Compelling page turner but but strangely empty for me

• Published: 2023
• Completed: 03/02/2025
• Pages: 346

Sally Hepworth’s novel “Darling Girls” is an extremely easy-to-read thriller, that investigates the discovery of human remains at the childhood foster home of three adult women.

The book’s blurb has a quote from the New York Times that perfectly describes the book:

“A blueprint for how and when to mete out information in a thriller”

Every chapter of Hepworth’s novel ends on a mini cliff hanger. This combined with the generally short chapters, helped me finish the book in just two days. It was compelling, but I felt strangely empty by the end of it. This made me realise that I enjoy novels that focus more on the original expression of every day feelings. Darling Girls is the opposite, dealing more with the functional expression of extraordinary circumstances. It’s a great book, just not my preferred genre.

Typography

Unobtrusive and functional. Appreciated the colophon making explicit reference to the use of Bembo typeface.

Ratings

• Ailsa: 8
• Hayley: 9.5
• Sarah: 8
• Sally: 8
• Steph: 6
• Thành: 6.5

Restaurant

Victoria Hotel (Because the book was based in Victoria, Australia)