Title: THE GOOD GIRL
Author: Mary Kubica
ISBN: 9780778316558
Publisher: Harper Collins / MIRA
Pages: 400
Source: Private Copy
One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn’t show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first, Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia’s life.
When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia’s mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family’s world to shatter.
Official Summary
25 June 2024
After reading “Local Woman Missing” earlier this year, I have been dying to read more of Mary Kubica’s books. This book did not disappoint.
“The Good Girl” is a gripping thriller that captivates from the very first page and doesn’t let go until its stunning conclusion. The novel’s complex characters and multi-perspective narrative make it a standout in the genre, offering a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.
The story begins with Mia Dennett, a young art teacher, who decides to leave a bar with a mysterious man named Colin Thatcher after being stood up by her unreliable boyfriend. What initially seems like a reckless yet harmless decision quickly spirals into a nightmare. Instead of delivering Mia to his dangerous employers, Colin hides her in a remote cabin in rural Minnesota. This unexpected twist sets the stage for a tense and emotionally charged narrative.
One of the novel’s strengths is its structure. Kubica masterfully weaves together multiple viewpoints, including Mia’s, her mother Eve’s, and Detective Gabe Hoffman’s. This multifaceted approach not only builds suspense but also provides deep insights into each character’s psyche. Eve’s desperation and maternal love, Gabe’s dogged determination, and Colin’s internal conflict create a rich tapestry of emotions and motivations that drive the story forward. Kubica’s characters are flawed and deeply human, making them relatable despite the extraordinary circumstances they find themselves in.
Mia is not just a victim; her resilience and strength shine through, especially as she struggles with the traumatic ordeal. Colin, initially introduced as the antagonist, is gradually revealed to be more complex, struggling with his moral dilemmas and past traumas. This challenges readers to reconsider initial judgments and adds layers of depth to the narrative.
The secluded cabin setting enhances the novel’s claustrophobic tension, creating a sense of isolation and danger that keeps you on edge. Kubica’s descriptive prose vividly captures the harsh Minnesotan winter, adding to the atmosphere of dread and suspense.
However, what truly sets “The Good Girl” apart is its exploration of human relationships and the psychological impact of trauma. The emotional entanglements that develop are unexpected yet believable, leading to a shattering conclusion that lingers long after the final page.
This is a riveting and emotionally charged thriller that explores the dark and light facets of its characters’ lives. Mary Kubica has crafted a story that is not only suspenseful but also deeply human, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. I cannot recommend this author’s work more.
Also by Mary Kubica
Local Woman Missing
People don’t just disappear without a trace….
Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.
Now, 11 years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find….
In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times best-selling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many suspense novels, including THE GOOD GIRL, PRETTY BABY, DON’T YOU CRY, EVERY LAST LIE, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, THE OTHER MRS., LOCAL WOMAN MISSING and JUST THE NICEST COUPLE.
A former high school history teacher, Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children.
Her first novel THE GOOD GIRL was an Indie Next pick in August of 2014, received a Strand Critics Nomination for Best First Novel and was a nominee in the Goodreads Choice Awards in Debut Goodreads Author and in Mystery & Thriller for 2014.
LOCAL WOMAN MISSING was an Indie Next pick in May of 2021, a nominee in the Goodreads Choice Awards in Mystery & Thriller for 2021, and a finalist for an Audie Award.
Mary’s novels have been selected as Amazon Best Books of the Month and have been LibraryReads selections. They’ve been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over five million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller,” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a writer of vice-like control,” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (Los Angeles Times). She is currently working on her next novel.
I am hooked! I love this author’s work and have added more of her books to my TBR list. Now, I just need an excuse to push them to the top of the pile. Are you a fan? What is your favourite book by this author? I look forward to hearing from you, so please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
