STARS: 3.5
RELEASE DATE: 10.24.2023

TRIGGER WARNINGS: SA, Self-Harm, Substance Abuse, Death of Children, Alcohol Use

BOOK BLURB: The morning sun wakes Emily up to the smell os a dusty, old trailer that reeks like alcohol, due to her mother, from room to room. All she wants is to see how greener the grass is on the other side! She wants to be included more at school. So, when the popular girl at school, Hannah asks to hangout after school, she doesn’t hesitate.

That’s when peer pressure consumes Emily. She starts making choices that she normally wouldn’t make. She starts taking drugs, stealing her moms alcohol with Hannah and her biggest mistake leaving two children unattended that she was babysitting with Hannah. Due to this ripple effect Emily catches herself throughout the book going through trial for her alleged crimes.

REVIEW/OPINION:
The book is written in a dual timeline and had short chapters. Which did help with suspense. However, there were a few topics that the author touched on, in the book, but never expanded. However, the book hits the ground running at the beginning, but does slow does about 60% into the book and didn’t pick-up again for me until about the last 10% of the book. There’s just so much more I feel that the author could’ve given us in this story. There was so much potential. I do believe that the story line is great though! It shows that all actions have consequences. Also that someone’s home life can/will shape their future in some way. This book would be a great short movie.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This was a little different to the current genres that I'm into at the moment but it started with a bang and kept going.

Emily is a 16 year old with a loving but consistently drunk mum, a brother she is close to and a life she is unhappy with. Determined to make new friends this year at high school, she quickly strikes up a friend ship with Hannah, someone who she admires but quickly realises is a very bad influence on her.

This book is set in different time lines, flipping before the incident and the trial days - both timelines were gripping and held my attention. Each character was well-written and Emily definitely embodied the stereotype of a naive 16 year old who hasn't experienced much of life and quickly comes to terms with the consequences of her poor decisions.

My only critique would be that after about 50%, the story did begin the drag a bit before picking up again and I can fully see this book being made into a film.

3.5/5 stars. Review also posted on Goodreads.

Really enjoyed the story telling by Katleen Fine about a 16-year-old on trial for manslaughter as the result of a babysitting error. The author does an excellent job of jumping from past to present. She highlights the struggle of teen girls need to be popular and how far they can go to be accepted.

This book is a little peculiar, when one speaks of children who committed crimes I am always conflicted, I cannot help but think that the child is the first victim. That said I loved this book and I recommend it.

"Girl on Trial" by Kathleen Fine is a gripping and emotionally charged legal thriller that explores complex themes of youth, responsibility, and justice. The novel delves deep into the life of sixteen-year-old Emily Keller, a troubled teenager accused of a heinous crime. Fine skilfully navigates the legal proceedings, offering readers a front-row seat to the nation's most significant trial.

The narrative's strength lies in its multifaceted characters, including Emily, whose tumultuous life and questionable decisions add depth to the story. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the novel raises thought-provoking questions about guilt, innocence, and the consequences of one's actions.

Fine's writing is both compelling and empathetic, drawing readers into Emily's world and making them question the definition of justice. With its well-crafted plot, vivid characters, and moral dilemmas, "Girl on Trial" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of the legal system and the human condition, leaving readers pondering long after the last page is turned.

This book features a lot of heavy topics that include sexual assault, substance abuse, and self-harm, so I would recommend checking out content warnings before going in, especially if you're a younger reader. Still though, it's an important read that highlights the dangers of peer pressure.

This alternates between the trial of a girl, Emily, for manslaughter, and the events leading up to the horrific incident where we slowly learn exactly what happened that night. I found most of this to be pretty predictable, and most of what Emily did was like watching a trainwreck about to happen. Since the character's just a teenager though, her behavior was mostly excusable.

Overall though, I found this to be an enjoyable enough read and think it would be a good book for teenagers to read to learn the dangers of peer pressure and how one mistake could possibly change the entire course of your life.

Told over duel timelines we hear the trial and the before. The POV is strange one I want to say in the third but it shifts a lot, to be honest the writing is quite childish in style. The story itself is interesting and show the pains of growling up as teenager girl harder than it ever was, with peer pressure etc but it’s highly unlikely anyone would end up in court over what happened . The characters are pretty poorly developed and quite flat. Overall I don’t think this book was really aimed at me it is very much YA book. It was quite dated with stereotypes and lack of directed so much so that think even YA readers won’t be raving about this one. The court scenes are boring and there is real sense of amateur time with it all, it is very lazy I think YA readers deserve more than this .Thank you for the ARC.

I really tried to like this book but it just didn't keep my interest. I felt bad for the main character of this book and some parts I just didn't like how it was done!
Thanks Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book!

"Girl on Trial" by Kathleen Fine delves into a gripping and morally complex narrative that explores the blurred lines between guilt and innocence, making it a compelling addition to the young adult fiction genre.

The premise revolves around the character of Emily Keller, a sixteen-year-old girl accused of a horrific crime that resulted in the deaths of four family members, including young children. The weight of this accusation and the enormity of the trial elevate the story to a level of suspense and intrigue that is sure to captivate readers.

Emily's background, living in a challenging environment with an alcoholic mother and trying to fit in with her peers, adds depth and complexity to her character. It presents an opportunity for readers to empathize with her struggles and questionable decisions, making her a relatable and multi-dimensional protagonist.

The central question posed by the book, whether one bad decision defines a person as inherently bad, is a thought-provoking theme that will resonate with young adult readers. It encourages contemplation of the complexities of human nature and the potential for redemption.

As the trial unfolds, readers are likely to find themselves engrossed in the legal proceedings, eager to uncover the truth behind that fateful night. The moral ambiguity surrounding the case keeps the narrative suspenseful and raises important ethical questions.

"Girl on Trial" promises to be a compelling and emotionally charged read, offering young adult readers an opportunity to engage with profound themes of justice, empathy, and the consequences of one's actions. Kathleen Fine's novel appears poised to deliver a thought-provoking exploration of morality and human nature within the context of a gripping courtroom drama.

I feel like I could cut this book almost in half and write two very different reviews. In the first half, I disliked the MC, I found the plot too repetitive, and I slowly made my way through it. In the second half I read entirely in one sitting because I just needed to find out what happened.

Our MC is a 16 year old girl who desperately wants to be popular, fit in, and make more of herself than living in a trailer park. I found it hard to relate or understand some of the decisions Emily made, especially because she was so easily swayed by others, but I suppose that's the point. Her character development by the end of the book is so satisfyingly clear however, that I can forgive any issues I had with her at the start.

Telling the story one chapter at the trail, one chapter in a flashback and alternating throughout built a good amount of suspense and intrigue, and as the trail went on I was more and more invested with finding out the details of what happened. It wasn't the most accurate portrayal of court, but I did like that the stakes were realistic in terms of charges and crimes etc.

My biggest issue is probably the trigger warning at the start. Saying the novel 'touches upon' sexual assault/self harm/rtc is a complete understatement, and I almost missed it altogether due to the formatting. Read those content warnings properly before you pick this one up for sure.

3.5 stars rounded down

This one had me gripped from the very beginning. The story being told between the past and present made it easy to follow but also helped build the tension.

I liked the storyline and the pacing of the story was just right. The ending felt a little rushed after the entire story building up to that moment but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

This book also carried an important message about not being influenced by others!

This is an interesting, unique thriller and I would be interested in reading more of this authors work.

This book is so great. I loved the way it's told in three different timelines and the way it starts near the end, as it made me want to read on to find out how we got to the place. The topic of this book revolves around the death of a family, including children and also some other events that could be very triggering for some to read so I would recommend that anyone thinking about introducing it into a school library reads it before they do so. However, it also deals well with peer pressure and the impact it could have on someones life. I think fans of crime and mystery books would really enjoy this book. I loved it.

I absolutely adored this book! I was hooked by the first few chapters and couldn't wait to see it all end. The story itself is compelling and sheds a light on what we mean by accountability for our actions. The flashbacks are really useful and so wonderfully inserted to keep the reader on its toes.

It made me feel like I was reading the book version of Thirteen sometimes and I really enjoyed that!

I'd never read a story like this and I hope to see more.

Loved this family drama. Bravo!
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Girl on Trial

Sometimes it is hard to tell who is really the adult in a family. When an entire family is dead because of a tragic accident, the babysitter is charged with negligent homicide. Emily was the last one to use the gas stove that was left emitting carbon dioxide. A media frenzy paints a picture of a callous teenage killer-but, is that really who Emily is?

Emily’s memories contradict this negative view, but what happens in the trial is a surprise to everyone. There is also a special event that brings Emily’s family closer together.

A high school girl, Emily, longs to be popular. She begins to go against her personal morals and make questionable decisions to fit in with “popular” girl, Hannah. When a family dies, Emily goes on trial to determine if she is at fault. (I don’t want to give much detail because I don’t want to give to much away)

Okay, this one started a little slow for me--BUT I am so happy I kept reading. After a few chapters I was HOOKED. This story is told in multiple timelines that are broken up nicely throughout the book and come together PERFECTLY at the end. The trial in this story slowly unfolds in a way that makes you NEED to keep turning the pages. There are the perfect amount of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. This story is perfect for those that love suspense!

I will absolutely recommend this book!

Girl on Trial will be released October 24, 2023!!

Thank you so much to Kathleen Fine and CamCat books for this gifted ARC!

Kathleen Fine has a unique writing style, and is able to elicit very vivid imagery within the reader through what I can only term to be 'practical' imagery. On one occasion, I read about a broken hearted girl's 'Swiss-cheese heart', and on another occasion, a man's eyes that were blue like the flames on a gas stove. I honestly can't think of another time where my mind conjured up an image as fast whilst reading a book.

Writing style aside, Fine writes a crime-style novel that is at its heart, a crime-stopping novel. Trigger warnings for: sexual assault, substance abuse, etc are duly provided at the onset of the book.

As for the plot itself, the first third of the book was strong, the middle drooped somewhat but then picked up pace again. However, at the end I felt that the two timelines we were following from the beginning of the book become unnecessary and aimless. The timeline set in the past seemed to not add much at the end of the book, other than some family memories and good vibes. One time would have been fine, but after that, it became too many.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading some 'Fine' material again!

Girl On Trial is a slow burn thriller, which does get quite dark so I do think possibly there should be some warnings at the beginning for any possible triggers. However once the story begins to pick up I was completely absorbed. This is an incredibly thought-provoking book and I loved the back and forth time jumps as the story begins to unravel. I really recommend and I will be checking out more by this author.

Emily was helping her new friend Hannah babysit for a family. An incident occurred and the family died so now Emily is standing trial for murder. This is an extremely gripping YA novel that has many twists and keeps you guessing throughout. It covers a range of issues such as self harm, sexual assault and abuse of power in a sensitive way. A brilliant read.

Emily Keller has had a difficult childhood, growing up in a trailer with her twin brother and her mother, who is an alcoholic. More recently, things have gone from bad to worse, partly as a result of her falling in with the wrong crowd.

Peer pressure is a notoriously bad influence on many teenagers, and that is probably one of the key messages of this book - at times, delivered in a slightly heavy handed fashion. But the story does a really good job of showing us what Emily's life is really like, and what addiction can do to a person.

While it is clear that the teenager was going down a dangerous path, the fact that it resulted in a manslaughter trial takes things to a whole different level. Because Emily is now accused of unintentionally causing the death, by carbon monoxide poisoning, of the family of four for which she babysits.

Unsurprisingly, the media paints a picture of the situation in broad brushstrokes, playing into multiple stereotypes, and public hostility results in Emily being dubbed "Keller the Killer".

But is the story of what really happened that night so straightforward? Or is it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong credentials? Overall, this is an interesting story worth a read. I give it 3.5 stars.