Spinderella’s next pick was ‘The burning girls’ by C.J. Tudor and has been labeled as a Horror novel. I wouldn’t really say it was a horror, yes; some parts were thrilling but not more than that.

Fun fact; This book has been adapted to a series and you can stream it on Netflix and Prime Video (The Netherlands). I might give it a go.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was pretending he didn’t exist.”

Our Female Main Character is Reverend Jack Brooks; The church in Nottingham where Jack is stationed has been in the media recently and not in a good way. Due to recent events Jack has been sent to lead another parish in Sussex. Seeing it as a new start with her daughter Flo they set out on this new adventure.

Chapel Croft will be reverend Jack’s new home. When they arrive it really isn’t what they expected. The chapel is small but the town isn’t large either so, I guess it makes sense. Flo actually thought such a small sleepy town would be boring, but nothing could’ve prepared her for what eventually happened. They soon discover that this town is riddles with secrets and superstition, stemming from the burning of eight Protestant martyrs centuries ago and the more recent disappearance of two teenage girls (30 years ago). It’s a mystery that still haunts the town.

Flo loves photography, so as soon as she can she sets out to do some photography of the graveyard. While wandering around and making pictures she stumbles upon a shack where a teenager has been urinating. (ew) It’s actually someone her own age, a guy that can’t stop wriggling. After introductions they become fast friends, even though her mother has a feeling something isn’t quite right. But don’t all mothers get that feeling when their daughter takes on a male friend?

The town has two bullies, Rose and Tom, they are insufferable. After a few incidents it gets clear that due to Rose’s last name, nobody really steps in. The Harper’s being the biggest benefactor to the church. Without their money, the church would’ve stopped existing all together.

Jacob has been released after 13 years for good behavior which is 5 years earlier then initially sentenced. Jacob has learned a lot, so he thinks. His crime being that of killing a man, he really thinks he can make it in the real world as a normal man. He just has to find her, talk to her. But she isn’t where she was 13 years ago and that stupid new reverent will not tell me where she is. Maybe after a bit of pressure? Jacob, the man that thinks he can live in society again will leave a trace.

The burning girls show themselves only to the once that are in trouble. So only when something bad is about to happen in the near future will they show themselves. When you see them, it’ll frighten the living daylight out of you. You will smell the burning flesh, you will see their skin that’s been molten by the heat of flames and you will see flames.

When all is uncovered, the town isn’t as holy as it preserves to be. With a history of exorcisms, where a man of god abuses his power with young girls and a lot of other red flag things.

Not every story needs to be quick paced to be a good one, this one for example wasn’t quick paced. More medium paced I guess but it was really interesting.

I’m giving this ⭐⭐⭐⭐!