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Darling Girls: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.2 out of 5 stars 27,710 ratings

SISTERS, SECRETS, LOVE, AND MURDER... Sally Hepworth’s novel Darling Girls has it all.

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life.

But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

A thrilling suspense of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by
New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

“Sally Hepworth writes characters you love.” —LIANE MORIARTY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF APPLES NEVER FALL

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

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Product details

Listening Length 9 hours and 6 minutes
Author Sally Hepworth
Narrator Jessica Clarke
Audible.com Release Date April 23, 2024
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0C3N8Z9FB
Best Sellers Rank #7,832 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#24 in Mystery Action Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#103 in Domestic Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#106 in Action Thriller & Suspense Fiction

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
27,710 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's twisty tale and find it keeps them guessing throughout. The writing style receives mixed feedback, with some praising it while others note frequent spelling and grammar errors. Customers appreciate the character development, particularly the three foster sisters, and the relationship between the sisters. The emotional content is mixed, with customers describing it as sad and traumatic, while the book deals with sensitive subjects like child abuse.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

125 customers mention "Twists"108 positive17 negative

Customers enjoy the twists in this novel, particularly noting the surprising plot developments and nice ending.

"...Story is written to hold your interest till the end! I really enjoyed it." Read more

"...Overall, this book was pretty good. Loved the twist...." Read more

"...Worth a look into. Overall, this novel was interesting though and I do love the love between the three foster sisters...." Read more

"...This was certainly thrilling but definitely more thought provoking and real than just gore or horror...." Read more

107 customers mention "Readability"107 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an awesome and interesting novel that keeps them engaged, with one customer noting it's one of their favorite books of the year.

"Definitely did not see the end at all, lol. Overall, this book was pretty good. Loved the twist...." Read more

"...Interesting book that I picked up for a book club and I am excited to discuss with them!" Read more

"😲so good. Nonstop and in a different way than what I’m used to. Normally only intense fast-paced thrillers keep me as captivated as this book did...." Read more

"Interesting read and storylines all came together well but definitely be aware of TW before reading. Overall, decent read and checkout" Read more

42 customers mention "Pacing"33 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, describing it as a great quick read that keeps you guessing through the entire book and flying through the chapters so fast.

"...Quick and easy read you will enjoy." Read more

"This was a quick read and entertaining. Rather predictable, but not bad at all...." Read more

"...This was certainly thrilling but definitely more thought provoking and real than just gore or horror...." Read more

"Riveting story that will keep you reading until the early morning hours! I had a very hard time putting this down and finished it in one day...." Read more

37 customers mention "Character development"37 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly the three foster sisters and their never-ending connection, with one customer noting how each character has a distinct voice.

"Sensitive subject hitting many emotions. The characters are explored individually and together as sisters...." Read more

"...Even though there was child abuse, I loved how the 3 main characters bonded together forever and worked through their awful beginnings...." Read more

"...Loved all the different characters even if they were a bit cliche. Would recommend as a “fun” read!" Read more

"Every page on edge till the very last page!! Highly recommended! Awesome characters. Every detail to the last page was twisted together." Read more

15 customers mention "Love between sisters"13 positive2 negative

Customers love the relationship between the sisters in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the chapters written from each sister's point of view.

"...Overall, this novel was interesting though and I do love the love between the three foster sisters...." Read more

"...The bond between the three foster sisters felt so real, and as their past unraveled, the twists just kept coming...." Read more

"...I was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed the chapters in each sisters' point of view...." Read more

"...that people go things like this in real life but I loved the sister relationship and how that got them through such hard times...." Read more

45 customers mention "Writing style"22 positive23 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written while others report numerous spelling and grammar errors in every chapter, along with sentences that don't make sense.

"...Quick and easy read you will enjoy." Read more

"Enjoyable thriller - parts were difficult to read, but enjoyable nonetheless the less. The ending was also surprising — good read!" Read more

"...And the author is talented and skillful, in my humble opinion. So if you like domestic thrillers I think you might just love this one." Read more

"...I marked it four stars because it needed a proofreader. There were enough mistakes throughout the book for it to be noticeable." Read more

15 customers mention "Emotional content"8 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the emotional content of the book, with some finding it deeply moving while others describe it as sad and traumatic.

"Sensitive subject hitting many emotions. The characters are explored individually and together as sisters...." Read more

"As someone who works in social services, this book was so sad. The trauma that children in foster care have to endure is heart breaking...." Read more

"...The story of the 3 sisters was fascinating and sad all at once...." Read more

"That was traumatic and tragic! As a mother my anxiety was high through the whole book,worrying for the girls then women...." Read more

9 customers mention "Child abuse"4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's portrayal of child abuse, with some appreciating its heartbreaking look into the lives of foster children, while others find it disturbing.

"...who enjoy an easy-ish thriller read, but be warned the book does touch on sexual violence and hard to swallow topics." Read more

"...Accurate and heartbreaking look into the lives of foster children. Enjoyed the book and highly recommend." Read more

"Decent read. Not super suspenseful and all the child abuse was difficult...." Read more

"Very good read! The author handles, the tough subjects of child abuse and narcissistic behavior in a very clever way...." Read more

Dark, genius story that must be read!
5 out of 5 stars
Dark, genius story that must be read!
What… what just happened?! I knew within the first chapter of this book that it would be my favorite of 2023, and I was dead on. I know I say this every time, but Sally Hepworth has truly outdone herself. I finished this book in about 6 hours between yesterday and today, I absolutely could not put it down. The events that unfold in this book are so heartbreaking, so harrowing, so unbelievably believable that my chest physically hurts. I cried - no sobbed - more than once and had to take a few deep breaths. Sally’s characters are always extremely well rounded, full of soul and depth and this set of characters are absolutely no exception. I found parts of myself in each of the girls Jessica, Norah, Alicia. That is always such a sacred thing to find in the pages of a book, parts of yourself. Is anyone familiar with that horrible woman in Harry Potter that wears pink? She took over for Dumbledore and just honestly was the worst. I hate her 😂 I have a very visceral reaction to that woman … and I think I hate Holly Fairchild more. My growing list of fictional characters I hate: Holly Fairchild, the pink witch from Harry Potter, And Rose (from The Good Sister- also from Sally Hepworth) Sally, you have absolutely outdone yourself with this one! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this masterpiece early, I cannot wait to scream its praises for the rest of time! It is always such an honor! This book is dark, it is so well done, and it is going to be dwelling deep within my mind and soul for a very long time.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
    😲so good. Nonstop and in a different way than what I’m used to. Normally only intense fast-paced thrillers keep me as captivated as this book did. This was certainly thrilling but definitely more thought provoking and real than just gore or horror.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2025
    Definitely did not see the end at all, lol. Overall, this book was pretty good. Loved the twist. I kinda figured one thing out before it was revealed, but the twist to it was nothing I could have imagined. Quick and easy read you will enjoy.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
    This was a quick read and entertaining. Rather predictable, but not bad at all. It frustrates me for the sisters in this novel as foster kids who just aren't listened to, which happens frequently. It reminds me of the true story of Marie, a foster girl who reported a rape and no one believed her for YEARS, they based the Netflix series Unbelievable on her story and others. Worth a look into.

    Overall, this novel was interesting though and I do love the love between the three foster sisters. It also hurts my heart for what they have been through and that they all need some serious mental health help to get through all their various traumas!

    Interesting book that I picked up for a book club and I am excited to discuss with them!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2025
    Sensitive subject hitting many emotions. The characters are explored individually and together as sisters. Story is written to hold your interest till the end! I really enjoyed it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2025
    Riveting story that will keep you reading until the early morning hours! I had a very hard time putting this down and finished it in one day. If you like Freida McFadden you will enjoy this author too. I will definitely be reading more by her!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025
    Darling Girls pulled me in right away with its mix of psychological suspense and deep, emotional storytelling. The bond between the three foster sisters felt so real, and as their past unraveled, the twists just kept coming. The mystery kept me hooked, and the ending did not disappoint. If you love a thriller with heart, this one’s a must-read!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025
    Interesting read and storylines all came together well but definitely be aware of TW before reading. Overall, decent read and checkout
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
    24 - 5 STARS

    DESCRIPTION : From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you'd meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It's a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild, and they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried?

    REVIEW :

    Previous books by this author were The Soulmate (‘23 - 3 Stars), The Younger Wife (‘22 - 4 Stars), The Good Sister (‘21 - 5 Stars), The Mother-in-law (‘19 - 4 Stars) and The Family Next Door (‘18 - 4 Stars).

    Sales $11.99 (-3.00 Kindle Rewards); reg 14.99

    The author is great at getting you interested in the characters right away. For anyone that child abuse is a trigger, you should definitely skip this one. Quite a few times in the book something was mentioned almost as an afterthought that made me go “oh no” or “a oh”; simple sentences that could be easily missed. I loved how the whole story unfolded; very original. Even though there was child abuse, I loved how the 3 main characters bonded together forever and worked through their awful beginnings. I went with 5 Stars because of the never-ending connection of the main characters, even though they were so different. I definitely loved these girls and would love to see another book with them.
    13 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Gemma Dunne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2025
    This book is an absolute rollercoaster of a ride! I loved every chapter, and the characters, and the jaw dropping ending.
  • Sonya Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping and Emotionally Charged Page-Turner! 🌟📖
    Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2025
    "Darling Girls" by Sally Hepworth is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that kept me hooked from the very first page. The story weaves together the lives of three women, bound by their shared past in a foster home, as they confront long-buried secrets and unresolved trauma.

    The characters are incredibly well-developed, each with unique struggles and perspectives that feel authentic and relatable. The alternating timelines between their childhood and present-day investigation add layers of suspense and emotional depth.

    This book is not just a mystery but also a poignant exploration of resilience, friendship, and healing. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the ending was both satisfying and thought-provoking.

    If you enjoy stories with strong female protagonists, a touch of mystery, and plenty of heart, Darling Girls is a must-read. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it! 📚✨
  • smita bhattacharya
    2.0 out of 5 stars Not a dark suspense novel
    Reviewed in India on April 27, 2025
    A struggle to get through. It was marketed as a dark suspense novel, but the light, superficial dialogues and predictable storyline did not deliver on that promise.
  • Spoorthy vahini
    2.0 out of 5 stars The condition of book is bad
    Reviewed in India on September 13, 2024
    Not about the book but about it's condition, the paper looks cheap and the book has been folded. I just don't understand how it's worth 900 inr
  • Carole G.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2024
    It was a good book. Tough to read at times just because of some of the subject matter, but all around it was a good story. Felt that the ending wasn't plausible to me. A bit too "tied up with a bow". But still a good book.