The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey

Hey, it’s Diego.

I just finished reading The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey this week.

And it’s my best and worst read of the year.

Let me give you my spoiler-free unbiased review.

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The Quarry Girls by Jess Lourey Review

Jess Lourey’s “The Quarry Girls” is based on real-life true crime events that happened in St. Cloud, Minnesota, around the 1970s. In it, a teenage girl goes missing, and another shows up dead after a group of female friends witness the sexual victimization of a teenage girl.

This one is a domestic thriller that doubles as a coming-of-age tale. Most of the action unfolds in Pantown, a small town as picturesque as it is eerie.

This book is not for the faint of heart, the trigger warnings should be enough to tell you that. I was taken aback by how hard and fast the book turned to the kidnapping and abuse of teenage girls.

Lourey’s writing is atmospheric and oppressive, immersing you in the unsettling vibe of the town. While some parts felt clunky, especially the overuse of similes (everything is “like something else”), it didn’t take away much from the creepy, page-turning experience.

The story is told mainly from Heather’s perspective in a single timeline, a teenage protagonist grappling with a situation and secrets too heavy for her years, with some chapters interspersed from a secondary character. The book takes its time to develop, we gradually learn information as the story unfolds.

There is not much suspense, but there are thrills peppered throughout, and the dread builds up to the extreme. It’s so well crafted that while reading, I vowed I would never set foot in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The characters, especially Heather, felt raw and real, which made their struggles hit harder.

There were some pacing issues in the middle section where some parts are dragged out for dramatic effect, but it picks up steam towards the end.

There is some teenage romance in it, being a coming-of-age, but it’s secondary to the plot. There are plenty of sexual assaults in the story, but they’re never explicitly described. There is no graphic violence described in detail either, although it’s very much implied. It’s shockingly clean of foul language.

So, what about the ending? (No spoilers, obviously)

The ending was perfect. I got very emotional. Read the box just above to get a sense of what I look for in an ending. The denouement as well.

The Quarry Girls is not a breezy read, but it’s definitely a memorable one. I don’t think I’ll read it again anytime soon, but when I look back on it, I see a story about women surviving in a world full of horrible men and how the strongest are those who fight back against the system put in place to control them.

If you’re in the mood for something dark and atmospheric, give it a try.

Similar Books to The Quarry Girls

• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

That’s all for this week.

See you next time.

— Diego Dunne

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