4+
Jessica, Norah and Alicia are foster girls rescued from different family situations and placed with Miss Holly Fairchild at Wild Meadows farm in the 1990s. In the present day, Jessica is orderly to the point of obsession and so a successful home organisation business suits her down to the ground. She’s buried the past good and deep, or is it an illusion? Not so Norah, who is often in trouble, and it has ever been thus, as she doesn’t tolerate fools gladly. Alicia has utilised the past and works in crisis care with kids. When Detective Ashleigh Patel calls them about historic bones found when Wild Meadows farm is demolished, it’s a call they’ve been expecting for twenty five years. Living with Miss Fairchild looks like an idyllic placement for three unlucky girls, who go on to call themselves sisters. However, Miss Fairchild isn’t always fair, she has rules and it’s not wise to cross her. although the three break away, they are never truly free of her, the shadow looming long. Now the three women are back in the spotlight again. As what? Suspects or witnesses? Only time will tell.

This latest novel from the talented Sally Hepworth is a compelling psychological thriller, which pulls on the emotional heartstrings in a multitude of ways. It’s told principally as three narratives by the sisters, in the past and present which works well, because it maintains or even enhances the suspense and tension. They are powerful narratives, they make me feel empathy or anger on their behalf, and they enable the reader to fully understand these three characters, their relationship and whether they have coped or not. They really care for each other which is heartwarming. Their characters feel authentic and their narratives drive the storytelling which becomes increasingly chilling. There are inserts of an interview with a Dr Warren and these are effective and very creepy.

As for Miss Fairchild, I think the less said the better as readers will discover her for themselves and make their own decisions. All I’ll say is this character is powerful and her portrayal is outstanding. The plot is tight, the pacing feels just right for the story being told, it has plenty of twists, it shocks, it sends shivers down the spine, and so, keeps you turning pages. There are some moments of humour, too, often courtesy of Alicia’s childhood cheesy jokes. They contrast quite chillingly with their situation and make you sympathise all the more. It’s a rollercoaster read and as for the twist at the end, oh boy, it’s so good that it blows my mind.

Overall, this is a cracker of a read which is hard to put down. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

First of Sally Hepworth's books for me, but definitely not the last one. The story was gripping, tense and kept me interested all the way through..

Sally Hepworth is one my favourite authors which meant that I was super excited to read this new book. It certainly didn’t disappoint.
The story is hugely unique and very well written.
It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’d definitely recommend it.

I was utterly captivated by the book, and I owe my enchanting experience to my dear friend Marie, who shared this literary journey with me. The characters became my companions, their essence so palpable that I felt their every emotion. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, the author masterfully deceived me, leaving me in awe and earning the story an imaginary Oscar in my heart.

The ending was a whirlwind of emotions, a perfect blend of surprise and satisfaction. I found myself both saddened and overjoyed as the main characters discovered each other and forged a remarkable friendship. Their bond was so genuine that even in the face of adversity, they stood together, proving that solidarity in tough times is the most profound testament to friendship.

Throughout the book, I was moved to tears and laughter, my heart swelling with a myriad of emotions. Sally Hepworth's storytelling prowess is commendable, weaving a tale so poignant and heartwarming that it left me profoundly grateful for the experience. Thank you, Sally Hepworth, for crafting a narrative that touched the depths of my soul and left me with a heart full of emotions and a mind brimming with admiration.

4.75 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley!

Whoa, this book is a lot to unpack and quite honestly a lot to process so let's get into it-shall we?
The book opens up in a therapist's office with the narrator being anonymous. That in itself sets the tone for the book. Readers are then introduced to Jessica, Norah and Alicia as they each receive a phone call that will ultimately change their lives forever.
The pacing in this book was spot on, it was completely bingeable and unputdownable. The different POVs (one being anonymous) really added to the suspense and tension. Couple that with the flashbacks, each told from different perspectives, and you have yourself one compelling psychological thriller.
The author tactfully writes about some very sensitive topics in this book such as rape, child abuse, bullying, child neglect, infanticide, drug abuse and botched investigations.
She also does a brilliant job highlighting trauma that foster children can face and how easily they can slip through the cracks, often leading to horrific endings.
It isn't easy to shock an avid thriller reader, yet I was completely stunned at how this story unfolded. It was much darker and even more disturbing than I could ever imagined. My jaw is still on the floor and will be for a while.
That final chapter is one that I will stick with me for a while as it really demonstrates just how twisted and evil the antagonist really is.
As mentioned above, do not go into this just expecting a typical thriller read. It deals with many hard-hitting issues and has so many layers to it. It's a deeply disturbing, yet compelling and completely engrossing story that I binged in one day.

A special thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Sally Hepworth for my eARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

‘Darling Girls’ by Sally Hepworth focuses on three women who were foster sisters taken in by a harsh and manipulative woman in rural Australia. Years later, Jessica is a home organizer with an outwardly idyllic life but a prescription drug problem, Norah has learned that her violent outbursts can’t be forgiven due to her beauty forever, and Alicia is a burnt out social care worker. They hoped to never hear “Wild Meadows Farm” again, but a grim discovery by police officers leads the three sisters back to the place they spent their formative years to relive their experiences for evidence and face up to some truths…

This is an unapologetically dark book, with dread permeating throughout and a few shocking moments. However, Sally also adds moments of lightness and makes this as much a story about the resilience of sisterly bonds as it is a tale of cruelty.

While Jessica appears to be the central character in the book, I warmed the most to Alicia who had chosen a career supporting children despite her awful experiences as a looked-after child. I think she had the most character development throughout the novel and was (to me at least) the emotional heart of the narrative. I enjoyed reading about her admiration for care-leaver Aaron and her relationship with colleague Meera.

It’s hard to say too much without spoiling parts of the plot, but the changing perspectives and different time periods throughout the novel were used effectively to build intrigue.

Overall, it was an emotional and disturbing thriller which retained its ability to shock and disgust the reader until the very last sentence but also gave some characters the endings they deserved. I’m giving this 4.5 stars (rounded down) and would recommend to lovers of suspense novels. I am going to seek out other books by this author, who I hadn’t experienced before.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Pan MacMillan via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I had an amazing reading experience with this book. I thought I knew where it was going. Instead I was surprised in the best ways right to the end.

This FAR surpassed my expectations and I finished it within 24 hours! The relationship between the sisters is so beautifully written and the twists and turns in the plot are very clever. I loved this and will be recommending it far and wide!

Wild meadows is the foster home three girls Jessica, Norah and Alicia find theirselves when they are children. Miss Fairchild is their foster parent although ironically her name doesn’t live up to how it should.

Now adults these three sisters are still very close and when bones are found buried below wild meadows they are pulled back to their home town to help with the investigation.

Each sister is unique in their own way and as secrets are uncovered and truths come to light the sister do all they can to protect each other.

This was a compelling read and I really enjoyed the characters. Thanks to NetGalley , the publisher and author for my digital ARC

Sally Hepworth just keeps getting better and better. I loved her last book, so I jumped at the opportunity to read this one on Netgalley. I am so grateful to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review the book.

Norah, Jessica and Alicia consider themselves sisters, tied together by an unshakable bond which is not biologically-based. All three of them were at one point foster children at Wild Meadows, the home of Miss Fairchild, whose narcissistic (and sometimes sadistic) behaviour took a terrible toll on the three girls. Not to mention, the babies...

Years later, all three are young women, but damaged from their childhoods in noticeable ways. What remains undamaged is their bond of sisterhood.

Unfortunately, after human remains are found on the Fair Meadows property, the trio are summoned back to assist in the investigation - and find themselves in danger of becoming suspects.

Nobody believed them years ago when they tried to tell the adults around them about Miss Fairchild's behaviour. Will anyone believe them now, as they protest their innocence?

One of the best parts of this book for me were the three characters, all troubled but endearing in their own ways. The chemistry between them was delightful. Hepworth has created such distinct and diverse characters in this trio of sisters. As a reader, I began to feel as if I not only knew them, but also cared deeply about them.

The plot has plenty of twists and turns, and even though I guessed one or two elements, the final twist took me by surprise. This is a gripping thriller with plenty of substance and memorable characters. Highly recommended.

Darling Girls is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark secrets hidden beneath a seemingly perfect childhood. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, three foster sisters, were raised on a picturesque farming estate after being rescued from their own family tragedies. However, their idyllic upbringing is shattered when a body is found beneath their childhood home. As the spotlight falls on them, the sisters must confront their past and unravel the mystery surrounding the murder. With a cast of complex characters and a suspenseful plot, This book keeps readers guessing until the very end. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense.

Sally Hepworth is a very good storyteller and Darling Girls is a seriously addictive read.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia aren't biological sisters, but as a result of their experiences growing up together as foster children, they are closer than most real sisters. Their years spent with the narcissistic Miss Fairchild at a house called Wild Meadows have had lasting impacts on all their lives.

Now, the house has been sold, something has been found, and the police are involved. The past is about to crash back into the present - though it's never really gone away.

We see events both in the present day and in the past at Wild Meadows, and it's a compelling read.

All three women, as adults, have issues with intimacy - social worker Alicia shies away from relationships, Norah's attitude to sex is entirely transactional, home organisation business owner Jessica is married but keeps her husband at emotional arms' length. All have unhealthy ways of coping which lead them into trouble (especially Norah). All three are great characters, memorably drawn, and you're rooting for them all as a reader, even while despairing of the questionable choices they each make (especially Norah).

Then there's the main antagonist, the ever-appalling Miss Holly Fairchild, whose behaviour never fails to shock. Is there any justice to be had? I did guess the final twist, though it was even nastier than I expected.

I didn't get the "Norah with or without a T" business, though. Can anyone shed any light on this?

A hugely entertaining read - Sally Hepworth goes from strength to strength.