Hatchet Girls

By: Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Narrated by: Daisy Guevara

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Set more than one hundred years after the Borden murders, this propulsive supernatural thriller imagines what might happen if history were to repeat itself today. Perfect for fans of Kara Thomas and Courtney Summers! 

When Mariella Morse accuses her boyfriend, Vik Gomez, of murdering her wealthy parents with an axe, the town is quick to believe her. It doesn’t help that Vik is caught standing over her parents’ bodies with blood on his hands, unable to remember anything about the night in question. 

But Vik’s sister, Tessa, knows that Vik would never be capable of such a gruesome crime. Haunted by the mistakes she made that led her family to move to Fall River, MA, in the first place, she sets out to prove her brother’s innocence.

Tessa’s search for answers will lead her into a sprawling, notoriously cursed forest, where she and Mariella must face a darkness that has lurked within their town since before the days of Lizzie Borden—the original axe murderess of Fall River.

©2023 Diana Rodriguez Wallach (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Hatchet Girls boasts both a wildly unique premise and a story with surprising depth.”—PASTE

"This is a fantastic thriller to entice readers who can't get enough true crime and like it flavored with a bit of the supernatural."—YABooksCentral

"Expertly written. If you’re a fan of supernatural mysteries, horror thrillers, or complicated female characters, Hatchet Girls is the next book you need to add to your TBR."—Culturess

Wonderful retelling that takes you there!

Hatchet Girls is a modern reimagining of the Lizzie Borden murders that looks at what would happen if the town of Fall River were once again the subject of a pair of high profile brutal axe murders.

Tessa Gomez and her family of Puerto Rican descent moved from Philadelphia to Fall River in Massachusetts to get a fresh start after a tragic loss. They quickly become entangled with the rich and influential Morse family who seem to have control over just about everything in town - and also have familial ties back to the Borden family! When the Morse parents end up dead, Tessa’s brother Vik is found in the house covered with blood - but Tessa knows he cannot have done it and her search for the truth begins.

There are a bunch of things I love about Hatchet Girls - the characters are fun and you develop empathy for each of the main characters as they try to understand their situations and positions in life. Tessa in particular has taken accountability for a lot of the events that surround her, and needs to grow to accept that there are things she cannot control - but there are absolutely things she can control.

I also loved the flow of the story - the way the author integrates the history of the area, the legend and reality of the Borden murders, and brings in modern sensibilities. And as someone who has lived in small New England towns with certain families who are ‘big fish in a small pond’, the portrayal of the Morse family was a bit fantastical but also hit some all-too-familiar notes!

But as someone who grew up about a half hour north of Fall River, perhaps my favorite thing was the immediate recognition of the strong Portuguese culture of that part of southeastern Massachusetts. My boss when I worked retail lived in Assonet and had family throughout the area. It is not the same as the Puerto Rican culture of Tess’s family - not in culture, traditions or even language. The town I grew up in had the National Portuguese Club and hosted an annual event that allowed everyone in the area to attend and learn about their culture. It seems a small thing, but I really found it pulled me into the story - caring this much about the cultural nuances of the area showed a love for everything behind the story.

As a child I heard the Lizzie Borden story regularly - it was part of the local culture. So I was definitely drawn to this story. But it was characters and plotting that kept me thrilled from start to finish. Highly recommended.

First time with this author

Nice little twist towards the end. Enjoyable listen, the story was interesting and it was nice to hear research of the actual location at the end of the book. Great performance.