If you enjoy some horror with your mystery and thrills, then Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry may be the next book you will want to read. Three women awaken to circumstances that don’t seem right. Celia wakes up in a house with a husband and child that don’t feel like hers. She can’t remember her “real” life, but the house isn’t decorated to her tastes and there are no books in the home. She knows she reads every day. Allie and her friends Cam and Madison planned a beach getaway for Allie’s twenty-first birthday. However, when they come to pick her up, their boyfriends Brad and Steve are with them. Brad takes them to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie is sure something isn’t right, but what is wrong? Maggie wants to be home with her daughter, but she wakes up in a dangerous situation that she must get out of to ensure her daughter is safe.

The story follows each woman through a significant part of their ordeal. Part four brings the story to its conclusion. I found the least character depth to be that of Celia. However, that is likely due to her confused memories. Everything she thinks she remembers about herself doesn’t fit with the life she’s living. Allie is smart, funny, and reliable. However, she tends to go along with others’ plans since she is scared to make herself vulnerable. She shows the most character growth as her story unfolds. Maggie is determined to save her daughter so she comes across as strong and a leader, from the beginning despite her fears. In part four, readers find out how each character understands the others as well as their connections. This added depth to the characters.

The online chats at the beginning of each chapter piqued my interest and the first chapter pulled me into the story. The world-building was fantastic in all four parts of the story. With a combination of mystery and horror, the book kept me on the edge of my seat. Who will survive and what is happening in each scenario? There are also some unpredictable moments and plot twists in this gripping storyline. My one quibble is that I wanted more closure on Celia’s story.

Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, heartbreaking, and atmospheric with plenty of chills. This is my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to reading others.

Berkley Publishing Group and Christina Henry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Celia, a mystery novel fan, wakes up with no memory of her life, and manages to muddle through her day in a strange, sleepy little town – until someone turns up dead. Horror movie fan Allie’s weekend away with her friends turns into a horrifying slasher film. And Maggie, a lover of apocalyptic YA books, finds herself kidnapped and forced to compete against other women in a deadly obstacle course. They all have found themselves trapped in a story straight out of their favorite genre – and it’s not as much fun to live it as it as it is to read or to watch.

This book is part thriller, part mystery, part horror movie, part Hunger Games, part Truman Show. The first parts, one for each main character in a different “genre,” were great. But once the three main characters came together, the truth was revealed, and we met the mastermind behind it all, I had a hard time suspending disbelief. There were some too-coincidental coincidences, and the bad guys were cartoonishly evil and misogynistic. Like, I know that extreme and violent misogyny exists, but the way the number 1 bad guy reacted just struck me as a way that no person, no matter how sure he is of women’s inferiority, would behave in that situation. Unrealistic behavior is what really throws me out of a story, even when the setup for that story is fantastical or unusual – I had no trouble suspending disbelief for the bizarre situation these women found themselves in, but the way the bad guy acted was just ridiculous and ruined the story for me. Four stars for the bulk of the book but one star for the end. Two stars overall.

CW: gore, extreme misogyny

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This story was so fun with such a unique story line. It is told from the perspective of three different women, but all three storylines weave together at the end. Each of these women find themselves trapped within three very different and weird situations. Each of the women have a love for stories, each have their own favorite genre, and they each find themselves trapped within different movie tropes, but there is one thing that ultimately links these three women together, and that one thing is far more disturbing than any of the scenarios the women find themselves in. This book is full of twists and suspense. I think that the author did an amazing job with this unique storyline with fun and relatable characters while diving deep into how women are viewed and displayed to audiences in these all too familiar circumstances. Henry weaves together several different horror elements and tropes throughout this book with three badass women who are strong and full of feministic rage. Overall, this book is entertaining, fast paced, full of action, with plenty of twists to keep you entertained throughout. Each of the women’s stories are told as if they are their own story, but in the end each story comes together in a shockingly twisted and satisfying conclusion.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞?
Anyone who is a fan of horror movies or fantasy movies such as The Truman Show, The Hunger Games, Halloween, or The Stepford Wives should check this one out!

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.25/5

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.

This book skillfully combines the captivating elements of Stepford Wives, Slasher Movies, and Maze Runner, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind reading experience. The author's adept storytelling effortlessly blends these unique vibes, creating a narrative that is both engrossing and unforgettable.

Moreover, the novel delves into the theme of feminism, utilizing dark humor as the three protagonists navigate their way through the challenges posed by a deeply misogynistic male character. This exploration adds depth and complexity to the storyline, highlighting important social issues.

However, the enigmatic ending of the book caught me off guard, leaving me with lingering unanswered questions about the fate of the characters.

This was such a unique and clever premise, and I was really enjoying it right up until the end. I’m sorry to say that the ending took the wind out of my sails for my enjoyment level.

I still say you should give it a try because you might love it.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

What a unique and wild story. I couldn't put Good Girls Don't Die down, and was really impressed by how the stories all tied together.

First, we meet Celia, who doesn't remember her husband, child, or any aspect of her life, and then becomes a suspect in the murder of her neighbor. Next, we meet Allie who is on a vacation with her friends in the deserted woods, when they start being stalked by a nefarious character. Finally, we're brought into a survival game with 12 women, who are drugged, brought to a deserted place, and forced to take place in a dangerous maze.

How all of these elements came together was fantastic, and the powerful premise at the end was one I won't forget.

Be forewarned, there is a lot of gore. A LOT. So if that's not your thing, skip this one. It gets bloodier and more brutal as the story goes on. Also, if you're an arachnophobe like me, there's a pretty intense part towards the end of the book that definitely had me rattled. I wish I knew about that going into it, at least to prepare myself.

The only thing I wished for was an epilogue. While it doesn't necessarily need it, I would have liked to know more about what happened after.

A great read.
Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

This story follows our three leading ladies, Celia, Allie and Maggie. They all have one thing in common, and that is their passion for a very specific genre of media! For Celia, it’s cozy mystery books. Allie is a horror movie fanatic. Maggie is super into YA Dystopian novels!

But while these passions might bring them joy, they just might also be the cause of the dangerous and terrifying situations they find themselves thrown into.

I know, I KNOW this review is super vague, but there is really no way for me to go into any further details without ruining the surprise twists and turns.

I will say in very non-spoilery fashion, that while I did enjoy parts of this, I do feel that there were some let downs along the way. I liked the beginning SO much more than the end, like I really thought I was buckled up for a 5 Star Read in the beginning. But I ended up liking one characters story so much better than the other two. All in all I'd say it was a fun, easy read. Would probably classify it as a thriller, but with horror elements as well. I'm not super sure if I'd necessarily recommend it to everyone, but I'm not mad that I read it. I think there was some missed potential, but all in all okay!

.4.5 stars. What a unique fun book.

When I first started reading, I thought "what on EARTH is going on?" Then a small twist occurred, and then another, and I started getting into the flow of what was happening.

My best advice: just go in blind and go with it.

I didn't really love the ending, but it was decent closure. The rest of it was so original and out of the ordinary for a thriller that I give props to the author for coming up with an out of the box concept.
There's also some intriguing and insightful analysis of women and how women are viewed and treated.

If you're looking for something different in a thriller, give this one a try.

Good Girls Don't Die
by Christina Henry
Pub Date: November 14, 2023
Berkely
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book just wasn't for me. I have read this author before and the synopsis sounded interesting so I thought I would give her another try. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a good fit.
I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
3 stars

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this before - three main parts, each with a different woman as the focal point, each dropped into a reality that isn’t hers. Each must fight for her life in order to survive.

Truth be told - I loved this book, until the very end. So, I won’t spoil it but the final part felt very overwrought and the villain felt like a caricature of a real person. However - the overall vibe and sentiment of this book were chefs 💋

Three stories, three women challenged to prove themselves.
They begin with online chats - women posters antagonized by men stating they would not survive a minute.
Celia, Maggie and Allie wake up strange places, no memories of arrival. They must complete a task - with little to no support while pushing hard to face the challenge.
I'm a huge fan of women overcoming sexism - this book is very engaging, enraging and terrifying.

I'm not sure what this book was trying to accomplish or even if it did so. Sure, men hate women and do terrible things to them but this book didn't say anything new to me. I found the ending to be lackluster as well.

Hot dang, Christina Henry is on fire in this sizzling and snapping good read! She takes well-known tropes and spins them into scorching, thrilling twists in this innovative sci-fi feminist thriller.

While playing with distinct scenarios reminiscent of cozy mysteries, horror films, and dystopian young adult novels, Christina Henry creates a razor-sharp, mind-bending journey for three women who suddenly find themselves trapped within stories they know don't belong to them. She cleverly entwines these genres, crafting narratives that are both playfully inventive and relentlessly intense, and I was turning the pages so fast sparks were coming off them.

What set this story apart for me was the fresh and unapologetically feminist perspective. Christina Henry fearlessly grapples with misogyny and spotlights resolute, empowering female characters who defy underestimation. These are women you'll want to root for as they navigate the challenges and men they encounter. However, this is a thriller. Christina Henry heavily dishes out an exhilarating, fast-paced, over-the-top story with the most awful men you will encounter while still offering plenty of depth.

Beneath its moments of high drama, the story delves into profound themes, ensuring a captivating and thought-provoking empowering reading experience for the unapologetically feminist reader. This was the dynamic, entertaining, intriguing, feminist-driven thriller that boldly subverts expectations I didn’t know I was looking for and I loved every minute of it!!

I have tried to read other books by this author in the past and they weren't for me. I thought that being that this one had an intriguing premise and was not based on a fairy tale, that I would like it. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

I did not get on with the story at all. All of the characters annoyed me and the story-line was simplistic and not explained well. I did not care for the ending either.

2/5 stars

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!

Three women find themselves trapped inside stories they don't recognize. Celia wakes up one day and doesn't remember anything -- not her husband, her daughter or her business. Allie arrives at what SHOULD be a fun weekend trip with her friends, only to find an unexpected danger all around them. Finally, Maggie finds herself smack dab in the dystopian young adult novels that she loves so much. Can the three of them figure out who they truly are?

This was such an odd read! The premise is super interesting and I had high hopes going into this one, but it was nothing like I expected! I will say that the writing and plot were very clever and unique, and I applaud Christina Henry for thinking outside the box. This one just didn't work for me. The sections between each woman were too short for me to feel connected to them, but felt like they dragged on when I knew so much was yet to come. The ending was wild, fast-paced and nothing like I expected. Even a week after finishing this, I'm still not really sure what to think about it!

This book was so good and I will definitely be reading more from this author as her writing truly sucked me and and made me so excited to keep reading as i was trying to figure out what was going on!

Read if you like:
😡 Female Rage
3️⃣ Three POV
🧭 Three different scenarios
💨 Fast Paced Reads
🧗‍♀️ Cliffhangers
💬 Mixed Media at beginning of chapters

This book puts all the classics of horror together in 4 parts with the first three parts being from different POV of:

🏡 Celia who woke up in a house with a family that is supposed hers but everything feels off and like she doesn’t belong

🔪 Allie who finds herself in the woods with her friends in an isolated cabin when that start to feel like the start of a horror movie

🏹 Maggie who wants to be home with her daughter but is in a hunger games like situation with several other women also taken from their loved ones and forced to complete a dangerous maze

Of the three POV I really enjoyed Celia’s the best and that’s probably because I’m more of a mystery/thriller reader but this book literally has something for everyone if you like mysteries, horror movies, or dystopian plots!

The ending was mostly satisfying for me, but also had some things that knocked it down from my initial expectations. I definitely think going in as blind as possible makes this one such a fun and suspenseful read that will keep you turning pages so I won’t add much more except that I feel personally victimized by part 3 chapter 6 of this book (iykyk… cough because of my name) 😂

Thanks so much Berkley for my ARC I really loved this one and highly recommend it to my felllow horror/thriller readers!

Three women find themselves in worlds they don’t recognize. One woman finds herself in a Stepford Wives-ish scenario, the second is thrown straight into a classic horror movie set in the woods, and the third woman is practically thrown into the Hunger Games.

How did they get there? What is going on? How are they going to get out of these horrific situations?

This was a love letter to horror movie watchers and readers! This was fast paced, as bingeable as a book can be, and had the perfect commentary we all loved from Randy in Scream. To say this was a fun time is an understatement. It was absolutely meta!

If you have ever yelled at the tv screen “DON’T SPLIT UP!”, thought to yourself “I’d totally be a final girl”, ever imagined yourself as the main character in your thriller or mystery and thought “oh I already figured out how this ends!” - Then you’ll get a kick out of this book.

This author took so many of my favorite horror elements and tropes and shoved it into a thoughtful (and anger inducing if you’re a woman) horror thriller. The feminine rage is strong in this one and the ending was deliciously satisfying.

Not everyone will love the twist or how it ends, but this book definitely stayed loyal to its horror movie inspired roots and captured the essence of what women experience everyday. This will not be the last book I read by this author.

4⭐️ overall. I do have some issues with the ending, but in the interests of keeping this spoiler free I’ll keep that to myself. 🙃

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC! This publishes on 11/14/23!

This is really clever and it took me a hot sec to figure out what was going on. My "toxic" trait is that I never read book descriptions. Especially if the book is recommended or the author is an auto-read. There are 3 scenarios and the women involved are basically living out their favorite book genres. But why? And how? And who would do this to them anyway?

This author has quite an imagination and even though she more or less stays within the horror genre, she manages to consistently come up with unique stories. She's an auto-read for me for sure.

I think a lot of people are going to love this book!

Celia woke up in a life that felt like it wasn’t hers. It seemed scripted. Like a weird small town scripted mystery.

Allie woke up and expected to be at the beach with her friends, but her friend’s boyfriend drove them all to a creepy cabin in the woods instead. And something seemed off.

Maggie woke up in a room full of women all wearing the same uniform and a number, about to compete in some sort of maze in order to save the lives of someone they cared about. Like some sort of Maze Runner or Hunger Games.

Obviously, these scenarios seemed ripped out of the pages of fiction. I was eager to see what would combine their stories and how they related to each other.

I loved the mystery and the sheer will to survive that each of the characters showed throughout their ordeal.

I think most people will really love the way it ended and how it was all combined, especially today. It seemed fitting, funny, and made me want to root for the characters even more.

I hate to say anything more because I think it’s best not to know anything going in. But if I’m being honest, I did not like the reveal. As much as I wanted to be on board and I do think people like the ones involved exist, I don’t think it’s feasible that anyone underestimates the other group of people involved to that degree AND has any sort of power to do what they did. It’s hard to explain without spoiling it, but overall I had so much anticipation and I just really didn’t like how it unfolded. The mystery was more fun. I think I’ll be pretty alone in that opinion, though, so I highly recommend the book!

At first I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Good Girls Don't Die. I don't read a lot of short stories, and, with most of the book broken into three separate plot lines, I wondered if I might just get invested in one character before having to move on to another, but OMG. I actually did become invested in the characters, and each section of the book is better than the last, but the best of all is the completely satisfying finale. I am keeping this review spoiler free, but get your hands on a copy of Good Girls Don't Lie. It's a totally unique premise, and, although I wasn't sure where it was going to go, that's most of what I loved about it -- the unexpected.