An Anonymous Girl

By: Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik, Julia Whelan

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

The next audiobook of psychological suspense and obsession from the authors of the blockbuster best-seller The Wife Between Us. 

Seeking women ages 18-32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave. 

Question number one: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt? 

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking...and what she’s hiding. 

Question number two: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’ paranoia grows, it becomes clear she can no longer trust what in her life is real and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns some obsessions can be deadly. 

Question number three: Should a punishment always fit the crime?

From the authors of the blockbuster best-seller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new audiobook about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

©2019 Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Amazing

It’s hard to write a review for this book that doesn’t give things away. I started the book early in the morning intending to listen for a few hours while doing things around the house. It is now almost 10:00 pm and the things I planned to do are on tomorrow’s agenda. This was a rare time when I was so caught up in the story that nothing was really done. It was like I was sitting with coffee listening to a friend recount a horrifying time in her life. You listen transfixed. You think about what you are being told. You wonder how you would have answered the questions. You wonder about choices. You wonder about trust. You wonder about confidentiality. You go back to wondering about trust. This was the most mesmerizing book I have listened to in a while. I would say be careful reading reviews. This is a book best going into knowing as little as possible, in my opinion.

Is it morally wrong to write a bad review?

This may be a long review so here are the CliffsNotes: ***TLDR: I would not recommend, save your credit/money for a different suspenseful novel like The Wife Between Us which is much better*** Don't worry no spoilers below:

REVIEW: I had high hopes for this book and pre-ordered the audible because I enjoyed The Wife Between Us. Reading the premise I thought it would be even better than Greer & Sarah's first novel because it seemed interesting. It started slow and I kept hoping it would pick up or have more to it but it never really did. It seems like the authors had great intentions to make you really think about morals and not to judge the choices of others however the book was lacking and seemed shallow. The story was not believable and didn't really pull me in. I can normally listen to audible books all the way through on my road trips but this was was so hard to keep listening to. I kept thinking something interesting was going to happen or something where you could relate to the character's dilemmas but it just wasn't there since I think the main character could have easily removed herself from her situation.

CHARACTERS: None of the characters were very likable which made it difficult and their actions were not believable, it seemed like the main character could have easily avoided all of the bad situations she finds herself in so it's more annoying than anything.

STORY: The main character needs money so she agrees to be a part of a study about morality. She has an odd feeling but freely gives more information about herself than she should to a complete stranger and keeps going with the study which turns out to be not what she expected but again she keeps going because she "needs the money to help her family". Basically I believe the main character chooses money over her safety and moral choices but justifies it by saying she needs the money to help her family even though she could do other things to earn money in better ways. The back stories of the characters seem a bit sloppy and rushed and try to help you understand them but doesn't do a great job of pulling you in and understanding the characters.

PERFORMANCE: I enjoy Julia Whelan's performances in the books she's narrated although this book was a bit dull but she did well. Barrie Kreinik's performance was harder to listen to and really made you dislike the sections she read. 4 stars for Julia 1 star for Barrie.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO LISTEN TO INSTEAD: If you are looking for a suspenseful novel that will capture your attention the entire way through and still want to give the authors a chance I'd suggest listening to The Wife Between Us which is much better. Or you can check out You or Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes which are both superb Audible options especially because the narrator is excellent.

Highly Recommend for Suspense Lovers!

If you enjoy twists and turns and suspense that leaves you feeling a little creeped out, I would highly recommend this book! Immediately I was hooked and pretty much only put it away when I was too busy or sleeping. A day later now that I’m done, I’m left mostly satisfied yet looking over my shoulder in case I fall prey to danger. The story might be a little exaggerated but I think it’s done perfectly enough to give you pause about what may happen next. Definitely give it a read!

Twisted and fun!

I don't know why so many listeners gave this audio a bad review. I couldn't stop listening! I found the plot to be intriguing and while fiction makes you suspend a bit of belief I could see how something like this could happen.I found this book to be way better than, The Wife Between Us, which was confusing. I don't want to give any spoilers to ruin your fun with this audio. I just have to say that I was mesmerized and after listening to it, the next book I am listening to is just dragging!

Narration is annoying and writing sophomoric.

I loved their first book, The Wife Between Us, but this one was annoying from go. I believe it was the narration of the psychiatrist that made me cringe. It was read with this weird intonation that I couldn't overlook. I also found the writing of this book to be simplistic and with little depth. I gave up early on.

Almost excellent

Although I am very familiar with books that jump around from past to present, or with different narrators, or perspectives , this book was very difficult to follow at times when it wasn't 'Jess' speaking . But, aside from that, the book was definitely a page turner that held my interest and flew by, and the concept was also original. So, in spite of some confusion (which may not have been there if I was reading instead of listening) I can recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller

robot voice

Story-line was too far-fetched. The narrator for Dr. Shields's character sounded like a robot. Had the narrator sounded more realistic, the listening experience would have probably been much more enjoyable. However, the robot voice was irritating which resulted in a less than enjoyable time for the reader. I do not think the author knows the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

Major disappointment!

Psychological suspense is one of my favorite genres, and The Wife between Us is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, I found the characters in An Anonymous Girl to be rather flat, and the plot seemed to involve many repetitions of the same basic scenario. Jessica's continued obedience to Dr. Shield's demands made little sense to me. And Dr. Shield's lengthy internal rants became tiresome.

It also bothered me that the authors (and their editor) did not seem to know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. It is extremely unlikely that a psychiatrist (as Dr. Shieds was reported to be) would be conducting psychological studies in the psychology department at NYU.

A VERY HEARTY "MEH"

"An Anonymous Girl" was well-narrated, but the story took much too long to unfold and was entirely implausible. Jessica Farris, a makeup artist, is not a very likable character, and the two psychiatrists with whom Farris gets entangled were far from credible. The book is not worth your time or credit. (It would be so nice to see the term "girl" phased out in novels such as this in which no character is younger than mid-20, especially by these authors who are women themselves.)

So bad

Probably the worst book I’ve listened to on audible. Not interesting....the storyline could have been good...maybe. I really don’t know how to describe how a book I was looking forward to reading became so quickly a disappoint. I was so bored that rather than sinking into the story I found myself daydreaming or planning my day. Not for me.