4 STAR REVIEW

Thank you so much to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have never read anything by Joseph Souza but this book immediately intrigued me. I loved the authors writing style and how you actually felt like you were in the town along with the characters. The plot had lots of secrets and twists and the characters were well developed. I also loved that this story revolved around a woman that was injured and came back from deployment with multiple mental ailments that were controlling her life. I’ve read a lot of books about men coming back from the war but it was nice to read one from a woman’s character.

Lucy never thought she’d find herself going back to her hometown of Fawn Grove, Maine to live with her sister’s family. After serving in Afghanistan then as a chef in New York she realizes the only way she can move on from the past and forget what the war has done to her is face it again. When a Muslim girl is found murdered by stoning Lucy becomes immersed in the case and feels a connection to the girl from her time in the war. The more Lucy digs into the murder and her hometown, the more she realizes how much the town has changed since she’s been there.

This was definitely a page turner and I, like everyone else, was not prepared for the plot twist, I didn’t see it coming. This was one of the best thrillers I’ve read in awhile which is really saying something, the author’s writing style was amazing and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

The beginning of the book was a little slow for me as Lucy is trying to overcome her PTSD and self-wallowing but the further you get into the book the better it gets. Lucy is such a strong amazing character that I felt an immediate connection with through all of her flaws and setbacks. I loved her personality and how brave she was in front of other people even when she was suffering so much inside.

Excellent novel and I’m very excited to read more by Joseph Souza!

Purchase Links:

Barnes – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pray-for-the-girl-joseph-souza/1129244656?ean=9781496716231#/

About the author:

Before launching his writing career, Joseph Souza worked as an intelligence analyst for the Drug Enforcement Agency (Organized Crime Unit) in Washington, D.C. His award‑winning short fiction and essays have been published in literary journals throughout the country. He lives in Portland, Maine, with his wife and two children.