A love story. A dark, twisted, evil and sad love story. The Roanoke girls are rich and beautiful but their lives both past and present are revealed to be anything but glamorous. When Lane's mother dies she is welcomed to Roanoke by her grandparents who she had never met. Here she has freedom like never before and a ready made friend in her cousin Allegra. Soon, however disturbing family secrets reveal themselves and life becomes increasingly complex. A story told by alternating from the past and present gradually reveals the awful, ugly truth of The Roanoke girls. At times it makes uncomfortable reading but always gripping and well told.

I have read quite a few reviews of this book where the readers have been shocked and appalled by the subject matter, and while yes child abuse within the family is shocking and dreadful here it almost seemed to lose it's horror. I don't know if that's because that's the experience of living within such a family you lose perspective on what is normal? But the fact the 'secret' of the Girls is revealed so early on and then sort of not referred to very often other than the long term effects it had the horror/shock/tension was kind of lost on me.
In fact I almost felt at times I was reading a family saga - I almost forgot what the 'secret' was at times!

And the 'THEN' narrative was far too distracting from the 'NOW' narrative which was the most interesting. I felt the THEN storyline of the younger Lane could have been outlined in one or two of the flashback chapters which were used for the other family girls.

Also I really wanted to hear more from the Gran and Grandad (I mean what was his motive, it would have been good to read he really was just an abuser or was there other stuff going on?) - the really key characters to what was going on and ignored largely until the end.

But that aside I certainly enjoyed reading and looked forward to opening the book each evening to discover what had happened - happily I had no idea who the murderer was! .

A dark disturbing tale of the Roanoke girls, the story follows Lane switching from past to present, with all the other Roanoke girls having one chapter each. The book is dark and disturbing but draws you in from the first page. A really fantastic read.

Thanks to Net Galley & Hodder& Stoughton for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. What a brilliant read.
The Roanoke girls look like they have everything. A large old family home. grandparents who love them, access to their granddads credit cards for whatever they need or want.
The old house has many hidden dark secrets. The Roanoke girls all seem to die young, what happened to them?, why did Lane's mother & then Lane herself both leave ? What secrets did Allegra & Lane have from the summer they spent together ?
Lane only returns to Roanoke after she receives a phone call from her grandad telling her her cousin Allegra is missing. Lane searches endlessly for clues as to what happened to Allegra and why did she leave her beloved Roanoke, she gets help from her old childhood sweetheart Cooper and Tommy who is a policeman and always loved Allegra.
Granmother loves Grandad so much she looks the other way regarding the many secrets at Roanoke and with the Roanoke girls.
Brilliant read. 5 stars.

I'm not at all sure how to review this novel. The subject matter is unsettling and disturbing, though handles sensitively. The book was well-written. I didn't feel on the edge of my seat and was only surprised with one plot twist. The harrowing nature wasn't particularly shocking given that I'd just finished My Absolute Darling, which I'm assuming is what this book is being pitted against given the subject matter and time of publication; I wonder if I'd have enjoyed this more if I hadn't read that more rounded story. I think the relationship between Lane and Cooper was fascinating and could be a book all of its own.

Although all the plot threads were satisfactorily tied up by the end, for me, the book threw up a number of unanswered questions.

Lane returns to the wealthy Roanoke family home after her mother, Camilla, dies. It's where she spends a summer and where she discovers that beneath the have-it-all façade there lies a seriously dysfunctional family…one she has no desire to be part of. But when her closest ally, her cousin Allegra, goes missing eleven years later, Lane is forced to return.

The book is disturbing and aims to shock…the topic (sexual abuse and incest) is extremely unpleasant…but I became more irritated than shocked by the fact that not one of abusees…and let’s face it, charismatic Grandad ‘has’ just about every female member of the family whatever their ages or generation…reports it or tells anyone else…because Grandad loves them all, they’re all so special. That just didn’t wash with me.

However, despite the chilling and uneasy subject, it is without doubt compelling, riveting and extremely well written. I’ve never read any books by Engel, but her writing is powerful and emotional, and I really enjoyed her style.

Dark, unsettling, a little haunting, sad, twisted, but despite my few niggles, an intense page turner.

I'm not really sure how to review this book. The subject matter was disturbing but maybe I've watched too many episodes of SVU as I didn't find it that shocking. I thought the author handled it sensitively and I found the characters intriguing and engaging but I didn't rush to pick it up when I had time to read.

Not really sure how I feel about this book . So well written with a graphic , difficult subject which made my very uncomfortable at times , this being a testament to the author and her writing skills .. Not sure if I'd say I enjoyed it per say but I certainly discovered a skilful writer and couldn't put the book down

This will be a difficult read for any reader, but especially those who have experienced anything of this nature.

Lane is called back to Kansas when her cousin goes missing. Returning to the place her mother ran from, that Lane ran away from and quite a few other Roanoke girls have run from. There seems to be some reason the women in the family try to escape from the seemingly idyllic ancestral home.

What Engel captures well is the co-dependent relationships in these scenarios. The people and relatives who remain silent, condone and often even facilitate the abuse. She also hits the nail on the head when it comes to the insidious nature of sexual abuse.

In this case it’s grooming in the form of family loyalty, devotion and love.

The reactions of both Lane and Allegra may seem a contradiction at times, however they are a true representation of the complex emotions victims of abuse go through.

To know it’s wrong on a base level and at the same time to crave the love and attention of the abuser, it’s all part of the spider-web of incestuous relationships. In a scenario with multiple children or teens there is also the question of why her/him and not me? Feelings of guilt are mixed with fear, confusion and disgust.

Yates is charming, enigmatic and has all the power in each relationship he has. There is no ugly monster lurking in the shadows or a stranger trying to persuade them into a dark corner. Instead the real monster is a handsome loving father and grandfather. Of course he believes it is just a meeting of the minds and soul-mates. They are simply made for him.

Yes, it is that creepy. At the same time it draws you in, despite the subject matter and the sheer horror of the scenario. The fact that this happens all the time, and isn’t just an outlandish fictional idea, is what makes the plot even more compelling.

The Ranoake Girls is a gripping story about an American family in crisis. The reason for the crisis becomes apparent early on but the circumstances of a cover up over the generations, when one person could have stopped it at source, is truly shocking.

Lane Roanoke returns to her grandparents home when her cousin Allegra goes missing. Has she left of her own accord, has she committed suicide after learning she is pregnant or is there a more sinister reason for Allegra's disappearance? Lane sets out to find out and the narrative is interspersed with flashbacks of the previous time she lived with her grandparents after her own mother's death.

The book is well written and compelling. But some people may find the content of this particular family secret too difficult to deal with. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review The Roanoke Girls.

Interesting and thought provoking read! i would recommend this book. Its creepy and suspensful in all the right parts and had me hooked from the beginning

I enjoyed the writing style and the characters involved, and can not wait to read more from Amy Engel

The Roanoke Girls is a very dark and disturbing, but very well-crafted, novel which grabbed me from the first to last page.

There are uncomfortable moments which I can completely see being a problem for some readers, but I personally really – maybe ‘enjoyed’ isn’t the right word – but I felt it was handled well and I personally found it an interesting and engrossing read.

The characters swing between likable and horrible, but all are flawed in their own ways. I really felt bad for the Roanoke girls; each with their own problems and taken advantage of by someone they should trust, and someone who should care about them the most. There are contradicting emotions presented in this novel, with characters claiming to do just that – love and care for other people – but their actions speak louder than words and, in many cases, do not end well for those involved.

There is an element of mystery in this novel, which I liked, but it’s not the main crux of the storyline; it's more about the relationship between Lane and Allegra and the rest of the family, and those around them.

The Roanoke Girls is a multi layered and well-written novel, and I’d definitely read more by Amy Engel in the future!

"Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die".

Well, where do you begin with this book?? I flew through the story in 1 sitting so it definitely grabs your attention and keeps it right up until the end of the book.
I wasn't expecting it to be incest that was the fatal flaw to the Roanoke girls but it was made fairly obvious early on which i think was a smart move by the author as then it gives the reader the option to keep reading or to walk away from the book. It is a fairly taboo subject and can be uncomfortable reading for some.
It made me think of Flowers in the Attic slightly but I've not read that for years!
This book makes my family feel like the Waltons from Little House on the Prairie in comparison to this family!
For such a hard topic this has been written in such a brilliant way that makes it a gripping read without being to stomach churning or shocking.
The story revolves around Roanoke, a large mansion in Kansas where the Roanoke girls have lived and died or from where they have fled. The story moves between 'Then' when Lane, just 16, is sent there to live with her grandparents after her mother's suicide; and 'Now' when Lane who ran away after one summer there, returns after 10 years following the disappearance of her cousin Allegra.
It also has chapters written in the voices of the previous Roanoke girls which adds extra layers to the darker side of what takes place within the family.
The writing is so compelling that it draws you deeper into the heart of this family and the mystery of missing girl Allegra.
With Allegra gone, Lane is now the only Roanoke girl left, Is she doomed to the same fate as the girls that came before her?
Beautifully written about such a controversial topic, you know what has been happening in the family but without the gruesome ugly details, extreme in parts, though never graphic and it is definitely going to be a book that you remember for a long time.
Not a book for everyone but i would recommend this book highly, Amy Engel is definitely an author to keep an eye on as her style of writing is superb.
Congratulations Amy on such a good book.
This book can be purchased from
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roanoke-Girls-addictive-Richard-thriller-ebook/dp/B01INGSY0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504166162&sr=8-1&keywords=the+roanoke+girls

i read the reviews for this book and wasn't sure i'd like it. i was wrong it gripped me from the start and whilst it's a dark subject matter and doesn't sit easily with me i had to finish it.

the story alternates between the past and the present but does it seamlessly without confusion. the characters are complex but are well written.

I would recommend this book to
anyone. many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the most unique books I've ever read. I'm not sure how long this review will be, purely because it was a very unique story that I don't really know how to review!

The story itself left me with extremely mixed feelings. It was written with such skill and talent to allow you to immerse yourself completely in the story, and to make you have the feelings you do throughout. However the plot was particularly strange. 

Yates creeped me out in the way I know he was meant to and I credit Amy for that, she created him perfectly, and set up the story in the best possible way to get the most accurate response. I also loved the individual chapters that focused on each past Roanoke girl and revealed their history. It was such a great addition to add to the mystery and helped me to gain knowledge of the world piece by piece. It was brilliant.

It was definitely a unique story, and there were many parts I was creeped out by, but I can't say too much without giving away spoilers! But sometimes I was very weirded out by the narrative, as well written as it was!

Overall it was a very well written book that created perfect amounts of suspense in the best way. However at some parts the story was slightly hard to 'like' as such, but I'd definitely recommend the read!

II enjoy reading this book even though, as others have pointed out, the outcome is fairly clear early on. It tells the story of three generations of the Roanoke family who live in a rambling and eccentrically extended house in a small town in Kansas. All the family members are female apart from Yates Roanoke, the patriarch grandfather, heading up the current living members of the family. The book is mainly told in a couple of timeframes: ‘Then’ in 2004 and ‘Now’ in 2015. In 2004 Lane, aged 16 and newly orphaned as her single mother dies, moves from New York City to the Roanoke household as they are her only known family members. There she finds Allegra, a cousin who is almost the same age and bears a striking resemblance to her.

I enjoyed soaking up the arid, hot, remote and rural location that the book was set in but was slightly disappointed about the ending. One of the core tenets of the book is based on the line "Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die". I was hoping to find the outcome of all who ran so was disappointed in the absence of a complete story to tie up a couple of loose ends I still have my head.

It is well-written and kept me turning the pages quickly.

Wow. Just wow. The Roanoke Girls is just so up my alley. I think the last book I read with such a hunger was Karin Slaughter’s The Good Daughter. I didn’t want to work or anything. I just wanted to curl up and read and ignore the world. I was drawn in from the off, and fascinated with the entire book.

I enjoyed the way that the book was written, with the “then” section and then the “now” section, as well as the little snippets of the other Roanoke girls sprinkled throughout. It really created tension, and this dark atmosphere you get sucked into and wrapped up in. Yes, the big ick is revealed pretty early, but that in no way affects the book negatively. In fact, it makes you even more observant on the dysfunctional behaviour you were wondering about before. The Roanoke Girls is really well written and flows, with the reveals slowly but surely painting the complexity of the story.

I really liked the way that Engel created the characters. Each had their own story, and each little flashback revealed some more, and every little section of the present peeled away yet another layer. Allegra is totally different from Lane, yet you can see how the girls are bonded. Allegra has a terrible secret, and is jealous because she knows how things will be, yet she loves Lane. It is very complicated. Add to the mix how the author created their grandfather, Yates, and you are in for an disquieting ride. The man does come across as charismatic and charming and loving, which leaves you with a perverted, sickening, uncomfortable feeling, which is amazing to establish the family ties at Roanoke.

Then there are the side characters, most notably Tommy and Cooper, and that is a whole other kettle of fish. Cooper pretty much immediately swept me off my feet, so I totally got why Lane was bowled over. Not everyone’s cup of tea,  to be sure, but total book crush for me. Their relationship was amazing, and then it was crazy, and I could see the shift of it, even while I didn’t like it. They were both damaged creatures inexorably drawn to each other, and just clicked. Tommy is also the all American boy, the safe kid, the nice guy, but he also has multiple layers to him. These characters having so many layers makes for interesting dynamics, and you are so hooked.

As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed The Roanoke Girls. I just gobbled this book up, it was thrilling, sick and rough and yet there was hope tinging the edges. It had that same dark, twisted vibe as Averil Dean’s The Undoing, a book I liked a lot more than most people did, it seems. I highly recommend this read if you like something a little warped and unsettling, something that peeks into some messed up places.

This is one of the most riveting, disturbing and memorable books that I've read for a long time. The subject matter could be triggering, especially regarding suicide and abuse.

The writing is brilliant, as it evokes the setting vividly and has a strong voice. The plot was thrilling, unsettling and hard to predict, which made for a tense reading experience! There weren't many happy moments to offset the darkness, so I had to be in the right mood to read it.

The characters of the book were very believable, sometimes worryingly so, and the book's structure cleverly peeled back their layers and sometimes changed my opinions as the story progressed.

I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of dark mysteries, though I hope that people keep the trigger warnings in mind.

A really interesting read. It's chapers were based around "now" and "then". The secret was revealed early in the book but this made for a much more interesting and tense read. When one of the girls goes missing more details come to light and I was surprised but very satified with the conclusion.
I would recommend this book as a great holiday read. It did keep me intrigued and it was hard to put down. very well researched. Well done Amy I look forward to more of your work.

The Roanoke girls is a sad , shocking page turner! I enjoyed it but found it to be a dark and unsettling book. Its set in rural Kansas about a farm called Roanoke and the girls who live/have lived there and the dysfunctional family life. It's difficult to explain too much without spoilers. It's dark and twisted and at times made me really sad but there are a few twists and turns that will keep you wanting to know what happens to these girls.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book.