Good Bad Girl

Oof, this was not her best. Unlikeable characters and honestly a pointless plot. I've usually enjoyed, if not been suprised, with her twists. This one was pretty weak. On the positive side, it was a very quick read. Her writing is just very easy to pick up, so if the plot sounds interesting to you, go for it I guess

Exploring the Complex Dance of Morality: A Review of ‘Good Bad Girl' by Alice Feeney

As I sit down to pen my thoughts on ‘Good Bad Girl', the resonating chords of ‘Rock Paper Scissors' serve as a melodic backdrop, a reminder of my unwavering fandom for the literary works of Alice Feeney. But let's not dwell on my bookish proclivities. Instead, allow me to delve into the captivating world of ‘Good Bad Girl' and share what truly captivated my literary senses.

In a realm where the lines between virtue and vice blur, where the wicked sometimes masquerade as the righteous, and where circumstances can force the noble to commit dark deeds, the tapestry of ‘Good Bad Girl' is meticulously woven. Two decades past, on a Mother's Day marked by a fleeting lapse in attention, the innocence of infancy is snatched away. Fast forward to the present, and yet another Mother's Day dawns. Frankie, burdened by the weight of her vanished child, grapples with a world where trust is a scarce commodity. She stands alone, isolated by necessity and circumstance. Meanwhile, within the confines of Windsor Care Home, Edith, an octogenarian ensnared by a clever ruse, orchestrates a daring escape. Her suspicions are stoked by the alleged murder of her friend May, and her ally in this quest is Patience – a caregiver whose honesty is as enigmatic as the shifting sands of truth. As their stories intertwine, a rich tapestry unfolds, weaving together the threads of four women, two murders, three suspects, and one unfortunate victim.

The narrative's tempo may, at first, seem deliberate – a slow simmer of domestic drama and suspense that takes its time to kindle. It demands patience as the intricate relationships among the four central characters are painstakingly etched onto the canvas. Yet, in this simmer lies the promise of a narrative crescendo that proves to be Alice Feeney's pièce de résistance. While not her most shadow-laden tale, ‘Good Bad Girl' shines brilliantly in its exploration of the dichotomy between good and bad. Feeney deftly dissects the intricacies of motherhood, particularly the harrowing struggles endured by those ensnared in the throes of postpartum depression. Her narrative serves as a mirror, reflecting the multifaceted nature of parenthood and the burdens it entails. Thought-provoking and incisively observed, the prose resonates like a haunting melody, compelling multiple re-reads to fully absorb its depth. This is an Alice Feeney creation that beckons to be revisited, each re-reading promising the discovery of subtle nuances previously overlooked. It's an invitation to self-reflection, prompting readers to scrutinize their own maternal journeys.

As the lives of the four protagonists seamlessly interweave, Feeney's mastery of suspense takes center stage. With each twist and turn, the tension mounts like a tightly coiled spring, and the narrative propels forward with electrifying momentum. The Queen of Twists keeps her scepter firmly in hand, delivering revelations that hit like lightning bolts, illuminating the intricate web of secrets and lies that entangle the characters. A symphony of concealment, ‘Good Bad Girl' unveils layers upon layers of truth, revealing the delicate dance between revelation and mystery.

Feeney's characters are nothing short of literary alchemy, each imbued with distinctive voices and personalities that span the spectrum of human complexity. They serve as the narrative's pulsating heart, their stories an intimate reflection of our own. As the narrative hurtles towards its zenith, emotions intermingle, culminating in a denouement that is simultaneously poignant and uplifting.

Alice Feeney, a maestro in her genre, has deftly carved her niche yet again. ‘Good Bad Girl' stands as testament to her ability to reinvent and captivate with every new tale. Her repertoire is a testament to her versatility, each work adding to an ever-growing list of literary triumphs. A word of advice to fellow readers: in a world of instant gratification, ‘Good Bad Girl' beckons for a patient approach – a demand that yields a reward beyond measure.

Gratitude extends to NetGalley and the generous team at Pan Macmillan for granting me the privilege of experiencing ‘Good Bad Girl' in exchange for an unreserved appraisal. For those who share my admiration and wish to embark on this literary journey, mark your calendars for the eagerly awaited unveiling on August 29th. This is an odyssey that promises to be a soul-stirring voyage through the realms of morality and human intricacies.

3.5 Solid thriller.
I feel like if you aren't super familiar with the genre this will absolutely keep you on your toes and for the seasoned reader you will enjoying working out the web of mystery.

Don't really want to go too deep into plot points, but I appreciated the exploration of the different relationships and the reasons that the characters make the choices they do.

Great audio narration from Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine.

***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

I look forward to Alice Feeney's books every year. After being blown away by Daisy Darker last year, I've spent most of 2023 counting the months until I could read Good Bad Girl. Though the book overall had a much different tone than what I've become accustomed to with this author, I still loved it.

A stolen baby, a runaway, a missing elderly woman, a murdered care home worker... there's an intricate series of events throughout the book that at a glance would seem unrelated but are very much connected. The POVs alternate between Edith, Patience, Clio, and Frankie with twists and turns following each of their steps.

At first, I was surprised by how differently the book read compared to Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. It didn't have the same urgency and sense of danger. I also found it much more predictable in the beginning, however, I was still caught by some twists by the end that made me react out loud as I was listening, causing me to scramble to backtrack to be sure I'd heard it correctly.

What I liked about this book was the relationships between the characters, particularly the complicated mother/daughter relationships. So much has been withheld between them causing strain and ambiguity. It took me a little while to differentiate Clio and Frankie, but I don't think that would have been as much of an issue had I been reading with my eyes rather than my ears. (Side note: The two narrators did a lovely job reading!)

Though not what I'd expected, I can't say I'm disappointed. Now the wait is on for the next Alice Feeney book!

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audio ARC of the book!