The Girls Next Door (Detective Eden Berrisford #1) by Mel Sherratt
Bookouture, 2016
Crime Fiction; 318 pgs
The Girls Next Door is a dark thriller about a group of teenage friends who have gotten in over their heads. The novel opens with the death of sixteen year old Deanna Barker and the events that follow leading up to the trial of the teens being held responsible for her death. How much should Katie be held accountable for a crime she witnessed and tried to stop? Will anyone believe her given her relationship and history with the boy who stabbed Deanna?
As a storm rages in Stockleigh, someone or someones are playing awfully mean pranks on this group of friends, targeting them and warning them to keep quiet. When one of their own goes missing, it raises the stakes even higher. Detective Eden Berrisford isn't sure how long she'll be allowed to stay on the case given her relationship to the missing girl, Jess Mountford, her niece, but she is determined to find her.
There are multiple threads of the story at play in The Girls Next Door. Grief permeates the pages in one form or another. The mother of the murdered girl is both bitter and angry, not to mention devastated by her daughter's senseless death. Then you have Katie, accused of being involved in a murder, and her family, struggling to deal with their separation, the accusations and societal judgement, not to mention the internal turmoil each of the family members are going through. These among several other characters struggling with their own challenges related to grief.
Kidnap victim Jess has her own family issues, being raised by her widowed mother and older sister. It was really hard for me to connect with Jess. She isn't an easy person to like. I felt more for her mom, who was working hard to provide for her family, and raise her two daughters on her own. Eden has her own teenage daughter and has her own baggage. She is good at her job though, that much is obvious.
The novel shifts from perspective to perspective throughout the novel, including the kidnapper's, and so no one person was the main focus of the novel. This may have contributed to my not really connecting to any of the characters as I never felt like I got to know any of them very well. But honestly, it was hard to sympathize with any of the kids involved given their own actions. I lost a little respect for the detective at the end of the novel, wishing she'd made a different choice (about a seemingly small matter)--but I realize it is hard when it is family involved.
Tension is high throughout The Girls Next Door, although I found it a struggle to read it at times. The message to parents to be involved in your child's life--know their friends and be vigilant to how much money they spend or how and where they spend their time coming across loud and clear. While I thought this to be a decent novel, I am on the fence about whether I will continue with this series or not.
You can learn more about Mel Sherratt and her books on the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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I can see how a book like that might make you uncomfortable but I'd be willing to give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I hope you like it if you give it a try!
DeleteIt has an interesting premise. I think I'll have some issue with the perspective shifting part but then I suppose it'll have to depend on the author's writing and how it'll engage me with the characters' voice.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Generally I do not mind multiple perspective books, but, then, it really depends on if it's down well. I just had issues with this one.
DeleteI agree with Melody about the interesting premise, but it's sad that you weren't able to really connect with many of the characters. I just finished The Girl Before and didn't love it because I never felt a real connection to any of those characters...plus the ending left me a little...nonplussed. I wonder if all of Sheratt's books are similar to this one, or if there's a better one somewhere in the mix.
ReplyDeleteLark - That's too bad about The Girl Before. I may try another Sherratt book, but it probably won't be any time soon.
DeleteI don't always like it when a book has too many povs. This one does sound like it has an interesting premise though. Great review!
ReplyDeleteCarole - I think it can be tricky trying to pull off multiple viewpoints. It didn't work for me in this case. But, yes, I agree about the premise.
DeleteSounds interesting, but the shifting point of view could be a turnoff. When it's done well, it's really good, but too many can make this fragmented, like you said. I think I'll probably give it a pass :p
ReplyDeleteEustacia - In this case, it was a turn off. I agree with you though--when it's well done, I don't mind at all. This one just didn't quite work that well for me.
DeleteHmmm. It does sound like an interesting premise, but I do like to connect with the characters.
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I had hoped for more with this one.
DeleteIt is hard when you there are different viewpoint because like you said you don't get a good feel for the characters. And, if there's one thing that keeps me going back to a series is the main character. It sounds like this has potential.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Hopefully the future books will be better.
DeleteThat's too bad this was sort of a sitting on the fence kind of read. I can see what you mean about it being an interesting movie. Hope your next read really blows you away. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteCyn - I do think I might like the movie version better if one were ever made. :-)
DeleteThis sounds dark and gripping and really well done though I do wish the characters were at least in their 20s and not teenagers! I don't love having the POV of the parents of the murder victim. It makes the actual loss a little too real.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - It definitely was a compelling read.
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