Because of whom the characters are, this book should be in every high school library.
Jess Lourey, the author behind "The Quarry Girls," has written a captivating mystery thriller that takes readers on a journey into the heart of a small, isolated town. I found this book to be incredibly enjoyable, and I couldn't put it down, finishing it within just two days.
The novel begins by drawing readers into the enigmatic world of a tight-knit community, where the bonds between its inhabitants run deep. Lourey taps into the universal theme of hometown secrets, making it relatable to those who, like me, have grown up in such an environment.
One of the book's most notable aspects is its exploration of the challenges faced by teenagers as they transition into young adulthood. The Quarry Girls experiences the trials and tribulations of adolescence that resonate with teens from both small towns and big cities alike.
As someone who lived through the 70s era, reading about it evoked a strong sense of nostalgia. Lourey's attention to detail in recreating the ambiance of the '70s transported me back to my own teenage years, complete with the music, fashion, and cultural references of the time. This added to my reading and made me feel even more connected to the story.
The plot has unexpected twists and turns, which kept me turning the pages. The tension builds gradually. I was forming my own opinion as to who the murderer was while reading.
What stands out the most, in my opinion, is the central character, a 15-year-old girl who takes it upon herself to investigate the mysterious murders of her friends while simultaneously shouldering the responsibilities of her own family. This young protagonist's determination, courage, and resourcefulness make her a compelling character. Her journey of self-discovery and growth is a central theme of the story, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength that can be found in unexpected places. ( )

This was supposed to be based on a true crime story in Minnesota from the 1970's. Nowhere did any reviews indicate this was a YA book, but it seemed so. There seemed to be a superficiality to the story. By at least 50% in I had it figured out. This was a free Kindle read from 2022. Also billed as a thriller, but not so much. 335 pages ( )

Small town secrets. Girls being abused and killed. Two girls struggle. One captured, one losing friends ( )

When you need to read something that takes your mind off the fact that you're lying in an emergency room bed waiting for test results, pick up a copy of Jess Lourey's The Quarry Girls. In reading the history of "Pantown", Minnesota, I learned that a factory owner built his factory as well as a town for his workers to live in. To prevent any work stoppages during the often brutal winter weather, he also built a series of tunnels between the factory and the housing development. I don't like being underground, so that was the first time my mental "red alert" siren went off. Then I learned that an "underground maze connected everybody's basements." With the addition of a few more little tidbits, my imagination went to town, and I read the rest of the novel feeling-- for the lack of a better term-- creeped out.

The Quarry Girls is told from the point of view of teenage Heather, who has a twelve-year-old sister, Junie, a manic-depressive mother who's zoned out more than she's zoned in, and a father who's the district attorney and spends most of his time at work. Heather has been the real caregiver of the family. She makes sure meals are on the table, the laundry is done, and Junie is doing what she should be, as well as keeping an eye on her mother. This young girl is not only the caregiver of her family but she also feels the need to protect her friends. That's an awful lot of responsibility for such young shoulders.

When her friends go missing, Heather waits for the police to do their job, but when they don't, she starts searching for answers. She must save her friends. The truth that she finds isn't very palatable. The people she thought she knew and could trust aren't who they seem to be. She learns that Pantown is the type of place where "If we didn't like something, we simply didn't see it." The more she learns, the more she realizes that "You can't live in the dark and feel good about yourself." The moment she weighs everything she learns and decides enough is enough almost made me cheer. Heather is that kind of character.

However, The Quarry Girls isn't only about Heather. Throughout the story, readers catch glimpses of a young woman named Beth, who's been kidnapped and knows her time is running out. With the underground layout of Pantown, Heather's search for the truth, and Beth's desperate situation, there were times that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Lourey did an excellent job of keeping me guessing-- and I didn't always guess correctly.

If you're in the mood for a thrill ride of a novel, The Quarry Girls just may be the answer for you. ( )

This book was a fairly random pick from the offerings for Kindle Unlimited. It reads almost like true crime (it's fiction), but not too gory, scary, or explicit. It may be intended for teen audiences, though it definitely covers adult topics like sexual abuse, kidnapping, and murder. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed this book. It probably helped that I needed something not too challenging while I recovered from a minor accident. Goodreads reviews at https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/57836903 ( )