I went into thinking this would be a Thriller (it is, after all categorized as a Mystery Thriller on Goodreads). A thriller, it is not. A study into how grief affects different people would be a more accurate assessment IMO.

Twelve years ago Abby Hartman disappeared. The person suspected of her murder is about to be executed. However, Abby’s death has been overshadowed by the serial killer’s other more flashy murders. Abby’s friends, Bree and Chelsea, come together to when a famous podcast profiles the serial killer. But Bree and Chelsea are estranged and have their own issues to deal with.

There are dual timelines and multiple POV and that’s my fave when reading a thriller. The author also uses other forms of media throughout, such as newspaper clippings, podcast scripts, etc.

This book is about the victim and not about the serial killer. I know serial killers can be glorified these days, whereas no one can name a single victim. This book flips that. It’s a good read. It’s also a debut, which blows my mind.

Serial killer Jon Allan Blue is days away from execution for the murders of several women, mostly university students. But this isn’t really his story He was also suspected of the murder of another woman, 18-year-old Abby Hartman who disappeared on Halloween night twelve years ago but whose body has never been found. This is her story and that of the two best friends she left behind.

Chelsea has been her best friend most of their lives and more than friends for much of that time. She is now an Episcopal priest and married but she has never gotten over Abby. Bree has been friends with Chelsea and Abby since high school but has always felt insecure beside their wealthy upbringings. She is now a professor and having an affair with a much younger student.

I have mixed feelings about Don’t Forget the Girl by Rebecca McKanna. It’s well-written and I liked the concept. It’s true that we always remember the names of serial killers but rarely the names of their victims. In fact, I’d guess everyone reading the book sill guess who Blue was patterned on. So it was a nice change to make the victims (because those left behind are also victims) and how they were affected the main theme of the novel.

The story is told from the three different perspectives with Chelsea and Bree’s story told in third voice while Abby's story is in second voice. The story also goes back and forth in time.The problem is, outside of their grief, there is not enough here to make me feel connected to their lives and what is here became repetitive- Bree’s insecure, Chelsea’s angry, neither can move on. By the end, the last few pages were a struggle and I just wanted it to be over.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review

WOW! This one packs a punch! I can’t believe this is a debut!
DON’T FORGET THE GIRL by Rebecca McKanna had me so close to the edge of my seat, I almost hit the floor before the clock ran down. I felt like I was in a race against time.
Bree, Abby, and Chelsea had been best friends since middle school, but twelve years ago, when they were Freshman at University of Iowa (is that the potatoes?), Abby disappeared and it was feared that she was one of the victims of death row inmate Jon Allan Blue who was suspected of being a serial killer but sentenced to die for a different murder. Following Abby’s disappearance, the remaining two friends just drifted away from each other and have had no contact since. With Blue’s execution coming, there is renewed interest by the public. Rachel Morgan, a true-crime podcaster wants to investigate Abby’s disappearance and contacts both of the women. Bree, now a Photography teacher is having an affair with a student and Chelsea, now an Episcopal priest is having marital problems and seems to be existing rather than living. Both women shoulder immense guilt over things said and done during that long ago time. Neither woman wants to participate but then hope that doing so will put an end to the interest in the case. Thus, they are re-united all while the clock ticks down for Jon Blue.
Told in dual timelines we see what led up to that fateful night a dozen years ago and how the decisions they made then are affecting them now.
This story was SOOO good.. I loved seeing how each of these women tried to cope with her actions and reactions of Abby’s disappearance. This is the first Rebecca McKanna novel but it will surely not be my last. I can’t wait to see where this author takes me next. BRAVO!
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and I’m leaving them voluntarily.

3.5 Stars - The book really reminded me of Ted Bundy - Jon Allen Blue - going after college women and then dying by the death penalty. I understand this was written from the perspective of the victims and not the criminal, but I felt like we were building up to something and then it was just over. We didn't get a lot of info on what really happened to Abby. It was really rushed. It didn't seem like a mystery or a thriller, in my opinion, as we knew Abby was killed by JAB. It was a sad story of how two friends lost their other friend and the trauma that leaves behind. I wished the podcast had been more involved in the book, as it seemed to be an afterthought. I enjoy mixed media in books and wished there could have been more.

This book was a very slow and tedious burn for me even though I was excited by the premise. I just didn't connect with the characters.

the premise of this was so up my alley. gimme a serial killer plot with an added bonus of podcast. i enjoyed how female friendships, religious and sexuality were all intertwined BUUUT the whole story was molasses pace. I was quite honestly bored to tears. and again, this wasn’t a “thriller” . the pov’s got confusing and had a mix of third person and second person - which is also not my jam. I think this book had a lot of potential but it veered into too many different directions that ultimately fell very flat for me.

A solid 4 star read with multiple POVs, a couple twists and a deeper, emotional plot line than the usual popcorn thriller/mystery. I couldn't put this one down and really enjoyed the various ways this story was slowly revealed through flashbacks, articles and podcast transcripts. Definitely recommend.

I went into this book expecting a gritty thriller about a serial killer and a group of female college friends. Once I adjusted my expectations and understood that it was more of a true crime suspense/women’s suspense the purpose of the story made a lot more sense. I loved the sapphic romance storyline- as a lot of thriller/suspense books don’t focus much on the character relationships. The dynamic of friends or lovers and secret romance was really well done and added an intense layer to the story.

The last portion of the story where we get Abby’s perspective was intense and fantastic.

I got a little bit lost in the podcast pieces where there was a heavy deep dive into how society expects women to behave in order to avoid being killed. I also for some reason was expecting the killer to end up not being the killer- or some twist with respect to him. Again - I needed to adjust my expectations and remind myself that this book isn’t a thriller and that I shouldn’t be waiting for a massive reveal.

It was a fun read and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. I will definitely read more by this author. Special thank you to netgalley and sourcebooks for the advanced copy.

There's a bitter truth at the core of this thriller: we talks a lot about the killers, sort of pop idols, and forget the victims.
This the other side of true crime mania and this well plotted thriller talked about those impacted by the actions of a serial killer.
Well plotted, poignant, tense and full of food for thought
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Bree, Chelsea and Abby have been best friends since grade school. In 2003, they’re all enrolled as students at the University of Iowa. Bree sometimes feels like a third wheel in the relationship, as Abby and Chelsea have known each other longer, come from privileged backgrounds and even have their own apartment together. Though Bree and Abby are closer than Bree is with Chelsea, Bree and Abby’s shared acting studies often feel as if they spark more competition than commiseration, adding another dimension to their already complicated friendship.

When the three girls get into a huge fight on Halloween night, it’s Abby who gets left behind at the cemetery while the other two head home. Abby subsequently disappears, an event that changes Bree and Chelsea’s lives forever.

Months later, serial killer Jon Allan Blue is caught and convicted of several other murders. The general consensus is that he was responsible for Abby’s death too. Not only does she fit his preferred victim profile, he’d known her from their time together at university. Bree and Chelsea certainly believe that he killed her, despite Blue proclaiming his innocence of any and all crimes.

While they tried to stay strong during the initial search for Abby, Bree and Chelsea’s friendship does not long survive the aftermath of her disappearance. Separately, they enter personal tailspins that they’re only partially successful in hiding from the rest of the world. As Blue’s execution date looms closer, a shocking discovery pushes Bree to reach out to the friend she hasn’t talked to in over a decade.

At the same time, Chelsea’s desire to keep Abby’s memory alive compels her to contact a famous true crime podcast host. Chelsea wants to offer the world a fresh perspective on the murderous crime spree, putting the victims at the forefront instead of glamorizing the man who killed them. When Chelsea asks Bree to come on the podcast too, Bree hesitates. She’s gun shy of doing any more interviews after their disastrous efforts soon after Abby’s disappearance, but is finally convinced by a thought that’s long plagued her:

QUOTE
It’s such a small thing, but it hurts. When someone is dead, they can’t set the record straight. They can’t interject and say, <i>Actually, this is who I was. This is what I wanted.</i> The living are left to assert their version of the dead as the real one. Not for the first time, Bree remembers she and Chelsea grieve two different people, two different Abbys. If Bree lets Chelsea be the only person Rachel Morgan interviews on <i>Infamous</i>, it will be Chelsea’s version of Abby who’s cemented into public record.
END QUOTE

Will the two women finally reunite and get to the truth of what happened to their friend? Perhaps just as importantly, will they be able to exorcise the demons that tore them apart, and reforge their bond anew?

This riveting thriller explores, in shifting timelines and narrative voices, what it means to lose and to grieve someone dearly loved, particularly in the context of complex female friendships. Don’t Forget The Girl deftly examines the practice of whitewashing people’s lives, whether in the present or the past, to make them seem “acceptable” to society and thus worth caring about. What makes a young woman good? the book asks. What makes a girl worth remembering?

Further complicating things is the secret that Abby hides in 2003. Chelsea pushes her to come clean, but Abby, for many sensible reasons, doesn’t want to. She deflects, telling Chelsea:

QUOTE
“Maybe I’m just not as brave as you.”

“That’s a cop-out,” Chelsea says. “You’re the one who gets on stage in front of people.”

How can you explain it to her? That’s the exact opposite of what she’s asking you to do. To stand on stage, playing a part, is the most satisfying thing in the world. <i>Look at me</i>, you tell people. <i>Look at this illusion I’ve made. You can stare at me but you’re really seeing someone else, someone I created just for you.</i> But invite people to look at who you really are?

“I’m not ready yet,” you say.
END QUOTE

The tension of this desire to be seen yet to remain unknown runs through the heart of this thoughtful, affecting novel. Our three main characters’ emotionally tangled teenage years are set alight in the crucible of Abby’s disappearance, leaving Bree and Chelsea to flail over the course of the decade that follows despite their best efforts to pretend that they’re doing just fine. Their experience in reuniting and confronting the truth about themselves and Abby is cathartic, even if the outcome is ultimately bittersweet. This novel is an exemplary portrait of women trying their best to live with honesty and grace in the early 21st century, while finding justice for a friend who can no longer claim it for herself.

This book is about 3 girls who go into the woods and only 2 of them come back. I would say this is more of a women’s fiction book than a thriller. It’s told in multiple points of view. This book is a slow burn and was hard for me to get into

Jon Allan Blue is about to be executed for the murders of several young girls. One of those girls was Abby Hartmann, but she has been overlooked as there has never been a solid connection to Blue. Twelve years ago, Abby’s best friends Chelsea and Bree watched her walk away on a Halloween night never to be seen again. When her body is found, and with the execution looming, both Chelsea and Bree are trying to come to grips with their past and the feelings they have tried to bury since Abby’s disappearance. Since that night Chelsea and Bree have gone their own ways, but are they finally going to get the answers they seek and find out once and for all what happened to Abby? This book was not much of a thriller but more of a women’s fiction story, which didn’t bother me overly much, but the language and parts of the storyline did. Thank you to Sourcebooks, Inc. and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

"Don't Forget the Girl" by Rebecca McKanna is a poignant and compelling novel that captivated me from beginning to end. The story follows the journey of a young woman striving to overcome the challenges and injustices she faces in a male-dominated society.

McKanna's writing style is exquisite, painting vivid imagery and evoking a strong emotional response. The author skillfully explores themes of gender inequality, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. The plot is well-paced, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and eager to uncover the protagonist's fate. McKanna's attention to detail in describing the settings and historical backdrop enhances the authenticity of the story.

What sets "Don't Forget the Girl" apart is its ability to tackle important social issues while still delivering an entertaining and satisfying reading experience. The book is thought-provoking, shedding light on the struggles faced by women throughout history and highlighting the importance of fighting for equality. My only slight reservation is that certain parts of the story felt slightly rushed, leaving me yearning for more exploration and development. Nonetheless, this did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This literary suspense debut completely blew me away! It was propulsive, smart and absolutely unputdownable. The premise was unique and gripping, the execution seamless. I found it to be much more complex than a typical thriller with a fresh focus on the women affected by the murders as opposed to the murders/murderer himself. The characters were all well developed and raw and the exploration of the girls history, relationships and drama with one another was demonstrated expertly through their rotating POVs.

I would highly recommend adding this mystery to your TBR!

Don't Forget the Girl is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is an incredible slow-burn that creeps it's way into you until the title is an actuality of your life. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out Don't Forget the Girl asap.

4 1/2 stars

I found this to be an inventive and addictive storyline. The book centers around three college friends - - unfortunately one was killed in college so only two are surviving. It is told in alternating time lines and from different viewpoints. In the present day, their friend, Abby's suspected killer is a man who has been convicted of other murders even though they could never attach him directly to Abby's. This man, Jon Allen Blue is gaining fame as his execution date approaches.

It's been years since Abby's murder and all her friends, Bree and Chelsea want is for her to be remembered. It seems that the attention always goes to the killer and the victims are forgotten. When a new tv show is being released that plans to focus on the serial killer, Jon Allen Blue, it seems that they are losing the battle.

The alternating time lines was the perfect way to lay out this story. It was a brilliant way to parcel out the information a bit at a time without giving away too much at once. It definitely keeps the reader on the hook wanting more. Even though I saw some of the twists coming, they were still clever. It's a clever and well-written plot.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audio version of this book is quite enjoyable. The narration kept me intrigued and listening every chance I got. Since I also had the ebook, I toggled back and forth between both versions which is truly my favorite thing to do. I think that given the type of story this was, it lent itself well to an audio format. 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook. I voluntarily chose to review them and the opinions contained within are my own.

This was a good book but again extremely slow burning. Beth’s character was very annoying but overall This was a mediocre read

Chelsea and Bree’s best friend Abby is murdered while in college. We spend the story learning about Abby’s two friends and effects it’s had on their lives and the different parts of Abby they knew. I really liked how we get chapters from Abby as well, the way she saw things and what lead up to her disaprence. . The way it was mixed with Chelsea and Bree's life in the present had me invested in figuring out what really happened. This was for me mostly a story of grief and how it can shape lives. I liked how it was a mystery up until the very end and I wasn't sure who was actually involved!
Being in Iowa now it’s awesome seeing things I recognize here like Iowa City!! It’s making me enjoy it even more!

Thank you to SourceBooks and Netgalley for my gifted copy.

This book was very interesting. I loved that she is from Iowa and based the novel off of a college girl in Iowa.

This book goes over Abby and her dearly after her killer is up to be executed for being a serial killer. There is much truth in the fact that we never remember the girls or boys but the killer themselves. Bree and Chelsea have to go through their truth, lord and everything in between for this podcast they are on. This was told in 3 different perspectives, which took me a bit to get used to since they aren’t all in 1st or 3rd but a 2nd as well.

Overall this book is very different than I have ever read and think for a debut author she did awesome. I would recommend this to my mom who loves mysteries and whatnot.