The Girls next Door by Mel Sherratt

Blurb

 

One warm spring evening, five teenagers meet in a local park. Only four will come out alive.

Six months after the stabbing of fifteen-year-old Deanna Barker, someone is coming after the teenagers of Stockleigh, as a spate of vicious assaults rocks this small community. Revenge for Deanna? Or something more? 

Detective Eden Berrisford is locked into a race against time to catch the twisted individual behind the attacks – but when her own niece, Jess Mountford, goes missing, the case gets personal.

With the kidnapper threatening Jess’ life, can Eden bring back her niece to safety? Or will the people of Stockleigh be forced to mourn another daughter…? 

 

My thoughts 

Well, what a book! It usually takes me around 2-3 days to finish a standard paperback. But, as this was gripping right from the very start, I just couldn't put it down, as a result of this I had the book finished within 12 hours. 

I've read a fair few police procedurals/crime thrillers, all in which, the lead characters fit the bill. The girls next door lead character, Detective Eden Berrisford is quite possibly my favourite. I mean, come on, what other female detective do we know, who wears Doc Martens? I felt Eden's personality really shine through as we got to know her. She is mother to daughter Casey who is 16 years of age. 

Eden's sister Laura is mother to 2 teenage girls, Sophie and Jess. Jess is quite 'the wild one'. Alongside attacks happening in the community,  Jess goes missing and the case is now, therefore, personal to Eden. Can Eden save her niece or will it be to late? You can find out for yourself by purchasing the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girls-Next-Door-edge-your-seat-ebook/dp/B01M02NTYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486030597&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girls+next+door+mel+sherratt 

As with all books, there are plenty of characters, some good, some bad, some you love and some you hate. 

I hope you've all enjoyed reading my spoiler free review and I hope you will consider giving this book a read, it really is worth it.