The Burning Girls

By: C. J. Tudor

Narrated by: Richard Armitage, Gemma Whelan

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Get the darkly compelling new novel from the Sunday Times best-selling author of The Chalk Man, The Taking of Annie Thorne and The Other People.

Five hundred years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death.

Thirty years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace.

Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide.

Welcome to Chapel Croft.

For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it's supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn't easily forgotten.

And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft's history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome.

Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns.

Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls?

Who's sending them sinister, threatening messages?

And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself?

Chapel Croft's secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn't touch them if not for Flo—anything to protect Flo.

But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft—and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest....

©2021 C. J. Tudor (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"C. J. Tudor is terrific. I can't wait to see what she does next." (Harlan Coben)

"Britain's female Stephen King." (Daily Mail)

"Some writers have it, and some don't. C. J. Tudor has it big time." (Lee Child)

For those who like it dark and gruesome

The book is well written, the storyline twisted and the end entirely unexpected.
The narrators did a marvelous job.

It is still not my cup of tea and I will not return to this author.
In my perception, I've been held captive in a very dark, gruesome, and twisted story without redeeming positive aspects.
For me, it has been an interesting but depressing journey. I will not visit again.

Captivating on so many levels

ld like to open by saying that l love C J Tudor's work. l use audible because with good narrators, a tedious job can be completed without the tedium. Richard Armitage and Gemma Wheldon are each readers of exceptional ability. some marriages really do appear to be made in heaven.

the story is complex and needs concentration, but my tedious job is building, repairing and presenting antique clothing, a job which is tedious, but leaves you with a huge amount of satisfaction that it will go to a home where it will be loved and cared for, something of the same emotion l think authors feel.

The burning girls is a labyrinthine story. Terrible, haunting, reminding the reader/listener, that more times than not, life is very much like the Internet. Nothing ever becomes completely lost. some experiences cry out from the least expected places. Ms Tudor is a mistress of this craft.

Writing anything more would lead me down the icy path labelled 'spoilers'. If you've got this far, then you deserve more than that. Just remember, reading this authors books is more than a little like crossing a flooded, muddy, icy field with a 1:12 slope. Don't try to work things out, just follow the story and keep your balance. Trying to work things out is a bit like trying to work out how a butterfly flies by peeling it apart.

For grown-up 80s teens

Peppered with pop culture references and ordinary locations, it’s easy to feel at home in CJ Tudor’s books.
Here, dream-like violence and supernatural events are given credibility when nestled in amongst The Lost Boys, The Breakfast Club and The Usual Suspects.
However, with a series of whopping great reveals at the end, this is not as subtle as The Chalk Man.
After carefully weaving together several different plot threads, the denouement is rather sudden.
It seems strange that more isn’t made of the photos or the boxes of papers or the journalist.
But it’s an addictive read and the audible narrators are faultless.

a burning good yarn

CJ Tudor does it again, the story is gripping and just a tad supernatural, the characters are relatable, the plot believable and the conclusion satisfying. I enjoyed it a lot and I never want to find myself locked in the boot of a car with a rotting corpse for company.

Great.

I have read/listened to all C. J. Tudor books and have enjoyed them all. This book however, is Very C. J. Tudor, with a little more thriller and suspense thrown in.
I thought I'd figured it out half way through, but couldn't piece it together. So, it kept me trying to work it all out right to the end.
Really enjoyable.

fantastic writing and well read! do not miss out!!

well thought out plot with many twists and turns. read chalkman and this topped it for sure. may have to listen to chalkman again though. love the writer and love the readers. I think I could listen to Richard Armitage talk about rusty spoons.

brilliant

really good story.keeps you guessing until the very end. both naraters were very good too.

First Book by C.J Tudor.

My First book by CJTudor. Wonderful hours off
Mystery. I recommend it Highly..
Narrated brilliant.

A truly brilliant listen

Really enjoyed the story, narrators, twists and turns, movie references ... I'm more of a "child of the 50s" but I enjoyed every minute, I will have to listen again to pick up on all the clues that, evidently, I missed and also because it's an intriguing tale ... x

Totally absorbing. On second listen.

I am on the second listen since the reveal. Still processing all the information makes it a meaty thought provoking read.

Best listen in ages!

Loved this way more than I expected to. If you’re not hooked at the beginning then stick with it. Brilliant plot and great narration too.

I’ve spotted that it’s now a series on paramount plus, so may give that a watch too!