In “Darling Girls,” Sally Hepworth expertly intertwines a spellbinding narrative of sisterhood, hidden truths, love, and intrigue.
Three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, rescued from tragic circumstances and raised by their caring foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on a picturesque farm, form the core of the story. Despite their seemingly idyllic childhood, underlying complexities and implicit rules shaped their lives in profound ways.
“Panic was her constant state of being, as familiar to her as breathing. She imagined that even as a newborn she’d awoken each day with her heart in her throat, asking, What will today be like? Will I forget something, or say the wrong thing? How can I make everyone happy? What if I can’t?”
One of the standout features of the novel is Hepworth’s adept handling of multiple timelines and points of view. Hepworth seamlessly switches between different time periods and perspectives, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the sisters’ past and present, thereby adding layers of depth and suspense to the story.
Central to the narrative are the intricate dynamics of family relationships, particularly within the foster family. Resurfacing deep-rooted secrets forces the sisters to confront their shared history and its implications for their lives. The shared trauma experienced by the sisters as children serves as a powerful bond that ties them together.
“Even after all these years, yearning for the love and attention of someone who couldn’t give it to her was much more comfortable than actually receiving it.”
As the plot unfolds, the impact of their shared past on their adult lives becomes increasingly evident, adding a compelling layer of complexity to the story. As the discovery of a body beneath their childhood home thrusts the sisters into a whirlwind of suspicion and intrigue, the tension mounts. Are they mere witnesses or suspects in a larger mystery?
“It confirms something I’d suspected most of my life: that no one cares.”
The unravelling of their memories, coupled with the present-day investigation, creates a suspenseful and gripping plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Readers immerse themselves in a web of mystery and suspense as connections between the sisters, Miss Fairchild, and buried secrets gradually reveal themselves.
“When cruelty becomes familiar in your tender, adolescent years, of course you start to become comfortable with it. You believe you deserve it. But you don’t.”
Sally Hepworth meticulously crafts each character with distinct personalities, flaws, and vulnerabilities, making them relatable and memorable figures in the story. She skillfully weaves together suspense, emotion, and character development in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish.
While some aspects of the narrative may delve into darker themes, such as child abuse, the vivid and compelling prose moves the story forward with unwavering momentum. The resolution to the core mystery may come as a surprise, but the journey to get there is undeniably worth it. “Darling Girls” is a riveting exploration of the bonds of sisterhood, the weight of buried secrets, and the resilience of the human spirit. For fans of thrillers that delve into intricate family dynamics and well-rounded characters, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression!
Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for this gifted copy.
About this book: Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth – Pan Macmillan
About the author: Sally Hepworth (sallyhepworthauthor.com)
