Girls in the Garden (Reprint) (Paperback) (Lisa Jewell)

About the Book

"First published as The Girls in Great Britain by Century in 2015"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

One of People's, Glamour's, and BuzzFeed's Best Reads of Summer, from the New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone

"Jewell expertly builds suspense by piling up domestic misunderstandings and more plot twists than an SVU episode. It's a page-turner for readers who like beach reads on the dark side." --People

"Faithful to the thriller genre, Jewell makes liberal use of red herrings and plot twists... The answer to the whodunit is a sly--and satisfying--surprise." --The New York Times

Imagine that you live on a picturesque communal garden square, an oasis in urban London where your children run free, in and out of other people's houses. You've known your neighbors for years and you trust them. Implicitly. You think your children are safe. But are they really?

On a midsummer night, as a festive neighborhood party is taking place, preteen Pip discovers her thirteen-year-old sister Grace lying unconscious and bloody in a hidden corner of a lush rose garden. What really happened to her? And who is responsible?

Review Quotes

"A suspenseful mystery."-- "Womans Day"

"An engaging and atmospheric read, Lisa beautifully conjures up the half-child half-adult lives of young teenagers."--Jane Fallon, author of Skeletons

"An intoxicating, spellbinding read that will make readers entranced with Lisa Jewell's wicked and gorgeous prose...raw, intense, gritty, dark and suspenseful. If you are looking for a looking for a psychological thriller that will unfold secrets and truths in a shocking manner, this book is for you."-- "Manhattan Book Review"

"Another winner. Beautiful writing, believable characters, a pacy narrative and dark secrets combine to make this a gripping read."-- "London Daily Mail"

"Faithful to the thriller genre, Jewell makes liberal use of red herrings and plot twists... The answer to the whodunit is a sly - and satisfying - surprise."-- "New York Times Book Review"

"Full of suspense yet emotionally grounded...Fans of Liane Moriarty, Paula Hawkins, and Carla Buckley will adore this peek inside a gated community that truly takes care of its own, no matter the consequences."-- "Booklist (starred review)"

"Jewell crafts another page-turner that keeps the suspense flowing...[and] sharply evades the truth while bouncing the story among multiple characters' perspectives. Recommended for lovers of mysteries built on the complexities of family and the dismantling of the idea that being part of a community keeps us safe."-- "Library Journal"

"Jewell does a beautiful job of creating large companies of detailed and believable characters in her novels. Some are likable, some are not, and Jewell carefully explores what makes each of them tick, from the unstable to the overachievers to those in search of love... a delicate exploration of teenage love and rivalry, mental illness and how far people will go to protect those they care about. Fans of Liane Moriarty and JoJo Moyes will love The Girls in the Garden, as will anyone who remembers the angst and ecstasy of being a teenager."-- "Shelf Awareness"

"Jewell expertly builds suspense by piling up domestic misunderstandings and more plot twists than an SVU episode. It's a page-turner for readers who like beach reads on the dark side."-- "People"

"Jewell expertly mines the relationships of her compelling, multilayered characters for a perfect pack-for-vacation read."-- "Fort-Worth Star Telegram"

"Lisa creates beguiling characters, which dazzle from the page. This is a terrific suspense story told with that brooding promise of danger that taunts us to read on, to chase the elusive truth at the heart of the book."--Rachel Hore, author of The House on Bellevue Gardens

"Oh but I loved this book - a magical garden right in the center of the city, a long, hot summer simmering away, a group of young teens, lurching between boredom and passion and ripe for their lives to start. And at its center a dark and disturbing mystery that keeps you turning the pages long into the night. Lisa Jewell is the most compassionate storyteller. She writes with such lightness of touch, yet her books pack a powerful punch. A stunning, beautiful, mesmerizing book that everyone will be reading this summer."--Tamar Cohen, author of The Mistress's Revenge

"Rich characterization and intricate plot development are combined with mid-chapter cliffhangers that cut from one character's point of view to the next, resulting in a riveting pace. Vivid descriptions of the bucolic park contrast with the evil lurking around the themes of teenage sexuality, perversion, peer pressure, and the desire for a complete family. Jewell adeptly creates a pervasive atmosphere of unease in this well-spun narrative."-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"

"The writing is cause for pleasant pause."-- "Seattle Times"

Jewell offers an intriguing premise and characters...[and] creates a story ripe with anticipation and emotion.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Jewell pens a psychological thriller that leaves readers wondering if they really know all the answers. Children can be more frightening than adults, as she demonstrates in her brilliant portrayal of youthful deceit and jealousy. Each individual is vividly described and counterbalanced by their strengths and weaknesses.-- "RT Magazine"

One of New York Post's "Buzziest Books to Bring to the Beach"

Praise for The Girls in the Garden:

"Lisa Jewell's characters are so real that I finish every book half-expecting to bump into one of them. Modern, complex, intuitive, she just goes from strength to strength."--Jojo Moyes, author of After You

About The Author

Lisa Jewell is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels, including The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone, as well as Invisible Girl and Watching You. Her novels have sold over 5 million copies internationally, and her work has also been translated into twenty-eight languages. Connect with her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK, on Instagram @LisaJewellUK, and on Facebook @LisaJewellOfficial.