All The Wicked Girls

Chris Whitaker is leading the pack of hungry young crime writers by a long mile. He writes like a dark angel, conjuring characters and places so memorable you'll ache when it's over. A very real, very rare talent * Sarah Hilary *
A novel you swallow whole because you can't help yourself, and then go back a second time to savour what you missed. Wonderful * M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts *
Riveting read. A psychological thriller that stands out from the mass - stylishly written, with a slick command of language and location, and a great 'missing girl' mystery at its core. Great stuff! * Vaseem Khan *
This book blew me away. Extraordinarily good. Gripping and heartbreaking * Deborah O'Connor *
Phenomenal * Jo Spain *
BOOK OF THE MONTH - Chris Whitaker's stunning debut Tall Oaks featured a quirky mix of poignancy and humour that sticks hard in my memory and his rapid follow-up offers much of the same, but with the comedic elements gently muted: tortured souls, a police officer who can't disentangle the personal from the professional, missing persons, the oppressive background of small-town America and a merciless journey through every stage of personal grief. Despite the outward similarities, it's a major achievement. Following the disappearance of her much-loved model sister Summer in the wake of five other church-attending young women from the area similarly gone missing, misfit Raine seeks out the truth and uncovers layers of secrets and everyday evil in her Alabama town. Bleak, involving, a delicately sketched portrait of bigotry and prejudice and human emotions dancing the light fantastic, this renews a tired genre with a dose of heart and empathy which appears to be becoming Whitaker's forte -- Maxim Jakubowski * Crimetime *
All the Wicked Girls is impossibly good. And beautiful. And melancholy, utterly compelling and difficult to describe. I love this book . . . All the Wicked Girls is in my top ten books I've read ever let alone this year. And trust me that's a lot of competition to overcome . . . Chris Whitaker is annoyingly talented. I won't say highly recommended it seems inadequate. Pure magic on the page * Liz Loves Books *
I loved it SO much. Chris is so amazing. He just has this real knack of creating characters that you're completely engaged with . . . I was hooked by his beautiful prose and by the end I was absolutely ruined by the heartbreaking storyline. If only he could write ten books a year * Lisa Hall *
Stunning * Michelle Davies *
A remarkable book that made me blub * Mike Thomas *
I was savouring each page/chapter and character . . . because each page is a literal work of art. Chris Whitaker has the ability to pick up the reader and transport them into the fictional small town of Grace, swelter in the heat, feel the fear and tension amongst the town folk and connect with the characters . . . A beautifully written story of love, friendship, beliefs, fear, passion and I'm not embarrassed to say I cried at the end * Compulsive Readers *
This is a crime novel, a love story of sisters, a family torn apart. The story is told by each of the sisters in turn . . . Once started, it's a fast read. The characters are skilfully written, so it's easy to get lost in their lives . . . * Strong Book Reviews *
Those missing Manny will warm to wannabe teenage policeman Noah, his sidekick Purv and Summer's sister Raine, who take the search into their hands with black humour and laugh out loud moments as well as real poignancy. There is a great bond which develops between these three damaged outsiders. I marvel at how authentic this British author's creation of small town America feels, in terms of speech, the environment, their cultural references and lives. The prejudices and obsessions of a small community are so effectively conveyed. It's a great read.Tall Oaks showed the potential but this is the Real Deal . . . * New Books Magazine *
Incredibly intelligently plotted and amazingly descriptive and atmospheric. These characters will stay with you for a long time as the author really brings them to life. It's all incredibly realistic and believable as the town residents try to cope with the challenges life throws at them, with topics ranging from child abuse to drug addiction to dealing with the loss of a child. And yet somehow, the author manages to occasionally lighten the mood with brilliantly witty one-liners * Novel Delights *
The next Gone Girl . . . an emotional read: I felt fully immersed in their lives * Look Magazine *
On finishing All The Wicked Girls, I was left with that same sense of being part of something very, very unique . . . There is a very distinct style to Chris Whitaker's writing . . . All The Wicked Girls is a novel that you will become one with. The characters' emotions will become your emotions; Tragedy, grief, sorrow, regret, yet also, hope, self-discovery and atonement . . . A brooding, intense, incredible read! * Swirl and Thread *
First things first, this novel is extremely dark, gritty and chilling. That's dark with a capital D by the way. If you thought you've read something dark before, think again . . . All the Wicked Girls is also highly addictive. I was really surprised by just how much it gripped me from start to finish. All I can say is that Chris Whitaker is an incredibly talented writer, I don't know how he traps you but it's some sort of magic * The Bookbag *
Chris Whitaker writes superbly. As with Tall Oaks, I marvel at how this British author captures the mood and sound of an American small town . . . Just thinking about Noah, his courage, wisdom, kindness and deep heart, makes me want to weep. This is a novel that takes us into some very dark places. The melancholy of Grace goes far deeper than the storm that hovers over it. It is disturbing at times, there is no doubt of that, but it is also filled with a humanity despite its subject and I was held spellbound. There are so many reasons to read All the Wicked Girls but if I had to give you just one - well, two reasons - it would be to read it for Noah and Purv. I don't think I'll ever forget them * For Winter Nights *
A riveting, fast-paced story and I rushed through it in order to find out what happened, finishing it in a single day. And whilst I had several theories as to how it would end, none of them were correct, something which pleased me greatly. This is another fantastic novel from Whitaker, and I can't wait to see what he does next * Jo’s Book Blog *
If you like your crime novels bleak and raw with a side of small town strife, this might be for you . . . I strongly feel that anyone who's a fan of Stephen King's Under the Dome will like this as well * Read, Eat, Sleep, Repeat *
Tall Oaks was (and indeed is) astonishingly good. All The Wicked Girls is even better, filled with fantastic characters in a small-town America where Raine looks for her missing sister. Just buy it, thank me later * Espresso Coco *
I marvel at how authentic the author's creation of small town America feels, in terms of speech, the environment, their cultural references and lives. The prejudices and obsessions of a small community is so effectively conveyed and I found the whole thing totally involving * Reviews Revues *
One of my new favorite authors, I love the writing, mystery, and characters that inhabit the pages of Whitaker's books. And his mysteries fool me every time. Just fantastic! 5 Stars * It’s Book Talk *
Another brilliant book by Chris, All the Wicked Girls is a book I predict will be huge. It's definitely one of those books that you don't want to end. The only problem is now that I've finished is that I have to wait for Chris's next book; I can't wait to see what he does next * Jacob reviews books *
Small town America has never been portrayed so brilliantly . . . His writing is intense and his voice is wholly unique. His characterization is flawless . . . He writes thrillers that make you feel all of the feelings . . . He takes intricate plotting to a new level * Novel Gossip *
Chris Whitaker creates characters as real as your very own friends, places as real are the town you live in and plots that make you marvel at the sheer genius of the mind behind it all... Chris Whitaker could write just about anything and I'd want to read it. Intricately plotted and beautifully written,All the Wicked Girls is spectacular. I can't recommend it highly enough. A wonderfully dark, gripping, nuanced novel. I loved it! * Ronnie Turner blog *
This new book is exquisitely written, with the darkest of hearts, but so beautiful and human and moving that it has been reducing people - me included - to tears. There is writing here that makes your jaw drop, and fills you with joy, and makes you close your eyes and wish that you had the ability to craft something as achingly gorgeous....It is a study of marginalised folk, of broken dreams, of haunted people just trying to get by. It is uplifting and funny and sad. And it is about friendship and lust and grief and the things we will do for our loved ones, no matter how dark the path it takes us down. But in short, All the Wicked Girls is a very special novel, from a very special writer * Mike Thomas *
It's great writing, capturing the voices of the protagonists perfectly and deftly revealing the central mystery - what actually happened to Summer and the others? - only slowly, keeping the reader hooked throughout. This book is magnificent and I'd strongly recommend it. I'm off now to read Tall Oaks, Whitaker's first book * Blue Book Balloon *
All The Wicked Girls is possibly one of the most incredible novels you will read this year. There is only one word that really sums it up effectively - and that word is powerful. There are some sentences that shock you with expletives and then there are some sentences that shock you with their beauty. This book does not have cliffhangers at the end of its chapters, it has something worse. It has sentences that make your stomach lurch and leave you breathless, blinking back tears as the poignancy, brutal honesty or sadness hits you. I think this novel is ambitious and complex in what it sets out to achieve....writing that is faultless * Bibliomaniac *
It's hard these days to find a novel that is not derivative, but this is one of those rare beasts. Read it, not just for the story, but so that you devour the world Whitaker creates. A cracking novel * Frost Magazine *
There are many well-defined characters in this amusing, powerful and compelling novel. The plot is well constructed and the writing zings * Crime Thriller Hound *
This is one of those harrowing booksthat succeeds in making us care deeply about its thoroughly flawed, long-suffering protagonists. When resolution comes, it feels as if we too have been through the peril, the anguish, the storm and the shoot-out. Whether you experience it as a challenging crime drama, a masterful web of character studies or a dark and gritty movie running compellingly in your mind, All The Wicked Girls will have you gasping and wincing to the last page * My Weekly *
All The Wicked Girls is a novel that you will become one with. The characters' emotions will become your emotions; Tragedy, grief, sorrow, regret, yet also, hope, self-discovery and atonement. A brooding, intense, incredible read! * Writing.ie *
An intelligent and emotionally affecting crime novel which defies easy categorisation * Crime Fiction Lover *
This is a novel that fulfils its purpose on every level; the setting, the characters and the story are all uniquely woven to form a masterful piece of work, and one which will live in my memory for a long time... an incandescent novel * The Book Club Cafe *
I was gripped from the very beginning... It took turns I wasn't expecting and I just was so amazed at how brilliant this book was. I was left speechless after reading * The Reader's Corner *
A tale as dark as the storm cloud, with chinks of light provided by the antics of Noah and Purv who, for me, steal the show. A highly original crime thriller * Daily Record *
This is a crime story with a difference, a beautifully plotted, genuinely absorbing set of character studies, worked into a wider story of missing girls and religious fervour * Zainab's Blog *
Below the surface of Chris Whitaker's story there is unexpected depth and richness. This is one of those harrowing books that succeeds in making us care deeply about its thoroughly flawed, long-suffering protagonists. It's hard to believe this book was written by a former City of London financial trader who lives in Hertfordshire, so complete is the immersion in another, utterly different place. Whether you experience it as a challenging crime drama, a masterful web of character studies or a dark and gritty movie running compellingly in your mind, All The Wicked Girls will have you gasping and wincing to the last page * My Weekly *
All The Wicked Girls is a gripping thriller, but also a deeply emotional story with a big heart and characters you'll cry over. It's a thriller that explores the worst excesses of organised religion, but also the positives aspects of faith. Highly highly recommended! * Back To The Books *
Chris Whitaker burst onto the literary scene last year with his rare and remarkable debut, Tall Oaks, announcing the arrival of a mercurial and exciting talent. From the first page, Whitaker effortlessly draws the reader into the heart of this world and his characters...his characterisation is unfaltering and hugely impressive and for me is the real standout trait of his fiction...Indeed, all of Whitaker's characters are engaging, flawed and authentic... He has an uncanny ability to pull on the heartstrings that again makes his books special. For me, Whitaker is...