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The Quarry Girls
Minnesota, 1977. For the teens of one close-knit community, summer means late-night swimming parties at the quarry, the county fair, and venturing into the tunnels beneath the city. But for two best friends, it’s not all fun and games.
Heather and Brenda have a secret. Something they saw in the dark. Something they can’t forget. They’ve decided to never tell a soul. But their vow is tested when their friend disappears—the second girl to vanish in a week. And yet the authorities are reluctant to investigate.
Heather is terrified that the missing girls are connected to what she and Brenda stumbled upon that night. Desperately searching for answers on her own, she learns that no one in her community is who they seem to be. Not the police, not the boys she met at the quarry, not even her parents. But she can’t stop digging because she knows those girls are in danger.
She also knows she’s next.
Heather and Brenda have a secret. Something they saw in the dark. Something they can’t forget. They’ve decided to never tell a soul. But their vow is tested when their friend disappears—the second girl to vanish in a week. And yet the authorities are reluctant to investigate.
Heather is terrified that the missing girls are connected to what she and Brenda stumbled upon that night. Desperately searching for answers on her own, she learns that no one in her community is who they seem to be. Not the police, not the boys she met at the quarry, not even her parents. But she can’t stop digging because she knows those girls are in danger.
She also knows she’s next.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
36407 people are currently reading
109595 people want to read
About the author
Jess Lourey
50 books4,445 followersMy name is Jess Lourey, and I write about secrets.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,693 reviews
July 8, 2024
The cover says “a thriller” but I was not thrilled.
February 10, 2023
Love when a book reminds me to 'trust but verify' the people around me... because really we don't know anyone. (**inserts awkward laugh after reading this book**) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
A CASUAL TED TALK ON PUBLIC SAFETY FOR ALL MY GIRLIES OUT THERE:
1. Don't be on your phone or have music in your ears when you walk to your car.
2. Be mindful that your ponytail/braid can be used to grab you. Tuck it towards the front.
3. Scream. Fight back. Most kidnappers etc, don't want the women who fight. They're looking for easy targets who will go quietly.
3A. Go for the eyes. Pop an eyeball out if you have to. Just get away.
4. When men bump into you in public, (like literally you're standing still and they bump into you at the grocery store) DO NOT APOLOGIZE. Maybe he's not a freak, but consider they saw you standing there and often purposefully put themselves into your space to gauge your reaction. Women are trained from birth to be meek, and by apologizing, you act as if someone bumping into you is your fault. It. Was. Not. Your. Fault.
5. Always carry your pepper spray, your Birdie, etc. Don't get lazy!
6. Actively seek out self-defense classes or, at the very least, remember to SING (from Ms.Congeniality). If you don't remember... Stomach. In-step. Nose. Groin.(I amend nose to eyes based on what my self-defense instructor taught me back in high school. My dad made my sister and I both take those classes, and I'm eternally grateful!)
.. AND NOW - BACK TO THE ACTUAL BOOK REVIEW:
- After reading The Quarry Girls and being confused for almost 60% of the book as to who was really behind everything, I realized that while the themes presented in Jess Lourey's novel are repulsive and horrific.. they're not shocking exactly?
- Something I appreciated, too, was the historical context at the beginning of the book. I listened to this book as an audiobook while working, and I wasn't expecting to learn so much about serial killers/why we're so interested in them. The fact that most of their victims are women goes a long way to explaining why we gals are so invested in murder podcasts and true crime lol .. we'd like to be prepared as much as possible, I suppose?
- The ending, though? Didn't see that coming really 😱😱😱😱
NOTES:
- Heavy on the trigger warnings in this book, obviously. Abuse in many forms is mentioned and I don't want to give it away to any of my thriller-loving pals, so just be mindful of what you'd expect for serial killer-based novels.
- I don't normally read books like this but this one seemed a little less graphic than some of the others I've read? However, as mentioned previously the topics covered are thematically heavy.
p.s. If you're a man reading this and feel offended that a woman shared personal safety tips and you're rolling your eyes... you should consider why I felt the need to - and why it bothers you so much...
A CASUAL TED TALK ON PUBLIC SAFETY FOR ALL MY GIRLIES OUT THERE:
1. Don't be on your phone or have music in your ears when you walk to your car.
2. Be mindful that your ponytail/braid can be used to grab you. Tuck it towards the front.
3. Scream. Fight back. Most kidnappers etc, don't want the women who fight. They're looking for easy targets who will go quietly.
3A. Go for the eyes. Pop an eyeball out if you have to. Just get away.
4. When men bump into you in public, (like literally you're standing still and they bump into you at the grocery store) DO NOT APOLOGIZE. Maybe he's not a freak, but consider they saw you standing there and often purposefully put themselves into your space to gauge your reaction. Women are trained from birth to be meek, and by apologizing, you act as if someone bumping into you is your fault. It. Was. Not. Your. Fault.
5. Always carry your pepper spray, your Birdie, etc. Don't get lazy!
6. Actively seek out self-defense classes or, at the very least, remember to SING (from Ms.Congeniality). If you don't remember... Stomach. In-step. Nose. Groin.(I amend nose to eyes based on what my self-defense instructor taught me back in high school. My dad made my sister and I both take those classes, and I'm eternally grateful!)
.. AND NOW - BACK TO THE ACTUAL BOOK REVIEW:
- After reading The Quarry Girls and being confused for almost 60% of the book as to who was really behind everything, I realized that while the themes presented in Jess Lourey's novel are repulsive and horrific.. they're not shocking exactly?
- Something I appreciated, too, was the historical context at the beginning of the book. I listened to this book as an audiobook while working, and I wasn't expecting to learn so much about serial killers/why we're so interested in them. The fact that most of their victims are women goes a long way to explaining why we gals are so invested in murder podcasts and true crime lol .. we'd like to be prepared as much as possible, I suppose?
- The ending, though? Didn't see that coming really 😱😱😱😱
NOTES:
- Heavy on the trigger warnings in this book, obviously. Abuse in many forms is mentioned and I don't want to give it away to any of my thriller-loving pals, so just be mindful of what you'd expect for serial killer-based novels.
- I don't normally read books like this but this one seemed a little less graphic than some of the others I've read? However, as mentioned previously the topics covered are thematically heavy.
p.s. If you're a man reading this and feel offended that a woman shared personal safety tips and you're rolling your eyes... you should consider why I felt the need to - and why it bothers you so much...
October 8, 2022
Amazon Prime first read October 2022.
Jess Lourey sets the scene at the start of the book by discussing actual serial killers in Minnesota in the 1970s so what follows is based on a true story.
In the Pantown suburb of Saint Cloud three Pantown girls die, their killers in plain sight and it all starts in the tunnels which connect the basements under the houses. One evening Heather, her sister Junie and friends Brenda and Claude are in the tunnels when one of them opens a basement door. What they see has far reaching consequences. This is just the beginning of a very dark and disturbing tale which exposes small town secrets and lies.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the incredible atmosphere that the author creates. There are parts of it where it raises the hairs on the back of your neck with the tunnels in particular feel very mysterious, menacing and creepy. In addition the quarries provide a similar intriguing backdrop to some of the storytelling as does a small town carnival.
The characterisation is excellent throughout the book with all characters well flushed out. Young teenage Heather is really forced to grow up and face unpalatable truths as she is placed in an unbelievable situations with the dilemma of who she can trust.
This deals with a very difficult topic and it does become disturbing at times although I don’t think the author over does it she just tells us enough to understand the scenarios. The context of the times is done very well too, especially in terms of exploitation of positions of power.
It’s very well written and I genuinely couldn’t put it down although I have knocked off a star as it becomes obvious who some of those involved are quite early on. Other than that it is a rollercoaster read, full of danger and creepiness that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Jess Lourey sets the scene at the start of the book by discussing actual serial killers in Minnesota in the 1970s so what follows is based on a true story.
In the Pantown suburb of Saint Cloud three Pantown girls die, their killers in plain sight and it all starts in the tunnels which connect the basements under the houses. One evening Heather, her sister Junie and friends Brenda and Claude are in the tunnels when one of them opens a basement door. What they see has far reaching consequences. This is just the beginning of a very dark and disturbing tale which exposes small town secrets and lies.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the incredible atmosphere that the author creates. There are parts of it where it raises the hairs on the back of your neck with the tunnels in particular feel very mysterious, menacing and creepy. In addition the quarries provide a similar intriguing backdrop to some of the storytelling as does a small town carnival.
The characterisation is excellent throughout the book with all characters well flushed out. Young teenage Heather is really forced to grow up and face unpalatable truths as she is placed in an unbelievable situations with the dilemma of who she can trust.
This deals with a very difficult topic and it does become disturbing at times although I don’t think the author over does it she just tells us enough to understand the scenarios. The context of the times is done very well too, especially in terms of exploitation of positions of power.
It’s very well written and I genuinely couldn’t put it down although I have knocked off a star as it becomes obvious who some of those involved are quite early on. Other than that it is a rollercoaster read, full of danger and creepiness that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
August 14, 2024
Enjoyed this a lot! I’m surprised to see so many divisive reviews 😮 This had a bit of everything, coming-of-age, tight-knit community & small town secrets, true crime, summer vibes. Definitely a bit of a slower burn but I liked the writing style a lot and plan to read more from Jess Lourey soon
May 30, 2024
started off strong, but really want a fan of the ending
July 14, 2022
Based on true events.
I haven’t read any of the author’s serial books but I have read two of her novels before this one. She has a unique way of disturbing the reader with small town stories set in the recent past (1960s - 1980s) where there is clearly something very rotten in that town. Nothing is overly graphic but your mind fills in the blanks and leaves you feeling extremely discomfited. It’s like an oily film on your skin that you desperately want to wash away.
It’s the summer of 1977 in St Cloud Minnesota. Heather and her two best friends Maureen and Brenda are on the cusp of womanhood, they have formed a band and spend time at the local quarries swimming and sunbathing but everything is about to change. It starts with the abduction of Beth McCain after she finished her shift at the diner. She never turned up at the party that was held at the quarry that night. Sheriff Jerome Nillson wrote her off as a runaway. Heather is already walking on eggshells at home because of her mother’s fragile mental state. Her father, the DA, spends more and more time away from home and Heather is left to care for her 12 year old sister, Junie.
The houses in the part of town they live in, Pantown, are connected by tunnels from their basements as Pantown was developed as worker accommodation for the Pan factory which closed down years ago. The kids often play down in the tunnels. One night Heather, Brenda, Junie and Claude are playing down and Junie opens a door to the basement of one of the houses. What they see there shocks them to their core. It is bad - very bad, but they can’t tell anyone. In this town, people hold their secrets very tightly!
The girls’ band gets a gig at the town fair one night and Maureen doesn’t come home that night. The sheriff again seems disinterested. Heather is feeling more and more paranoid, after all she is technically still a child but rapidly being forced to grow up. Then her friend Brenda disappears and Heather’s fear is displaced by anger at the betrayals of people she should have been able to trust. The truth is a very rude shock and nearly undoes her.
The atmosphere of this book was very menacing and claustrophobic. Parts of it made my skin crawl. It was so well done. I feared for Heather and Junie throughout the story. Heather’s character was fantastic, she was forced to grow up quickly and, despite her fears, she rose to the occasion and she protected her little sister who didn’t realise how much danger she was in. This was a thrilling but very disturbing read and I loved it. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
I haven’t read any of the author’s serial books but I have read two of her novels before this one. She has a unique way of disturbing the reader with small town stories set in the recent past (1960s - 1980s) where there is clearly something very rotten in that town. Nothing is overly graphic but your mind fills in the blanks and leaves you feeling extremely discomfited. It’s like an oily film on your skin that you desperately want to wash away.
It’s the summer of 1977 in St Cloud Minnesota. Heather and her two best friends Maureen and Brenda are on the cusp of womanhood, they have formed a band and spend time at the local quarries swimming and sunbathing but everything is about to change. It starts with the abduction of Beth McCain after she finished her shift at the diner. She never turned up at the party that was held at the quarry that night. Sheriff Jerome Nillson wrote her off as a runaway. Heather is already walking on eggshells at home because of her mother’s fragile mental state. Her father, the DA, spends more and more time away from home and Heather is left to care for her 12 year old sister, Junie.
The houses in the part of town they live in, Pantown, are connected by tunnels from their basements as Pantown was developed as worker accommodation for the Pan factory which closed down years ago. The kids often play down in the tunnels. One night Heather, Brenda, Junie and Claude are playing down and Junie opens a door to the basement of one of the houses. What they see there shocks them to their core. It is bad - very bad, but they can’t tell anyone. In this town, people hold their secrets very tightly!
The girls’ band gets a gig at the town fair one night and Maureen doesn’t come home that night. The sheriff again seems disinterested. Heather is feeling more and more paranoid, after all she is technically still a child but rapidly being forced to grow up. Then her friend Brenda disappears and Heather’s fear is displaced by anger at the betrayals of people she should have been able to trust. The truth is a very rude shock and nearly undoes her.
The atmosphere of this book was very menacing and claustrophobic. Parts of it made my skin crawl. It was so well done. I feared for Heather and Junie throughout the story. Heather’s character was fantastic, she was forced to grow up quickly and, despite her fears, she rose to the occasion and she protected her little sister who didn’t realise how much danger she was in. This was a thrilling but very disturbing read and I loved it. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
October 14, 2022
The Quarry Girls ~ by Jess Lourey is an Amazon Prime’s First Reads pick for the month of October, 2022. I was excited to read this book as the description sounded so alluring, and I had been wanting to read a Jess Lourey novel for quite some time (this was my first). However, this story was not what I expected.
The Quarry Girls is supposed to be based on or inspired by true crime events/serial killers in Minnesota during the late 1970’s. I thought this book would be scary, and maybe even a bit gruesome in parts. It was not scary or creepy. In fact, the main focus seemed to be on young girls being sexually victimized and harassed.
Another issue I had was that this book seemed to be geared towards a younger audience. I definitely think it should be labeled as a YA, if it is not already. The main characters were all young, high school girls and boys. We even had a middle school girl (who was the sister of our main character who was a sophomore in high school).
This was an okay read, just not what I was expecting. I see some others enjoyed it more than I did, so I say give this book a shot- especially if you have Amazon Prime. (2.5 stars)
The Quarry Girls is supposed to be based on or inspired by true crime events/serial killers in Minnesota during the late 1970’s. I thought this book would be scary, and maybe even a bit gruesome in parts. It was not scary or creepy. In fact, the main focus seemed to be on young girls being sexually victimized and harassed.
Another issue I had was that this book seemed to be geared towards a younger audience. I definitely think it should be labeled as a YA, if it is not already. The main characters were all young, high school girls and boys. We even had a middle school girl (who was the sister of our main character who was a sophomore in high school).
This was an okay read, just not what I was expecting. I see some others enjoyed it more than I did, so I say give this book a shot- especially if you have Amazon Prime. (2.5 stars)
January 24, 2023
This was disturbing, but one heck of a mystery thriller. The setting is a small town in Minnesota in the 1970's and it is swamped with secrets. The creepy factor is the sexual victimizing of teenage girls and the other is the mentality of the men doing it! Based on real events, a serial killer is on the loose and some girls go missing.
Heather is the narrator and her friends Brenda and Maureen have gone missing. Her and her friend Junie feel if they had told about a disturbing scene they witnessed, their friends would not be dead, but they are not telling because it entails people they know well in this small town.
The housing complex they all live in connects their basements with underground tunnels, where the kids witness something evil. The area is surrounded by rock quarries and this is where the girls go missing. I enjoyed the reliving of the time period except for the description of women not valued.
This was an Amazon Prime audio! I'm glad I picked it even though some of the scenes in the book are hard to get out of my mind. The author does an excellent job with the subject matter. This book was a first for me and will not be my last.
Heather is the narrator and her friends Brenda and Maureen have gone missing. Her and her friend Junie feel if they had told about a disturbing scene they witnessed, their friends would not be dead, but they are not telling because it entails people they know well in this small town.
The housing complex they all live in connects their basements with underground tunnels, where the kids witness something evil. The area is surrounded by rock quarries and this is where the girls go missing. I enjoyed the reliving of the time period except for the description of women not valued.
This was an Amazon Prime audio! I'm glad I picked it even though some of the scenes in the book are hard to get out of my mind. The author does an excellent job with the subject matter. This book was a first for me and will not be my last.
March 19, 2024
The year is 1977 in the sweltering heat of August where a small town in Minnesota is a place of safety and contentment and everyone knows almost all the people who live there since no-one ever leaves the town even after growing up except maybe going to college. The story centers around four young girls aging between twelve and sixteen years of age whose lives will never be the same after this confusing summer of growing-up. A local girl has gone missing although the police say she probably just ran away but this doesn't damper the spirits of Heather, Brenda, Maureen and Juni because they are oblivious to the news and the happiest they've ever been since they created their own girl's band and are scheduled to perform for two nights at the local yearly summer fair.
The girls couldn't be more excited until two of them see something unbelievably bad that they can't tell anyone about until one of their own group goes missing. As the girls try to process the news their good friend is now a second girl to just suddenly disappear, one of them decides to play detective and what she discovers on her way to the truth will tear apart so many lives in this town plus put her own life in danger since her search had also unveiled there isn't anyone left she can trust to help her because she now understands that her town which once appeared safe, clean and tidy on the outside was just a facade because the inside is filled wth so much deceit, corruption and evil.
This story was so good that it was very difficult to stop reading. This was not a young adult book for teens even though it revolved around young teenagers. I loved how the author captured the atmosphere of what it must have been like growing up in the 70's. References are made throughout the story about music from that era, hair styles, food, tv shows etc. The author "Jess Lourey" just made this story come to life with all the realistic nuances and details that she wove into every page where the reader could visualize everything and everyone until the book's conclusion.
Sometimes, I was just mesmerized by the storytelling and would try to imagine what the experiences were like that these girls were having. There were sweet, happy, loving and fun moments but then there were some very dark, ugly, disturbing, unsettling and so, so sad moments that just took my breath away. The writer uses many cliches throughout the book, sometimes a little overdone but I really didn't mind since it made the story more relatable for the reader no matter what decade one grew up in. "Jess Lourey" captured a picture of small town atmosphere and the emotions of characters better than if you were watching a movie! I will definitely be reading more books by this writer in the future.
I highly recommend this book to all readers unless you only enjoy light reading!
Trigger Warning: There is quite a bit of dark and disturbing subject matter throughout the story. Physical Violence, Sexual Abuse, Rape, Kidnapping,
I want to thank the publisher "Thomas & Mercer" for the opportunity to read this terrific and well-done novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 1/2 ATMOSPHERIC AND REALISTIC 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
The girls couldn't be more excited until two of them see something unbelievably bad that they can't tell anyone about until one of their own group goes missing. As the girls try to process the news their good friend is now a second girl to just suddenly disappear, one of them decides to play detective and what she discovers on her way to the truth will tear apart so many lives in this town plus put her own life in danger since her search had also unveiled there isn't anyone left she can trust to help her because she now understands that her town which once appeared safe, clean and tidy on the outside was just a facade because the inside is filled wth so much deceit, corruption and evil.
This story was so good that it was very difficult to stop reading. This was not a young adult book for teens even though it revolved around young teenagers. I loved how the author captured the atmosphere of what it must have been like growing up in the 70's. References are made throughout the story about music from that era, hair styles, food, tv shows etc. The author "Jess Lourey" just made this story come to life with all the realistic nuances and details that she wove into every page where the reader could visualize everything and everyone until the book's conclusion.
Sometimes, I was just mesmerized by the storytelling and would try to imagine what the experiences were like that these girls were having. There were sweet, happy, loving and fun moments but then there were some very dark, ugly, disturbing, unsettling and so, so sad moments that just took my breath away. The writer uses many cliches throughout the book, sometimes a little overdone but I really didn't mind since it made the story more relatable for the reader no matter what decade one grew up in. "Jess Lourey" captured a picture of small town atmosphere and the emotions of characters better than if you were watching a movie! I will definitely be reading more books by this writer in the future.
I highly recommend this book to all readers unless you only enjoy light reading!
Trigger Warning: There is quite a bit of dark and disturbing subject matter throughout the story. Physical Violence, Sexual Abuse, Rape, Kidnapping,
I want to thank the publisher "Thomas & Mercer" for the opportunity to read this terrific and well-done novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 1/2 ATMOSPHERIC AND REALISTIC 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
September 10, 2025
4.5/5 ★
It has been a while since a slow burn mystery held my attention the whole time. I loved these characters!
I finally picked up this book after it sat on my TBR for years. I’m starting a challenge where I read two books with similar stories back-to-back once per month to see which one comes out on top in terms of rating. Next up is What Lies in the Woods for this comparison. This is a fun way to clear your shelf, highly recommend!
The Quarry Girls is set in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1977, where teenager Heather and her friends spend their summers exploring the quarries, the county fair, and the tunnels beneath the city. When strange disappearances surface, Heather begins to think the dark secret she vowed to keep may be the first clue, even if it shatters her town’s wholesome image. 🏘️
This book was incredibly well written. The characters, the small town, and the 1970s setting all felt vivid and authentic. The mystery was a slow burn that took some time to build, but I never lost interest for a second. At times it was deeply unsettling and dark. My only real complaint is that I predicted every twist early on, so the dramatic reveals lost a lot of their impact for me. I was hoping to be surprised at least once, since everything else was so strong.
I am curious to see if I end up liking What Lies in the Woods more. If you have read both, I would love to know which you prefer! 🔎
It has been a while since a slow burn mystery held my attention the whole time. I loved these characters!
I finally picked up this book after it sat on my TBR for years. I’m starting a challenge where I read two books with similar stories back-to-back once per month to see which one comes out on top in terms of rating. Next up is What Lies in the Woods for this comparison. This is a fun way to clear your shelf, highly recommend!
The Quarry Girls is set in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1977, where teenager Heather and her friends spend their summers exploring the quarries, the county fair, and the tunnels beneath the city. When strange disappearances surface, Heather begins to think the dark secret she vowed to keep may be the first clue, even if it shatters her town’s wholesome image. 🏘️
This book was incredibly well written. The characters, the small town, and the 1970s setting all felt vivid and authentic. The mystery was a slow burn that took some time to build, but I never lost interest for a second. At times it was deeply unsettling and dark. My only real complaint is that I predicted every twist early on, so the dramatic reveals lost a lot of their impact for me. I was hoping to be surprised at least once, since everything else was so strong.
I am curious to see if I end up liking What Lies in the Woods more. If you have read both, I would love to know which you prefer! 🔎
December 16, 2022
I knew it was just a matter of time before this author wrote something equally amazing as Unspeakable Things. 5 stars all the way. Review to come.
December 17, 2022
What a wild ride that was.
This book is based on actual events, and that makes this book so much more difficult at times. As we follow a teenage girls navigate their steps into adulthood, we learn of questionable choices that lead to disastrous consequences.
The story is a suspenseful and heart pounding journey, revealing the darkness that lies beneath the surface of seemingly normal individuals. The build up is superb, sometimes agonizing watching a young teen put things together.
The writing is well done, sometimes a little wordy and the ending could have been slightly better at providing more detail. After all, the book was jam packed with it up until then.....which is why I took off a star. I liked the back and forth perspectives and the way the stories tied in, that was brilliant.
All in all, I'd say it was well worth the read. Highly suspenseful at times, definitely hard to stomach at moments (underage sexual references) but the mystery kept me turning page after page.
This book is based on actual events, and that makes this book so much more difficult at times. As we follow a teenage girls navigate their steps into adulthood, we learn of questionable choices that lead to disastrous consequences.
The story is a suspenseful and heart pounding journey, revealing the darkness that lies beneath the surface of seemingly normal individuals. The build up is superb, sometimes agonizing watching a young teen put things together.
The writing is well done, sometimes a little wordy and the ending could have been slightly better at providing more detail. After all, the book was jam packed with it up until then.....which is why I took off a star. I liked the back and forth perspectives and the way the stories tied in, that was brilliant.
All in all, I'd say it was well worth the read. Highly suspenseful at times, definitely hard to stomach at moments (underage sexual references) but the mystery kept me turning page after page.
January 19, 2023
All three of us felt it, oily black gunk oozing out along with the twangy music and the growling laughs. We’d spied on plenty of parties playing word hunt. This was different. Something bad was happening on the other side of that door.
But Junie didn’t sense the threat. It might have been her age, or her personality. She’d never met a stranger, Dad always said. Or it might be that she was excited to be with us and wanted to show off. Whatever drove her, she acted before I could stop her, dashing across the tunnel, the side of her face glowing from reflected light.
“I’m going to haunt the knob,” she whispered. “Get ready to run.” p54
QUARRY GIRLS by Jess Lourey is about serial killers, for one, vaguely. More stridently, it's a book about childhood rubbing roughly up against adulthood, about innocence being subsumed by...what? Not-innocence, for good and certain, but what else, then?
In these pages, Lourey presents a number of villains to haunt the children's footsteps, and most of them are genuinely terrifying. A few of them are born of and play on ignorance-- stigmatizing cliches that cheapen the novel. The main character is beset by her scarred ear, with secondary characters besieging her over it, as well as her own fragile self esteem. Similarly, her mother clearly means to depict some form of mental illness like bipolar disorder, but Lourey gives this character no other dimension, and takes every opportunity to write her as cruel and burdensome to her family. All these character details feel inauthentic to me. Facial differences and mental illness are not bogeyman unless someone writes them that way. (Additionally, Lourey ends up with too many monsters because of this creative choice; too many conflicts to resolve.)
Beyond this, I found Lourey's style mesmerising. I couldn't stop reading, it was so lovely. The story is really horrifying, and I didn't see the ending coming. I read this with Maddies First Reads Bookclub on IG, and a lot of them figured it out! But I was mystified the whole time. The ending has two halves, sort of. I really loved the first...I'll call it an act. It was super tense, high stakes, I was on the edge of my seat! Suspense kept me turning all the pages.
Rating 3 stars
Finished October 2022
Recommended for fans of thrillers, suspense stories, contemporary fiction, women's fiction
TW bullying, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, physical abuse, violence against children, violence against women, SA, sex with a minor, police, imprisonment, torture, starvation, blood, mental illness, hoarding
But Junie didn’t sense the threat. It might have been her age, or her personality. She’d never met a stranger, Dad always said. Or it might be that she was excited to be with us and wanted to show off. Whatever drove her, she acted before I could stop her, dashing across the tunnel, the side of her face glowing from reflected light.
“I’m going to haunt the knob,” she whispered. “Get ready to run.” p54
QUARRY GIRLS by Jess Lourey is about serial killers, for one, vaguely. More stridently, it's a book about childhood rubbing roughly up against adulthood, about innocence being subsumed by...what? Not-innocence, for good and certain, but what else, then?
In these pages, Lourey presents a number of villains to haunt the children's footsteps, and most of them are genuinely terrifying. A few of them are born of and play on ignorance-- stigmatizing cliches that cheapen the novel. The main character is beset by her scarred ear, with secondary characters besieging her over it, as well as her own fragile self esteem. Similarly, her mother clearly means to depict some form of mental illness like bipolar disorder, but Lourey gives this character no other dimension, and takes every opportunity to write her as cruel and burdensome to her family. All these character details feel inauthentic to me. Facial differences and mental illness are not bogeyman unless someone writes them that way. (Additionally, Lourey ends up with too many monsters because of this creative choice; too many conflicts to resolve.)
Beyond this, I found Lourey's style mesmerising. I couldn't stop reading, it was so lovely. The story is really horrifying, and I didn't see the ending coming. I read this with Maddies First Reads Bookclub on IG, and a lot of them figured it out! But I was mystified the whole time. The ending has two halves, sort of. I really loved the first...I'll call it an act. It was super tense, high stakes, I was on the edge of my seat! Suspense kept me turning all the pages.
Rating 3 stars
Finished October 2022
Recommended for fans of thrillers, suspense stories, contemporary fiction, women's fiction
TW bullying, toxic relationships, emotional abuse, physical abuse, violence against children, violence against women, SA, sex with a minor, police, imprisonment, torture, starvation, blood, mental illness, hoarding
October 26, 2022
Finished reading: October 25th 2022
"The law might not recognize it, but fifteen's a girl and sixteen a woman, and you get no map from one land to the next."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
March 11, 2024
This book was based on true crime but for me it read like a YA novel 3 friends starting to blossom hang out at the local quarry where boys hang out the go swimming, sun bake until one day Beth McCain goes missing her younger sister hangs around like she is part of the group I am not sure what grade in the US schools are to us but primary school is for 5 to12 year olds, it wasn’t scary or have any mystery about the disappearance of Beth just an okay read.
July 12, 2023
This was a DNF for me about 1/3 of the way through. I was just completely bored. The reviews were good, so apparently it’s just me. But I had to force myself to get even that far. I feel like if I kept reading, it probably would’ve gotten better, but I don’t want to feel like I am forcing myself to read a book.
September 9, 2024
This book is such a reminder for why women will always choose the BEAR
The Quarry Girls is situated in Minnesota 1977 and the plot is mostly narrated by Heather who one day is playing games with her friends and ends up witnessing something she wished she'd never seen and from there we follow her being an amateur sleuth when girls in her small rural community start going missing.
Ummm so this book started off really slow for me and i wasn't sure i would stick with it, but eventually it did start to pick up and i was semi locked in.
The book is filled with vile men and boys and young women who cant seem to be their coming of age selves without having to worry about predators.
For me everything was predictable and it didn't feel very much like a mystery, but i was still tuned in to see how all would unravel.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Very atmospheric
➽ Heartbreaking parts
➽ The bravery of one character is what kept me reading
➽ The audio was done well
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽The writing style of the author was so clunky and confusing
➽ Very unlikeable characters (not in a good interesting way)
➽ Repetitive
➽ Read very much YA than an adult thriller it is published as
➽ Holes in the story
➽ Undeveloped storylines/ characters
I didn't love this book but i didn't hate it either. The clunky-ness of the different POV in the same chapter was confusing me to no other and eventually i had to hybrid and listen to the audio while reading it to try and make sense of it all. I also feel like certain behaviors of characters were highlighted but not addressed properly to help us readers understand why they were like that. The actions of Heather was mind boggling and juvenile at the best of times and i kept asking myself why was this not categorized as a YA?
If you can get past the wayward writing and just reading about a whole town of despicable men then you will really enjoy this one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I haven’t seen much hype around this book!
But my mutuals have all rated this highly!
Hoping it’s a phenomenal thriller read! 🤍💛💚
The Quarry Girls is situated in Minnesota 1977 and the plot is mostly narrated by Heather who one day is playing games with her friends and ends up witnessing something she wished she'd never seen and from there we follow her being an amateur sleuth when girls in her small rural community start going missing.
Ummm so this book started off really slow for me and i wasn't sure i would stick with it, but eventually it did start to pick up and i was semi locked in.
The book is filled with vile men and boys and young women who cant seem to be their coming of age selves without having to worry about predators.
For me everything was predictable and it didn't feel very much like a mystery, but i was still tuned in to see how all would unravel.
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Very atmospheric
➽ Heartbreaking parts
➽ The bravery of one character is what kept me reading
➽ The audio was done well
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDNT LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽The writing style of the author was so clunky and confusing
➽ Very unlikeable characters (not in a good interesting way)
➽ Repetitive
➽ Read very much YA than an adult thriller it is published as
➽ Holes in the story
➽ Undeveloped storylines/ characters
I didn't love this book but i didn't hate it either. The clunky-ness of the different POV in the same chapter was confusing me to no other and eventually i had to hybrid and listen to the audio while reading it to try and make sense of it all. I also feel like certain behaviors of characters were highlighted but not addressed properly to help us readers understand why they were like that. The actions of Heather was mind boggling and juvenile at the best of times and i kept asking myself why was this not categorized as a YA?
If you can get past the wayward writing and just reading about a whole town of despicable men then you will really enjoy this one.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I haven’t seen much hype around this book!
But my mutuals have all rated this highly!
Hoping it’s a phenomenal thriller read! 🤍💛💚
November 15, 2022
Nope. Don't waste your time with this one, guys. I struggled and struggled with this book. The story is set in1970s Minnesota, however, it comes off as a whole other country. A poor translation. It was so awkwardly worded and it was jolting. I was intrigued by the murders and the mystery around them but this was a secondary plot to that of the kids and their band and their teenage antics which I didn't care for. It also made the story more of a YA than adult thriller. There was POV jumping and it drove me mad.
This story is so repetitive. It got annoying fast. Every piece of it is jammed into the story as many times as possible from the fact it's 1970 to the anti-men outlook. I'm perplexed as to how so many readers thoroughly enjoyed this, but to each their own.
This story is so repetitive. It got annoying fast. Every piece of it is jammed into the story as many times as possible from the fact it's 1970 to the anti-men outlook. I'm perplexed as to how so many readers thoroughly enjoyed this, but to each their own.
June 24, 2025
Hoy les traigo una novela de la que, sinceramente, esperaba mucho más de lo que me dió.
Esperaba un thriller y lo que me he encontrado es más bien un drama de transición, ya que la protagonista, Heather, siente que tiene que madurar demasiado rápido y antes de tiempo tras lo que le toca vivir. Todo está centrado también en el duro proceso por el que tienen que pasar los allegados de las víctimas y ese miedo por si Heather será la siguiente está siempre muy patente, y, por supuesto, saber quién está detrás de estas desapariciones, algo en lo que Heather intentará ahondar, junto con algunos miembros de su grupo de amigos.
Su autora, Jess Lourey, comienza hablándonos de lo que vivió ella en un pueblo similar y a raíz de algunos hechos que ella misma presenció, creó esta novela con esa base supuestamente real.
Lo cierto es que me lo pintó tan bien que, como digo, me esperaba algo más aterrador, más profundo e impactante, tal y como afirman esas odiosas frases promocionales en las que te la ponen como la novela de suspense más esperada del año, y también algo más original, puesto que el desenlace es muy obvio desde bien temprano.
Nos encontramos con una trama bastante típica, ambientada durante el verano de 1977; pueblo pequeño en el que todos se conocen, en el que cada uno intenta ir a lo suyo sin meterse demasiado en la vida de los demás, donde todos guardan celosamente algún que otro secreto, y donde empiezan a desaparecer algunas jóvenes...
Lo que parecía un verano más durante el que disfrutar de tardes en bicicleta, conciertos, ferias, baños en la cantera y alocadas fiestas, se tornará en algo mucho más siniestro que nadie esperaba.
Será la joven Heather la principal narradora de los hechos, junto con algún capítulo en el que será una de las chicas desaparecidas quien nos irá relatando sus claustrofóbicas sensaciones.
👍🏻 Aún así, es una lectura fresca y ligera perfecta para esta época estival que me parece ideal para aquellos que quieran iniciarse en el género con una trama nada complicada que básicamente se sustenta en valores como la amistad, esa inocencia pérdida de manera tan precoz y con alguna que otra escena algo truculenta.
De resto, me ha parecido una historia más, olvidable, previsible y sin muchas sorpresas, salvo algún momento muy puntual.
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 🖤📚
Esperaba un thriller y lo que me he encontrado es más bien un drama de transición, ya que la protagonista, Heather, siente que tiene que madurar demasiado rápido y antes de tiempo tras lo que le toca vivir. Todo está centrado también en el duro proceso por el que tienen que pasar los allegados de las víctimas y ese miedo por si Heather será la siguiente está siempre muy patente, y, por supuesto, saber quién está detrás de estas desapariciones, algo en lo que Heather intentará ahondar, junto con algunos miembros de su grupo de amigos.
Su autora, Jess Lourey, comienza hablándonos de lo que vivió ella en un pueblo similar y a raíz de algunos hechos que ella misma presenció, creó esta novela con esa base supuestamente real.
Lo cierto es que me lo pintó tan bien que, como digo, me esperaba algo más aterrador, más profundo e impactante, tal y como afirman esas odiosas frases promocionales en las que te la ponen como la novela de suspense más esperada del año, y también algo más original, puesto que el desenlace es muy obvio desde bien temprano.
Nos encontramos con una trama bastante típica, ambientada durante el verano de 1977; pueblo pequeño en el que todos se conocen, en el que cada uno intenta ir a lo suyo sin meterse demasiado en la vida de los demás, donde todos guardan celosamente algún que otro secreto, y donde empiezan a desaparecer algunas jóvenes...
Lo que parecía un verano más durante el que disfrutar de tardes en bicicleta, conciertos, ferias, baños en la cantera y alocadas fiestas, se tornará en algo mucho más siniestro que nadie esperaba.
Será la joven Heather la principal narradora de los hechos, junto con algún capítulo en el que será una de las chicas desaparecidas quien nos irá relatando sus claustrofóbicas sensaciones.
👍🏻 Aún así, es una lectura fresca y ligera perfecta para esta época estival que me parece ideal para aquellos que quieran iniciarse en el género con una trama nada complicada que básicamente se sustenta en valores como la amistad, esa inocencia pérdida de manera tan precoz y con alguna que otra escena algo truculenta.
De resto, me ha parecido una historia más, olvidable, previsible y sin muchas sorpresas, salvo algún momento muy puntual.
https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 🖤📚
October 31, 2022
I love the way Jess Lourey writes about secrets and mystery. I also love that true events have inspired some of her works, including this one. It adds an extra layer of creepy to the story. Her writing is excellent and this book included was so hard to put down until the story was done. Heather and her friend Brenda see a flash of something they shouldn’t but they swear to keep it secret. But when their other best friend disappears, the second girl in a week, they decide they have to share. Heather is determined to find out what happened to her friend even thought he powerful men of her hometown seem content to pretend nothing serious is wrong. This is a story about secrets, family, growing up, and the misuse of power. It’s a great creepy story that I highly recommend.
August 13, 2024
Something about a book based on real events and people resonates with me. This is one of those books that definitely leaves a mark.
This is the first novel I've read by Jess Lourey, and I'm already a fan. She sets a disturbing tone with an impressive mystery behind it. I liked how she created the dynamics of the girls, their complex relationships with their families, and the bond they share from childhood. Their depth made me sympathize with them, and I feel like I know these girls—like I, too, was born and raised in Pantown.
Like the tunnels and basements in each of the houses in the neighborhood, the secrets the people of this town keep are interconnected. A skeleton key opens doors to a shocking truth that could destroy the whole town and its people.
If you pick this one up, you're in for a ride.
This is the first novel I've read by Jess Lourey, and I'm already a fan. She sets a disturbing tone with an impressive mystery behind it. I liked how she created the dynamics of the girls, their complex relationships with their families, and the bond they share from childhood. Their depth made me sympathize with them, and I feel like I know these girls—like I, too, was born and raised in Pantown.
Like the tunnels and basements in each of the houses in the neighborhood, the secrets the people of this town keep are interconnected. A skeleton key opens doors to a shocking truth that could destroy the whole town and its people.
If you pick this one up, you're in for a ride.
November 3, 2022
To begin with, despite there being some dark themes in this novel, I would still classify this one as a thriller geared more toward young adults. I just could not understand the logic of our main character Heather. She continues to wander around alone even after girls her age have gone missing (or, in some cases, turned up dead); she removes critical evidence from a home, making it inadmissible as evidence and only thinking she should have called in an anonymous tip after the fact.
None of the characters are particularly likable, but it quickly seemed apparent that the author dislikes men in general as nearly every male character in this book (even ones who don't play an active role but are merely mentioned) are made out to be either monsters or just "wrong" in some way. An example that immediately springs to mind is when a random man out and about in town tells the girls they should "smile more," and it immediately angers our main character. Honey, given the town you live in, you have more important things to worry about than a random stranger telling you to smile. Even the adults who should have been able to be trusted turned out to be part of the "deep dark secret" in some way (trigger warning, they are exploiting minors). Heck, after Heather uncovers the fact that her father (who until this point has been a reasonable character) had had an affair, he too suddenly becomes a completely different person, basically saying that it was only a matter of time before her recently-found-dead-friend had something like this happen to her since you know her and her mother "both got out of line" once the man in their lives left them. He also takes a threatening tone with Heather declaring himself the man of the house when she doesn't immediately respond in the positive to his declaration that he loves his wife, aka Heather's mom.
Speaking of her, the two mothers heavily featured in this novel aren't much better. Maureen's mother is a hoarder (the author goes into great detail about how there are boxes of stuff piled up in such a way that you have a singular path in and out, and even though there is the smell of dead animal in the house, the sheriff comes in and no issues ever come up about the well-being of the teenage girl who lived there). And Heather's mom? Barely leaves her room anymore (and apparently set Heather on fire at one point, but that's not talked about), and when she does, everyone is "on edge" and waiting for her "to snap." Honestly, I'm still unsure what was supposed to be wrong with her as so many conflicting things were being told. One instance of the confusion is when her mother asks her how things went the night before (at a county fair where Heather's band performed live for the first time), but when Heather tells her mother that she thinks people like it, her mother snaps at her not to brag because it's "unattractive".
All things considered, while the story was interesting enough for a while to keep me reading, at the end of the day, I don't think this is an author I would read more from. However, if the blurb seems like something you would enjoy (especially if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited), then by all means, give this one a try. You may enjoy it more than I did!
None of the characters are particularly likable, but it quickly seemed apparent that the author dislikes men in general as nearly every male character in this book (even ones who don't play an active role but are merely mentioned) are made out to be either monsters or just "wrong" in some way. An example that immediately springs to mind is when a random man out and about in town tells the girls they should "smile more," and it immediately angers our main character. Honey, given the town you live in, you have more important things to worry about than a random stranger telling you to smile. Even the adults who should have been able to be trusted turned out to be part of the "deep dark secret" in some way (trigger warning, they are exploiting minors). Heck, after Heather uncovers the fact that her father (who until this point has been a reasonable character) had had an affair, he too suddenly becomes a completely different person, basically saying that it was only a matter of time before her recently-found-dead-friend had something like this happen to her since you know her and her mother "both got out of line" once the man in their lives left them. He also takes a threatening tone with Heather declaring himself the man of the house when she doesn't immediately respond in the positive to his declaration that he loves his wife, aka Heather's mom.
Speaking of her, the two mothers heavily featured in this novel aren't much better. Maureen's mother is a hoarder (the author goes into great detail about how there are boxes of stuff piled up in such a way that you have a singular path in and out, and even though there is the smell of dead animal in the house, the sheriff comes in and no issues ever come up about the well-being of the teenage girl who lived there). And Heather's mom? Barely leaves her room anymore (and apparently set Heather on fire at one point, but that's not talked about), and when she does, everyone is "on edge" and waiting for her "to snap." Honestly, I'm still unsure what was supposed to be wrong with her as so many conflicting things were being told. One instance of the confusion is when her mother asks her how things went the night before (at a county fair where Heather's band performed live for the first time), but when Heather tells her mother that she thinks people like it, her mother snaps at her not to brag because it's "unattractive".
All things considered, while the story was interesting enough for a while to keep me reading, at the end of the day, I don't think this is an author I would read more from. However, if the blurb seems like something you would enjoy (especially if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited), then by all means, give this one a try. You may enjoy it more than I did!
November 28, 2022
I will not lie, as much as I love Jess Lourey, The Quarry Girls took me a LONG time to get into. I don't know if it was my mood or what, but after a very chilling and informative author's note, it took a good half of the book for me to really get invested in the story and characters. However, once I finally did feel immersed in the story, I ended up loving it and I especially loved the way Lourey ended things. I am a Minnesota native living in Colorado, and I had no idea of the serial killers that were terrorizing Saint Cloud prior to my being born. As with many others, I am fascinated by what makes these people tick, and it is terrifying to me that out of the 3 the author mentioned, one was never caught. We can only hope that person is gone and buried! I digress, but that really set the tone for this disturbing and bone-chilling book.
The Quarry Girls is told through the eyes of teenagers which gave it a young adult feel to me, and honestly, it read more like YA than adult to me in general. My heart broke for the women in this book and reading from Heather’s POV made her fear feel very very real. I would like to think the audiobook helped with that, and even though the narrator (Jess Nahikian) wasn’t my favorite ever, I still appreciated what she did for the story. I will note that there are definitely triggers galore, so I would recommend checking out the TWs prior to picking this up. Although it was a dark and emotional story, the ending did give some hope for the future. Not everything worked out the way I would have liked to see, but it felt very true to life and the plot which is something. If you like dark storylines and serial killers, I would definitely add The Quarry Girls to your list. Bonus, it is a KU title both for the eBook and the audio!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The Quarry Girls is told through the eyes of teenagers which gave it a young adult feel to me, and honestly, it read more like YA than adult to me in general. My heart broke for the women in this book and reading from Heather’s POV made her fear feel very very real. I would like to think the audiobook helped with that, and even though the narrator (Jess Nahikian) wasn’t my favorite ever, I still appreciated what she did for the story. I will note that there are definitely triggers galore, so I would recommend checking out the TWs prior to picking this up. Although it was a dark and emotional story, the ending did give some hope for the future. Not everything worked out the way I would have liked to see, but it felt very true to life and the plot which is something. If you like dark storylines and serial killers, I would definitely add The Quarry Girls to your list. Bonus, it is a KU title both for the eBook and the audio!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 24, 2023
I do not understand the title of this book. Yes they went to the quarry a couple of times, but the quarry played absolutely NO role....So minus 5 points (-5)
This book started off strong, I was even digging the 1970's vibe, like all the references to the music, fashion and hilarious TV dinners they consumed. I believe Lourey did a nice job of building anticipation for the reader, like I knew something "bad" was about to happen. Every 5th chapter or so she would throw in a "Beth" chapter where we read from the POV of Beth who has been kidnapped and is being held captive in a basement. Ironically I felt the most for her character and was more intrigued with her story than anything else.
Well all this building and building in anticipation just seemed to drag on to long for me. Early in the novel it became clear to me what was going on. Without going into specifics but to summaraize this books, which seems to be a common theme recently in books I have read:
-Men are bad pigs
-Men are constantly sexually assaulting women
-Police are evil and will not/ cannot help because they "have each others backs"
-Priest are pedos
-Teenage boys become all of the above.
The MC Heather was a relatively boring character herself. I felt like she tried to do this whole pity party thing and she had this weird thing with her dad. It is like she tried to be the wife (granted mom had two too many cocoa puffs her cereal bowl) but Heather really put her dad on this weird pedestal...
Lots of just creepy vibes (not creepy ghost...like Fu Man Chu mustache, polyester bell bottom pants and velor jacket wearing men creepy....)
This was a pretty boring read...not sure what all the hype was about...Not Groovy!
This book started off strong, I was even digging the 1970's vibe, like all the references to the music, fashion and hilarious TV dinners they consumed. I believe Lourey did a nice job of building anticipation for the reader, like I knew something "bad" was about to happen. Every 5th chapter or so she would throw in a "Beth" chapter where we read from the POV of Beth who has been kidnapped and is being held captive in a basement. Ironically I felt the most for her character and was more intrigued with her story than anything else.
Well all this building and building in anticipation just seemed to drag on to long for me. Early in the novel it became clear to me what was going on. Without going into specifics but to summaraize this books, which seems to be a common theme recently in books I have read:
-Men are bad pigs
-Men are constantly sexually assaulting women
-Police are evil and will not/ cannot help because they "have each others backs"
-Priest are pedos
-Teenage boys become all of the above.
The MC Heather was a relatively boring character herself. I felt like she tried to do this whole pity party thing and she had this weird thing with her dad. It is like she tried to be the wife (granted mom had two too many cocoa puffs her cereal bowl) but Heather really put her dad on this weird pedestal...
Lots of just creepy vibes (not creepy ghost...like Fu Man Chu mustache, polyester bell bottom pants and velor jacket wearing men creepy....)
This was a pretty boring read...not sure what all the hype was about...Not Groovy!
January 12, 2023
UGH. This is the kind of book that makes me hate the author because the writing is just SO DAMN GOOD. It makes me infuriatingly jealous and also incredibly awestruck. What a ride. I devoured this book in just a few days. I was wholeheartedly obsessed. I love when a book pulls me in from the start and makes me so desperate to know what happens that I stay up past my bedtime. This will be one of my top reads of 2023 for sure!
July 9, 2025
It’s 1977 in a small section of town in Saint Cloud, Minnesota called Pantown where girls are going missing. Back when Pantown was being built, there were tunnels between each house in order for the workers to get to the factory in inclement weather amongst other reasons. Now they are defunct and just mainly used by the teenagers to get around and play games or snoop. One day while messing around in the tunnels, Heather and her friend Brenda stumble upon something that they shouldn’t and decide to keep it to themselves. The next day, their friend Maureen goes missing. Heather takes it upon herself to try and find her as the sheriff considers it at that point a runaway.
I thought this book was going to be more gritty than what it was considering the topic and based on the blurb . What I ended up getting was a teenage sleuth investigating the disappearance with her little sister. I think this works great as YA which is why I rated it three stars. Personally though I feel like it’s more of a 2.5.
As in aside …I did enjoy the history of the tunnels which I promptly googled, and the tunnels are definitely there. I personally find that the creepiest part of the book. I can honestly say I wouldn’t want my house connected to somebody else’s house via the tunnel.
I thought this book was going to be more gritty than what it was considering the topic and based on the blurb . What I ended up getting was a teenage sleuth investigating the disappearance with her little sister. I think this works great as YA which is why I rated it three stars. Personally though I feel like it’s more of a 2.5.
As in aside …I did enjoy the history of the tunnels which I promptly googled, and the tunnels are definitely there. I personally find that the creepiest part of the book. I can honestly say I wouldn’t want my house connected to somebody else’s house via the tunnel.
October 18, 2022
Part coming of age, part whack-you-in-the-throat thriller, this gripping, pacey story is unique and wonderfully twisty, leaning into our worst childhood fears and telling a tale of secrets as dark as the tunnels the characters explores. Urgent, unsettling, and sharp as a knife, The Quarry Girls is about a small town filled with big secrets, about betrayal, and about a buried-truth that’s about to come to light.
Narrated by the intensely likeable Heather Cash, a young drummer who, with her bandmates, navigates the treacherous waters of impending womanhood one deadly summer. The prose is haunting and elegant, the story beautifully told. This one absolutely shines!
Narrated by the intensely likeable Heather Cash, a young drummer who, with her bandmates, navigates the treacherous waters of impending womanhood one deadly summer. The prose is haunting and elegant, the story beautifully told. This one absolutely shines!
September 4, 2022
Jess Lourey's book The Quarry Girls is fiction based on chilling true events. This is a gripping story that took place in Minnesota in 1977 when teenage girls disappeared and the police were hesitant to fully investigate the crimes. Heather is determined to find her missing friends, but will this place her in the path of danger?
The Quarry Girls is atmospheric and mysterious. Teenagers having a fun summer become involved in a scary world of deception. Knowing this is based on a true story adds credibility to the intriguing plot. If the police are unwilling to help, to whom do you turn?
The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey is available on November 1st. This is an embracing story that needs to be told. Kudos to Jess Lourey for writing this twisty account of the events that transpired.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for sharing such a shocking book with me. Your kindness is appreciated! (4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
The Quarry Girls is atmospheric and mysterious. Teenagers having a fun summer become involved in a scary world of deception. Knowing this is based on a true story adds credibility to the intriguing plot. If the police are unwilling to help, to whom do you turn?
The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey is available on November 1st. This is an embracing story that needs to be told. Kudos to Jess Lourey for writing this twisty account of the events that transpired.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for sharing such a shocking book with me. Your kindness is appreciated! (4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
April 25, 2024
4,0 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
![Profile Image for [̲̅K̲̅][̲̅a̲̅][̲̅t̲̅][̲̅i̲̅][̲̅e̲̅] (semi-hiatus).](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1741628052i%2F159571314._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 10, 2024
The authors note told a story of a girl growing up in a town that was overrun with serial killers at the time she was growing up. That fear and restlessness is spun so well into the following story that I almost would have thought it was an autobiography.
“in the future, you might not want to wear so much makeup. You don’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention.” Maureen’s shoulders tightened. “Why don’t you tell them to stop looking instead of us to stop shining?”
The women in this story were flawed and real and the men were terrifying and also unfortunately seemed real. Except for Claude-rhymes-with-howdy 💝 There were a few parts were everything seemed to line up too well and things felt a little unbelievable but I enjoyed this book so much and I thought it was a really good coming of age story.
“in the future, you might not want to wear so much makeup. You don’t want to attract the wrong kind of attention.” Maureen’s shoulders tightened. “Why don’t you tell them to stop looking instead of us to stop shining?”
The women in this story were flawed and real and the men were terrifying and also unfortunately seemed real. Except for Claude-rhymes-with-howdy 💝 There were a few parts were everything seemed to line up too well and things felt a little unbelievable but I enjoyed this book so much and I thought it was a really good coming of age story.
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