Book Review: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Darling Girls is yet another winning mystery from author Sally Hepworth. Learn why I gave the book four out of five stars!

Darling Girls is another gripping mystery from Sally Hepworth that had me hooked from the start. This isn’t just any mystery—it’s a deep dive into a chilling past that intertwines the lives of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. They are brought together again when bones are discovered at the home where they grew up under the tyrannical Miss Fairchild. Learn more about the book’s synopsis and read my quick four-star review.

What is Darling Girls about?

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thought it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects? [GoodReads.com]

My review

Sally Hepworth has a natural talent for creating characters, and Darling Girls is no different. The sisterhood between the main characters of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia is palpable. They’re bonded not just by their shared trauma but by the deep-seated loyalty that only comes from surviving together. Each character is flawed, making their personal revelations all the more touching as they rediscover the strength in their unity. And then there’s Miss Fairchild – the character you love to hate. Hepworth knows how to play the villain card just right, keeping the tension high and the pages turning.

As always, Hepworth delivers a story that’s as much about the heart as it is about the mystery. I found it hard to put the book down, needing to know what would happen next. Darling Girls is a testament to the power of sisterhood, the secrets of the past, and the healing that comes with confronting them. Grab your favorite cozy reading spot and dive in; this is one story you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

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