister back. Marti is a damaged person who has been self destructing for years. She drinks heavily, sleeps around, has nightmares. She is estranged from her family and ruined her marriage to a good man. How much worse can her life get?
The book was pretty long - the copy I read is 441 pages but that is large print. I enjoyed the mystery. The story had interesting twists. The book didn't end the way I thought it would. I guess I had a preconceived notion of what was going to happen and it didn't . I like surprises.
December 4, 2020
Once upon a time there were two sisters, Marti and Maggie, who lived in a nice privileged well to do family in Chicago’s suburb and loved each other very much. And then one day when Marti was eight and Maggie, sixteen at the time, disappeared. Got in a car with someone and was never heard from again. The event devastated her family, drove her father into an early grave, and left Marti with a lifelong obsession to find her sister.
Now, two decades later, Marti is still at it, the time she took away from her obsession to get married and have something of a normal life self sabotaged into oblivion. Doing the hip modern thing, Marti together with her best friend creates a podcast about her quest. The podcast blows up, getting her all kinds of attention, Some of it is from a woman who believes her brother has been wrongly convicted of a crime all too similar to Maggie’s disappearance. Marti’s obsessive brain notices the parallels and she’s off on another quest…perfect material for season two of her podcast. But things aren’t what they appear (are they ever?) and soon Marti is courting danger at every turn as truth becomes more and more difficult to discern.
So that’s the basic plot. Yes, it is yet another one of those female authored female driven thrillers that are overpopulating the market right now, but this one has the distinction of being genuinely well done. I’ve not read the author’s debut, but going by her sophomore effort, it might be worth checking out. Which is to say she can definitely write.
The novel smartly avoids some or the genre cliches, like the split timelines, multiple perspectives, etc. opting instead for a streamlined narrative, first person, single principal character, so the result is very dynamic and engaging…despite what you might think of Marti, who let’s be honest, isn’t the most innately likeable of protagonists. I mean, she’s interesting and compelling, but a complete mess, self destructive, her psyche thoroughly done in by her sister’s disappearance, her life completely defined by it. Then again, when done right and it is done right here, compelling and interesting is usually enough.
And the genre cliches the novel does utilize are very good indeed. I kind of had the killer figured out from fairly early on, so the grand reveal at 75% was disappointing…initially…but then the author turned that around with a whiplash speed and took it further and darker and way more twisted. Which was excellent. Because who wants a thriller one can predict, no matter how flattering it might be to one’s ego.
So overall, this was very good. A thoroughly enjoyable, properly done literary suspense thriller that should please most genre fans. Very entertaining read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
Now, two decades later, Marti is still at it, the time she took away from her obsession to get married and have something of a normal life self sabotaged into oblivion. Doing the hip modern thing, Marti together with her best friend creates a podcast about her quest. The podcast blows up, getting her all kinds of attention, Some of it is from a woman who believes her brother has been wrongly convicted of a crime all too similar to Maggie’s disappearance. Marti’s obsessive brain notices the parallels and she’s off on another quest…perfect material for season two of her podcast. But things aren’t what they appear (are they ever?) and soon Marti is courting danger at every turn as truth becomes more and more difficult to discern.
So that’s the basic plot. Yes, it is yet another one of those female authored female driven thrillers that are overpopulating the market right now, but this one has the distinction of being genuinely well done. I’ve not read the author’s debut, but going by her sophomore effort, it might be worth checking out. Which is to say she can definitely write.
The novel smartly avoids some or the genre cliches, like the split timelines, multiple perspectives, etc. opting instead for a streamlined narrative, first person, single principal character, so the result is very dynamic and engaging…despite what you might think of Marti, who let’s be honest, isn’t the most innately likeable of protagonists. I mean, she’s interesting and compelling, but a complete mess, self destructive, her psyche thoroughly done in by her sister’s disappearance, her life completely defined by it. Then again, when done right and it is done right here, compelling and interesting is usually enough.
And the genre cliches the novel does utilize are very good indeed. I kind of had the killer figured out from fairly early on, so the grand reveal at 75% was disappointing…initially…but then the author turned that around with a whiplash speed and took it further and darker and way more twisted. Which was excellent. Because who wants a thriller one can predict, no matter how flattering it might be to one’s ego.
So overall, this was very good. A thoroughly enjoyable, properly done literary suspense thriller that should please most genre fans. Very entertaining read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
October 10, 2021
This wasn’t good but wasn’t awful. I can’t really explain what it was I didn’t like about it. But also I don’t want to take the time to figure it out. It’s just average as hell.
July 13, 2021
Thank you so much to Putnam and Jessica Chiarella for my copy of The Lost Girls. I am such a sucker for a book about a true crime podcast and this was no exception. The book was about Marti, a girl whose sister was taken when she was younger. She has never been able to move past her disappearance and started a true crime podcast to learn more about her disappearance. After the popular first season, someone reaches out with information they think can help with the case, as well as help them with a family problem. Marti is interested, but can she really trust a stranger? They work together but start to uncover things that are not adding up.
Thoughts: I loved Marti as a main character. She was easy to root for though deeply flawed. I found her relatable and fun to learn about throughout the book. There were so many tiny things intertwined in this book that I felt that there should have been a lot more, or at least a book two! The story was really fast paced and moved quickly throughout this dark and twisted story. It felt like the real process behind doing a true crime podcast that hits close to home.
The ending left me wanting a lot more from the story. There were a few loose ends that never got tied up and made me wish I had more information. It wasn’t necessarily satisfying, and I think I would enjoy a second book with Marti with the main character. All in all, this was a wonderfully written debut and I am looking forward to more books by Chiarella. 4-stars for this one!
Thoughts: I loved Marti as a main character. She was easy to root for though deeply flawed. I found her relatable and fun to learn about throughout the book. There were so many tiny things intertwined in this book that I felt that there should have been a lot more, or at least a book two! The story was really fast paced and moved quickly throughout this dark and twisted story. It felt like the real process behind doing a true crime podcast that hits close to home.
The ending left me wanting a lot more from the story. There were a few loose ends that never got tied up and made me wish I had more information. It wasn’t necessarily satisfying, and I think I would enjoy a second book with Marti with the main character. All in all, this was a wonderfully written debut and I am looking forward to more books by Chiarella. 4-stars for this one!
January 4, 2023
This novel has an implausible plot and an unlikable heroine, but the last part of the story has enough twists to be both interesting and memorable. It’s not enough to make me glad I read it—and I would not have finished it were it not a book club selection this month. I know that by writing such an awful character (and by that I mean that the character is doing some pretty awful things), the author was trying to show the psychological effects of trauma. However, she didn’t get into her character’s mind enough for me as a reader to understand the protagonist’s drug addiction or PTSD; consequently, the heroine just comes off as thoroughly unlikable, and I spent most of my time not really caring what happened next. To be fair, the heroine does grow significantly throughout the story, and I was rooting for her but the end. But it’s really just too bad, because this book could have been so much better. Well-plotted, but the characters deserved more. One memorable aspect of this story is its Chicago setting; it’s a constant element of the story without being too over-the-top, a nice homage to the Windy City. One thing, though: in a novel full of Cubs fans, did you REALLY need to make the villain wear a White Sox t-shirt?
February 17, 2022
Girlfriend could have just gone to therapy but ok
July 14, 2021
Marti Reese is obsessed with finding her missing sister, Maggie.It's been twenty years, and still no sign of her. The only thing keeping her from destroying her own life has been the podcast. Creating a true crime podcast around her sister's disappearance, has brought new attention to the case.
When Ava Vreeland calls with a possible connection to Maggie, Marti has found new hope. Ava's brother is in prison for murder. She has evidence that connects the murder to Maggie, and could possibly free her brother. All she needs is Marti's help to connect the dots. The podcast has the power to expose possible coverups and forgotten evidence.
I'm a huge true crime podcast fan. I don't listen for the gorey details, but to hear how the investigation went and how justice was served. I also find that its important to recognize the survivors of the crime. By survivors I mean the family the victim has left behind. More often then not, they are never mentioned.
In The Lost Girls, we are given a strong female protagonist who has suffered the horrifying loss of her sister. Marti is determined and a fighter, but she is also incredibly self destructive. These traits are common with survivors guilt and PTSD. Its heart breaking to watch her train wreck of a life, and the way she holds on to any piece of her sister. Chinarella's writing is real and raw, making the story an emotional journey.
This book grabs your heart, beats it with a crowbar, and puts it back in your body. I couldnt put the book down. It was smart, witty, thrilling, suspensful and shocking. All the adjectives for this book!
When Ava Vreeland calls with a possible connection to Maggie, Marti has found new hope. Ava's brother is in prison for murder. She has evidence that connects the murder to Maggie, and could possibly free her brother. All she needs is Marti's help to connect the dots. The podcast has the power to expose possible coverups and forgotten evidence.
I'm a huge true crime podcast fan. I don't listen for the gorey details, but to hear how the investigation went and how justice was served. I also find that its important to recognize the survivors of the crime. By survivors I mean the family the victim has left behind. More often then not, they are never mentioned.
In The Lost Girls, we are given a strong female protagonist who has suffered the horrifying loss of her sister. Marti is determined and a fighter, but she is also incredibly self destructive. These traits are common with survivors guilt and PTSD. Its heart breaking to watch her train wreck of a life, and the way she holds on to any piece of her sister. Chinarella's writing is real and raw, making the story an emotional journey.
This book grabs your heart, beats it with a crowbar, and puts it back in your body. I couldnt put the book down. It was smart, witty, thrilling, suspensful and shocking. All the adjectives for this book!
November 24, 2020
Marti Reese has been living under the weight of her sister Maggie’s abduction/disappearance for 20 years. She was the last one that saw Maggie, who vanished after she got into the car with a stranger in their affluent Chicago suburb.
20 years later, Marti is still looking for Maggie everywhere she goes. The possibility of a Jane Doe, who matched her description, turned Marti’s life into a tailspin, destroying her marriage. But through the darkness came a podcast about the revelation and about Maggie’s disappearance, which won a major award and notoriety.
The podcast connects Ava and Marti about another abduction - one that may match and help her find Maggie’s killer at last.
I found The Lost Girls to be a fast-paced, to the point mystery. I’ve read a lot of podcast related novels recently, as that’s the new “thing”, but thankfully that remains on the periphery here.
I enjoyed the authors dive into Marti’s mind and her reasoning behind her actions. I did find that with the introduction of Ava, her descriptions were almost too detailed, compared to that of Marti’s BFF Andrea.
I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
20 years later, Marti is still looking for Maggie everywhere she goes. The possibility of a Jane Doe, who matched her description, turned Marti’s life into a tailspin, destroying her marriage. But through the darkness came a podcast about the revelation and about Maggie’s disappearance, which won a major award and notoriety.
The podcast connects Ava and Marti about another abduction - one that may match and help her find Maggie’s killer at last.
I found The Lost Girls to be a fast-paced, to the point mystery. I’ve read a lot of podcast related novels recently, as that’s the new “thing”, but thankfully that remains on the periphery here.
I enjoyed the authors dive into Marti’s mind and her reasoning behind her actions. I did find that with the introduction of Ava, her descriptions were almost too detailed, compared to that of Marti’s BFF Andrea.
I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
February 16, 2021
What I surmised to be the usual podcast mystery became something else entirely! The twist was unexpected and I was surprised by the conclusion. There was a lot of build up to that point and it kept me riveted. However, I found they conclusion to be overdone and unbelievable. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2023
Honestly felt a little disconnected, it was almost as though we were focused on one story for the first half, but then completely abandoned it for another one in the second half. Many loose ends left untied.
April 27, 2022
Read it for a second time and just as good. I’m so hoping the author puts out a second book to it!
Review to come. This will absolutely be one of the best books I’ve read all year.
Review to come. This will absolutely be one of the best books I’ve read all year.
October 24, 2021
Maybe 2.5 stars. Took me three tries before I got past the first 50 pages. It did get interesting for awhile, but I found the ending hard to believe because so few details were provided.
April 16, 2021
I cannot wait for this book to come out so I can tell everyone to read it. First off, I've read a lot of books that focus on podcasters and following a new season and I am so grateful that Jessica Chiarella does not have chapters with the podcast episodes in it. That is a huge pet peeve of mine in those books and to just follow the story of this one was refreshing.
The description in this book is delightful. Each character is expanded on and you get to drive into all the details you need to paint them in your mind.
Marti is a tortured soul; she's fresh out of a divorce from her college sweetheart, she's moonlighting as a bartender in a goth club, and she's attempting to manage a podcast focused on the disappearance of her sister from over a decade before. While becoming an overnight sensation in the podcast world, she and her business partner/best friend Andrea drum up ideas for season 2. That's when Ava calls with a proposition and a personal one at that. Her brother was convicted of killing his girlfriend years before and Ava is convinced he is not innocent and there may be a tie between the murder and the disappearance of Marti's sister.
This book moves fast in all the right places and slows down when you need more information in others. I cannot rave enough about this writing. Thank you Jessica Chiarella, Penguin Group Putton, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The description in this book is delightful. Each character is expanded on and you get to drive into all the details you need to paint them in your mind.
Marti is a tortured soul; she's fresh out of a divorce from her college sweetheart, she's moonlighting as a bartender in a goth club, and she's attempting to manage a podcast focused on the disappearance of her sister from over a decade before. While becoming an overnight sensation in the podcast world, she and her business partner/best friend Andrea drum up ideas for season 2. That's when Ava calls with a proposition and a personal one at that. Her brother was convicted of killing his girlfriend years before and Ava is convinced he is not innocent and there may be a tie between the murder and the disappearance of Marti's sister.
This book moves fast in all the right places and slows down when you need more information in others. I cannot rave enough about this writing. Thank you Jessica Chiarella, Penguin Group Putton, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2021
I’ve been really loving books that revolve around true crime podcasts.
Twenty years ago Martis sister Maggie disappeared, Marti witnessed it, only eight years old she saw her sister get in a car with an unknown man. Only being eight her memory wasn’t reliable. Marti has never given up hope on finding her sister.
Years later Marti gets the phone call she must come down an identity a Jane Doe. When she sees it’s not her sister she becomes depressed and begins drinking and sleeping around. Her marriage is now ending, but her friend Andrea and her decide to start a podcast talking about Maggie’s case. Her podcast becomes a hit.
Ava Vreeland believes her brother is innocent and that he didn’t murder his girlfriend Sarah. Hearing Martis podcast she believes there’s a connection between her brothers case and Maggie’s case they both were from the same suburban neighborhood. Marti decides to feature Avas brothers case on her podcast and hopefully solve what happened all those years ago.
This was such a crazy twisted mystery I loved it and couldn’t put the book down. The ending blew my mind!! Five stars!!
Twenty years ago Martis sister Maggie disappeared, Marti witnessed it, only eight years old she saw her sister get in a car with an unknown man. Only being eight her memory wasn’t reliable. Marti has never given up hope on finding her sister.
Years later Marti gets the phone call she must come down an identity a Jane Doe. When she sees it’s not her sister she becomes depressed and begins drinking and sleeping around. Her marriage is now ending, but her friend Andrea and her decide to start a podcast talking about Maggie’s case. Her podcast becomes a hit.
Ava Vreeland believes her brother is innocent and that he didn’t murder his girlfriend Sarah. Hearing Martis podcast she believes there’s a connection between her brothers case and Maggie’s case they both were from the same suburban neighborhood. Marti decides to feature Avas brothers case on her podcast and hopefully solve what happened all those years ago.
This was such a crazy twisted mystery I loved it and couldn’t put the book down. The ending blew my mind!! Five stars!!
April 19, 2021
Short and sweet review time…
This is an excellent mystery thriller, and I think it’s one people will be talking about in July when it’s published.
What I Liked 🌿
✨The twists and turns. So much that I was not expecting and did not see coming.
✨The characters. Some of them were deliciously unlikeable and some were woefully sympathetic. All were well-written and convincing.
✨The podcast within the story. I love a good true crime podcast, and the behind the scenes element here was engrossing.
✨The epilogue. It’s brilliant.
What I Struggled With
✨Some of the elements required suspended belief in my opinion.
This was such a suspenseful read, and I could not put it down. I rate it four stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This will be in stores on July 6, and you’re going to want to grab your own copy.
This is an excellent mystery thriller, and I think it’s one people will be talking about in July when it’s published.
What I Liked 🌿
✨The twists and turns. So much that I was not expecting and did not see coming.
✨The characters. Some of them were deliciously unlikeable and some were woefully sympathetic. All were well-written and convincing.
✨The podcast within the story. I love a good true crime podcast, and the behind the scenes element here was engrossing.
✨The epilogue. It’s brilliant.
What I Struggled With
✨Some of the elements required suspended belief in my opinion.
This was such a suspenseful read, and I could not put it down. I rate it four stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This will be in stores on July 6, and you’re going to want to grab your own copy.
June 28, 2021
Marti thought she was keeping her life in control. Until she gets the call that there is an unidentified female in the morgue that could be her sister. You see, Marti's sister was last seen getting into a car at age 16 when Marti was 8. All grown up and still desperate to know what happened to Maggie all those years ago, Marti now produces a crime podcast regarding Maggie's and other lost girls disappearances.
I liked the multiple mysteries going on in the book at one time. I liked some characters and loved to hate others. I didn't entirely believe that Marti could be so productive while drunk or hungover most of the time. I did understand her need to find the truth and was hopeful throughout that she would get some.
Thank you to netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the arc
I liked the multiple mysteries going on in the book at one time. I liked some characters and loved to hate others. I didn't entirely believe that Marti could be so productive while drunk or hungover most of the time. I did understand her need to find the truth and was hopeful throughout that she would get some.
Thank you to netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the arc
August 5, 2021
This was riveting and superbly written. The mystery and characters are well-drawn and complex. I felt heartache and compassion to the main character who lost her sister at a young age and I could personally relate to her pain and difficulty in letting go. Chiarella’s writing skills are phenomenal. The only drawback for me was the loose ending that offered no resolution to one of the main mysteries. I’m sure that the author had it end this way very intentionally but I always find it to be a letdown when things are not wrapped up in these types of books.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Jessica Chiarella for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Jessica Chiarella for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2022
I want to give this book way more credit because I LOVE the plot idea - but the telling of this plot needed to be less anxious, post-adolescent rebellion focused and more about the real world implications of the who-done-it plot line. I really wanted it to be better than it was - and anxiously finished it to see if it improved, but alas…I was disappointed.
December 18, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this crime thriller! Well crafted plot and detailed character development. Highly recommend.
Merged review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this high paced crime thriller! Well crafted plot and great character development. Highly recommend. #netgalley #thelostgirls
Merged review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this high paced crime thriller! Well crafted plot and great character development. Highly recommend. #netgalley #thelostgirls
January 4, 2023
I loved this book bc it takes place in my home state. I also love this book because it’s crime and suspense, it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire read and really surprises you when you finish. At the end of the book, the murderer gets found and you would not expect it. It’s quite traffic for the catching of the criminal so TW.
I hope you can read this book.
I hope you can read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 14, 2021Was not able to finish. It just couldn't hold my interest. Chose not to rate.
October 17, 2021
This book was awesome…and I don’t say that very often anymore. If you’re into true crime podcasts, this one’s for you!
May 2, 2021
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Lost Girls by Jessica Chiarella is an explosive tour de force that blows all of the other thrillers I've read this year out of the water. Marti is a regular woman, unaffiliated with the police, who has been investigating her sister's disappearance for many years and creating a true-crime podcast about it. The podcast becomes a hit, and suddenly, she's hit with clues that may lead her to find out what happened to her sister. Even if the cover and plot sound like something you've read before, I highly recommend that you check out this book. I was completely blindsided by how much I enjoyed this thriller and how much better it was than other thrillers I've read this year. It's so refreshing to see a protagonist who is investigating a case that she has a personal stake in, and even though she's not a police detective, she's actually a competent investigator. This book is also so realistic, from the characters to the plot, and I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Here is an excerpt from the podcast that Marti creates:
"The world is full of lost girls. Scores of them. Girls who disappear into the night, who inject heroin and fall off the map, who love other girls and come home to find their parents have changed the locks. Girls who run away, girls who are taken. Girls full of sin, ones who like boys more than they love Jesus. Girls who are locked in basements and held until they give birth to more girls. The weight of them could drag a fleet of ships to the ocean floor. I know all about them. I’ve made it my business to know.
...
People look for some of them. Sometimes there are police investigations, sometimes candlelight vigils, volunteer phone banks, pleading parents on local news. No one bothers to look for others. If they were rotten or ruined, or from the wrong place, or from the wrong sort of family, they are allowed to slip away. For others still, no one even knows they are gone. Because no one cared for them to begin with. My sister was lucky in that way, at least—she was loved. We looked for her. I don’t think I will ever stop looking."
Overall, The Lost Girls is an absolutely amazing, unputdownable thriller that everyone reading this should put on their to-be-read list. It's also one of those rare books where I could tell from the first chapter that I was going to end up loving it. Looking at the creepy but insightful quotes above, I knew that the author had done her research and knew what she was doing. Then, during the first chapter, Marti ruins a man's drink after he insults her podcast and missing sister without knowing that she was the creator of the podcast. After that, she goes on stage to collect an award for her podcast. I bonded with Marti immediately, and I was rooting for her throughout the book. It's hard to find strong, independent heroines in the thriller genre, and I was thrilled to read this book. If you enjoy reading thrillers, suspense, or mystery novels, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in July!
The Lost Girls by Jessica Chiarella is an explosive tour de force that blows all of the other thrillers I've read this year out of the water. Marti is a regular woman, unaffiliated with the police, who has been investigating her sister's disappearance for many years and creating a true-crime podcast about it. The podcast becomes a hit, and suddenly, she's hit with clues that may lead her to find out what happened to her sister. Even if the cover and plot sound like something you've read before, I highly recommend that you check out this book. I was completely blindsided by how much I enjoyed this thriller and how much better it was than other thrillers I've read this year. It's so refreshing to see a protagonist who is investigating a case that she has a personal stake in, and even though she's not a police detective, she's actually a competent investigator. This book is also so realistic, from the characters to the plot, and I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Here is an excerpt from the podcast that Marti creates:
"The world is full of lost girls. Scores of them. Girls who disappear into the night, who inject heroin and fall off the map, who love other girls and come home to find their parents have changed the locks. Girls who run away, girls who are taken. Girls full of sin, ones who like boys more than they love Jesus. Girls who are locked in basements and held until they give birth to more girls. The weight of them could drag a fleet of ships to the ocean floor. I know all about them. I’ve made it my business to know.
...
People look for some of them. Sometimes there are police investigations, sometimes candlelight vigils, volunteer phone banks, pleading parents on local news. No one bothers to look for others. If they were rotten or ruined, or from the wrong place, or from the wrong sort of family, they are allowed to slip away. For others still, no one even knows they are gone. Because no one cared for them to begin with. My sister was lucky in that way, at least—she was loved. We looked for her. I don’t think I will ever stop looking."
Overall, The Lost Girls is an absolutely amazing, unputdownable thriller that everyone reading this should put on their to-be-read list. It's also one of those rare books where I could tell from the first chapter that I was going to end up loving it. Looking at the creepy but insightful quotes above, I knew that the author had done her research and knew what she was doing. Then, during the first chapter, Marti ruins a man's drink after he insults her podcast and missing sister without knowing that she was the creator of the podcast. After that, she goes on stage to collect an award for her podcast. I bonded with Marti immediately, and I was rooting for her throughout the book. It's hard to find strong, independent heroines in the thriller genre, and I was thrilled to read this book. If you enjoy reading thrillers, suspense, or mystery novels, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in July!
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