#ATBR2021 – The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor

Better late than never in getting this one read!

Thanks to Random House for the free copies in exchange for our honest reviews

THE BURNING GIRLS – C.J. Tudor (Released February 9th, 2021)

You can see our thoughts on her other releases – THE CHALK MAN (here), THE OTHER PEOPLE (here), and THE HIDING PLACE (here)

Book Description:

An unconventional vicar moves to a remote corner of the English countryside, only to discover a community haunted by death and disappearances both past and present–and intent on keeping its dark secrets–in this explosive, unsettling thriller from acclaimed author C. J. Tudor.

Welcome to Chapel Croft. Five hundred years ago, eight protestant martyrs were burned at the stake here. Thirty years ago, two teenage girls disappeared without a trace. And two months ago, the vicar of the local parish killed himself.

Reverend Jack Brooks, a single parent with a fourteen-year-old daughter and a heavy conscience, arrives in the village hoping to make a fresh start and find some peace. Instead, Jack finds a town mired in secrecy and a strange welcome package: an old exorcism kit and a note quoting scripture. “But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.”

The more Jack and daughter Flo get acquainted with the town and its strange denizens, the deeper they are drawn into their rifts, mysteries, and suspicions. And when Flo is troubled by strange sightings in the old chapel, it becomes apparent that there are ghosts here that refuse to be laid to rest.

But uncovering the truth can be deadly in a village where everyone has something to protect, everyone has links with the village’s bloody past, and no one trusts an outsider.

Chandra’s Thoughts: 5/5 stars

THE BURNING GIRLS has officially made its way to my favorite book by Tudor.  Immediately immersive, this is a hard book to put down.  Plus, you just canNOT help but to fall in love with Jack.. and especially Flo.  I also have a tendency to put vicars or any leader in a religious capacity to be… as close to perfect as you can in terms of doing good and being perfect.. see? I can’t even express it correctly.  What I’m trying to get to … is that Jack, as vicar, shows this side of  being flawed and “regular human” I am constantly surprised at.  I know, I know.  I’m learning. Leave me alone.  Back to the book. Jack made me smile quite a few times with some of her inner monologue.

There is such great atmosphere in this read.  Freakin’ small towns with everyone in everyone’s business – especially with the new residents.  An old house and chapel and creepy areas to explore. I really wish I could’ve gone exploring with Flo! I mean, Tudor, couldn’t you have maybe included some of the photos she took as a bonus?  

I truly loved everything about this story.  I did NOT see a few things that were thrown at me and at one point my skin puckered up with goosies.  Well done.  **applause** The last few chapters really come full circle and we learn a LOT about how these characters are linked and holy WTF.  Now, I will say that, in my humble opinion, that the epilogue was just unnecessary and I feel like I’m left wanting a bit with regards to a certain character…  I literally made that claw hand you do when you grab your face like WHAT. And even with these things, I still swiped my last swipe on my Kindle a very happy girl. WHEW! I needed some creepy, morbid reading and this fit the bill. 

Go grab your copy and lets discuss!!

My Thoughts: 5/5 stars

If you’re in the mood for something dark, morbid, foreboding, and all that kind of goodness, then THE BURNING GIRLS needs to be on that TBR. While the last book I read by CJ Tudor wasn’t a hit for me I will continue to pick up what she releases because they’re so immersive and creepy. You can expect some good horror elements, relatable and almost lifelike characters, and some seriously eerie settings (in this case, a small town).

Jack, a vicar, and her teenage daughter Flo have been relocated to Chapel Croft, a small town on the English countryside. So what is it with small towns and that they’re always so creepy and no one is ever terribly inviting? With a dark past and other eerie things going on, will Jack and Flo find the answers they’re looking for?

From the very beginning I was hooked and there’s just something about her writing that completely engrosses you. The pacing really picked up towards the end and there were some reveals I was not expecting (can’t complain when that happens). CJ Tudor remains an auto-buy author for me!