I had thrills all the time I was reading this book. The Quarry Girls is a fascinating thriller and it truly felt like I was reading a true crime documentary from the point of view of two teenagers, not a work of fiction. The details were on point!

The Quarry Girls is the first book I have read by Jess Lourey. It won't be the last! I finished this last week and it has really stayed with me because it is actually based on true events. Taking place in 1977 it's about a group of high school students who have so many hopes and dreams for the future but also a time when they make some very bad choices. These choices have consequences! I could not stop reading this book and I can't wait to read more by this author!

Set in 1977 in a small town in Minnesota, three best friends Heather, Maureen and Brenda are enjoying their teenage years forming a girl band, swimming in the quarries and just enjoying life. Unfortunately, their simple existence is about to change when a series of young women go missing and fear creeps into their town. Heather is dealing with her mothers mental issues as well as her father’s absence due to his job as the DA, leaving her in charge of her younger sister Junie. She begins to doubt everything and everyone around her, the local boys, a drifter in town, her friends, the police and even her own father. When nothing seems to be done to find the missing girls, Heather begins to investigate on her own and soon finds herself immersed in this dangerous situation, uncovering secrets and lies that will change everything for her and all of those around her.

A fast paced thriller set in a small town. At first it the girls in this small town are disappearing, but then a body is found, secrets are discovered, and the dirty truth is unveiled. Are any of the girls in this small Minnesota town safe? The MC, a teenager, has to take matters into her own hands to find out who killed her friends, and reunite her family.

A dark, disturbing, and twisted novel that was hard to read at times due to the nature of the secrets. This novel gives of the same vibes as The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel.

I want to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book.

The Quarry Girls was a nonstop page turner and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a story about a small town in St. Cloud, Minnesota that is harboring a lot of dark secrets. It has creepy underground tunnels that connect all the houses. When young girls go missing and found dead Brenda is determined to find answers.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Jess Lourey for the ARC for my review.

Overall, I did enjoy this one. It was a bit slow going at first but the second half really picked up and I flew through it. I thought I had things figured out but then another twist was thrown in and caught me off guard. I would have enjoyed a bit more character development but overall, this was a good, quick read.

5 stars all the way!

‘My home, my neighbourhood, whirling like a tuned-up clock as poison rotted it from the inside. Had it always been like this? Bright and happy on the surface, dark and decaying beneath? Was this how every neighbourhood was, or was it the tunnels that cursed Pantown, weakening our foundation from the start?’

I knew it was only a matter of time until Jess Lourey wrote something equally as memorable and unputdownable as Unspeakable Things. I read The Quarry Girls over two days – couldn’t put it down, had to finish, had to know how it ended. Loved the eerie apprehension of this one, and I was in a constant state of foreboding, fearful for the safety of teenage narrator Heather, her younger sister, her two female best friends, and all the girls of the small Minnesota town of Saint Cloud in the Summer of 1977. This town sure had a dark underbelly lurking everywhere, permeating everything.

Given the graphic content, and because it involved underage teenage girls being taken advantage of in pretty much every way possible, it was dark, distressing, disturbing, and often bleak. But, it was also suspenseful, tense, atmospheric, emotional, compelling, and the characters and setting were vivid and unique, and there was justice and hope for the future to be found by the end. The notion of a maze of tunnels running beneath the residential neighbourhood of Pantown on the outskirts of Saint Cloud, accessed via the basements of every house further connecting to an abandoned, derelict factory really creeped me out. Adored all the 70’s pop culture references peppered throughout.

I’m very excited for whatever Jess Lourey writes next. She totally nailed everything correctly with The Quarry Girls.

I’d like to thank Netgalley US, Thomas & Mercer, and Jess Lourey for the e-ARC.

This is a new author to me, and I enjoyed The Quarry Girls very much, so will be keen to read more. Vividly described, the prose is evocative of the era and I felt that I really routed for the main character, caring about the outcome for her. With lots of plot twists it is page-turning and I highly recommend it. Couldn't put it down!

Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this before it was released! I have enjoyed all of Jess Lourey's 1970s Minnesota crime books. This one was great, too. I loved the setting in the creepy tunnels under St. Cloud, MN, and the quarry pits outside of town. This one features smart teenage girls, creepy adult men, a garage band, and a kindnapped waitress

The quarry girls was a a couldn’t put down book for me. A story about a small town and missing girls and creepy tunnels where everyone i seems to be a suspect

highly suspenseful, great read that reminds you to be cautious even with those you know. page turner and will definitely pick up another by the author

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read a copy of The Quarry Girls.

This is my second book from Jess Lourey and I can't wait to read more. I loved the fact this was based off a true story. There are some very disturbing/hard issues to read, but worth it. I did find some parts of the book predictable, but still enjoyed the story.

This book was really interesting! The twists and turns surprised me. The tunnels were really creepy, and I think they made the story unique in an interesting way that I haven't noticed in other young adult mysteries. The characters were compelling as well, and I liked that they suffered from relatable issues. For example, some of them struggle with mental illness.

The Quarry Girls was my first book by Jess Lourey. I am definitely interested in reading more. To be honest, I had to start and stop The Quarry Girls a few times just because the content was too intense for me. Its difficult to talk much about it without spoiling anything, so I will just say the themes of underage sexual abuse as well as the idea of a vast conspiracy of people in trusted roles (police, parents, etc.) doing things that are harmful to women and children are extra intense given how frequently that happens in real life. The story was very engaging and I was hooked early on. I liked the two narrators and was rooting for each of them.

With all the heaviness the themes of The Quarry Girls made me feel, I definitely still enjoyed it as a thriller. The late 1970's setting was also a really great device that added to the thrill of the book. No cell phones, limited news options, no internet....how did people survive back in those days?!?!?!? Haha.

I'm a fan of this author, and the writing in The Quarry Girls was wonderful. So wonderful, that I eventually had to put the book down because the subject matter was just too much. I certainly recommend the book for anyone who feels comfortable with the subject matter.

⭐⭐⭐ -- Love this cover!

I mostly enjoyed this one. It kept me hooked and turning the pages. That said, I also found it quite predictable. I had most of the story figured out very early on. However, that could be because it reminded me of a book I read a while back (can't remember the name) that had a similar plot. In any case, like I said, it was an enjoyable way to pass a few hours!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

The Quarry Girls is a spooky novel for readers who want to experience high school in 1977. Heather and Brenda, soon to head to college, spend their last days of summer, just as they always do, hanging out at a St. Cloud, Minnesota quarry. They become wrapped up in a mystery they promise to keep secret. The Quarry Girls is a great escape read for fans of coming-of-age fiction. Also recommended as a crossover, new adult read.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2023 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2023/01/2023-reading-list-announced-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Based on a true story of kidnapping that occurred in Minnesota, The Quarry Girls follows the stories of 3 friends in the 70s. When one of them goes missing, along with another local girl, the remaining friends set out to try to find out what happened. What they discover on their way to the truth will tear apart many lives in town plus put their lives in danger.

References on this book are so good, a lot music, hair styles, food, tv shows references from the 70s. The author made the story come to life with all the realistic details, the town with its underground tunnels and the quarry nearby created such a creepy atmosphere that gives you goosebumps.

I really enjoyed the small town vibe and the creepiness factor with the tunnels and quarries.

A true-crime based thriller, set in a neighboring county to where I currently live & where I grew up?! Sign me up! I just may be retried to enter Stearns County again for a little bit 😉😂

Set in rural Minnesota, The Quarry Girls is the story of small-town secrets in 1977. A thriller that has one very clear plot line, while the other leaves you searching & wondering about answers to the who’s & why’s.

The book has all the good thriller elements - suspense, questioning, eerie settings, questionable characters & more! I was very drawn in by the different themes that were in this book - girls/women and their roles in society, family dynamics, corruption & all the secrets. It kept me on my toes and desiring to figure out who did what! So good! 😌

Jess Lourey is a local Minnesotan author who writes books based on true crimes that occurred in Minnesota. A big thanks to my friend Maddie for introducing me to Jess’ books - as it’s always great to support local authors, especially with books that have settings that you recognize & are familiar with! I was fortunate enough to meet Jess at my local indie bookstore in December which was such a fun time, getting to chat about her craft & she signed a few copies of her books for me 🙌🏼 She’s the sweetest & I am so glad I was able to attend that signing! 😌