Games for Dead Girls: A Thriller
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15
Ratings1
Average rating3
Exploring the fine line where supernatural ends and real human monstrosity begins, Games for Dead Girls is a haunting, dark read from award-winning author Jen Williams. In the vein of Jennifer Hillier and Alex North, and told in alternating timelines, a ritualistic game turns deadly for two young girls, but it will be years before they must face the true horrors of their past. When Charlie was eleven, she created a monster… For Charlie and her niece Katie, it’s supposed to be a quiet holiday in the peaceful, out-of-the-way seaside town of Hithechurch, England. Charlie is researching a book on the folklore of the area, and the gloomy sea and dangerous caves seem to offer up plenty of material, while Katie is just there to run wild and get some fresh air. But Charlie’s research reveals a deeper, darker secret, one that uncovers her own, carefully hidden past. Because young women are going missing again: a teenage girl snatched from the beach in broad daylight, and before that, other girls through the decades have vanished from the area, their families left with no answers and no bodies to bury. Charlie’s creation was a thing of felt, straw, fury, and a rusty pair of scissors in the dark. It couldn’t be her monster. Could it? Charlie is set on discovering the truth about the girls’ disappearances, but she’s about to encounter a force of pure, obsessive malevolence that threatens to destroy anything in its path.
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Games for Dead Girls by Jen Williams is a chilling thriller that takes readers on a journey of dark secrets and hidden horrors. Told in alternating timelines, the story follows Charlie, who created a monster when she was just eleven years old. Charlie and her niece Katie find themselves in the quiet seaside town of Hithechurch, England, where Charlie is researching the local folklore for a book. However, her research uncovers a sinister secret: young women have been going missing for decades, with no answers or bodies left behind.
The book's cover is visually stunning, immediately capturing the reader's attention. While the writing is solid and the atmospheric setting is a highlight, the plot suffers from being slow-moving. The three timelines, although intriguing in concept, fail to seamlessly mesh together, leaving readers confused at times. Additionally, the inclusion of Katie's character seems unnecessary and doesn't contribute significantly to the overall story.
Furthermore, the ending feels rushed and lacks the depth and development that the rest of the book promises. It leaves readers feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more closure. Overall, Games for Dead Girls is a mixed bag. Although it has its strengths, such as the atmospheric setting and decent writing, the slow pacing and disjointed timelines prevent it from reaching its full potential.
ARC Via NetGalley
