The Shining Girls

A Novel

De: Lauren Beukes

Narrado por: Khristine Hvam, Peter Ganim, Jay Snyder, Joshua Boone, Dani Cervone, Jenna Hellmuth

Now an Apple TV+ series starring Elisabeth Moss: the girl who wouldn't die hunts the killer who shouldn't exist in this "expertly chilling" twist on the serial killer novel from the award-winning author Lauren Beukes (San Francisco Chronicle).

Harper Curtis is a killer who stepped out of the past. Kirby Mazrachi is the girl who was never meant to have a future. Kirby is the last shining girl, one of the bright young women, burning with potential, whose lives Harper is destined to snuff out after he stumbles on a House in Depression-era Chicago that opens on to other times.

At the urging of the House, Harper inserts himself into the lives of these shining girls, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He's the ultimate hunter, vanishing without a trace into another time after each murder -- until one of his victims survives.

Determined to bring her would-be killer to justice, Kirby joins the Chicago Sun-Times to work with the reporter, Dan Velasquez, who covered her case. Soon Kirby finds herself closing in on an impossible truth . . .

“Utterly original, beautifully written, and I must say, it creeped the holy bejasus out of me. This is something special.” —Tana French

©2013 Lauren Beukes (P)2013 Hachette Audio

What just happened?!?!

I have never written a book review on audible even though I have listened to some amazing stories. This story however, had me so confused, upset at times and squirming that I had to put something down for it. This book is graphic, the story line never fully unravels so you are left wondering “what the heck!” The book came to a close like it was finally going to end but then abruptly closes leaving you with so many many questions. I don’t regret listening to it but I also don’t think I will listen to this author again. The idea behind the plot was intriguing but never fully developed. Also, there is some serious sociopathic behavior in these pages that involves animal cruelty and abuse. Several animals fail victim to the killer and I just couldn’t listen, it had me squirming across the kitchen to fast forward it through. The author may have found it necessary to really illustrate the nature of this serial killer but I could have done without it for sure. That alone would keep me from recommending this book to others. It should come with a huge WARNING label. I’m not one to get offended easily but some of the actions and behaviors of this killer has me reeling and nauseous. Read with caution.

A great read

I enjoyed the story, especially having the option of audio book. The only criticism is, a lot of words were misread such as using the word “he” instead of “she” and the mispronounced name of “Dan” the narrator used the name “Ann”. Overall it kept me wanting to hear more, especially while driving from Northwest suburbs to Chicago, to the locations where the limited series of the Shining girls renamed to “Ripple Effect” for I am the locations medic.

Time Travel Serial Killer Tale

This one was a bit convoluted to start, but once your figure out it's got a time-travel twist it makes sense. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

#SerialKiller #TimeTravel #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

If you like gory horror novels, you will devour this one.

The language and writing are accomplished. The plot is mainly a series of short stories about interesting women who are butchered at the end of each chapter. As soon as the reader is drawn into each woman’s story, she is disemboweled. The theme might be the way men silence strong women. If so, then it’s a valid theme delivered with a sledge hammer.

Gripping sci-fi-meets-slasher novel

This book grabbed me from the very beginning, and did not let me go. Driving home and listening in the car, I missed the turn for my house! It's not a mystery... We know from the beginning who the killer is, and how he gets away with murder. The question is, will our heroine figure it out in time to save herself and the people she loves? Lauren Beukes created many different characters for the book, and tells the story from each one's point of view. Coming from a less-skilled author, the frequent changes in time and place and point of view could be confusing, but not here. Perhaps the use of multiple narrators helped—and the narrators were all very good—but this is some seriously good writing! I highly recommend this book.

Unique Story but Too Short

What made the experience of listening to The Shining Girls the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the different characters and the different narrators.

What other book might you compare The Shining Girls to and why?

This book is very unique, I can't compare. I will say that the style of writing is similar to Gillian Flynn.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the main character goes through the time machine

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really, I just wish it was longer. The ending was a little too abrupt. I would have liked more detail.

Wait, what???

At first I was do confused then zi figured it out and was enjoying the book. anticipating the chapter where the author brings it together and it makes sense. The end felt like it was rushed. It never came together, it ended seriously un finished. I feel frustrated.

Great!

Very gritty and eery, worth the listen. Wonderful narration by different people helps pull you along to each of the character's stories.

Voice acting a bit over the top at times

I would have preferred to read this myself, the story was interesting but predictable. Again I struggled with the voice acting it was a bit too dramatic at times for my taste.

Not for me

This is not a fair review, and it is not a criticism of the author's style - just the subject matter. Despite Beukes' ability and the effort put into the presentation by the narrators, I just couldn't get into this novel. It was way too dark for me. The main character made me want to gag. Maybe if I'd stuck with it, the main character would have changed to the young girl in the story, and I wouldn't have had to spend as much time on him, but I read for pleasure, and this was not a pleasant experience.