Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I chose this book because it sounded morbidly intriguing, but I was also slightly concerned I might read some things that would make me very uncomfortable. I needn't have worried, as although yes it was a very dark and disturbing subject, it was very sensitively written.
The narrative is told mainly fromt the present with flashbooks from the past, and all from character perspectives. It was an undoubtedly chilling read, thought provoking from beginning to end, with a sinister twist that I didn't see coming.

A gréât crime thriller full of twists that you really can’t predict. fully readable and the different points of view mean that I ran through this book.

Overall I enjoyed this book - but I did feel that it dragged in the middle - however, whilst I saw it coming, I did think the twist was done very well - so whilst it wasn't my favourite book of all time, it was very readable and pretty good.

Like others, I found the mixing of upper and lower case letters to be extremely annoying and I trust this won't be the case when the book is actually published.

Interesting (albeit disturbing) theme: that of ‘the Flower Girls’, two children suspected of the murder of a toddler. The elder girl, Laurel, went to jail, where she’s still rotting many years later; the younger, Primrose, was considered as too young and traumatised to stand trial, and given a new identity. The story follows the two women nineteen years after the gruesome murder, when on New Year’s Eve, 5-year old Georgie disappears from the hotel where she’s been staying with her parents. A host of other characters quickly get tangled with the case: DC Lorna Hillier, writer Max, Hazel Archer and her boyfriend Jonny, the cook who was the last person to see the little girl alive, but also Toby Bowman, Laurel’s uncle who was the only one to stick with her, and Joanna Denton, the aunt of the murdered toddler. Of course, during the investigation, revelations start to surface, hinting at something else going on.

The first part of the novel was pretty engaging, as the search for Georgie takes place, and DC Hillier starts suspecting that the truth is not so nicely packaged as it seems. We’re also given to see snapshots of Joanna’s fight to keep Laurel behind bars, as well as Laurel’s relationship with Toby, who’s trying to get parole for her.

However, after that, the story started to peter out for me, and I found the ending rushed and lacking. I get the later twists (predictable, but I get them), and that novels don’t all have to end up tied with nice little bows, but I felt that too many characters were either ushered out the easy way, or left hanging to dry. Those I liked the most, all in all, were Laurel herself; Toby, who in spite of being reviled in the eyes of the rest of his family for helping his niece, was probably one of the most human ones; and Hillier, who wouldn’t let go and really tried to figure out the real truth behind it all. Unfortunately, they were all part of these characters who were left out in the cold, with their storylines “unfinished”. (Yes, I know, that’s how it often is in real life; but see, the thing is, when I read a thriller/mystery, it’s not to see a mirror of real life: I want an actual resolution at the end.)

So I reached the last page thinking “wha, that’s it?”, and that’s how it remains, which is too bad, because there was a lot of potential in this story.

A very well written book about a subject that needs to be handled with sensitivity.

There were lots of parts of the book that made for difficult reading but it was needed.

Bolstered by beautiful writing from Clarke-Platts, The Flower Girls barrels through a head-spinning selection of emotions, and by the time the finale comes - perhaps a little anti-climactic, but still darkly satisfying - it's almost a relief to put the book down and take a breather. Because, trust me, there's little chance of you putting it down any earlier than that!

The Lower Girls-Not for the faint-hearted. A chilling thought-provoking story. Gripping and disturbing and not a subject that everyone can handle. The death/murder of a child is never a good subject. One can not help finding comparisons with the real-life murder of Jamie Bulger. An uncomfortable read, but well-written nonetheless.

I really struggled with this book. I found the premise interesting, and the bleak nature of the weather trapping everyone at the hotel at the beginning really drew me in. However, I was not able to form a connection with any of the characters and had no sympathy or real feelings towards any of them. I also found the repeated referencing of real cases of child killings distasteful. The occasional reference would have made sense as the police and press would have made comparisons, but I felt that this was overdone and the amount was unnecessary.

Although I quickly worked out what had really happened in 1997, I had definitely not worked out what was going to happen at the end of the book. In fact, I found that it came so far out of left field that it left me wondering what on earth had just happened.

I wouldn't usually comment on formatting when I have received an ARC for review, as I would assume that these were errors that would be picked up during the final edit. However, there was a note at the end of the book about the choice of font used. I am not sure if it was therefore a deliberate choice to choose a font that jumped around from upper to lower case, or if it is simply that the special font chosen doesn't translate well to Kindle. Either way, I found it quite jarring and difficult to read.

Wow, that was a rather sick story line!

Its rather grim: two girls 10 & 6 involved in the disappearance of a toddler who is then found with her head bashed in. The eldest girl spends the next 18 years in prison, whilst the youngest has a new identity.

Years later when the youngest, now.in her early 20s is staying at a hotel, another young girl goes missing and her real identity is exposed, which turns i to a media frenzy as the older sister is asking for parole.

Despite the grim story line, I read it all, and liked the twist at the end.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

The book starts with a chilling flashback, setting the scene for the uncomfortable tale of Rosie and Laurel, the notorious Flower Girls. Aged 10 and 6, the girls lead a toddler away from the safety of her mother down towards her doom.
The flashback style is continued throughout the book, and to great effect, giving hints into what really happened on that fateful day but not quite giving it all away. You feel the spikes of fear of a nation distraught at the crimes of, what should be, an innocent young girl, but also a sense of foreboding that all is not as it seemed. Woven around these memories is the ‘current’ development – another child is missing from a hotel where one of the Flower Girls is staying – which perfectly compliments the wrongness of the past case.
Clark-Platts also uses different characters to voice the story as it develops, including chapters from the girls, now women, in their respective lives; a policewoman on the new case; a writer and the aunt of the flashback victim. Each character is written impeccably and you’re drawn completely into their worlds with each chapter. This tapestry of perspectives is incredibly gripping and allows you to see the cases from all angles to keep you guessing at the truth. I found all of the narrators aside from the policewoman dislikeable, which I think added another layer to the compelling nature of the book. I didn’t like these people, and I wasn’t supposed to.
The things that make this book so effective are the thought-provoking issues that underpin the plot. You are encouraged to think about and question ideas of nature versus nurture; punishment; the media circus; the age of morality, all of which add to the uncomfortable atmosphere Clark-Platts creates. It’s a dark and uncertain world which forces you to form opinions on things you have likely never had reason to think about, and I found this totally engrossing.
Finally, the ending. I’m usually pretty good at guessing twists but this one caught me by surprise. It continues the dark, twisty path that the preceding plot tumbled you down, and just when you think you’ve found your feet – out comes the rug. This is the perfect winter thriller with a compellingly uncomfortable storyline, that you will absolutely race through.

Review will be posted on STORGY

I had no idea what this book was about before I started it and I was shocked! Two young sisters are out playing on hot summer's day and they decide to abduct a toddler who dies. The 10 year old is put in prison but the 6 year old is too young and her parents have their identity changed and move away, leaving their sister/daughter in prison and never visiting her.

The younger sister Rosie claims she doesn't remember what happened on the day the baby went missing and her memories are buried deep inside of her.
Until another child goes missing many years later whilst she's staying at a hotel with her boyfriend, her true identity is discovered and things start to open up for her

It was an interesting and disturbing read getting the reader to look at uncomfortable issues. Is it nature or nurture? However, nothing or nobody is at it seems and they were quite a few unsavoury characters throughout this book and an ending I didn't see coming!

Although I enjoyed this novel, in many ways it was a disturbing read. It's the story of Laurel and Rosie, two small sisters (one aged 10, one aged 6) who killed a 2 year old. The story is picked up two decades later, when the younger of the two sisters, Rosie, is staying at a hotel when a little girl goes missing. Although Rosie has been given a new identity, she is identified as being one of the original 'Flower Girls' as she and her sister had been coined by the press. The story mainly centres on Rosie (or Hazel as she is now known). Rosie was too young to stand trial and has maintained her innocence throughout her life, her sister meanwhile, who was found guilty of murder, has been imprisoned ever since the event. The reader also gets to meet Laurel and from the outset I felt that she was the sister who perhaps deserved the readers sympathy more. Although perhaps in some ways the reader can anticipate what's coming in the story there's a twist at the end that I hadn't anticipated!

The Flower Girls will be your next addictive crime novel. Laurel and Rosie are sisters. They were accused of torturing and killing a young girl. Only Laurel was convicted of the crime. Now, 19 years later, another girl goes missing and it brings the past back up for Rosie. A gripping, twisty novel ensues. Be sure to pick up The Flower Girls today!

I have been wanting to read this for ages and finally got some time to read it! Hurray. This story is brilliantly written, fast paced.

The Flower Girls is a story about two young sisters at the time and a murder, but what actually happened that day? Were they too young to be held responsible? Innocent? Guilty? This story flicks from the past incident in 1997 to the present but is clearly stated so the reader is not confused.

Chapter one alone is bound to drag the reader in and get their attention, well it did for me. I actually learnt a lot about the law and judicial system for what happens if a child is accused of a crime. Shocking. This book is one that will be hard to forget.

Your feelings towards the characters will change throughout especially towards the flower girl sisters. A brilliantly, well thought out, clever and twisted story especially towards the end. I would highly recommend this story and have awarded a well deserved five stars. I enjoyed reading this one, devoured it.

*** ARC provided by Netgalley via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ***

The Flower Girls centres on Laurel (10) and Primrose (6), who during their formative years were involved in the murder of a 2 year old child. Due to their ages, one goes to prison for the crime whereas the other goes on to lead a ‘normal’ life. Or as normal a life as possible when your older sister is in prison for murder and you change your identity to avoid any link to the crime. 19 years later, a child goes missing in the hotel where ‘Hazel’, as she is now known, is staying bringing the spotlight back towards ‘the flower girls’.

This book is reminiscent of the Jamie Bulger case and plays on the horror of a child not just being murdered but murdered by another child. I certainly felt drawn into the story and finished in a matter of days. A haunting story to begin with, the ending and the twist that comes with it really elevate this book and makes it stand out amongst the crowded crime thriller genre. I would definitely recommend to a friend.

Wow. This book really got me thinking, with the parallels to other child murderers and the debate around rehabilitation, being born or made a monster etc. The story centres on 2 young sisters who stand accusing of killing a 2 year old. The elder sister is 10 and is sent to prison, the younger sister is 6 and under the age of criminal responsibility, so her and her parents start a new life with new identities. When she is older and staying in a hotel with her boyfriend a young child goes missing and she quickly finds herself under suspicion. The story unravels telling us what really happened to the first victim and what has happened to this current missing child. A very somber read that raised some very debatable points.

This is a story where a child goes missing on a cold, wet stormy night and a writer finds out one of the Flower Girls is in the hotel at the time. He believes it was possible she abducted the child like in the case all those years previously along with her sister where the child got killed and if he manipulated her correctly, it could produce a lucrative story for him.

Rosie is not sure what to do. She does not want to be dragged into this case, does not want anything to do with it. She is at her wits end whilst trying to make her escape when bumping into the writer on the stairs and things just go from there.

The book seems very popular and getting a lot of good feed back, I found the story ok but not earth shattering. It might have just been a phrase I was going through. Will try another book by the author.

Laurel and Rosie Bowman are sisters, growing up they are very close until Laurel vomits an horrific crime.

Years later Rosie is away with her partner when a little girl goes missing and the past comes back to haunt her. Another girl missing and with her past she quickly becomes a suspect.

A great book with a fantastic twist you won’t see come.

The Flower Girls. Laurel and Primrose (Rosie), who at ages 10 and 6 murdered 2 year old Kirstie Swann. Laurel as the oldest was convicted and has spent her life in prison - moving from young offenders' when she turned 18, and owing to the nature of the crime and public opinion has been refused parole twice already. Six year old Rosie was deemed too young and was in a state of catatonic shock when the police tried to interview her. Fast forward 19 years, Rosie is now Hazel Archer and on holiday for New Year's Eve, celebrating her 25th birthday with the man she loves and his 14 year old daughter. A young child goes missing and Hazel's identity is revealed and she becomes a suspect. This book is seriously creepy and makes you think. How could this have happened? Is Rosie truly innocent? And what of their parents? Regardless of what Laurel did, Amy is still her mother and she is a ten year old girl. This broke my heart. the father was too weak to go against his wife and visit Laurel, she was hell bent on protecting Rosie. The mother clearly had mental health issues, at the least depression from the earliest accounts. This was a great read, I have only just finished and I can't settle because of how this turned out. What a sad situation, and one which should have been more fully investigated, looking into the family dynamic and why Laurel may have carried out this crime. Horrific and terrifying. #theflowergirls #netgalley

This book kept you guessing all the way through it! I was hooked from the first page. It was a great read!! The ending had me very surprised and shocked. I wish it went on!!