Good Bad Girl

Alice. Freaking. Feeney. She done did it again! I am normally someone who can guess a twist. Or at least get a solid hint of what's coming. And yet Feeney bamboozled me. I didn't see it at all. I was delightfully confused and had such a great time following the mystery laid out. The characters were enjoyably unlikeable in their own ways. I ate up each and every time another breadcrumb was dropped. Such a great read.

I enjoyed this one. It's a twisty, layered thriller that hooked me from the very first chapter. It starts with a baby stolen from a supermarket on Mother’s Day and jumps twenty years ahead to a murder in a care home. The connections between these events unravel slowly through the voices of four very different women, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, Feeney throws in another twist!

This book delivered what I wanted: suspense, secrets, and characters who felt flawed in all the right ways. I like how each chapter sort of ends with a cliffhanger, wanting you to just continue reading! I also love how Feeney wove in the emotional weight of motherhood, both the love and the pain of it, into a murder mystery.

My favorite show more character would be Edith, the elderly woman in the care home. She’s sharp, funny, and holding onto more secrets than anyone suspects. The other women characters each brought something unique to the story, and I appreciated how their storylines slowly tangled together.

I think the story is clever, well-crafted, and emotionally satisfying.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy slower-burn psychological thrillers that focus more on character dynamics than nonstop action. If you like stories about mothers and daughters, fractured relationships, and the hidden cost of secrets, you’ll probably enjoy Good Bad Girl. show less

I have read and loved all six novels published by this author, to date. I think this book was one of her best.

Feeney is a master at the final twist. The reader is introduced to different timelines and different characters who might be the same characters in both timelines – or might not. This precludes the reader from making assumptions and heightens the thrills of final discloses and twists.

Baby is kidnapped, or is she? Baby is dead, or is she? Mother loves Daughter, or hates her? Daughter loves Mother, or hates her? Plenty of Bad things are done for Good reasons, and plenty of Good things are done for Bad reasons. A murder is committed – by whom and for what reason?

I know, I’m skirting around the plot, but I don’t want to show more lessen anyone’s thrill before reading. Suffice it to say that there is plenty of ‘smoke and mirrors’ to keep the reader from seeing the full picture until the very end of the novel….If I write more, I’m afraid that my entire review will become one long spoiler.

So let's talk about Feeney instead. One of the things I especially like about this author is that she is fresh and original in each of her stories. Whenever I pick up one of her books, I know I will be treated to a unique experience. Good Bad Girl was no exception.

BTW, fellow GR Friends, I loved the wink to ‘Eggitha’ Christie in this book, and her salute to Christie in Daisy Darker. Did I miss links to Christie in her earlier works? show less

Exploring the Complex Dance of Morality: A Review of 'Good Bad Girl' by Alice Feeney

As I sit down to pen my thoughts on 'Good Bad Girl', the resonating chords of 'Rock Paper Scissors' serve as a melodic backdrop, a reminder of my unwavering fandom for the literary works of Alice Feeney. But let's not dwell on my bookish proclivities. Instead, allow me to delve into the captivating world of 'Good Bad Girl' and share what truly captivated my literary senses.

In a realm where the lines between virtue and vice blur, where the wicked sometimes masquerade as the righteous, and where circumstances can force the noble to commit dark deeds, the tapestry of 'Good Bad Girl' is meticulously woven. Two decades past, on a Mother's Day marked by a show more fleeting lapse in attention, the innocence of infancy is snatched away. Fast forward to the present, and yet another Mother's Day dawns. Frankie, burdened by the weight of her vanished child, grapples with a world where trust is a scarce commodity. She stands alone, isolated by necessity and circumstance. Meanwhile, within the confines of Windsor Care Home, Edith, an octogenarian ensnared by a clever ruse, orchestrates a daring escape. Her suspicions are stoked by the alleged murder of her friend May, and her ally in this quest is Patience – a caregiver whose honesty is as enigmatic as the shifting sands of truth. As their stories intertwine, a rich tapestry unfolds, weaving together the threads of four women, two murders, three suspects, and one unfortunate victim.

The narrative's tempo may, at first, seem deliberate – a slow simmer of domestic drama and suspense that takes its time to kindle. It demands patience as the intricate relationships among the four central characters are painstakingly etched onto the canvas. Yet, in this simmer lies the promise of a narrative crescendo that proves to be Alice Feeney's pièce de résistance. While not her most shadow-laden tale, 'Good Bad Girl' shines brilliantly in its exploration of the dichotomy between good and bad. Feeney deftly dissects the intricacies of motherhood, particularly the harrowing struggles endured by those ensnared in the throes of postpartum depression. Her narrative serves as a mirror, reflecting the multifaceted nature of parenthood and the burdens it entails. Thought-provoking and incisively observed, the prose resonates like a haunting melody, compelling multiple re-reads to fully absorb its depth. This is an Alice Feeney creation that beckons to be revisited, each re-reading promising the discovery of subtle nuances previously overlooked. It's an invitation to self-reflection, prompting readers to scrutinize their own maternal journeys.

As the lives of the four protagonists seamlessly interweave, Feeney's mastery of suspense takes center stage. With each twist and turn, the tension mounts like a tightly coiled spring, and the narrative propels forward with electrifying momentum. The Queen of Twists keeps her scepter firmly in hand, delivering revelations that hit like lightning bolts, illuminating the intricate web of secrets and lies that entangle the characters. A symphony of concealment, 'Good Bad Girl' unveils layers upon layers of truth, revealing the delicate dance between revelation and mystery.

Feeney's characters are nothing short of literary alchemy, each imbued with distinctive voices and personalities that span the spectrum of human complexity. They serve as the narrative's pulsating heart, their stories an intimate reflection of our own. As the narrative hurtles towards its zenith, emotions intermingle, culminating in a denouement that is simultaneously poignant and uplifting.

Alice Feeney, a maestro in her genre, has deftly carved her niche yet again. 'Good Bad Girl' stands as testament to her ability to reinvent and captivate with every new tale. Her repertoire is a testament to her versatility, each work adding to an ever-growing list of literary triumphs. A word of advice to fellow readers: in a world of instant gratification, 'Good Bad Girl' beckons for a patient approach – a demand that yields a reward beyond measure.

Gratitude extends to NetGalley and the generous team at Pan Macmillan for granting me the privilege of experiencing 'Good Bad Girl' in exchange for an unreserved appraisal. For those who share my admiration and wish to embark on this literary journey, mark your calendars for the eagerly awaited unveiling on August 29th. This is an odyssey that promises to be a soul-stirring voyage through the realms of morality and human intricacies. show less

From the very first page, this gripping thriller had me hooked and kept me on the edge of my seat until the final, shocking twist. The author's skillful storytelling weaves a complex web of suspense, drawing readers into a world of uncertainty and intrigue. The character development is top-notch, with protagonists that feel real and relatable, and antagonists who send shivers down your spine. The pacing is masterful, seamlessly blending heart-pounding action with moments of quiet tension, making it nearly impossible to put down. The plot unfolds like a series of perfectly executed dominoes, each revelation more jaw-dropping than the last. Every chapter leaves you hungry for more, as you attempt to unravel the puzzle before the show more characters do. This is a thriller that doesn't just rely on shock value; it delves into the psychological depths of its characters, exploring their fears, desires, and secrets. The writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the story's setting and atmosphere. Without a doubt, this is a must-read for fans of the genre, an experience that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Prepare for sleepless nights and a lingering sense of unease – this is the mark of a truly exceptional thriller. show less

Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.

Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.

Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door…and their intentions aren’t good.

With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the show more baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them. show less

I approached this book expecting an Alice Feeney experience and I was not disappointed! I've always admired Alice Feeney's work, but creating original ideas that still shock me is not an easy task. This book surprised me with its originality and left me in awe.

I enjoyed this book, rating it a solid 3.5 stars. While it didn't astound me or go overboard, it was an enjoyable read.

"Good Bad Girl" is a story about a girl named Patience who works in a care home, looking after Edith, a woman abandoned by her daughter, Clio. The tale involves three suspects, two murders, and a complex web of relationships. The engaging narrative delivers several shocking moments. If this had been one of my initial encounters with Alice Feeney's work, I might show more have rated it higher. However, having read many of her exceptional books, I rated this one a 3.5. Despite this, it was by no means a bad book and was still quite enjoyable. show less