The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne and narrated by Emer Heatley is brutal, gritty, raw and has a list of trigger warnings a mile long but it was brilliant, truly brilliant. A story of the worst side of soceity, the worst type of parent and the psychological impact on children that lasts well into adulthood.

Two sisters, destitute and neglected by their abusive mother. Set in Cork, Ireland, Grace tries to give her younger sister Amber all the love and protection she can, trying to find food, even to the point of stealing daily to stave off starvation. "The Murphy Stink", piles of rbbish accumulating and festering in their home, damp and urine soaked clothes and bedding . One of the most poignant interactions with their mother that left me in tears was Grace desperately asking for washing powder and how it was turned back on to her.

The girls do not just have to live in fear from their mother, but the man who visits Grace in the night, who one night visits when Grace is not there, who visits her little sister Amber. Grace can never forgive herself, she could endure, her little sister could not

Told in two timelines, childhood and present day adults, the Good Girl tells their story, the effect of their childhood, and just how far a victim will go to get revenge. Two differet psyches, two different outcomes from the same, terrible childhood

Their one constant is Det. Garda Jerry Hughes. He has seen the girls grow up, the life they have been forced to endure. As much as he looks out for them, he also has a job, and right now, there are men disappearing and he needs to find out why.

Devastating, but compelling, a story that cannot be ignored, brilliantly written and narrated

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, Michelle Dunne and narrator Emer Heatley for this ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this amazing audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a fan of female serial killers and psychological thrillers, this is a must read! It does have some severely dark topics throughout it, but if none of those are personal triggers, you really need to put a day aside to jump into this story. I finished the entire audiobook in one sitting. Afterwards, I couldn't help but think about people who were unknowingly close to serial killers in real life before they were caught and what type of thoughts they must have had after the reveal.

I did bump it up to 1.5x speed, but that is extremely common for me. The narrator did a great job bringing this story to life and playing into the emotions the listeners are experiencing.

An emotionally raw thriller. Truly shows how deep abuse can scar and pass on from generation to generation. A crime novel like no other.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. The audiobook format adds an extra layer of intensity to the narrative, the narrator’s flawless performance brings the characters to life in a way that is haunting, mesmerizing, and addictive. With the skill of the narrator and the talent of the author, I had a hard time putting this book down.

Trigger warnings for SEVERE child abuse (physical, mental and sexual).

The story centers around Grace Murphy, a seemingly ordinary barista with a tumultuous past that lurks beneath her calm exterior. Dunne masterfully crafts a character who is both victim and villain, ensnaring the listener in a complex web of sympathy and suspicion.

Detective Garda Jerry Hughes, a gentle, caring man with his own connections to Grace’s troubled childhood, is the embodiment of a flawed hero. His dedication to justice is unwavering, yet his personal involvement with the case blurs the lines between professional duty and personal obligation. 

Dunne’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the Cork cityscape that serves as the backdrop for this chilling tale.

The audiobook’s narrator captures the essence of each character, from Grace’s controlled tones to Jerry’s weary determination, making the experience all the more immersive.

What sets The Good Girl apart is its ability to challenge the listener’s perceptions, posing the question: Would you recognize a serial killer if they were a part of your daily routine?

The Good Girl is a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers; I read around 8 mysteries or psychological thrillers a week, and this one is magnetically well- written.

The audiobook format enhances the story’s suspense, making it a perfect companion for those long commutes or quiet evenings.

This is how a true five-star thriller should feel! What a heartbreaking novel with such an excellent writing. Everything that happened in this book just blew me away. I was captivated by this thrilling, fast-paced psychological thriller from the very first page! I simply couldn't stop reading it since it was so addicted!

Grace and Amber grew up in some of the most appalling circumstances possible. Taking care of and guarding her younger sister was Grace's responsibility as the older sister and dealing with the consequences of her actions—getting wounded, bearing the brunt of the abuse, or stealing food. Now that they are adults, Grace makes it her goal to get revenge on the man who harmed her younger sister. But perhaps there's more to it than that.

The narrator did an outstanding job! She was a major contributor to the book's atmosphere. I would absolutely be interested in hearing more of her work!

I heartily suggest this book to everyone who like psychological thrillers. It is an extremely gritty, dark criminal novel that leaves you feeling emotionally raw, therefore you should check triggers. There are some explicit details of torture and child and sexual abuse. Please be aware of this.

Wow… just wow 😳! In some ways this book is still giving me the creepy crawlies! Michelle Dunne's new thriller, "The Good Girl," is a gripping tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grace Murphy, is seemingly an ordinary barista caring for her sister, but she’s hiding a dark secret! She's not the woman anyone thinks she is.

Officer Jerry Hughes, familiar with Grace's traumatic past, is too occupied with a series of mysterious disappearances to notice the clues right in front of him. As the investigation unfolds, the shocking connection between the missing men and Grace's history reveals a chilling portrait of a serial killer hiding in plain sight. Dunne expertly weaves suspense and psychological drama in this unforgettable story.

***Disclaimer - this book contains sensitive topics, including child abuse, mental illness, and drug abuse. Some of the content in this book was a little more violent / graphic than I typically read, and honestly I’m still a little confused with how it ended…

I listened to this within two days, definitely a book that keeps you hooked. I loved the narrator, she was very engaging to listen to and her accent was a great reminder of where the book was taking place.

This isn't a book that keeps you guessing about who the culprit is, we know right from the beginning who it is. What we do learn is why. The book bounces back and forth between past and present, which I really enjoyed. You learn more about the past, more about side characters, and soon it all clicks.

Check your triggers for this one though: SA, child abuse/neglect, drug use, torture.

Thanks to NetGalley for this audiobook.

Wow, wow, wow. What did I just read? This book was great! A few too many characters (slightly confusing). But, oh so good. This was not predictable to me (and I love that). Definitely read this book. It could use a trigger warning, it has some very upsetting scenes in it.

Michelle Dunne's "The Good Girl" is a dark and gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of trauma, vengeance, and the thin line between victim and perpetrator. Narrated with compelling intensity by Emer Heatley, the story offers a haunting exploration of a woman's descent into a chilling quest for justice.

Grace Murphy is an enigma. On the surface, she is an unassuming barista, diligently caring for her sister and leading a quiet, almost invisible life. Yet, the novel's opening revelation—that she has a man cable-tied to a chair, slowly dying in her home—immediately shatters this veneer of normalcy. Dunne skillfully peels back the layers of Grace's life, revealing the scars of a brutal and troubled childhood that continue to influence her every move.

The narrative is further enriched by the character of Detective Garda Jerry Hughes, whose own history is intricately linked with Grace's. Jerry’s knowledge of her past and his occasional check-ins with the sisters add a poignant layer to the story. His current preoccupation with a series of missing men—each bearing a striking resemblance to someone from Grace’s past—sets the stage for a tense and thrilling investigation.

Dunne's storytelling is marked by its depth and psychological acuity. Grace is a multifaceted character, and her transformation from a nurturing caregiver to a woman capable of committing such acts is both believable and unsettling. The exploration of her motives and the impact of her traumatic childhood provide a nuanced understanding of her actions, challenging readers to grapple with their own perceptions of right and wrong.

Emer Heatley's narration brings an added dimension to the story. Her portrayal of Grace captures the character's internal conflict and steely determination, while her interpretation of Jerry Hughes conveys the detective's weariness and dedication. Heatley’s voice work enhances the tension and emotional weight of the novel, making the listening experience immersive and emotionally resonant.

The plot is meticulously crafted, with Dunne weaving together past and present to build suspense and maintain a tight narrative pace. The gradual revelation of Grace's past and its connection to the current disappearances keeps readers on edge, while the moral ambiguities of the characters’ actions add a layer of complexity that elevates the novel beyond a standard thriller.

"The Good Girl" is not just a tale of revenge; it is a profound exploration of the long-lasting effects of abuse and the desperate measures one might take to reclaim power and agency. Dunne’s ability to create empathy for a character who commits such dark deeds is a testament to her skill as a writer.

In conclusion, "The Good Girl" by Michelle Dunne is a compelling psychological thriller that will keep readers and listeners captivated from start to finish. With a gripping plot, deeply developed characters, and a powerful narration by Emer Heatley, this novel is a standout in the genre. It challenges, disturbs, and ultimately leaves a lasting impression, making it a must-read for fans of intense and thought-provoking thrillers.

This was VILE, but in an entertaining, thrilling way?

Don't read/listen if you are easily grossed out and definitely heed the content warnings before diving in. It was heartbreaking, infuriating and an overall wild ride.

The Irish accented audiobook narration was perfect.

Firstly this is the darkest, most gruesome and heartbreaking book I have ever read. And yet it is beautifully written and carries the reader along this terribly cruel journey.


Emer Heatley is a gorgeous narrator with a calm, steady voice and her soft Irish accent giving the story meaning and intensity and somehow allowing the listener some comfort during the dark descent.

There could be so many trigger warnings on this book, let’s just say it is certainly not for the faint hearted! And yet it makes for compulsive reading.

Grace Murphy has had a tough life but has fought against the odds to get herself to a good place, devoted to her younger sister Amber.

The details are horrific and yet running alongside this horror is a bank of colourful characters. Told from a variety of perspectives and also from past and present timelines, the reader is able to understand the reasoning for the tragic events. It was (fortunately for me) a challenge to imagine such depths of human depravity and such dregs of society.

How Michelle Dunne could come up with a plot like this is totally beyond me, there were many incredulous shakes of the head from this reader!

I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this read as much as I did, but I ended up forgoing sleep to finish this in one day. The book begins with a punch and doesn’t really slow down from there. This is a dark read that has a powerful atmosphere and amount of tension throughout. The setting was also wonderfully written and added much to the book.

The characters are excellently written. I really enjoyed how Grace is introduced, and how the readers’ perception of her changes as more of her past and present is revealed. Even the secondary characters are well written, and I enjoyed how complex they were. It made for a compelling read, and one with many relatable characters.

If you’re looking for a dark read with compelling characters that focuses on the “why” rather than the “who,” then this is a must read. I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and the narrator did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this book, which will be published June 18, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

**Check TW for this book!

Grace spends her days in between work and caring for her sister, making sure she has everything they lacked growing up. It just so happens men resembling someone from their past are going missing all around town.

I want to start this off by saying I truly recommend checking trigger warnings for this one, because it is pretty dark and heavy.

The story is very gripping and it does a good job at keeping you interested from the very first moment. It switches in between a couple of characters, leaving you to guess how everything and everyone is connected. The writing is pretty light, which is a very nice contrast considering the subject matter.

The characters are so deeply flawed and so morally grey, it's so difficult to simply put them in a box and decide who's wrong and who's right; the more you get to know about these people, the harder it gets to. It left me pretty much on the fence in that sense.

While I personally found it pretty predictable and pretty much figured it out from the start, I still had a good time. It was great to listen to, the narrator did such a great job with this.

Many thanks to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Emer Heatley, who does an excellent job! I loved her Irish accent, especially for this book based in Cork!

Would you know a serial killer if you met one? How do you stop the cycle of abuse in a family? Both are interesting questions and the premise for this fantastic, psychological thriller. I can honestly say that this one really lives up to its hype!

Grace and Amber were abused as children and suffered unspeakable horrors. Grace, being the older sister, tried very hard to break the cycle of neglect and abuse, and protect Amber, her younger sister. You could say it's her life's mission. But what happens when that is not possible?

I don't want to say anything further to avoid spoilers but know that this one ticks all the boxes! Its twisty, fast paced, suspenseful, psychological thriller that hooks you from the first page! I was completely addicted! Completely deserves 5 stars!!!

Highly recommend!

The time jumps in this book made it a little tricky to follow but it was one of the most surprising books I’ve read in a LONG time! I really enjoyed it.

The Good Girl is a novel that explores how a traumatic upbringing affects the choices you make as an adult.

In the small town where she lives, Grace is well known as the shopkeeper at Jake’s, a local coffee/pastry shop. She is clean, reliable, and takes excellent care of her customers, especially the regulars. Everyone also knows about Grace’s abusive childhood and the filth that she and her sister Amber were subjected to. Still, as adults everyone would be surprised to know that Grace is keeping a man hostage and torturing him and it is likely not the first time. Her sister Amber is addicted to heroin. Her only ally is a detective (Jerry) who has always had a soft spot for her since she was a child and is aware of the worst thing she’s ever done.

When the missing men start piling up, Jerry is suspicious but he can’t bring himself to admit it. It just can’t be Grace! But we know from the beginning that it is and through flashbacks and present day events, we learn what happened to Grace and why she is doing what she is doing.

Trigger warning for some graphic descriptions of child and sexual abuse as well as torture.

Even through Grace is troubled and doing terrible things, as we hear about her childhood and how everyone except Jerry and her sister Amber failed her, you can almost root for her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is excellent.

5⭐️

Gore Score 4/5 🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️

I absolutely loved the book, but I can’t resist an Irish narrator, so I listened to it too. The narrator is Emer Heatley who is excellent, and definitely adds to the storytelling.

I can’t give any more than my original 5⭐️ but I desperately want to, as the narration adds another dimension for me. This is most definitely in my books of the year.

This is a very dark gritty crime psychological thriller that leaves you feeling viscerally raw. There are triggers, so do check them out. It’s a heartbreaking story. My heart went out to Olivia, and Jerry the Garda is such a fab character.

If you love the dark side, this is most definitely a book for you, don’t miss out. I rate the audiobook version highly.

The Good Girl by Michelle Dunne and narrated by Emmer Heatley, The book starts with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. When it starts we meet Gracie Murphy she is a barista at Jakes coffee shop in cork Ireland and lives on the estate she has lived in all her life she’s making a bowl of dog food adding water and getting everything prepared to feed the man she has kidnapped upstairs and tied to a chair. Soon after she leaves and goes to work throughout the book we learn the one thing Gracie cares about is her little sister Amber who is addicted to heroin and getting revenge on the man that hurt her and her sister. They were abused by their mother neglected and starved. The only way they ate is when Gracie would go out and steal food that is until the day she went to the police station to see if her mom got arrested again this is when she meets Jerry Hues, A local detective. Throughout the book the narrative goes from present to past and eventually there’s a POV from Maggie one of Gracie’s customers at the coffee shop. Detective Hughes is investigating local men who have all gone missing in the past six months we also learned he has a certain protectiveness over Gracie and throughout her life has done any kindness he could to lessen the pain and the neglect her and her sister suffered. He was even there on her 14th birthday when everyone learned you do not mess with Gracie Murphy and her sister but this will not be the last life altering event Jerry is privy to end before it’s over people will be dead, secrets come out and life will never be the same in Cork again. I want to say I listen to the audiobook and thought Emmer Heatly did an awesome bang up job. A lot of times when you follow crimes as they happen the ending really needs to be a powerful twisty one to make the book worth reading but not the case with this book. I was riveted by both POV‘s and despite what we know Gracie is doing you still want to root for her they do have triggers in the book such as childhood abuse, neglect and sexual pedophilic abuse along with severe cruelty. I know for me I am more affected by how someone talks in a book as opposed to actions so just wanted to state the mother Liz is a total B…. I also want to say the part of the book with triggers or not prolonged or detailed so if in passing you can stomach triggers you should definitely read this book it is so worth it and so so good! I want to thank dreamscape media for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Grace Murphy lives quietly in Cork. She works in a café and has a dark secret - a man tied up in her home. She's mostly on her own, only interacting with a few like police officer Jerry Murphy and neighbor Maggie.

When Jerry looks into missing people, he briefly puts Grace aside. As concerns for her sister arise, Grace and Jerry's relationship grows complex.

In "The Good Girl" by Michelle Dunne, Grace is a mysterious character in a thrilling tale. Even though you find out the villain early on, the story keeps you hooked.

This story is tough, touching on sensitive topics like abuse and addiction. The writing is smooth and swift-paced, drawing you in from the start.

I loved the audiobook, especially the narrator's voice bringing the characters to life.

Despite Grace being a killer due to past struggles, she remains a likable character. The story, mostly from Grace's view, also delves into her tragic past, drawing you in with its emotional depth.

This book is hard to put down, despite its heavy themes. If you're okay with the tough topics, this book comes highly recommended. Big thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Comes out June 25th!

You know the phrase "this book broke me"? A LOT of bookstagrammers use that often because they love everything. Every single book they are gifted for review (it seems) is a 5 star, life changing read.

I am not that bookstagrammer.

Goodreads kindly keeps track of a reviewer's average star rating, and mine currently sits at 3.37 stars.

Knowing that, let me say, The Good Girl is a 5 star book that broke me.

I need to recover before starting another read. I need to do self care today, including a cleanse cry.

Michelle Dunne has penned a very real feeling book which includes too many trigger warnings to list but certainly include child abuse, pedophilia, s*xual assault, drug use, violence, trauma.....and more. This book is not going to be a hit for a certain segment of the population, but I asked for this as a Netgalley audio and before I knew it, I was buried inside the story. My heart hurts.

Can I recommend this book to you? No, I won't bear the responsibility should it affect you in some way I cannot predict. Am I a reader who read it once, loved the writing, will now follow this author, but will never read this one again? Yup, that's me.

Dunne knows how to hit a reader where it hurts.