22 June 2023

This book draws you deep into a father’s grief after losing his child, while at the same time following the life of the young woman who murdered his child and her attempt at building a new life after she served her time for the murder. The author leaves you questioning when has a murderer been punished enough. Is death for death justified? When you reach for this book you will experience both sides of the argument and find yourself questioning how you would react in either of these situations.

The author does a fantastic job of sharing Darren’s grief. You are left feeling this man’s pain and you understand what he is going through. How can it possibly be fair that the monster who murdered his child is given a second chance at life? At the same time, you share in Caitlin’s struggle to live a normal life. She was eleven years old when she committed the murder and spent most of her life in prison – now she needs to re-adjust. The emotions in this book leave you doubting whose side you should be on. The author managed to bring this story to life and leave you in turmoil while you try to pick a side.

When Darren finds out that Caitlin Grady has been given parole he is devastated. Caitlin murdered his toddler and Darren does not believe for a minute that Caitlin has been rehabilitated. While venting his anger online on about the injustice a stranger befriends him and agrees to help him to find Caitlin. She has a new identity and no one knows what she looks like after all these years. Determined to find her, Darren travels around the coastal towns but what will he do if he manages to find Caitlin?

This book leaves you questioning what you believe is right. I found myself struggling to decide because while I could feel Darren’s pain and understand his belief that justice has not been served, I also found my heart breaking for Caitlin. She was just a child herself, should she still be paying for what she did at the age of eleven? This is a book that will leave your head spinning.

Darren is a father gripped by grief; his reactions are understandable while at times you are left feeling that he may be a little extreme in his beliefs. He wants justice, and you are left feeling he would do anything to get back at Caitlin, no matter what the cost to himself.

Caitlin may have been a child murdered when she was no more than a child – but the young woman you get you know, while full of quirks does not seem to be capable of murder – your heart breaks for her and you are left hoping that she manages to keep her past in the past.

This book grabs hold of you will both hands and refuses to let go until you reach the very last page. I was left questioning who was right, Darren or Caitlin. Should Caitlin have spent her life in prison? Would that be better? This book is guaranteed to stir emotions you did not expect.

If you are keen on a thriller that leaves you questioning right and wrong, a book that shares the hunt for a killer and one man’s need for justice the way he sees it – then you do not want to miss Girls Don’t Cry. This book will have you gripped from start to end.