"The Girl Who Lived" is a thriller that had so many red herrings and so many twists and turns that it kept me guessing until the last minute who was trying to frame and/or kill Faith for the murder of her father, sister, best friend, and the mother of her best friend.

It’s been ten years since those murders, Faith has just been released from a psychiatric institution, and she is determined to find Rat Face, the man she saw at the time of the killings. However, who can she trust to believe her? Each time she puts her faith in someone she thinks can help, her suspicions are aroused that that person might actually be involved in the murder or in covering up for the suspected murderer/s.

Reading this novel kept me on the edge of my seat as clues that initially seem to point towards one person suddenly point towards someone else, until almost everyone becomes a suspect in Faith’s mind. When Faith’s life is threatened, she has to draw on all her limited resources to flee and protect herself. In an exciting conclusion, Faith finally figures everything out, but it was not the perpetrator I predicted. So I went back and reread key parts of the story and found significant clues that were so well hidden I had missed them altogether.

This is a terrifying, dark, horror-filled novel only for the brave-of-heart. A real page-turner!

My thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Warning: spoiler alert!
Small towns. It’s great when you are in a bind and because everyone knows you they help out. However, when everyone knows your history, it’s not so great. That’s how “The Girl Who Lived” plays out. Even before Faith returns to her hometown, everyone knows. Everyone she runs into knows her past and exactly who she is. She is the girl who lived. The girl who survived a horrific crime when four others didn’t.
I wish I could say I was a fan of this book, but I just wasn’t. The premise was great and I was very interested after reading the synopsis. However, it mostly just annoyed me.
First, the resolution of the story had so many twists and turns, I felt like I was on a tilt-a-whirl that was out of control. I enjoy a novel with lots of twists and turns that all click into place at the end, but not just for the sake of confusing the reader. That is how this book felt to me.
Second, I find it hard to believe that Beverly lived believing that Faith and her father were a “mistake” her entire life and never felt it. I would think that would have been hard for Beverly to hide and that Faith would have felt that and the book would have been full of examples of Beverly loving Kim, Faith’s sister, more and treating her better.
Third, I find it hard to believe that Beverly did not enact revenge against Hunter and Woods for killing her “precious” Kim too, which was never part of the plan. Kim was her baby with the man she truly loved.
Additionally, the spouse/parent is always the first suspect. Did nothing turn up during the initial investigation to point the finger at Beverly? It seems like Faith’s father was found guilty far too easily and that no one, including Kim, thought that two people might be involved in the initial murder. The police did not investigate enough to find out that Kim’s father did not have Fabry disease and could not be Kim’s father.
I did love Mrs. Henderson’s character. Was she crazy, physic, or communicating with her dead son? What the heck was going on with her? I liked how that part of the story played out.
Publication Date: November 4, 2017
Genre: Thriller, suspense, mystery, crime, conspiracy
Cover: OK
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!
Rating: 2.5 stars (rounded to 3)

Absolutely amazing!! I could not put this book down and can’t wait to read more by this author. I highly recommend this book if you like suspense and mystery!!

This was my first book by Mr. Greyson but it most definitely won't be my last. I read this all in one sitting. Just the right about of suspense and action.

What started as a mediocre-but not terrible-thriller descended into ridiculousness about three quarters of the way through. It wasn’t going to be a standout regardless but it just got too convoluted at the end.

I don't know quite how to describe my feelings on this one...

On one hand it was a well-written, compelling story. On the other, I really didn't care of the characters and felt they lacked some depth.

I guess if you are plot driven when reading this one works - if you like to feel connected to the characters, this might not be the one that you grab :)

Faith Winters goes through what no child should ever go through. She witness the brutal death of her sister. She runs for her life but the consequences were the deaths of her father, best friend and her best friend’s mom.

She was the only survivor from that tragic night that lands her in a psychiatric hospital. Fast forward 10 years and it’s the anniversary of the deaths of those she loved. What does Faith do? Track down the person who she thinks has done it.

The Girl Who Lived starts out slow but it picks up quickly and before you know it you’re done. Wondering exactly what you just read. I think one character was unnecessary and once you read it you’ll understand or maybe you won’t. Some of the issues were glossed over and I really hope that readers who think books are “real” don’t take some of them by heart. Other than that I really did enjoy it.

The Girl Who Lived is a novel about a girl who is the soul survivor of the multiple brutal murders of her Father, best friend, the mother of her best friend and her beloved sister and hero.. Ten years later a Faith who has spent most of that time in psychiatric institutions for the trauma she endured is released just in time for the tenth anniversary of Death Day. Faith has within her many demons and destructive behavior so strict rules must be followed to stay out on parole. But etched in Faith’s mind is a perfect picture of the man (Rat Face) Faith knows to be one of two men who killed Faith’s family and friends. Trouble is, no one believes that “Rat Face” exists. He must be a figment of Faith’s confused mind.. when strange and frightening things begin happening to Faith she too begins to doubt herself. Or is she? And could Faith also be in danger? While this book held my interest sadly, I found the plot to be formulaic and predictable. Sadly, it was not for me, but I would like to thank Netgalley for my copy in exchange for this review.

Wooo! this book was quite the thriller, and I couldn't put it down. A dark tale that consumed me in one sitting. I am so glad that I wasn't able to see it coming, that twist was like whip lash. I friggin love it when that happens! The main character was awesome, its like I knew her, or I was her. I can't explain it any other way, except that I was so intune with the character. I felt invested . Def a book I recommend, and I look forward to more work by this author.

Up next is The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson. Another thriller! I’m looking forward to reading this over the weekend. Here’s what you need to know:



Ten years ago, four people were brutally murdered. One girl lived.

No one believes her story. The police think she’s crazy. Her therapist thinks she’s suicidal. Everyone else thinks she’s a dangerous drunk.
They’re all right–but did she see the killer?

As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith Winters is released from the psychiatric hospital and yanked back to the last spot on earth she wants to be–her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor’s guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and wanton self-destruction. Finding no solace at the bottom of a bottle, Faith decides to track down her sister’s killer–and then discovers that she’s the one being hunted.

How can one woman uncover the truth when everyone’s a suspect–including herself?

This has all the ingredients for a fast-paced, thrilling reading experience!

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 1/2
This was my first book by Christopher Greyson and I enjoyed it. At times the story dragged a little for me. There were times that I just wanted Faith to reach out for help in a different way. But by the end of the story I realized all the ways I wanted her to do something would have ended with her death.
I did enjoy the twists and turns in this story. Every time I though I know who done it I was given more evidence that it wasn’t that person and the focus shifted to another person.
I will be on the lookout for more stories from Mr. Greyson in the future.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Greyson Media Associates in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Interesting read from start to finish. I can usually figure out ending to books like this, but was thrown for a loop with this one! Look forward to recommending to my customers

Really wanted to like this one but just after a few pages I just couldn't get into the story so unfortunately I'm DNF it , won't be picking it up to finish. With that said I would like to say thinks to NetGalley for giving me a chance at trying to read and review it in a change for my honest opinion.

This book was SO good that I could not put it down! Fast-paced thriller which so much going on and SO many plot twists. Faith, the main character, is a true survivor but she had a hard time fighting depression and anxiety for many years and dealt with it by drinking enough to make her an addict. She is such a strong person though which I really admired. Has a surprise ending that I did not see coming at all! Definitely worth your time! Great psychological thriller and a great mystery! Thanks for the ARC!! Loved it!!!!

This is a good book to read on snowy day when your stuck inside. It keeps moving along, keeps you interested. No highs or lows, a good steady mystery.

The Girl Who Lived is a fascinating tale that blurs the line between sanity and insanity. 10 years ago a tragic killing spree destroyed lives and shocked a community. A master of misdirection, Christopher Greyson weaves a tale about loss and love that will keeping you reading to find out what really happened that fateful night.

The Girl Who Lived is my first read by author, Christopher Greyson. I was hooked at chapter one. The author was able to grab my attention from the beginning and keep it until the end. I could not put this book down and finished it in one day which is super-fast for me. The cover art for this book was amazing!

I totally loved the main character, Faith Winters. She is a young girl who comes with many flaws but because of that it makes her story real and believable. I was rooting for her throughout the book as she dealt with survivor’s guilt, anger, mental illness, thoughts of suicide, and alcoholism.

I love books with lots of twists and turns and this one did not disappoint. The author had me guessing clear up to the end. And WOW! What an ending! I thought I had it all figured out then NO…back to square one again. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers and a good whodunit mystery. Five out of five stars for The Girl Who Lived!!!

Thank you Christopher Greyson, Greyson Media Associates, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book to read.

I'm a big fan of Christopher Greyson's Jack Stratton series so was excited to read his latest novel. I was not disappointed. Although, I miss some of the wise cracking Jack Stratton dialogue, this book kept me up reading late into the night. A well-paced psychological thriller that keeps you guessing right to the end. Highly Recommended

Thank you very much NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really thought this book was going to be a lot different than it turned out to be. I didn't care for the main character at all, and I thought it fell pretty flat on the scares. This one turned out to be a disappointment for me, but, based on reviews, it seems I'm in the minority on this one.

Faith gets released from another psychiatric hospital and struggles to adapt to life outside. Where everyone knows who she is because of her mothers book about the tragic incident that destroyed her life. The only one to survive a brutal attack that left her father, sister, best friend and her best friends mother dead, Faith has struggled with the fact that the police don't seem to take her account of that night serious. Although she has given them a description of one of the perpetrators they close the case believing it was her father who committed this heinous act. Faith wants the real murder caught but will he catch up to her first?

This story has twists and turns and you start believing you know who did it and then bam another twist with an ending I didn't see coming. This was a quick thriller that holds your attention and keeps you wondering who is pulling the strings. Quirky, secretive characters and lots of suspects make this a great book to dive into and get lost for a little while.