An exceptional read, I couldn't put this book down! Definitely one of my favourite reads this year, was lucky enough to be part of the blog tour.

This is what drew me in.....

“ 500 years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death

30 years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace

Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide”

The hype worried me though.

Was I going to go in with high expectations? Of course.
Was I prepared I might be let down? Of course.
But in the back of my mind was ‘this is C. J. Tudor. I’m going to enjoy it at least I love her writing style.

I wasn’t prepared for it to blow my socks off though!

Rev. Jack Brooks.....first I thought was a male, nope, female. She has a daughter too named flo.

Having to move for personal reasons you get to learn about later, the end up in a small community. Like most small communities they are close and guarded. This one is of no exception.
Superstition, Ancient times and history good and bad are impacted on lives in this community.
Rev. Jack soon discovers she’s the ‘outsider’.

Flo her daughter is ok but finds the transition in life (said to be temporary) difficult. She has her camera. No wi fi ......yet.

As with any ghosts they soon can come back to haunt you when not laid to rest.
That’s for Jack herself AND the passing of time where she’s living.

This story haunted me in many ways, day and night I was eagerly finding every chance to “get back to my book”.
For me, this book never lacked. Or lagged. It embraced all of my reading passion and I devoured it in hunger. Tasting and digesting every word.

The ending was a surprise to me.

I really loved this book in it’s entirety.

Anyone who wants a thriller book to get their teeth into, to get lost between its pages, this is it.
Actually, anyone who just loves a really good tale, you will love this.

Loved the chalk man and loved this one too! Such a creative author and one who always has me on the edge of my seat, excited to see what comes next!!!! Fantastic book which I devoured in one sitting, you will not be disappointed!

Many thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Michael Joseph UK, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

OH MY GOD!!! What in the world did I just read?
I mean, c’mon guys I knew I was gonna get a gripping thriller;
I knew I was in for a roller coaster ride;
I knew that once I begin this story the outside world can go for a toss but I am not gonna lift my head,
and then there was me biting my nails worrying if my over-expectations are gonna spoil the reading fun for me.
But what I didn’t expect is it to be so spectacular, so utterly riveting that UNPUTDOWNABLE can be equated with THE BURNING GIRLS!

It is so unbelievable that all of a sudden there’s this phenomenal writer called C J Tudor whose mastery with words creates these out of the world stories that I can’t help but wonder as to where in the world was this writer all this while? It is, I think, not even 5 years that C J Tudor arrived into the world of fiction, and what a dramatic entry it turned out to be with The Chalk Man that was inspired by a box of colored chalks that was given to her daughter as a gift.

The Burning Girls has mystery and not just one mystery but 3 or maybe 4 storylines running in parallel and ending with an epilogue that had me staring goggle-eyed at my kindle. There’s the mystery of the 500-year-old Sussex martyrs with the tradition of the burning twig dolls, then there’s the mystery of the missing girls 30 years ago, the mystery of the vicar who everyone believes committed suicide 2 months ago but doubt remains if it really was suicide and then there’s a voice, a voice that talks about irreparable damage done, who talks about seeking forgiveness and controlling anger and all that which feels like the ramblings of a mad man.

Chapel Croft is not a sleepy village as expected by Reverend Jack brooks and Flo when they arrived from Nottingham, the churning and sinister currents flowing underneath hide a miasma of evil that is waiting to reach its zenith. As Flo sees visions of the ghostly girls, Jack has to fight against not just prejudices but closed mindsets, ancient beliefs, and traditions.

The author has always been exceptional in creating an atmosphere of gloom and eerie chills with places and here, it’s no different. Every single description is so vivid and images so crystal clear that I could hear the creaking doors of the church. What I do admire about her writing is just not that atmospheric feel but the smooth writing encompasses a lot of humor, Jack’s inner thoughts are crackers, and the communication that flows between Flo and Jack outstanding.

I don’t think I have to say anything more, just can’t wait for the next by C J Tudor. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, and Twitter.

Reverend Jack Brooks, and her 15 year old daughter, is temporarily posted to Chapel Croft, a village steeped in history, and not all of it good. On arrival, she is mysteriously left an exorcism kit and thinks she sees ghostly apparitions. Her predecessor committed suicide and Jack feels she must get to the bottom of what is going on in this tight knit community where silence seems to be the order of the day. Coupled with a blast from her own past looking to catch up with her, she must remain one step ahead at all times.

I enjoyed this book. At times I felt like there wasn't a whole lot going on, but it did maintain my interest throughout which I am glad of, as the twists and turns towards the end I did not see coming!

This is not a scary read but it is definitely tense and suspenseful and has a great ending that will have you questioning everything you read! If you enjoyed The Chalk Man, you will definitely enjoy this 4/5

Creepy, Spooky and bringing all the chills - yes, that is what I expect to happen when I pick up a book written by C.J. Tudor.

And yet again, I have not been disappointed by The Burning Girls - truly a trip down the rabbit hole of terror.

This is Caz's fourth book and I love it - Reverend Jack Brooks has the ultimate job, being not only a friend to the lonely, but needing to be a counsellor and healer too. And despite her own issues and recent adventures in life, she's moved to a new community to start afresh and yet, someone doesn't want her to be able to do this. Someone is leaving burning girls - small stick figures for her to find. The church she's been moved to, is the site of the Sussex Martyr's - 6 adults and 2 young girls who were burned alive there and its said their ghosts haunt the church. Then 30 years ago 2 teenage girls went missing Merry and Joy - she's wondering where she's been moved to, as the quiet country village is turning out to be just the opposite.

Jack has quite literally been flung from the frying pan into the fire here. Because when Flo her 15 year old daughter starts seeing the girls, She's left a exorcism kit and her predecessor killed himself, she's got to solve this, before anyone else goes missing, gets hurt or sees mysteriously ghostly beings. This isn't what she signed up for when she moved to Chapel Croft.

The villagers know more than they are letting on, and the deeper Jack digs, the more secrets come flooding out. Jack has found people reveal more to a Priest, they think their words can go no further, will be forgiven. But Jacks not just forthright in being a female vicar, also in her actions and beliefs. So righting those wrongs is high on her agenda.

Yet more brilliantly written characters, not just in Jack but teenage Flo and her cohort - the mentions of mental illness, and teenage angst are captured perfectly and bring this book into the realms of reality. The references to the 80's with film quotes from some of my favourite films and bands are always welcome and hugely enjoyed too. I love the way Caz writes, dark and enticing, spooky and thrilling all at the same time.

All in all, it makes The Burning Girls a must read and a recommended 5 cob web covered stars from me.

I loved The Chalk Man, so was very excited when I got the opportunity to read The Burning Girls. As with The Chalk Man, Tudor slowly envelops you with an immediate sense of unease and foreboding. This uneasiness builds and creeps around throughout the book as some dark and sinister events occur.
Tudor is a master of walking the line between horror and suspense and you question throughout what really is happening. We get to see the many aspects of the dark and sinister history and present of the sleepy countryside village and those who linger within. It's all pulled together very well at the end with a thumping twist.

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

"Why do we hate our girls so much that history echoes with their screams and the earth is pitted with their unmarked graves?"

Chapel Croft has a sprawling history of tragedy, beginning with the burning of martyred girls, 800 years ago, and ending with the death of its last vicar, mere weeks ago. It's rural setting and insular surrounding village means this history will never be forgotten. It may, however, be altered in public record to protect the families still residing there.

Reverend Jack Brooks has her own dark past to match this new chapel she presides over. She isn't anything like the figure her parishioners imagined her to be, starting with her gender, but she won't allow that to stop her infiltration to village life. In doing so, however, she unwittingly discovers who really has power over this secluded society of people and sets a new goal to discover just what they are working so hard to protect. And why her church is at the centre of it.

This entire book was creepy, tense, and full of multiple mysteries. The village history was littered with unsolved cases and when each was explored, more chilling discoveries were unearthed at their hearts. Jack also had her own history of tragedy and violence and her past was excavated concurrently with those of her new surroundings.

I remained very impressed with this horrifying thriller, throughout. I was engaged in every scene of action and my heart ached for each new tragedy that befell the village inhabitants. There was much evil to be found within these pages, but also much heart. The two worked together to deliver a frightfully realistic and horrifyingly tense series of events.

The Burning Girls was every bit as haunting, fast paced and exciting. I love C.J. Tudor and thoroughly enjoyed this.

Reverend Jack Brooks accepts a new posting in the remote English village of Chapel Croft. It was arranged that Jack and her teenage daughter Flo would move there after a scandal with a young girl at the previous parish. Chapel Croft has a dark history surrounding "the burning girls"- protestants who were burned at the stake five hundred years ago. More recent tragedies involve the disappearance of two local girls, and the death of the previous vicar. Jack finds out that the vicar had been on the brink of discovery related to the case of the missing girls, and she takes it upon herself to get to know the inhabitants of the village (some dark and sinister themselves) in order to find out what happened.

This grabbed me from the first page!! The short chapters, the alternate points of view, the twists and turns. Just incredibly enjoyable and genuinely kept me guessing. And that ending! I was shocked and had to flip back to read a few paragraphs again! I would highly recommend this thoughtful, twisty, well-crafted thriller!

It's another hit from this amazing author. I've absolutely loved everything that I've ever read by C.J. Tudor and whenever I see that another book is about to be published, I'm always sitting on the edge of my seat in excitement and expectation.

This may not have been my all time favourite read by this author, but what I always love about her books is how amazingly well she manages to mingle elements of mystery, psychological thriller, paranormal and even sometimes a smidgen of horror. This may put some people off, but don't let it. The paranormal / horror elements are so extremely well done and they only ever really exist in the background. I honestly believe that even people who have an aversion to those types of novels will enjoy C.J. Tudor's books.

This was another cracking, complex read. In typical Tudor style, many genres were represented in this story and at the end of the day, that fact delivered a murder mystery / psychological thriller with a difference. If, like me, you're starting to get a little bored of the typical thrillers that we see so often these days, then this will be the read for you. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and of course, I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next.

Now this had me engrossed from the first chapter. A truly gripping, suspenseful read that left me on the very edge of my seat numerous times.

C.J Tudor just seems to have this magic power with words, they float into your head and worm there way deep into your brain so that even when you've put the book down your going over everything you have read and then having to read more to find out what happens next.

There are so many twists and turns I was constantly trying to guess not only the outcome but what was going to happen just a few pages ahead... I failed miserably 🤣

The characters are extremely well written with not only one female lead in the Reverend Jackie (Jack) Brooks but also in her Daughter Florence (Flo).. There are alot of characters in this story but they are all, in my opinion, vital to the plot as have you second guessing who can be trusted and who is hiding something!

It is a dark book with some quite deep bullying references but once again the issues brought up aren't there just as 'fillers', they are integral to the plot and adds to the topic within of protecting our children . As a mother myself it did actually make me sit back for a few minutes and relate to this part of the storyline. (No spoilers)

If you've enjoyed the authors previous novels then I have mo doubt you'll enjoy this just as much.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the ARC.

The author just gets better as she writes more books. This one has a great twisted ending that you don’t see unfolding until it hits you smack between the eyes.

This was a seriously compulsive read for me, like most of C.J. Tudor's books. I did guess one of the main twists not long after starting the book, but I'm willing to forgive that because I enjoyed it anyway. It's the sort of book that's ideal for reading on a cold night, with a drink and a snack.

After a horrific event at her old parish Reverend Jack Brooks is given the opportunity of a fresh start in Chapels Croft. But this is an odd village. Ancient history and superstitions still thrive, secrets and mistrust are rife. At first Jack is sceptical of the legend of The Burning Girls, killed over 500 years before, who are said to appear to people in danger. But when her daughter Flo sees them Jack has to face both the village ghosts and some of her own.

CJ Tudor has become one of my favourite writers. She's often compared to Stephen King. There are many horror writers that get this comparison. Usually wrongly. But Tudor is definitely a contender for the crown. She definitely writes great stories but where the comparison is wrong is Tudor writes better endings! Brilliant from start to finish.

Burning girls

What an interesting plot idea! I’ve been busy with work recently so I kept putting this book off until I could give it my full attention. And I’m glad I did..

It’s amazing! Jack is a funny, likeable character and I thought she was incredible. Then you have Flo! Another fantastically written character. C.J Tudor has such an amazing way with words!

There’s a sense of unease and dread. Action from page one but as you start to build towards the middle of the story you can really feel your heart pound.

And it should! The conclusion blew me away, I had no idea it was coming...but it was perfect! Although I wasn’t a fan of the end twist personally.

A strong 5/5. You need to read this!

The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor is a brilliant yet unsettling read.

Right from the beginning, I could sense that the situation is not hunky-dory. Jack arrives at Chapel Croft as the new vicar, hoping to leave her troubled past behind. The village of Chapel Croft is a tightly-knit community. Everybody pokes his nose into everybody’s business. Naturally, Jack has to face their inquisitive stares and their condescension since she is a female vicar.

However, as the story progresses, it becomes sinister. The tightly-knit community soon turns out to be a claustrophobic one with the usual prosperous families calling the shots. You do not bow to them; you are treated as an outcast. Tough diktat for Jack to follow since she is an independent and a strong woman.

Till 37%, the pace is slow. Tudor takes time to set up her characters and the surroundings. It is after 50%, that the book is unputdownable. The chapters end in cliffhanger-bombs. I had no choice but to continue reading till late in the night.

‘The folklore says the burning girls appear to those in trouble.’
Tudor did a wonderful job of making me question whether this book was crime fiction or horror. You have got to read it yourself to find out.

The beginning is intriguing. The ending is phenomenal.

Each passing chapter peels the layers of the mystery and poses more questions.

With a cocktail of bullies, parental neglect, and psychopaths, the book kept my attention till the end. I also liked reading the perspectives of both Jack and her daughter, Flo. I was worried for both. With the ominous atmosphere that the book created, I was not sure if Jack and Flo would survive unscathed. Once more, you got to read the book to find out what happens.

This is the first time I am reading Tudor’s work. I must tell you she is an excellent writer. The Burning Girls will be topping the Best Books of the Year Lists of many readers.

To sum up, I loved The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor. This is my first 5-star read of 2021. Highly recommended to fans of thrillers.

Well, C.J. Tudor has done it again! What a fantastic story The Burning Girls is!

In this story we meet Jack and daughter, Flo. Newly arrived in Chapel Croft and looking for a new start. However things aren’t going to be that simple. Before long there are strange occurrences that can’t quite be explained and dark secrets look set to be exposed in this close-knit community.

The characters in this book had me enthralled from start to finish. Although let’s be honest C.J. Tudor accomplishes this in all of her books. Jack is not your ordinary, run of the mill vicar and I loved that. Then add in the relationship with daughter, Flo and I enjoyed every interaction between this duo. Even the minor characters brought something to this story whether it be a menacing presence or a mysterious edge.

I do love a dark story with an eerie touch and The Burning Girls captured that essence perfectly. With a solid, twisty plot and a hint of the paranormal. It just worked so well! I have to mention that I do love a cold case. So the mystery surrounding the two missing teenagers from 30 years ago also easily grabbed my attention. The past and present collide spectacularly in this book with a creepiness that increased throughout. The location itself added an eerie atmosphere especially with its ominous past.

The Burning Girls is full of surprises and at its heart is a mystery that held such intrigue. With every turn of the page all the little details came together to create those all important twists. Some that caught me a little off guard and some that hit like a ton of bricks when everything became shockingly clear.

The Burning Girls really is a brilliantly crafted story. One that had me questioning everything. Dark and twisty. I loved it!

This is the third book I’ve read now by this author and again it was a very enjoyable experience.
Jack is a vicar and after an unfortunate incident at her last parish, she and her daughter Flo find themselves temporarily relocated to the sleepy countryside, a small village called chapels cross.
The area is steeped in local history and home to the Sussex martyrs eight villagers who were burnt at the stake back in the 1500s, The legend goes if your in trouble they will appear as a warning.

This one had a lot going on and is full of twists and turns some I didn’t see coming until they hit me head-on.
It had such an ominous and mysterious air that shadowed the whole event as Secrets are revealed in breadcrumbs and the truth is finally uncovered.
Genre-wise this was mostly a psychological mystery with some slight spooky aspects thrown in, but it’s the suspenseful and intricate story-telling that’s the main draw with this one and this is done very expertly.

There are numerous story threads that eventually converge until a bigger picture is finally formed and what's on the surface here isn’t initially transparent we become more aware the closer we get to the finish line.
This one definitely keeps you guessing right till the very end and while I had suspicions I still wasn’t aware of the complete picture just pieces of it and this does throw some major curveballs at you, one, in particular, that did shock me I really didn’t see that one coming until it was practically upon me.

This is told from three POV’s Jack Flo and a ghost from Jacks past that wants to reconnect.
It easily kept me invested and turning the pages and it was very well written as well.
I definitely recommend this one I enjoyed it a lot it was such an easy read that instantly captured and kept my attention.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of the Burning Girls.

5 Stars from me

Super creepy and atmospheric, The Burning Girls hits all the right notes and I found I just wanted to keep reading. I felt so engaged in their lives, I still want to know more.

As much as I enjoyed The Chalk Man, The Burning Girls is a whole nother level - it is brilliant.

I thought Flo and Jack were great characters, I enjoyed their relationship together and both of the story threads when they were apart.

The whole 'Harper' storyline was sublime.

The burning girls themselves, *shudder* soooo scary! The little twig dolls on the door step and the missing knife - honestly Flo and Jack are so much braver than I am that's for sure! I would have high tailed it out of there in no time.

I loved the small town mentality - I loved the creepy man, the the church, the vague sense of menace, the back story that ran alongside. Lots of twists and turns, lots of unlikable characters and lots of intrigue and mystery.

Honestly, I could wax lyrical forever about this book - I just completely loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the arc of The Burning Girls by C.J Tudor.

5 star read- This follows Reverend Jack Brooks and his daughter named Flo who get a temporary post at Chapel Croft in Sussex and well well well, what un folds is going to shock you so much!! i love the twists and turns as well as the character development and reference to films too! It raises the hair on your neck and gives you goosebumps! it is great thrilling rollercoaster ride, i totally recommend!

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐