Review: Girl Number One by Jane Holland

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Release date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Goodreads blurb: 

As a young child, Eleanor Blackwood witnessed her mother’s murder in woods near their farm. The killer was never found. 


Now an adult, Eleanor discovers a woman’s body in the same spot in the Cornish woods where her mother was strangled eighteen years before. But when the police get there, the body has disappeared. 


Is Eleanor’s disturbed mind playing tricks on her again, or has her mother’s killer resurfaced? And what does the number on the dead woman’s forehead signify? 

Review: 

For once, I really do not have a whole to say. I usually cut myself off in reviews because I do not want to ramble on and on and bore you guys. I’m feeling apathetic about this book though so this will shorter than usual.

Things started out pretty well here. The premise was strong for me and I usually enjoy books where the heroine is unsure of herself and wonders if she’s cracking up. Eleanor finds a dead woman in the same woods where her mother was killed years earlier. By the time the police arrive, there is no body. Then, she gets the sensation that she is being watched, often. Is she losing her mind? Has she already gone mad and hasn’t even realized it herself?

Ellie was a pretty boring character despite  all the drama in her life. She came off as very cold and detached. She shows no emotion whatsoever when she finds a dead women in the same place her own mother died! That’s when I knew I wasn’t going to be able to connect with her much. Later, she thinks it’s a good idea to sleep with a man who is one of her own main suspects as the killer. She totally lost me then, I just can’t. Her character was also under developed, as were all the characters in this book.

I guessed very early on who the killer was which is always a huge let down. I swear I only end up finishing the book so I can know that I was right and feel justified in my rightness. When the big climactic scene finally comes, (parts of this were very slow, especially for a so called thriller) there was just no excitement. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t muster any up, I’m not sure. The motivation for the string of murders was weak too and I was holding onto my last hope, thinking maybe that would provide something unique. 

Overall rating: 2.5/5

Thanks to Thomas and Mercer for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

24 thoughts on “Review: Girl Number One by Jane Holland”

  4. renee says:
    Reply

    I just recently discovered your blog and I”m enjoying reading your reviews. Your honesty in this review is appreciated and helpful! I’m hoping to get my blog Itsbooktalk up and running on wordpress soon so I hope you’ll check it out. Really liked your review of Daisy in Chains as well and I completely agree with it, a total 5 star read!

    Liked by 1 person

      • Renee says:

        I’ll definently let you know when I have my blog up, I’m hoping to this weekend. I’m completely new to blogging and technology isn’t my friend so I’m hoping it’s as easy to set up as I’m hearing. I’m really looking forward to connecting with so many others who love to talk about books and authors like I do! As for Sharon Bolton’s books, yes I have read all of the Lacey Flint series and they are fantastic!! All 4 of them. Her stand alone Little Black Lies is also terrific and has one of the best twists at the end I’ve ever read. Can you tell she is one of my favorite authors, top 3 for sure. I hope you check out those books I think you’ll really like them

        Liked by 1 person

  7. amandalynn9204 says:
    Reply

    The blurb sounds so promising and interesting! I’m disappointed that the story doesn’t have the same feelings! It’s so frustrating when you can guess who did what or what is going to happen. Your review was short but great!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Melissa @ BookNerdMomo says:
    Reply

    Sorry this was a disappointing read for you! The synopsis sounds so interesting too. I read it and then was like “Hmmm another thriller to add to my TBR” but then I read your review and a lot of the problems you had with it are things I don’t like in books so lol. Lovely review, either way! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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