A Book A Week

For years, Sally Hepworth was an author whose name I was familiar with, yet I had never taken the plunge into her works. That changed last year when I picked up The Soulmate—and from that moment on, I was hooked. Hepworth masterfully wove a captivating tale, blending shifting perspectives, well-guarded secrets, and unexpected twists, creating a compelling thriller that engrossed me from start to finish. It was the kind of book that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating each new revelation. So, when Hepworth's publisher generously provided me with the audio version of her latest release, Darling Girls, I was thrilled to dive back into her storytelling. True to form, Hepworth has crafted another enticing premise that promises to captivate readers immediately.

The novel unravels the intertwined lives of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, three young girls who, despite being unrelated by blood, find themselves bound together as sisters due to their shared tragedies. Placed in the care of Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows, a vast former ranch in Australia, they initially believed they had found a safe haven. Miss Fairchild's nurturing facade soon crumbled, however, revealing a strict and unpredictable disciplinarian. Sensing their guardian's temperamental volatility, the girls quickly learned the consequences of defiance. Their time under Miss Fairchild's care reached a harrowing climax when they managed to escape her clutches, physically liberated but forever scarred by the psychological torment she inflicted.

Fast forward to the present day, and the three girls have become women leading separate lives. Jessica has channeled her experiences into becoming an organizational guru, bringing clarity to her clients' chaotic lives. Norah, on the other hand, has struggled to find her footing, frequently entangled in legal troubles. Meanwhile, Alicia has chosen a path of redemption, dedicating herself to aiding foster children and those in crisis. Their carefully constructed lives are disrupted when a detective approaches them with unsettling news. During the demolition of Wild Meadows, a body has been unearthed. The women are forced to confront long-buried memories and secrets as the past resurfaces. Are they merely witnesses to the grim discovery, or are they concealing dark truths they had hoped never to revisit?

In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth delivers a gripping thriller that captivates not merely through its rapid twists and turns, of which there are many, but by intricately developing multifaceted characters that evolve and deepen as the narrative progresses. Seamlessly transitioning between past and present and among the three main protagonists, Hepworth enriches each character's story, amplifying the underlying tension and suspense that permeates the entire novel. Right from the outset, a palpable sense of unease grabs hold of the reader, compelling them to uncover the truth behind the events. Jessica Clarke's narration skillfully breathes life into each character, infusing her performance with enough subtlety to effortlessly distinguish between them. The novel builds towards a climactic revelation that is both shocking and satisfying, subverting expectations and prompting readers to reevaluate everything they believed about the story's direction. Darling Girls is yet another riveting read from Hepworth, solidifying her status as a must-read author in the genre.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 31)