The Wicked Girls

The Edgar Award-winning psychological thriller that asks the question: How well can you know anyone?On a fateful summer morning in 1986, two eleven-year-old girls meet for the first time. By the end of the day, they will both be charged with murder. Twenty-five years later, journalist Kirsty Lindsay is reporting on a series of sickening attacks on young female tourists in a seaside vacation town when her investigation leads her to interview carnival cleaner Amber Gordon. For Kirsty and Amber, it s the first time they ve seen each other since that dark day so many years ago. Now with new, vastly different lives and unknowing families to protect will they really be able to keep their wicked secret hidden? Gripping and fast-paced, with an ending that will stay with you long after you ve read it, "The Wicked Girls" will appeal to fans of Laura Lippman, Liane Moriarty, and Tana French."

About the Author :
Alex Marwood is the pseudonym of a journalist who has worked extensively across the British press. Her first novel, "The Wicked Girls," won the Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, and was nominated for the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel and the Anthony and ITW Awards for Best Paperback Original."The Killer Next Door," her second novel, won the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel, and is nominated for the Anthony andBarry Awards for Best Paperback Original.It has been optioned for film by James Franco and Ahna O'Reilly. Marwood lives in south London and is working on her next novel."

Review :
The suspense keeps the pages flying, but what sets this one apart is the palpable sense of onrushing doom. Stephen King, The Best Books I Read This Year, "Entertainment Weekly" Harrowing while the received wisdom on violence committed by children seems to be that some people just are born evil, Marwood makes a strong case that these crimes are more likely rooted in poverty, abuse and parental abandonment. Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Time Book Review" The swirling mass of perceptions and happenings behind the main drama of Kirsty and Amber s past crime is what makes The Wicked Girls more than a plot-driven mystery novel. (Not that it isn t also that; Marwood sacrifices no speed, no engaging details or cliffhangers for the sake of the book s spiky undercurrent). "The Rumpus" In addition to being an excellent intelligent dark thriller in the vein of Gillian Flynn, "The Wicked Girls" presents an intriguing insider s account of salacious British tabloid journalism "BoingBoing " [Alex] Marwood is equally at home with terrifying, potentially violent scenes and quieter ones revealing the tensions of work and family life. She is also adept at depicting the subtle and not so subtle ways differences in class shape the lives of the girls and the women they ve become. "Columbus Dispatch" The pacing is whip-smart "The Wicked Girls" makes a compelling novel not easily forgotten. " South Florida Sun Sentinel " Riveting from first page to last A suspenseful, buzz-worthy novel. "Kirkus "(Starred Review) If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with. "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out." Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" "The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next. Jojo Moyes, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" " "The suspense keeps the pages flying, but what sets this one apart is the palpable sense of onrushing doom." - Stephen King, "The Best Books I Read This Year," "Entertainment Weekly " "Harrowing... while the received wisdom on violence committed by children seems to be that 'some people just are born evil, ' Marwood makes a strong case that these crimes are more likely rooted in poverty, abuse and parental abandonment." - Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Time Book Review" "The swirling mass of perceptions and happenings behind the main drama of Kirsty and Amber's past crime is what makes The Wicked Girls more than a plot-driven mystery novel. (Not that it isn't also that; Marwood sacrifices no speed, no engaging details or cliffhangers for the sake of the book's spiky undercurrent)." - "The Rumpus" "In addition to being an excellent intelligent dark thriller in the vein of Gillian Flynn, "The Wicked Girls" presents an intriguing insider's account of salacious British tabloid journalism" - "BoingBoing " "[Alex] Marwood is equally at home with terrifying, potentially violent scenes and quieter ones revealing the tensions of work and family life. She is also adept at depicting the subtle and not so subtle ways differences in class shape the lives of the girls and the women they've become."--"Columbus Dispatch" "The pacing is whip-smart..."The Wicked Girls" makes a compelling novel not easily forgotten." -" South Florida Sun Sentinel " "Riveting from first page to last... A suspenseful, buzz-worthy novel." - "Kirkus "(Starred Review) "If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with." - "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" ""The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next."--Jojo Moyes, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" "Harrowing... while the received wisdom on violence committed by children seems to be that 'some people just are born evil, ' Marwood makes a strong case that these crimes are more likely rooted in poverty, abuse and parental abandonment." - Marilyn Stasio, "The New York Time Book Review" "The swirling mass of perceptions and happenings behind the main drama of Kirsty and Amber's past crime is what makes The Wicked Girls more than a plot-driven mystery novel. (Not that it isn't also that; Marwood sacrifices no speed, no engaging details or cliffhangers for the sake of the book's spiky undercurrent)." - "The Rumpus" "In addition to being an excellent intelligent dark thriller in the vein of Gillian Flynn, "The Wicked Girls" presents an intriguing insider's account of salacious British tabloid journalism" - "BoingBoing " "[Alex] Marwood is equally at home with terrifying, potentially violent scenes and quieter ones revealing the tensions of work and family life. She is also adept at depicting the subtle and not so subtle ways differences in class shape the lives of the girls and the women they've become."--"Columbus Dispatch" "The pacing is whip-smart..."The Wicked Girls" makes a compelling novel not easily forgotten." -" South Florida Sun Sentinel " "Riveting from first page to last... A suspenseful, buzz-worthy novel." - "Kirkus "(Starred Review) "If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with." - "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "Whato "The pacing is whip-smart..."The Wicked Girls" makes a compelling novel not easily forgotten." -" South Florida Sun Sentinel " "Riveting from first page to last... A suspenseful, buzz-worthy novel." - "Kirkus "(Starred Review) "If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with." - "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" ""The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next."--Jojo Moyes, "New York"" Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" "Tense, twisty and brimming with revelation, "The Wicked Girls" offers everything you dream for in a suspense novel. Not only does it hold you in its clutches, but it offers pointed and poignant insights into the way we reconcile with our past, and the collective danger of our own insatiable curiosity."--Megan Abbott, author of "Dare Me" "A haunting, beautifully written and thoroughly captivating story of friendship, fear and deep, dark secrets. I absolutely loved this book."--Alison Gaylin, author of "Into the Dark " "I loved it. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of the sins of the past colliding with the mistakes of the present; really well-written, multi-faceted characters, who behave in ways you wouldn't expect them to: in other words, like real people. I particularly enjoyed seeing th "Riveting from first page to last... A suspenseful, buzz-worthy novel." - "Kirkus "(Starred Review) "If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with." - "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" ""The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next."--Jojo Moyes, "New York"" Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" "Tense, twisty and brimming with revelation, "The Wicked Girls" offers everything you dream for in a suspense novel. Not only does it hold you in its clutches, but it offers pointed and poignant insights into the way we reconcile with our past, and the collective danger of our own insatiable curiosity."--Megan Abbott, author of "Dare Me" "A haunting, beautifully written and thoroughly captivating story of friendship, fear and deep, dark secrets. I absolutely loved this book."--Alison Gaylin, author of "Into the Dark " "I loved it. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of the sins of the past colliding with the mistakes of the present; really well-written, multi-faceted characters, who behave in ways you wouldn't expect them to: in other words, like real people. I particularly enjoyed seeing the effects of serious crime on the transient, seaside community and how the press apportion blame according to their own agenda - a real "If Tana French and Gillian Flynn stayed up all night telling stories at an abandoned amusement park, this is awfully close to what they might come up with." - "Booklist "(starred review) ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" ""The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next."--Jojo Moyes, "New York"" Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" "Tense, twisty and brimming with revelation, "The Wicked Girls" offers everything you dream for in a suspense novel. Not only does it hold you in its clutches, but it offers pointed and poignant insights into the way we reconcile with our past, and the collective danger of our own insatiable curiosity."--Megan Abbott, author of "Dare Me" "A haunting, beautifully written and thoroughly captivating story of friendship, fear and deep, dark secrets. I absolutely loved this book."--Alison Gaylin, author of "Into the Dark " "I loved it. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of the sins of the past colliding with the mistakes of the present; really well-written, multi-faceted characters, who behave in ways you wouldn't expect them to: in other words, like real people. I particularly enjoyed seeing the effects of serious crime on the transient, seaside community and how the press apportion blame according to their own agenda - a really interesting insight into the way they conduct their business. So having read it and devoured every page, y ""The Wicked Girls" is ingenious and original -- a novel that surprises and rewards its readers, delivering a twist of an ending that I never saw coming, then realized it was the only ending that could truly satisfy. Real, chilling, true to its world and its characters. In short, a knock-out."--Laura Lippman, "New York Times "bestselling author of "And When She Was Good "and "What the Dead Know" ""The Wicked Girls" is utterly compelling. It's psychologically rich, complex and masterfully plotted. I couldn't put it down, even when I sensed it was taking me somewhere very dark indeed. I can't wait to see what Alex Marwood comes up with next."--Jojo Moyes, "New York"" Times "bestselling author of "Me Before You" "Tense, twisty and brimming with revelation, "The Wicked Girls" offers everything you dream for in a suspense novel. Not only does it hold you in its clutches, but it offers pointed and poignant insights into the way we reconcile with our past, and the collective danger of our own insatiable curiosity."--Megan Abbott, author of "Dare Me" "A haunting, beautifully written and thoroughly captivating story of friendship, fear and deep, dark secrets. I absolutely loved this book."--Alison Gaylin, author of "Into the Dark " "I loved it. I thought it was a brilliant exploration of the sins of the past colliding with the mistakes of the present; really well-written, multi-faceted characters, who behave in ways you wouldn't expect them to: in other words, like real people. I particularly enjoyed seeing the effects of serious crime on the transient, seaside community and how the press apportion blame according to their own agenda - a really interesting insight into the way they conduct their business. So having read it and devoured every page, I will debase myself and say... I really wish I'd written it! It was cleverly plotted and pacy, with all the storylines thundering towards a final, gripping conclusion."--Elizabeth Haynes, "New Yor