Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli—out April 29, 2025!

This book is every mother’s worst nightmare. A school bus gets hijacked in broad daylight, and the driver, along with a group of kids, is buried alive in a shipping container. I mean… I actually caught myself asking why am I reading this? Why am I doing this to myself?!

But the writing is so good, I couldn’t stop. I had to know what happened. I needed to know if the kids were okay. Noelle W. Ihli does an incredible job of capturing that raw fear, urgency, and the deep connection that forms between Jessa, the bus driver, and Sage, a 12-year-old girl trying to be brave.

It’s intense, emotional, and unputdownable. If you’re into thrillers that make your heart race while also tugging at your emotions, Such Quiet Girls is one to watch for. Just be prepared—it’s a ride.

5/5! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader’s copy of this book! As soon as I read Ask for Andrea, I knew any new releases from Noelle W. Ihli would be an immediate read and I was so excited to get my hands on this book! It is a gripping thriller written in 4 POV’s (an abductor, one of the students that was abducted, the bus driver that was abducted, and a mother to one of the students that was abducted). Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. It’s fast paced and action packed. I finished the book within 24 hours. It’s heart wrenching and I cried so much during the end of the book. My heart will forever love Sage and the rest of the children in this book!

My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked it, but it wasn’t at the same standard as her other recent books!!

Ten children, abducted in broad daylight - and buried alive!

Sage and her sister won’t make it home from school today. Along with the other 8 children on Bus 315. New bus driver Jesss blames herself for what happened. She couldn’t protect the kids just like she couldn’t protect her own daughter 3 years ago.

Trapped in a shipping container buried 20feet underground, Jessa and the children do their best to stay calm. The kidnappers insist if everyone behaves they will be freed but Sage and Jessa don’t believe that. They need to find a way out before they are buried forever!!

Ok, so with an opening line like abducted and buried alive… you would think holy moly this is gonna be wild. AND its inspired by true events. Why is it a three then I hear you ask…. Wellll…

This felt rushed, it didn’t feel like it had that research of the previous inspired by true events books that Noelle Ihli has been doing lately. Which I have loved.. this one felt very fictional and there was absolutely none of that edge of your seat, anxiety feeling. This is a book about a kidnapping and kids being buried alive… and I didn’t feel stressed at all. I felt like the execution of this was clumsy.

I also thought Jessa was an idiot, the way she was written made her come across self centred and bitchy to the kids, she had her own stuff going on I get that but you have 10 kids under 12 with you and you’re too busy being a bitch to worry about how they are feeling and comfort them… you are the adult and it was not believable to me… especially given this is inspired by true events. I would be terrified… that should be on the page… but I would also be so worried about all these little kids.

Jessa’s backstory felt unnecessary, I know why we had it.. but we didn’t need it.. the story was (should have been) enough. The kidnappers should have been scary… but they were bumbling fools. And maybe they were in real life too… but there was just no feeling in this one. I feel like it was a matter of smash it out and publish it as quick as possible. As I type I feel like my three stars are generous.

Normally this authors books are hit and miss for me… but the ones based on or inspired by real events have been so good. I don’t know if this was too recent for her to dig in… perhaps the actual people affected by this tragedy are still alive and she was feeling a bit touchy about writing about it in a fictional sense… I don’t know. But I was disappointed.

Overall, the book is fine… but if I were going to recommend Ihli book to you it would not be this one. For one of this ilk it would be Gray After Dark or None Left to Tell and as far as her proper fiction goes it would be Run on Red.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dynamite Books and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you love a book with multiple POV’s then you’ll know that Noelle is the queen of a multiple POV novel! And she didn’t disappoint this time, giving us 4 POV’s. This allows the reader to see the scenario from all sides including the side of one of the kidnappers. Noelle always does these really well.

I did find it a bit of a slow burn & was waiting for a twist. But it didn’t come which disappointed me. The storyline i found a little predictable, but upon finding out it was based on the 1973 case of abduction in Chowchilla, it made more sense.

Overall an enjoyable read for fans of crime novels.

4.5 out of 5 stars.
This was my third novel written by Noelle W. Ihli and it did not disappoint. I liked Run on Red and absolutely loved Gray After Dark. This book is another fantastic, heart pounding thriller.
I loved the aspect of getting to see the different POVs; one of them being the criminal/kidnapper which you don’t often get to experience.
I really appreciate that her books seem to all be inspired by a true event. It was shared at the end of this book where you can find additional info on the real story which I thought was unique and interesting.
Definitely recommend this author and this book!

Such Quiet Girls is one of the most harrowing, emotionally immersive thrillers I’ve read in a long time. From the shocking opening to the final page, the tension never lets up. Noelle W. Ihli masterfully crafts a story that’s both terrifying and deeply human.

The plot—ten children abducted and buried alive in a shipping container—hits like a punch to the gut. You can feel the panic closing in with every chapter. Jessa, the bus driver carrying the weight of her past trauma and desperate to protect the children this time, is a heartbreaking and powerful lead. Her grief, guilt, and strength are written with raw honesty. Sage, a brave and intuitive child, adds a fresh, emotional perspective that deepens the impact of the story.

What sets this book apart is its realism. Inspired by actual events, the fear, claustrophobia, and psychological complexity of being buried alive feel disturbingly authentic. Yet through all the darkness, there’s an undercurrent of hope, resilience, and the fierce will to survive.

This isn’t just a survival story—it’s a story about guilt, redemption, and the unbreakable bond between strangers in a crisis. Equal parts chilling and moving, Such Quiet Girls is a must-read for fans of high-stakes thrillers that stay with you long after the final page.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy. Such Quiet Girls was one of my most anticipated books of the spring and it did not disappoint. Based on a true story, Such Quiet Girls is about 10 children and their bus driver being abducted. The four different POVs of the story are Jessa, the bus driver, Sage, a student on the bus along with her sister Bonnie, Sheena, Sage and Bonnie’s mother, and one of the kidnappers. I really enjoyed the use of these different characters as it allowed the reader the complete experience. The pacing was great and the book was hard to put down.

This is a pulse pounding thriller that will have you reaching for your anxiety meds 😅. I loved every minute of this book!

Noelle West Ihli did an amazing job creating dynamic characters that moved the storyline along quickly without leaving out those precious details. All I can say is, I would be a proud mom if my daughter ended up being as brave as Sage. This was an easy read that any thriller lover will guzzle up.

This book was amazing! Caught my attention from the start and kept it the entire time. It was the perfect amount of suspense and answers!! I loved connecting the pieces of the puzzle as I read. Small hints/details became major pieces to the mystery. Loved that it followed a true story, and that it had a happy ending. Perfect length chapters, perfect length book, just overall great!! Another great book by Noelle!!

What a phenomenal and emotional story!

Based on actual event, Such Quiet Girls is a story about a school bus that gets hijacked and the kids and the bus driver were abducted.

There’s 4 POV but very easy to follow.

As much as I want to say about the book, I don’t want to spoil it. All you need to know is a school bus was hijacked and they’re trying to find a way to keep hope, and to find a way out.

It’s a gripping, edge of your seat type of thriller. I can’t even imagine what those people went through whether it was the mom who received the ransom note, or the people that were buried in the bunker. The fear of running out of oxygen and possibly not be able to get help and be saved.

The emotions runs higher and higher as the story goes on.

I couldn’t wait to get back to the book everyday on my lunch and after work.

I absolutely recommend it!

Thank you so much Noelle and Dynamite Books for the ARC.

Guess who’s back, back again….

Noelle West Ihli, is back

Tell a friend .

We all know this chick is one of my favorites but Such Quiet Girls literally blew my mind . This might be my book of the year.

Such Quiet Girls, is a gripping thriller that plunges readers into a terrifying scenario, a broad daylight abduction of a group of kids and their bus driver. The story centers on Jessa, the new bus driver, who is haunted by her past and fiercely determined to protect the children in her care.

Ihli masterfully creates a claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere as Jessa and the children find themselves trapped in an underground shipping container. The kidnappers' demands are simple: behave, and you will be freed when the ransom is paid. But as time and air dwindle, both Jessa and one of the children, Sage, begin to fear that their chances of survival are slim.

The novel is inspired by true events, which adds an extra layer of chilling realism to the narrative. Ihli explores themes of fear, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror. The pacing of the story is well-executed, with a steady build-up of tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Such Quiet Girls is a heart-pounding thriller that will appeal to fans of suspenseful and harrowing tales. Ihli's skillful storytelling and vivid characterizations make this a memorable and unsettling read.

5 stars

This book starts off 100mph and doesn't stop til the end. A bus of children kidnapped and buried alive as a rush against time to find them beings. Shifting perspectives, short chapters, and a pulse racing plot makes for a quick read about a parent's worst nightmare. The fact that it was inspired by true events makes it all the more compelling.

This is my second book by Ihli and so far she is proving to be well worth the read. Interesting characters and satisfying suspense/thrillers. I've enjoyed her writing so far and I think any suspense reader would as well.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite books.

I read Such Quiet Girls for a buddy-read because I had heard such good things about the author, and they weren't kidding! Such Quiet Girls is a taut novel about a group of after-school kids who go missing when their bus is kidnapped. The horrible thing is that it is based on a true event!

Ihli does a good job of maintaining the tension throughout as the bus driver and children bravely do their best to cooperate with the kidnappers by being as quiet as possible, and then trying to survive in an underground bunker with no lights, a makeshift toilet, and limited air supplies. The kids and the teacher go to herculean lengths to make sure they can survive...before the bad guys get them! The bus driver, Jessa, was not the most likeable character and at first almost seems to be siding with the kidnappers, But she takes cues from Jade, the oldest student on board, who acts more mature and resourceful, and they work together to keep the other kids calm and working toward a solution. The multiple points of view give you insight into the kidnappers thought processes. All in all, this was an edge-of-your-seat read that left me breathless and maybe with a few tears!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for an advance reader's copy.

**Features:**

- Fast pace thriller told through multiple POVs
- Complicated family dynamics
- Story inspired by true events
- A kidnapping where time is running out

**Synopsis:**

Jessa is determined to get her daughter back; even if that means lying on a job application and becoming a bus driver for an after school care program. All she has to do is keep her head down and safely transport her charges while she figures things out. Sage is the oldest child in the program and is upset that she is being forced to go to Bright Beginnings and look after her sister Bonnie. Their mother, Sheena, understands Sage’s frustration but already has her hands full with work and caring for her father with Alzheimers. However, what starts as a normal journey to Bright Beginnings turns into a kidnapping when Jessa’s bus is ambushed and both she and the children are locked away underground. With no way of knowing what is happening outside their makeshift prison and the air quickly running thin, Jessa and the children must find a way to escape before it is too late.

**Thoughts:**

This tense thriller quickly drops you into the action and the tension only continues to build from there! The fact that it is inspired by a true story definitely added a little extra chill factor and kept me invested even during the slower parts.The story unfolds through four main POVs: Jessa the bus driver, Sage, her mother Sheena, and one of the kidnappers named Ted. Though Sage was the only character I truly liked, I loved being able to experience this event from all angles. There are just enough characters to thoroughly examine the kidnapping and its impact without ever feeling lost or overwhelmed. The personal struggles each character had to navigate also added some additional tension to each perspective and helped keep the story moving.

Though this book avoids showing any graphic violence towards minors, it centers around the kidnapping of children whose lives are put at risk and might be triggering for some readers. I have some minor qualms with Jessa’s character, but I still think this is a compelling thriller worthy of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish! It had me hooked from the very beginning. It was heart pounding, had me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what would happen next. The characters (most of them) were likable. I enjoyed the multiple POV, to really get an understanding of what was happening and a feel for each main character as well and what they were thinking/feeling.

3.75 Stars

₊⊹⁀➴ A bus full of kids disappears and only one mother gets a ransom. One girl kind of takes charge as the bus driver is kind of frozen. One of the kidnappers starts to have second thoughts. Will these kids get out?

I also heard it's based on a true story! I didn’t look it up to confirm though.

So lemme just say lol it’s been an extremely hectic week for me with all kinds of stress going on so it took me a little while longer than it normally would to finish this book.

I mention my stress because this story deals with hostages being held in a confined space to the point that not having oxygen is a real threat.

I’ve never really considered myself as claustrophobic (at least not on a severe level) but omg the small space in this book coupled with my own anxiety that I have going on, made for a real interesting experience. 😅

The pacing is great in this one, it moves along quickly, with multiple point of views covering a lot of ground in around 350 pages? Can’t find the pg count so that’s a guestimate.

I wasn’t a big fan of any of the characters in this one really lol not until the end at least. The end did have me tearing up.

Solid thriller- extra horrifying if you don’t like small spaces and or are a mother.

Expected Pub Date - 04/29/25

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for the advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own. 💖🌷

•Much like Noelle W. Ihli’s other books, I was hooked from the very beginning.

•Inspired by the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping where 26 children were kidnapped and imprisoned underground in a moving van, Ihli does a fabulous job of putting her own twist on things. I was so invested and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

•Thank you to NetGalley, Noelle W. Ihli, and Dynamite Books for this ARC. It will become available on April 29, 2025.

This is a very heart racing, stressful, suspenseful, and emotional read. The story follows a bus driver and 10 students who get kidnapped in board daylight and buried alive. The kidnappers demand a ransom from one of the mothers of the children in exchange of them being freed. It's told from mulitple POV’s which I thought was pretty interesting. You experience events through Jessa- the bus driver, Sage- the oldest of the kidnapped children, Sheena-mom of two of the children on board, and Ted- one of the kidnappers. Was a wild stressful ride.

Inspired from the true events of the 1976 chowchilla kidnapping.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for letting me read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book releases: 04/29/2025

For the ten children leaving Bright Beginnings Day Care on Bus 315, it seems like a normal afternoon.... until their bus is forced onto a detour and the kids and their driver end up kidnapped and stowed in a shipping container twenty feet underground. As the bus driver struggles to keep the kids calm, the parents and the police are working to find them, but the air - and the kids time- is running out.

This book has the heart-pounding pacing Noelle W. Ihli is known for and this time the tension kicks up even higher since the subjects are young kids. Such Quiet Girls jumps right into the action, and I loved it, though initially struggled to read too much at a time because such young kids were involved. Once the story gets going though (which again is very quickly) it was very difficult to put down. I really loved how this one included chapters from the perspective of one of the kidnappers, it gave the whole story dimension and showed you their motivation and gave you kind of an appreciation for other walks of life. I also really loved how the story came together at the end, neatly but not unbelievably so.

I am such a huge fan of this author so I had very high expectations, but this book absolutely lived up to it!! I cannot wait for more from her!!

⭐️: 4.5/5

This heart-racing, suspenseful, nail-biting, emotional read will keep you engaged and sitting on the edge of your seat.

———————————————————————

Miss Jessa is attempting to maintain a low profile while completing her afternoon bus route to Bright Beginnings after-school childcare when an unexpected detour occurs. This detour leads them down a narrow dirt road, where a vehicle obstructs their path, leaving them without the option to turn around, as a white shuttle van has now positioned itself behind them.
On the bus, all phones, including those of the driver, must be securely stored in their designated compartments. Unfortunately, the passengers do not have access to their phones, and a man armed with a gun is banging on the bus door.
Once captured, the men trap Miss Jessa and the ten young children in a bunker buried deep underground.
With limited supplies of food, water, and air, Jessa and the children must devise a plan to escape.

The story is presented through multiple points of view, with each narrative doing a wonderful job at bringing together the whole story.

This emotional story really shows the strength children have and how we never really give them enough credit for all they are capable of.

→ 𝖨𝗇𝗌𝗉𝗂𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝖼𝗍𝗎𝖺𝗅 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖢𝗁𝗈𝗐𝖼𝗁𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖺 𝗄𝗂𝖽𝗇𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇 1976 ←

I appreciate how the author draws inspiration from real-life events for her novels while infusing her own unique narrative and perspective.

✨Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!