This was my first time reading Sally Hepworth. Her books are super popular with our book clubs and I wanted to find out why. However, I’m always a bit nervous starting a book that’s classed as a thriller, because I often read at night and I don’t want to get too anxious right before bed… Just me?
Darling girls is the story of three foster sisters, Jessica, “Norah with an h”, and Alicia, who grew up together in foster care on what seemed an idyllic country estate. The three sisters are closer than many birth siblings, but each of them has scars from their childhood that still deeply control them and their relationships.
When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the sisters return to Wild Meadows where they are forced to confront their past and their relationship with their abusive foster mother, Miss Fairchild.
Sally Hepworth is a master at constructing a story that deals with dark issues and trauma with suspenseful elements, without becoming too bleak. The way the sisters care for each other and surround themselves with positive people keeps this story from being depressing, while still shining a light on serious issues in the foster care system.
One of the best things about this book is the strong character development, which elevates the book from a simple thriller to a satisfying read. The twist at the end was a knockout.
This is a beautifully constructed story that will keep you turning the pages.
-Katrina Roe, RRL
