Mad Girl

The Chronicles of Anna Monroe and Boston Marks, Book 2

By: A. A. Dark

Narrated by: Branden Davis-Butler, Sean Masters

My mother was the Madison Ridge Killer … and I helped her.

At nine, I was given a new start—a new life. My adoptive parents did everything they could to help me forget my past, and for a while, they succeeded. But I was never normal. I never truly forgot all I saw or did. Now, twenty years later, I work in the billing department for a small city newspaper. And like decades before, not that far away, another serial killer is on the loose.

I can still see her. I can still hear my mother coaxing me to slide the bright red lipstick over her beautiful victims' lips. But this isn’t her, and I’m determined to figure out who it is. I may work behind the scenes at the Rockford Times, but I’m about to get thrown right in the middle of the biggest story our city has ever seen.

My name is Anna Monroe, and I’m full of secrets. They say you’re not your past. I’m not so sure they’re right.

CAUTION: This book EXCEEDS the DARK Genre. Although it has romantic elements, this book is NOT romance. This book is part of a series but CAN be listened to as a STANDALONE.

MAD GIRL PUBLISHING'S RATING:

PITCH BLACKSTATIC WHITE OBLIVION

©2016 A. A. Dark (P)2025 A. A. Dark, Mad Girl Publishing

Born in Blood, Raised in Silence

This audiobook is unapologetically dark, disturbing, and psychologically intense—very much a pitch-black read, exactly as advertised. From the opening revelation about Anna’s childhood, the story sinks its teeth in and never really lets go.

Anna Monroe is a fascinating and unsettling protagonist. Raised by a serial killer and forced into complicity at a young age, she grows up repressing everything she was shaped to become. Listening to her internal struggle—the constant restraint, the fear of what she’s capable of, and the effort it takes to remain “normal”—was one of the most compelling parts of this story. Her backstory is chilling, and the long-term psychological damage is handled with nuance and care.

The mystery element surrounding the new serial killer was completely unhinged in the best way. The “No One” killer’s obsession evolves in deeply disturbing ways, and the psychological torment inflicted goes far beyond physical harm. Even when it feels like answers are finally in reach, the doubt and manipulation linger, making escape feel impossible. The mental dismantling of Anna’s sense of self was brutal to witness and incredibly effective.

The duet narration elevates the experience significantly. Branden Davis-Butler delivers Anna’s perspective with emotional restraint and underlying tension that perfectly matches her character. Sean Masters is chilling—his performance captures obsession, cruelty, and control with a calm intensity that makes the psychological horror land even harder. Together, their performances made this an immersive and unsettling listen.

While the romantic subplot escalates quickly and may feel abrupt given Anna’s background, it didn’t detract from the overall impact of the story for me. The psychological thriller elements, character complexity, and constant unease were more than enough to keep me fully engaged.

⚠️ Content Warning: This audiobook contains extremely disturbing themes and is not suitable for all listeners. Please review trigger warnings before proceeding.

Rooting for the Anti Hero

Wow… this book was a wild ride. Mad Girl is dark, emotional, and completely addictive. A.A. Dark really knows how to pull you into a twisted story and keep you hooked the whole way through.

The narration made it even better. Branden Davis-Butler brought so much raw emotion to Anna—she really made me feel the pain, confusion, and intensity of the story. Sean Masters was the perfect balance, steady and powerful, and together they made the whole experience so immersive. I honestly forgot I was listening to a book at times—it felt like I was right there living it.

If you like psychological thrillers that are dark, intense, and a little unsettling in the best way, this one is definitely worth the listen.

Plot thickens! Dark here = PITCH BLACK

Standalones but book 3 sees the combining of Boston & Anna's stories. Great narration by Sean.

Intense!

This was one heck of a wild ride! I definitely was hooked from the beginning. Wish it had more closure at the ending but I’m hoping there will be another one coming to get some answers. That being said, this was very very graphic and gory! Read your trigger warnings! The narrators were fantastic!

Wow!!!

Absolutely loved it !! I love this author’s writing!
She is so talented. Her stories draw me in.
Serial killer looking for another serial killer in a relationship with a detective. You have gore, love, hate betrayal. Read it !!! Take the dive in A A Darks world of writing!!!