Thank you for the opportunity to preview Deadly Animals. This book path is lead by 14 year old Ava who suddenly finds a dead body. The mystery of the killer goes unsolved so Ava pushes thru to try to solve the case. More of. YA book which is not by genre. It’s a good read for older teens as some of the book is graphic so an older audience is more likely to be interested in the story.
3 atars

I DNF this book around 15 percent. I thought the synopsis and mystery were intriguing, but the writing style and characters just weren’t for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a gifted copy of the e-book.

I really enjoyed Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney. It was very well-written and readable with highly developed characters. It was creepy and eery and as I started to figure out what was happening, I was still dying to finish and see how it all played out. I will highly recommend this book to those interested in literary thrillers.

A very interesting read. I loved being inside Ava’s mind, I found her so fascinating. Creepy and an un put down able story

Deadly Animals is a gritty, emotionally raw novel that explores trauma, survival, and rage with sharp prose and unforgettable characters. Marie Tierney doesn’t pull punches — this story is brutal at times, but always compelling. A dark, feminist thriller that stays with you long after the last page. Fans of Gillian Flynn or Tana French will find a lot to love here. Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

The premise for this book was intriguing, but I found myself disappointed by the execution. The character introductions left something to be desired, and the second act of the book dragged. Ava's obsession with decomposition was interesting at first, but it grew less compelling as the book dragged on. A lot of people will enjoy this book, and the author was very talented! This just was not, in the end, my cup of tea.

Deadly Animals was a super interesting read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I'd read more from the author.

Set in the 1980s, this book follows 14 year old Ava, a girl with a sharp mind and morbid curiosities who is anything but ordinary. The narrative voice is strikingly original, and Ava’s perspective is the true highlight. While the graphic depictions of violence were at times tough to stomach, this felt like the perfect summer horror read for fellow morbidly curious readers who enjoy a dark, twisty mystery!

When Ava finds the dead body of her classmate, an investigation starts to determine who...or what...could impose such terror. Based off the blurb, I thought this story would be following a tomboy-ish teenager and the things she gets up to under the cover of darkness. Instead, this spent more time fleshing out the police procedure than with Ava - and I got bored faster than her roadkill starts to stink. Don't get me wrong, the beginning and ending bookend the mediocre meat of the story with intrigue, but not enough for me to rate this any higher.
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Deadly Animals is a gripping read that dives deep into the fascinating—and sometimes terrifying—world of nature’s most dangerous creatures. Marie Tierney’s storytelling is clear, engaging, and packed with surprising facts that make you see animals in a totally new light.

The book strikes a great balance between science and storytelling, making it easy to get hooked whether you’re a nature nerd or just curious about the wild side of life. It’s informative without feeling like a textbook, and there’s a real sense of respect for the animals and their roles in the ecosystem.

If you like learning about the wild world and aren’t afraid of a little danger, Deadly Animals is a solid, entertaining pick.

Deadly Animals is a gripping, atmospheric novel with a voice that sinks its teeth into you and doesn’t let go. Ava, the main character, is fierce, complex, and utterly compelling—her voice is the true heartbeat of the book.

While the narrative occasionally shifts to other characters, I found myself constantly wanting to return to Ava’s perspective. She’s that magnetic. Her inner world is so richly drawn that everything else felt a little dimmer by comparison.

Marie Tierney delivers a dark, moody story with sharp prose and a protagonist you won’t forget. I just wish we had stayed with Ava even more.

I'm never sure about a child detective protagonist. They can sometimes be a bit much. However, I loved Ava from the very first page. As a future forensic scientist, she roams her neighborhood to track the decomposition of roadkill and noting how they died. While checking on her experiments one night, she accidentally discovers the body of someone she knows.

I really enjoyed the characters and the way the author builds suspense throughout the story. What I thought she did exceptionally well is how she had Ava become involved in the case. Sometimes when amateur detectives get involved in cases, it can seem extremely contrived, but I thought it was cleverly done here.

While the content is kind of dark, I think readers get many indications that this isn't going to be a cozy read. I loved it, and I can't wait to see more from this author!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I’m not a huge fan of literary mystery and I felt like this book was trying to be that.

The characters were underdeveloped and the plot was just not grabbing my attention.

I hope others love this one but it wasn’t for me.

Marie Tierney's Deadly Animals plunges readers into a gripping world where the wild isn't just dangerous - it's lethal, and sometimes, the most dangerous creatures aren't what you expect. This isn't just a thriller; it's a suspenseful exploration of human nature under extreme pressure, where survival instincts clash with hidden agendas.

Tierney crafts a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, weaving together the raw terror of facing deadly wildlife with the equally chilling threat of human deception. The story unfolds with a relentless pace, introducing characters forced to confront not only the perils of the natural world, but also the darkness that lurks within their own group.

Deadly Animals is a thrilling and suspenseful read that will leave you breathless. If you're looking for a story that combines the visceral excitement of an adventure with the psychological tension of a mystery, this book delivers in spades.

I really liked the way this story brought forth the yearning of adolescents that comes from discovering decomposition. The mystery and intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

It's definitely my own fault for trying to read a book about dead animals when I can't read animal violence. So it was just not possible for me to enjoy or like this.

Tough pacing... inconscient structure between the alternating perspectives.

The main character shows a lot of promise... If the story had been a bit faster-paced, with more subtle clues, a few more believable red herrings, and less cartoonish adults, it could have been a fantastic read. As it stands, it didn’t quite work for me, but there’s clearly a lot of potential, and it’s still an solid debut novel.

I was offered this book from NetGalley, but honestly, by the time I got to it, I had forgotten entirely what the story entailed. I'm somewhat glad when that happens, as I can go in with no knowledge besides knowing past me thought the premise was interesting.
I started reading Deadly Animals and was immediately captivated. Ava's midnight activities and observant nature lead her to know more aboutthe secrets of her village than just about anyone else. Some may find her strange, but I found her fascinating. I also appreciate how her mother is portrayed as a much simpler person, one that doesn't recognize the facts and ideas brimming in her older child's brain.
I also appreciated the character of Detective Delahaye. If this story was set in America, I think such a person would have had to been on the level of FBI investigators, as many police officers would have immediately dismissed anything Ava had to offer. Instead, Delahaye seems to notice that Ava is somehow tied the case (even if he doesn't immediately figure out how) as well as possesses general knowledge that will help out the investigation.
Tierney's descriptions of the highways that pass by the village as well as the dreary town were perfect. She set the tone for the entire novel wonderfully just narrating Ava's travels about the area while doing her research.
I was also captivated by the gang of kids that seem to fly under the radar of the adults. Ava has many friends and acquaintances, some that are willing to physically protect her, but none of them seem to be female. She almost seems to be a less obviously feminine Wendy to a pack of Lost Boys.
As you can tell, I enjoyed this book greatly. I applaud Marie Tierney's first endeavor here and will be seeking out her works in the future.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Rating: 3 stars!

I wanted to love this book so much. The premise of the book gives A Good Girls Guide to Murder vibes. The school-age children are solving a local murder. There are some twist and turns, then a grand reveal at the end. I just wasnt as excited as I wanted to be when reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.