Erin was a good girl. But someone wanted her dead… ‘I love all Mel Sherratt’s books’ IAN RANKIN ‘An absolute masterpiece’ ANGELA MARSONS ‘Twists and turns and delivers a satisfying shot of tension’ RACHEL ABBOTT When sixteen-year-old Erin Ellis is attacked, she dies in the arms of her best friend Molly, just metres from her home. Molly is the surviving girl but says she easily could have been … girl but says she easily could have been the victim – it was a random mugging gone wrong.
With inconclusive evidence, DS Grace Allendale must dig deep within the tight-knit Stoke community for leads. And she soon finds that someone had a motive to kill Erin.
As the investigation unfolds, Grace is reminded of a horrifying case she worked on earlier in her career.
Is the past coming back to haunt her? And can she push through her fear to catch Erin’s killer before it’s too late?
** The million-copy bestseller Mel Sherratt is back with her most gripping and gritty novel yet. Pre-order your copy now! **
killer before it’s too late?
** The million-copy bestseller Mel Sherratt is back with her most gripping and gritty novel yet. Pre-order your copy now! **
killer before it’s too late?
** The million-copy bestseller Mel Sherratt is back with her most gripping and gritty novel yet. Pre-order your copy now! **
killer before it’s too late?
** The million-copy bestseller Mel Sherratt is back with her most gripping and gritty novel yet. Pre-order your copy now! **
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Set in Stoke, Staffordshire the reader is faced with friendships, secrets, exploitation, guilt, blame, manipulation, loss, and a search for justice…cue Grace!
I have been a HUGE fan of Mel Sherratt for many years… bought and read all of her books and they just keep getting better! This book has it all – a hooky opening, fast paced storyline, relatable characters, and a few OMFG moments to catch the reader off guard.
What I love about this author and her books is the way that she makes the reader feel a part of the story, as if you know the people (characters) and you are just so invested! Every storyline has it’s own twist – it’s been ‘mel-anised’ and even if you think you’ve read something similar, the author proves you wrong.
Grace is clever, determined and no one to take any crap – even if it is personal. I love that familiar faces from the previous books in this series resurface, including the Steele’s and this ramps up the conflict and tension.
Would I recommend this read? Hells bells, you know I would…do…always will! A belting story that had me up into the early hours – addictive, chilling and incredibly real, if you haven’t read Mel Sherratt’s books yet, I highly recommend you rectify that ASAP!
“Good Girl” by Mel Sherratt is packed with emotional turmoil. It starts with the death of sixteen-year-old, and the investigation of that tragedy reveals a very nasty, distasteful, and tragic social problem. Lives and families are fragmented, perhaps beyond repair. With that caution, the book is well written, compelling, and filled with twists.
The narrative opens with a mugging gone wrong; Erin, a sixteen-year old girl, was stabbed while walking home with her friend, Molly, Unfortunately it is now a murder investigation. The story is structured in conversations that reflect everyday activities and events as well as personal trauma, emotions, and reality. Separate points of view allow readers to understand how events influence each person, and to learn what people want to hide from others. Readers are also taken back in time one year to gradually learn what brought Erin and Molly to that fateful evening walk. The two separate accounts continue slowly and purposefully; readers watch the precise detailed murder investigation on one hand and the coming trauma and disaster on the other, waiting for the inevitable point In time when the paths cross.
“Good Girl” is powerful and gripping. What started as a “mugging gone wrong” evolves into a complicated and dark story of exploitation and abuse. It is book four in the “DS Grace Allendale” series. It is not necessary to have read the previous books to appreciate this book, but first-time readers will appreciate Sherratt’s organized and disciplined writing style and will be inspired to read prior books. I received a review copy of “Good Girl” from Mel Sherratt and Avon Books. It is a cautionary tale of fabricated stories and deceitful promises. I highly recommend it but with a caution for the shocking but sadly genuine social problem. This is my first time reading a “Grace Allendale” book; I will be going back to read the previous books and am awaiting the next in the series.
#GoodGirl #MelSherratt #GraceAllendale #PoliceProcedure
Sherratt is incredible at building these heart-pounding crime mysteries that will keep you gnawing your nails as you read. Good Girl is an action-packed thrill ride and I absolutely loved it. You will not be able to put it down.
This is the second book in the Det. Sgt. Grace Allendale series that I have read and really enjoyed. Erin and Mollie are neighbors who were born two weeks apart and grew up as “twins” in their closeness. Their mums, Sara and Lucy, were also life-long best friends. One night when Erin and Mollie were returning home, Erin is stabbed and dies. Det. Grace Allendale is assigned to the case and as she works the case, things don’t quite mesh with what Mollie is saying. There are lots of twists, turns and surprises in this book which made it a real fast-paced read. I am definitely going to go back and read the other two books in this series that I have not read yet.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC of this fascinating page-turner in exchange for an honest review.
GOOD GIRL by Mel Sherratt is the fourth book in the DS Grace Allendale British crime and police procedural series set in England. The author brought this reader an intense and intriguing story. Sixteen-year-old Erin Ellis is attacked on her way home with her best friend Molly. Despite the paramedics’ efforts, Erin dies and the mugging becomes a murder investigation. DS Grace Allendale works the case with several others and is also assigned to liaise with Erin’s family. Was this simply a mugging gone wrong or was Erin targeted? How could this happen when she was only a short distance from home in a quiet neighborhood? Is else is going on in the community? With few clues, Grace and the team do extensive interviews as the crime scene team look for evidence.
Grace is a great protagonist. She has a family history that haunts her, but is hardworking and dedicated to justice and protecting the innocent. She continues to gain more depth in each book and is a compelling character with clear goals. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story, but the reader doesn’t get a lot of background on Grace’s co-workers. There are several familiar characters from book three of the series, making the large cast more manageable.
The plot switches back and forth between current times and events that occurred during the past year. While this could have been a distraction or interrupted the overall flow, the author managed the transitions smoothly. It was an excellent way to provide needed data using showing versus telling.
This is a slow-build story but it flows well and the edginess kept me engaged. There are lots of twists and turns in this engrossing and shocking book. There was a good pace from scene to scene. The tension was high and this reader was on an emotional rollercoaster throughout most of the story making it a page-turner. The subplots tied together well. While I was not surprised by who the killer was, I was caught off-guard by other events that occurred in the book. Themes explored include murder, assault, family, friendship, coerciveness, grief, exploitation, drugs, alcohol and much more that is withheld due to spoilers.
Overall, I enjoyed this well-written and gripping novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy crime dramas and police procedurals. It is the second book that I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading the first two in the series. This is an amazing “new to me” author and GOOD GIRL did not disappoint me. This author delivered on the promise of the novel’s premise and opening scenes.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Mel Sherratt for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 10, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.