⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
Sarah Pinborough has a knack for writing mysteries that pull you in from page one, and They Say a Girl Died Here is no exception. Set in a small Appalachian town haunted by a string of murders, the story follows Anna as she begins to question the version of events her community has accepted for years. While everyone else believes the case was solved long ago, Anna can’t shake the feeling that something doesn’t add up—and she starts to wonder if the key to the truth lies with her grandmother, whose fading memories may be hiding more than anyone realizes.
This was a true page-turner. Pinborough’s pacing is excellent, steadily building tension while dropping just enough clues and red herrings to keep me guessing. I especially enjoyed the eerie small-town atmosphere and found myself eager to unravel the mystery alongside Anna. There is a significant twist that I never saw coming, even if it felt a bit abrupt once it arrived.
Where the novel lost me was in its resolution. I found myself more intrigued by a few of the alternate possibilities the story teased than by the direction it ultimately chose. I also thought some of the portrayals of rural Appalachian life leaned on familiar stereotypes, which pulled me out of an otherwise immersive setting.
That said, this is still an engaging mystery with strong momentum, memorable atmosphere, and a compelling central puzzle. If you enjoy twisty mysteries from authors like C.J. Tudor or Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter by Samantha Crewson, this one is well worth adding to your TBR.
I also highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator does an excellent job distinguishing each character with unique voices, making the story easy to follow while adding another layer of tension to an already suspenseful read.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy. They Say a Girl Died Here publishes August 25, 2026.
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