Title: GOOD BAD GIRL
Author: Alice Feeney
ISBN: 9781529090284
Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Pages: 306
Source: Private Copy
Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.
Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.
Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door…and their intentions aren’t good.
With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them.
Official Summary
08 October 2025
About judging a book by its cover – this one found its way to the top of my TBR simply because it is a pretty book. However, no regrets! This one was worth it.
Alice Feeney has a real talent for weaving together multiple storylines that seem completely unrelated at first, only to tie them up in the most unexpected ways. Good Bad Girl is no exception. With a baby stolen two decades ago, a murder in a care home, and four women whose lives are tangled together by secrets and lies, this book kept me turning the pages late into the night.
I loved the way Feeney crafted her characters. Edith, at eighty years young, was a standout for me—sharp, witty, and unwilling to let anyone control her fate. Her relationship with Patience added warmth and humour, even though Patience herself is hiding plenty of secrets. Then there’s Clio, Edith’s estranged daughter, carrying her own emotional baggage. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and while it took a little time to settle into each of their voices, I quickly found myself invested in their struggles and curious to see how their stories would collide.
What Feeney does so well is play with trust. Every character has secrets, and just when you think you know who to believe, she throws in a twist that makes you question everything again. The themes of motherhood, fractured families, and the lengths people will go to for love or survival really struck a chord.
The mystery itself was cleverly layered, with red herrings scattered throughout. I didn’t guess the full picture until Feeney was ready to reveal it, which is always the mark of a good psychological thriller for me. While I wouldn’t say this is her most shocking book, it’s one of her most heartfelt, and the ending tied things up in a way that felt both surprising and satisfying.
Good Bad Girl is a compelling mix of mystery, family drama, and emotional depth. With strong female characters, a twisty plot, and that trademark Alice Feeney flair for suspense, it’s an easy recommendation for thriller fans.
4 Stars from me—I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what Feeney delivers next.
Also by Alice Feeney
BEAUTIFUL UGLY
Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.
Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge, the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared.
A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible — a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.
Wives think their husbands will change, but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change, but they do.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages and have been optioned for major screen adaptations. Including His & Hers, which is being made into a major TV series by Netflix.
Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years and now lives in Devon with her family.
Beautiful Ugly is her seventh novel.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. This was my fifth Feeney book. I would like to read more from her. Are you a fan? Which is your favourite book? Leave a comment below, and I will try to get my hands on a copy. Until next time … Happy Reading!
