The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters is a supernatural thriller that has an interesting concept. The book has a dual timeline that does make for some engaging moments in the story. However, the main character is very unrelatable as an adult.
Title: The Dead Girls ClubAuthor: Damien Angelica Walters
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genres: Thriller, Adult Fiction
Publication Date: December 10, 2019
Rating:
A supernatural thriller in the vein of A Head Full of Ghosts about two young girls, a scary story that becomes far too real, and the tragic--and terrifying--consequences that follow one of them into adulthood.
Red Lady, Red Lady, show us your face...
In 1991, Heather Cole and her friends were members of the Dead Girls Club. Obsessed with the macabre, the girls exchanged stories about serial killers and imaginary monsters, like the Red Lady, the spirit of a vengeful witch killed centuries before. Heather knew the stories were just that, until her best friend Becca began insisting the Red Lady was real--and she could prove it.
That belief got Becca killed.
It's been nearly thirty years, but Heather has never told anyone what really happened that night--that Becca was right and the Red Lady was real. She's done her best to put that fateful summer, Becca, and the Red Lady, behind her. Until a familiar necklace arrives in the mail, a necklace Heather hasn't seen since the night Becca died.
The night Heather killed her.
Now, someone else knows what she did...and they're determined to make Heather pay.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters
What is really intriguing about this novel is the idea of a children’s game gone wrong. Heather and her friends have taken the stories too far and now one of the girls is dead. This aspect of the story is both terrifying and engaging to read about. I found myself wanting to know more about the Red Lady and what it all means.
❀ Coming of Age Story
There is something about a book set in the ’90s that always seems to draw me in. It is really enjoyable to read Heather’s perspective as a preteen. She is coming of age at this point in the novel and is going through some tough times with her friends. This aspect of the story is really enjoyable.
❀ Unrelatable Adult Main Character
That being said, Heather as an adult is not a likeable character. It is quite difficult to relate to her and her behaviour is really annoying. The way she treats her husband is over the top and I would have liked to see this relationship more balanced.
❀ An Interesting Idea
The Dead Girls Club by Damien Angelica Walters is an interesting idea for a novel. Reading about being a young girl in the ’90s is a fun step back in time. However, the present day parts of the book didn’t sit well with me.
About Damien Angelica Walters
Damien Angelica Walters is the author of The Dead Girls Club, forthcoming in December 2019, Cry Your Way Home, Paper Tigers, and Sing Me Your Scars, winner of This is Horror's Short Story Collection of the Year. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two rescued pit bulls
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
This book sounds like an amazing read.
There are some amazing aspects to it!
That cover and title is so cool! I love it!
You have me curious about why the present day parts didn’t sit well. I also like read stuff set in the 90’s, so that part intrigues me too.
There is so much about this book that drew me right in. I hope that you enjoy it if you give it a try. 🙂
Interesting review. I have seen this book blasted everywhere. I hate when I cannot connect with a character if the story or writing is worth the read. If I can’t connect or I dislike the character, I usually end up at DNF.
Same! I enjoyed it enough to keep reading. I think the fact that it had a dual timeline kept me interested.
I love thrillers. This sounds like a great book!
It is definitely thrilling!
Sorry the MC wasn’t that great as an adult. I do like books set in the 90’s though!
-Lauren
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Yes! Such a fun setting.
Thank you for this honest review but too abd it was not better for you!
Thanks, Sophie!
I feel like a lot of people found this book to be a bit of a disappointment ): it sounds like it had a good premise.
Lily recently posted…Review: Recursion by Blake Crouch
The whole concept really intrigued me!
Ooooh sounds spooky! And also a cover that I love. I’m a sucker for covers with flowers on.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: The Fowl Twins by Eoin Colfer
The cover is the first thing that drew me in, for sure!
I’ve been thinking of trying this one. Books set in the 90s are a draw for me too.
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I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
Oh, I’m so bummed that this wasn’t good from an adult angle. I love the idea of the adults revisiting the slumber parties of the 90s!
Yeah! It has quite a lot of potential and I think that it will be enjoyable for some.
Sorry this wasn’t a better one. I do like the sound of the 90’s setting though, and you’re right- the premise is cool! Neat cover too. I might pick this one up at some point!
It is worth a try! I hope that you enjoy it, Greg.
I have mixed thoughts about dual timeline. Usually it makes me feel torn between the two stories. I’ve only read a few books where it was done successfully enough for me to maintain a connection to the characters.
I usually enjoy them, but this one didn’t flow properly for me.
This sounds really interesting! I love thrillers and this is kind of giving off a few IT vibes for me, which is appealing. It’s a shame that the adult Heather isn’t all that likable, though. Even so, I might have to add this to my list. Great review!
I hope that you love it! It is one that will be the right fit for some, I’m sure.
This sounds interesting! I’m sorry you didn’t like the MC! Great review!
It really does have quite an interesting concept!
Love the cover; thanks for the review!
I love that cover, too!
This is the first time hearing about this book. I think the premise does sound both terrifying as well as intriguing. thanks for the review!
Absolutely! I don’t usually read this type of book, but it just sounded so intriguing.
Sounds like a good book.