Friday 19 July 2013

Book Review: Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas.


Product details:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK.
Paperback, 320 pages.
Release date: July 18th 2013.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Ages: 14+
Source:Received from publisher for review.

Paradise quickly gets gruesome in this thrilling page-turner with a plot that’s ripped from the headlines and a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone ever imagined...



A taut ‘pulled-from-the-headlines’ thriller, Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas details the fallout of a paradise Spring Break turned murderous, and ponders the spine-chilling question: “Wouldn’t we all look guilty, if someone searched hard enough?”

When Anna Chevalier arrives in Aruba for senior year Spring Break with a group of wealthy, party-loving friends including her boyfriend Tate and best friend Elise, she has nothing more in mind than days spent topping up her tan on the beach and nights spent gorging on the islands night life.  But paradise soon turns to hell on earth for Anna when Elise is brutally murdered.  When Anna is questioned, along with Tate, and the rest of their friends, she thinks nothing of it; it’s just police procedure, after all. Or maybe not. One day Anna is escorted to a police van, and the next thing she knows she’s locked in a cell, the prime suspect in the murder of Elise Warren.  Anna protests her innocence. She has an airtight alibi: Tate.  She loved Elise like a sister: the girls went everywhere together; they shared everything. Anna would never hurt Elise, never mind stab her thirteen times. Surely everybody knows that? But her friends fade away, eager to protect their promising futures from the stain of murder, and soon, Anna is alone on her island prison, facing a race against time to prove her innocence. But how do you prove your innocence when everyone around you isn’t really sure what to believe? How do you prove your innocence, when everything, even a comforting kiss from your boyfriend, makes you look guilty?

Inspired by the Amanda Knox trial, amongst other high profile cases, Dangerous Girls is a truly compelling read, and one that will keep you turning the pages late into the night as you reach its dramatic conclusion. Perfectly plotted from start to finish, Dangerous Girls shows how easily a life can be deconstructed and how everything you do: from doodles on a notebook, to favourite song lyrics and photos on Facebook can be used against you in a court of law. Of course, those who followed the Knox trial will be familiar with the ‘incriminating kiss’ and trial by media, and that’s exactly what happens here as we see Anna go from carefree party girl to public enemy number one in no time at all.  Body language experts seem convinced of Anna’s guilt, as do talk show hosts who condemn her as cold and uncaring; focusing particularly on a photograph taken of her and boyfriend Tate kissing soon after Elise was found dead. Here, though, we are party to Anna’s narrative, and we know that the kiss was not one of carefree abandon, but of comfort between two kids whose whole lives had been ripped out from under them. Still, it’s interesting (and scary) to see how easily these things can be misconstrued and used as evidence.

Tense and thrilling, if you like summer reads with a dark edge, then Dangerous Girls is the perfect book for you. Intense, fast-paced and truly absorbing from start to finish, I loved every plot-twisting page of this book.  And that ending! I have to admit that I guessed (and wished for) the outcome of this one, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book, because it is breathtaking. I wonder if you’ll figure it all out too! Go read this book. It’s one of my favourites of the year, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Just wow!
 

34 comments :

  1. I don't know if I could read this one without peeking at the end! Just reading your review makes me anxious with worry for Anna. I think I'm going to have to get this one, just to satisfy my curiousity!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I am soooo looking forward reading this book and I am even more excited now after hearing you praise it so much! I LOVE good plot twists and I'm happy you liked the ending... I hate when a book does not end the way I hope it does:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. LittleMissBecky20 July 2013 at 00:00

    Wow, your excitement for this one is definitely contagious! I've actually never heard of this one before, but it's definitely on my radar now! I'll have to check this out!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ChristinaBookAddict20 July 2013 at 03:03

    Fantastic review, Leanna! I am excited to see that you gave it five out of five stars..Wow! Normally "darker" summer reads aren't for me, but I like that it's fast-paced and inspired from the headlines. It sounds like something I'd be completely absorbed in. I will have to check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. daisychainbooks20 July 2013 at 10:44

    No peeking, Ruby. You'll ruin it all for yourself! ;) This is such a great read - truly gripping. I can't wait to hear your thoughts if you decide to read/review.

    ReplyDelete
  6. daisychainbooks20 July 2013 at 10:44

    I've seen a few disappointments with the ending in Goodreads reviews, but it was the ending I wanted, so I'm happy. This one is such a great read, Danny - I think you'd really enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. daisychainbooks20 July 2013 at 10:45

    I think you'd love this one, Becky. It's all dark and twisty - you won't be able to put it down!

    ReplyDelete
  8. daisychainbooks20 July 2013 at 10:46

    Dangerous Girls was a total five star read for me - once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. So, so good!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This blew me away - one of my favourite reads so far this year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm reading this one at the moment and having major anxiety over how it will all end up! It's so good, so glad you enjoyed this one too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. daisychainbooks22 July 2013 at 22:30

    Mine too! I'd love to read more books like this one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. daisychainbooks22 July 2013 at 22:31

    It is SO good! I literally could not put it down once I started. Can't wait to hear what you think! x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jess Hearts Books24 July 2013 at 17:42

    This was just brilliant wasn't it!? Gripping summer reading! I had an inkling towards the ending but I have to admit it wasn't my main suspicion so was nicely shocked! Really glad you enjoyed this one too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rebecca Huish Matthews1 August 2013 at 15:30

    It's true how innocent gestures can be taken the wrong way, I'm interested to see how the media twists this one, it sounds gripping adding to my TBR pile now. Great Review.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hadn't seen this book before but will definitely buy a copy for the library now.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is on my must read list! I've heard nothing but great reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I thought this book was very good although I wish I hadn't of guessed the ending correctly - kind of spoilt the shock factor a little. It is a must read though!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love mysteries and this one sounds dark and wonderful. What a horrible predicament, especially when it seems you must prove your innocence instead of the other way around. Things taken out of context can be very damning. Wonderful review, Leanna. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wow, this sounds like an intense read! I don't know if I will be able to sit through the whole book. But it sounds like a thrilling ride!

    ReplyDelete
  20. CYP @ A Bookalicious Story2 August 2013 at 10:22

    This seems so cool! I've never been much into mystery and thriller, but the mind games here seem, well, cool! Haha I didn't really follow the details of the Amanda Knox trials very closely so I'm not sure what really happened, but it's always very interesting when we get to see the alternate perspective.

    Now that you said the ending was the one that you wished for, I think I can guess what happened! :P Haha, but anyway, awesome review! Now I really, really want to read Dangerous Girls!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I don't thin I've heard of this one, but it sounds fascinating. Maybe I'll give it a try. When it's someone's favourite, it's usually worth a go.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've always been fascinated by the Amanda Knox trial, so this is definitely a book I'll read!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think I actually know which headline this is inspired by. Your review tells me I'm in for a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  24. daisychainbooks4 August 2013 at 11:38

    I figured out the ending too, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. This is definitely one of my favourite books in a while. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. daisychainbooks4 August 2013 at 11:39

    I think you'd really enjoy this one, then! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Interesting info about the inspiration for the book

    ReplyDelete
  27. WOW! This is one of the best books I have ever read! but the ending! I didn't expect that! I'm so confused who actually killed Elise? And when Anna said "i win" what did she mean? is she the one who killed Elise? or was it juan? or are we supposed to decide! HELPPP

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is a brilliant book, once i started reading i could not put it down! I read it in 3 days which is unusual for me! Me and my friend read it almost at the same time and it became the subject of our conversations for a good while afterwards. We we both initially a little confused about who actually killed her so we shared our theories and talked about it until we worked it out. It's unexpected and makes you think! Abigail Haas is a brilliant writer and this book is a pure example of that. It's amazing, perfect amounts of romance and mystery. I would recommend this to anyone totally 5* no hesitation.
    BIG thanks to my friend for making me read this!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You're weird georgina;)

    ReplyDelete
  30. TROLL A LOL A LOL A LOL

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it!

If you are a book blogger and have taken the time to comment, I will make sure to come visit your blog and return the favour. :)

Please note: This blog is now an award free zone. Thanks to everyone who has awarded the blog in the past.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts with Thumbnails View My Stats