Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas Genre: Mystery
This book just brought insanity to a whole new level. Dangerous Girls indeed. I haven't read much thrillers before, but one thing I'm sure - Dangerous Girls is going to stay in my mind for a long long time. |
It's Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives. But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations.
As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer; she discovers hard truths about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.
As she awaits the judge's decree, it becomes clear that everyone around her thinks she is not just guilty, but dangerous. When the truth comes out, it is more shocking than one could ever imagine...
As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer; she discovers hard truths about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.
As she awaits the judge's decree, it becomes clear that everyone around her thinks she is not just guilty, but dangerous. When the truth comes out, it is more shocking than one could ever imagine...
Yes it's a thriller though I won't say that this novel is fast-paced. It's more of a gradual build-up and recollections of the times on the island - the events that led up to the murder and even way before that. Relationships were seen being explored and tested but the results... was not what one would expect. It is terrifying, one glance past this book on your shelf will never be the same as before.
In Dangerous Girls, I think us readers were not expected to like the characters. For one, those buddies of Anna were unloyal and mostly assholes. They didn't hear her out, they left her. These are the kind of friends who would have fun with you and pack their bags when they arrive at a rough patch. We see her ‘friends’ just stop contacting her, people who she felt like family hated her, that little support comes from her father alone who doesn't have the ability to hold the sky up for Anna. Even her boyfriend, Tate, just left her in the lurch. What's the use of a sweet boyfriend if he looks out for his best interests in your toughest time?
Haas sends many important messages through this book. Out of all that, one gripped me the most – is there real justice? Maybe the world isn't fair, maybe the world isn't what we think it to be at all, maybe there was no true justice in the world.
In Dangerous Girls, I think us readers were not expected to like the characters. For one, those buddies of Anna were unloyal and mostly assholes. They didn't hear her out, they left her. These are the kind of friends who would have fun with you and pack their bags when they arrive at a rough patch. We see her ‘friends’ just stop contacting her, people who she felt like family hated her, that little support comes from her father alone who doesn't have the ability to hold the sky up for Anna. Even her boyfriend, Tate, just left her in the lurch. What's the use of a sweet boyfriend if he looks out for his best interests in your toughest time?
Haas sends many important messages through this book. Out of all that, one gripped me the most – is there real justice? Maybe the world isn't fair, maybe the world isn't what we think it to be at all, maybe there was no true justice in the world.
The lawyers and witnesses are all actors; the judge is our audience, and whoever can sell their version of the script – make you believe it, whether it’s fact or fiction – they’re the one who wins. It’s that simple. Evidence is just a prop; you can ignore it and look the other way, and even the script doesn’t matter when some supporting actor can improvise their scenes and steal the whole show. |
We face trials and lots of court issues in this book which was clearly not what I expected. But all these have given the book the much needed depth and introduction to characters; also it gives a sense of realism too. Anna proclaims her innocence to this murder and even though I would say there’s no substantial evidence, everyone thinks otherwise and the prosecutor is determined to bring her down – moulding her past into something dark and her intention seemingly malicious.
“Any one of us could be made to look a monster, with selective readings of our history.” |
Everything was cray. The terribly wrong interpretations from public and the prosecutor make you want to flip a table. The unfair accusations make your blood boil. The characters make you want to bash their heads. And when the story is over, you won’t stop thinking about it. It’s a memorable story that will always get your hair standing on end.
*Of course, there’s a spoilers section. Hit the button at the top of the post to be directed to my goodreads review. ( It's to deter people who haven't read it yet. I see you. Don't even think about it ;) )
*Of course, there’s a spoilers section. Hit the button at the top of the post to be directed to my goodreads review. ( It's to deter people who haven't read it yet. I see you. Don't even think about it ;) )