Rounded up 3.5 Stars
Ren lost her sister, Margo, 10 years ago to a drowning incident. Ren was present when this happened. It left her family fractured, and she escaped to go to college and become a teacher. She has now returned to teach biology at the same high school where the sisters attended. Ren is introverted, keeping to herself. She also has the ghost of her sister with her, talking to her, most days. During her first faculty meeting, she meets Bryson- an extremely handsome teacher who reminds her of a teacher from her past. As she begins interacting with other teachers, she discovers that another high school girl has gone missing, while another one has been murdered. Ren feels a connection and wants to figure out what happened.

That is a brief synopsis of a story that has an intricate plot, with a common thread that weaves them together. The story develops slowly, and the information from the past is given in small nuggets of memories and comments. As Ren delves deeper into the murdered/missing girls, there are some twists and surprises.

I cannot say that I liked the character of Ren. She is tormented by what happened to her sister and by her past. She struggles to make deep connections, and when she does- her taste and reasoning is a bit questionable. But it is because of her past that she is drawn to the case with the missing girls. However, there were some questions I still have about Ren and her motivation (I can't say more because I don't want to put spoilers). The end was a bit of a surprise for me!

Overall, this is a decent mystery/thriller that has a very heavy atmosphere. I really liked her debut novel "When She Was Me". This one wasn't as engaging for me- but still a decent thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book dives deep into the classic question of nature vs. nurture as young girls are faced with the unthinkable when seduced by an authority figure. When Ren returns to her hometown for a new teaching job, she’s forced to confront the trauma of her sister’s death, an event that happened in high school but still haunts her. As eerily familiar circumstances begin to unfold, Ren becomes determined to stop history from repeating itself. But the real tension lies in whether she’s truly seeing her co-teacher for who he is, or if her guilt and need for redemption are clouding her judgment.

Fans of Freida McFadden will likely enjoy this one as it carries similar vibes to The Teacher, but with an added haunting and atmospheric edge. That said, I found myself wanting more depth especially in terms of character development and world building. And I just felt I wanted more, particularly amongst the girls on the volleyball team and their dynamics with the coach, but it never fully explored that aspect.
Still, if you're in the mood for a quick and thought provoking mystery with a dark twist, this book will definitely scratch that itch.

*Thank you to Marlee Bush, Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

A dark and suspenseful mystery thriller that I did not want to put down! I love the nostalgia of vintage ambient flashbacks and campus style settings full of juicy secrets, trauma, and emotions, surrounded by a thick fog of mysterious murders.

In Whispers of Dead Girls, we follow the POV of Ren, who has tried to not let the death of her teen sister, Margo, consume her, but being back in her hometown is bringing all the flashbacks back to the surface. Ren has taken a job at her old high school, and a fellow teacher, Bryson, has caught her eye. . . But, not in a good way. She recognizes something in him and doesn’t like it. Even as well liked by their colleagues and enamored the students are by him, she is convinced she can see through his facade. . . She’s known men like him. As Ren notices a ‘too close for comfort’ relationship between Bryson and a female student, she refuses to let history repeat itself. With the ghost of her sister following her around, Ren is determined to help this student and show the world who Bryson really is. All the while, Ren has many secrets of her own and is constantly plagued by guilt and memories of her past.

I found it so interesting how Ren has a scientific method approach to whatever she is curious about, and how she develops research that pairs with her natural instincts. This book contains themes regarding sibling death, power imbalance between students and their teachers, misogyny, a destroying effect cultivated from rumors, the fear of speaking out as a young teen, and finding your voice to stand up for what you know in your gut is right.💋
I highly recommend!! 4 ⭐️

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.



🖤🖤Favorite Quotes from Whispers of Dead Girls:🖤🖤

“I’ll always be doomed to reside in both places at once. My past. My present. Forever intertwined.”

1
“I never liked attention. Even as a child.”

“It’s freshman year again except my sister isn’t here to hold my hand.”

“Grief is desperately trying to get to the peak of a mountain. People like me will climb their whole lives, never able to reach the top.”

3
“Right now, I’ve formed a hypothesis about him in my head, one based on shadowed memories and feelings and not on any actual data or facts. It’s all just speculation.”

“You say things that seem like you’re joking around, but your eyes are always so serious. It’s almost like you tell jokes to placate people, but you’re above them. Like you’re bored. Am I wrong?”

6
“The ones who come off the most quiet are often hiding the most strength.”

8
“Tall, with brown hair that glints blond in the sun. The girls always talk about the way his dress shirts stretch over his shoulders. The way he smiles crookedly at them. His eyes meet mine, and my heart skips a beat. Morning, shortstack. I’m not that short. You’re not that tall either. When I walk past him into class, he pats my shoulder, his hand lingering a second too long. The years fade to dust. The hallway lightens. The lockers age badly. And I’m back.”

15
“In the end, the monsters are never who you expect.”

16
“In the end, the monster is never who you expect. And sometimes the monster is exactly who you expect.”

“I take a mental step back and try to see myself the way she does. The way others do. I haven’t been sleeping as much as I should have. The dark circles under my eyes are quite noticeable even to me. But the thing is, I don’t feel worn down. I feel invigorated by each piece of the truth as I uncover it. I’m following a rope, and it’s leading me somewhere. Sleep seems like such a small sacrifice for what’s at stake. I don’t feel exhausted. I’m filled with a new sense of purpose.”

17
“Whenever an evil man goes off the rails and murders his whole family, there’s always a slew of people on those stupid documentaries saying that he was such a nice guy and they had no idea. I’ve always found it so hard to believe.”

“You really had no clue? No idea at all?” To me, the answer is so much simpler. There are moments of unease, feelings we push to the back of our minds and write off with explanations that never fully make sense. We get thoughts and impressions. And we shove them down. Stuff them back in. Because we are raised in a world that makes us doubt ourselves before doubting others. A world that teaches us it is better to be uncomfortable than bring discomfort with our truths.”

21
“The ferocity is back. The anger. The mother, with only a baseball bat to protect her children in a gun fight but knowing she’s going to do it. Somehow, and at any cost, her children will be OK because there isn’t another option. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“We can’t control others. We can’t control what they think or how they react. We can only control our own narrative. Everything you have to say is important. It’s important for you, and it’s important for the next girl.” Every word is a bullet. A lifeline. Killing me and bringing me back. Because I was her once—young, scared, broken. And I wish someone had said them to me.”

“I can’t promise you it will be painless, but I can promise you it’s the right thing to do. I can promise I’ll be with you every moment you need me.”

30
“I actually don’t know much about storing bodies in freezers or chopping off balls. But they say if you say something with enough confidence, people go with it.”

32
“You don’t get to choose who you love. She has no idea what the words mean to me. How much I understand them. More than she ever could. Because the only thing worse than loving someone at the wrong time is loving someone who will never love you back.”

34
“Vow that we will always remember we’re the survivors. Vow to stop blaming ourselves.”

38
“When girls die, when they can’t speak their truths anymore, all we have left are their whispers.”

44
“…would her silence be better than the silences she creates by living? By taking? Or will her screams just become whispers no one will hear?”

Epilogue
“What do you think—nature vs. nurture?”

“Or, maybe there’s always been something chemically imbalanced inside her. Something lying dormant and waiting for the right ingredient to trigger it. Pain. Loss. Rejection.”

The minute you begin reading you wonder who Ren is talking to because no one is there.

You then realize she is talking to her dead sister Margo - well Margo is talking to her telling her what to do.

Margo was murdered ten years ago in the very high school she and Ren graduated from and the same high school that Ren is now teaching in.

We follow Ren as she suspects one of the teachers who she thinks is behind her sister's killing and a few other girls. She tries to do her own investigating - a good idea??

Things happen to her that would scare me away, and I definitely wouldn't want a dead sister talking to me.

Is she the goody two shoes she claims to be?

What secrets does Ren carry?

WHISPERS OF DEAD GIRLS is suspenseful and a bit creepy.

Thriller fans will enjoy this one. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Whispers of Dead Girls follows Ren returning to her hometown taking a teaching job at the highschool she once attended. She has kind of a tragic backstory where something happened to her sister many years ago and she was blamed for what happened.
I was kind of in her corner at the beginning. While we aren't made aware of the details of her past until later in the story we do know how guilty she feels, and I think whats shes hoping to gain now that shes back home. I wasn't able to really connect with her and thought a lot of the decisions she made were not only impulsive but also didn't really make sense.
Now there are plenty of twists and turns and I literally had no inkling of what was going to happen next or where the story was heading, I just didn't care for Ren.. or really anyone in the story. Which made made it hard for me to root for or care about what was happening. While this one didn't work for me I've heard great things about Marlee Bushs previous book and will definitely check that out.

I really enjoyed this book! Ten years after her sister’s murder, Ren Taylor returns to her hometown to work at her old high school, only to be haunted by the past she tried to escape. When she grows suspicious of a charming physics teacher’s relationship with a vulnerable student, Ren fears history is repeating itself. Determined to stop another tragedy, she must confront painful secrets and risk everything to protect the girl. This was a slow burn but so well written and done. Definitely add this to your list of books to read this summer!

📚🩸 Book Review: WHISPERS OF DEAD GIRLS by Marlee Bush 🩸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) 📚
Ever feel like your hometown is whispering behind your back? In "Whispers of Dead Girls," it is, and the whispers are from the dead. 😬

This chilling yet emotionally charged thriller follows Ren Taylor, who returns to her small hometown as a teacher at her former high school. It’s been a decade since her sister’s tragic murder, and Ren is desperate for some closure. But instead of finding peace, she’s haunted by memories—and, you guessed it, the ghost of her sister 👻—and a scandal that's still hanging around like an unwanted guest.

Ren becomes suspicious of the charismatic physics teacher across the hall, who's a bit too cozy with one of his students. Determined to prevent another tragedy, Ren steps up to protect the girl. Ren’s a hot mess, but I couldn't help but cheer her on!

The real magic of this slow-burn mystery lies in the characters—their raw emotion. I was especially captivated by Ren's interactions with her sister Margo’s ghost, who’s trying to steer her in the right direction. The author absolutely nailed this dynamic, making it a thrilling ride from start to finish!

Thank you to the author and Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.

#WhispersofDeadGirls #MarleeBush #NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress
#ThrillerBooks #SummerThriller #ThrillerBookLovers #Bookstagram #BookReview #BookishSecrets #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thepulse #lovetoread

Unfortunately, this fell a little flat for me. I was really excited going in, but it was sooooo slow. I feel like all of it was very expected and drug out. I expected this book to have me on the edge of my seat, but I found myself wanting it to be over... It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. If you like slow paced mystery, this might be for you, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this book..

This book was def interesting, kept my attention, felt like a lot of it dragged on and was maybe a little too predictable at times, but it was an entertaining read overall.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this book.

Once again, a book about a girl who has a family member die and she goes back to her town to try and be detective and solve the crime. This was so cliche. I'm so tired of MCs being the police and doing things that no regular person would do. I couldn't even find it in my heart to like Ren. She was so annoying.

Ren’s back story is compelling and the depth of information included really helps the reader to gain an understanding of her character and why she reacts the way she does. It’s a really twisty tale and I enjoyed the comparison of what happened in the past and how it shaped the present. It’s well written with really strong dialogue, making it see, quite real. Ren is fascinating and will perhaps divide readers, who may love her or hate her. Either way, they will definitely want to know what happens to her!

Whispers of Dead Girls, by @marleebushwriter, is a fast-paced mystery, with short chapters.

It's the author's second book and I'm very grateful I got to read this ARC.

Last year I read her first book, When She Was Me and absolutely loved it! I was also hooked right away while reading Whispers of Dead Girls. I didn't know where it was going. Now I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, but I sure didn't guess it! Some things were a bit predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.

I loved the writing and the way we see Ren's immediate thoughts. Yes, it's a bit messy, but so is she! She's also accompanied by her dead sister's ghost, Margo. I didn't expect this paranormal side of the story so it took me off guard at first but I quickly got used to it!

I'm very excited to see what else Bush has in store as she might just become one of my auto-buy authors!

📆 Whispers of Dead Girls releases today! So go ahead and check it out!

Thank you so much @marleebushwriter @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review ❤️

**Thank you to @netgalley, @marleebush and @poisonedpenpress for a free ebook ARC copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Ren has just moved back to the outskirts of her hometown after a failed marriage. She has secrets and bad history with her roots, being home isn't easy. Why did she come home anyway?

I really enjoyed following Ren through her attempts at keeping the past from repeating, but also the missteps she made while trying to do so. I dis like yhe twist sy the end, but I would have liked a more clear cut ending. Kinda felt like it wasn't tied up with a nice little bow. The author might be doing a sequel? I don't forsee that, but it could be why its not a clear ending.

If you like a story where the MC goes back home and their past gets trudged up, then this is for you :) I enjoyed it and I hope you do too!

***I will warn any potential reader that there is a possible paranormal element. Im not sure if its paranormal or a mental condition brought on by trauma.

I loved Marlee's previous book, but this one just did not hit the spot. It was slow and just never grabbed me fully. The pacing of the book is very slow and I just found myself bored throughout. There was also a supernatural aspect and that usually never works out for me.

Whispers of Dead Girls by Marlee Bush is a slow burn, atmospheric thriller with a supernatural element.

Ren has just returned back to her hometown after 10 years to accept a teaching position at her old highschool. Ren is still haunted by her sister's death and being back at the school brings all those memories back. When Ren notices a male teacher across the hall becoming a little too close to one of his female students, Ren is reminded of the teacher who groomed her sister and eventually led to her death. Determined to make sure the past does not repeat itself, she will do anything she can to protect the girls of the school.

This is one of those books that while it takes a little while to get into, once you keep reading you get hooked and need to find out how things end! Ren is a protagonist that while she isn't always likeable, she is determined and the fact that she isn't the typical MC we usually see made me like her. There are definitely some tough things that are discussed including: abuse and SA so just be aware before reading! And then that ending?!? I felt like it wrapped things up for the most part with a great twist. The way it ended definitely kept me thinking about this book long after I finished which I think was the author's intention. Overall a slow burn and twisty thriller that I would definitely recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Marlee Bush, and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!! Publication date: May 27th 2025.

Wow—what a ride! Huge thanks to NetGalley, Marlee Bush, and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC. This was an emotional, gripping, and fast-paced read that had me hooked from the very first page.
Ren's story pulled me in completely—I felt deeply connected to her journey, and it stirred up so many emotions. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would throw another curveball.
This is one of those books that you just can’t put down. A compelling mix of suspense and heart—absolutely a must-read!

A solid read. I struggled to get into it and found myself picking it up and putting it down as some parts dragged on. Overall, a solid 3-star mystery/thriller.

Thank you #netgalley and #poisonedpenpress for the eARC.

Whispers of Dead Girls by Marlee Bush starts with a chilling and atmospheric premise that immediately grabs attention. The idea of a girl hearing the voices of murdered women is both eerie and compelling, and Bush does a good job setting a moody tone that fits the story’s darker themes.

However, while the concept is strong, the pacing feels uneven. Some parts drag with excessive internal monologue or repetitive scenes, while key moments that should feel suspenseful or emotionally impactful are rushed. The characters—especially the protagonist—have depth, but their development sometimes takes a backseat to plot twists that feel more shocking than earned.

There’s definitely promise here, and fans of YA thrillers with a supernatural edge might find it worth the read. But for me, it didn’t fully live up to its potential. A solid middle-of-the-road read with moments of brilliance—but also some missed opportunities.

🖤🖤🖤🖤
4/5

ᴡʜᴇɴ ɢɪʀʟꜱ ᴅɪᴇ, ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜꜱ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ, ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʟᴇꜰᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴡʜɪꜱᴘᴇʀꜱ.

When I was offered the chance to arc read for Marlee Bush’s second thriller book, I clicked “read now” so dang fast! I truly enjoyed her debut & was super excited to dig into another one of her twisted stories. And this one didn’t disappoint at all! Also…look at that cover! Omg. 🤩

Ren is back in her hometown, working as a biology teacher at the high school that holds her dark past. When she finds history seems to be repeating itself, she falls head first to save the girl left to save the way she wasn’t able to save her sister years ago. There’s plenty of twists along the way, but I went into this one blind and I don’t want to give too much away!

Here’s what I found intriguing…

‼️ the way Marlee wrote this made me feel so wrapped up in the story because I feel most people can relate to having that one teacher in high school that seemed oddly close to the students looking back at it as an adult. This aspect of the story really had me so intrigued!

👻 Margo’s ever present shadow? Or ghost? Or was it all in Ren’s mind?! I LOVED how this was written!! (Anyone that reads this must DM me because I NEED to talk about this!!)

❔ Ren thinking about how if she did one thing differently, the past might be totally different was very relatable as someone with anxiety & problems with being mindful of the present.

⛓️ this quote really hit hard… “Sometimes people get twenty years for possession of drugs while sexual predators get probation.” I feel like Marlee Bush really wrote this in a way that puts a spotlight on the issues at hand in this book without taking away from the story or the issues.

🖤 overall, I really enjoyed this book! It is out now. Definitely add this one to your thriller TBR list!

You know what they say about small towns: Everyone knows your name and business and has a secret. Someone is always the cat, and the other is the mouse, but what if you can trap the cat? When Ren returns home and feels the past is repeating itself, she takes it upon herself to try to stop it. 

This is a good debut, with some pacing issues and an unreliable narrator, but a short, quick read, and overall a good thriller.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.