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.

OMG I loved this book so much. From the gorgeous, eye-catching cover to the FANTASTIC Ava Bonney, this book was just incredible.

The characters were incredibly drawn, and the story was written and paced so well. Ava is a teenage girl with a fascinating interest in and respect for death. She studies the bodies of dead animals, like both a scientist and an artist. But when children start getting killed, she is the only one able to help point the detectives in the right direction. I would LOVE to read more stories about Ava.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and it was different than I expected. There’s a string of murders in this small town and they are killing children. One child named Ava is fascinated by death and respects them. She is able to help detectives figure out who is killing these children.

Absolutely adore this author and will read anything they have written or will write. New favorite! Will purchase for libraries.

Ava is the stand out character in Deadly Animals, her character was crafted so well. She instantly drew you in. The plot was engaging and easy to read. At times the pacing felt off with the change of POVs but overall a good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a good read, kept me entertained throughout. I was able to identify what was going to happen but i still enjoyed the read

This was an interesting read; it grabbed my attention in the beginning, but I did get a bit lost about 2/3 into the book. It was a little to easy to figure out who the bad guy was. I would defiantly give this author another go, this was a solid debut If you like a slow burn mystery with a bit of morbidity, give this book a try. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holy & Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. I think it would have been more successful for me if we had spent more time with Ava, whom I adored. The POV switches were distracting, and though I think the story overall was interesting and entertaining (and unique!) I just would have had a better time focusing on Ava and her story directly. I listened to this on audio, which I also recommend, because it moves a bit faster than it would have in print!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫