Reading Skywards – Your Friendly Bookshelf

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOK
Publisher ‏ : ‎  Boldwood Books Ltd
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 9, 2026
Format:  Hardcover, Audiobook, and ebook
Print length ‏ : ‎ 288  pages
Genre:  Horror Suspense Thriller Fiction

HOW DID I GET THIS BOOK?

I have been looking for a thriller suspense book for a bit now. These books are usually not my go-to genre, but there is always that time when a good thriller is just needed. I got this book from Libby; my library had it with no waiting time, so it was a quick borrow.

MY PERSONAL OPINION OF “The Good Girl”

I got this book with some expectations after reading some reviews and watching some YouTubers’ reviews. Two book reviewers on YouTube recommended this book after an honest review of how brutal the story was. I understood the childhood of the protagonist was extremely brutal and evil, and that her crimes were hard to read. I usually do not enjoy a horror or very descriptive crime book, however, I am so happy I chose this book and so glad to have read it.

The story centers on Grace, a former psychiatric patient who had a mental breakdown after a family tragedy. We can see how Grace and her sister Amber grew up. The horrible things that happened to them. The way they lived. The abuse. It was raw and horrible, and heartbreaking.

Then we see the present, we see the life Grace has built for herself. We see her continuing to take care of her little sister Amber. We see that she has a very controlled, small circle of friends, including the detective who helps her and “rescues” her.

As the story develops, we start seeing the cracks in Grace’s life. We see what her childhood has created. The story goes super fast-paced, but in a slow manner. It allows us to go back and forth from Grace’s childhood to her present. Every time we go to the past, we are filled with compassion; every time we come back to the present, we are filled with horror.

I enjoyed the Detective Hughes character; he was compassionate, but smart. His close relationship with Grace did not interfere with his honest assessment of the amount of evidence being piled up.

The end was great. It was exactly how I wanted the story to end. I really recommend this book.

PREMISE OF THE BOOK AS FOUND IN AMAZON / GOODREADS:

Grace Murphy doesn’t seem like the type of woman who’d have a man cable-tied to a chair, slowly dying in her house. She keeps to herself and goes through life relatively unnoticed, working as a barista and caring for her sister, providing her with wholesome meals and a clean home – things they never had as children . . .

Detective Inspector Jerry Hughes knows about Grace’s brutal and troubled childhood; his own life was profoundly affected by it after all… so when men start going missing in the city – men who seem to have nothing in common aside from a physical resemblance to someone from Grace Murphy’s past – Inspector Hughes must dive back into the past to face a terrible truth playing out before him…

MY RATING: 5.0

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Dunne is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers /horror suspense & domestic noir set in Ireland. Readers love the unique characters that drive her tightly plotted stories, which are often described as dark, twisty and suspensful. Perfect for fans of John Marrs, Jason Rekulak and Frieda McFadden. They include The Good Girl and The Imaginary Friend and A Good Mother. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and have been optioned for television. 

OTHER BOOKS BY MICHELLE DUNNE

• I Good Mother
• The Imaginary Friend
• The Hotel Maid
• Burning Secret