top of page
Performance
Overall
Excellent, Unforgettable, Best of the nest
Very good, thoroughly enjoyed,
Good, Solid, Enjoyed many aspects
STAR RATINGS GUIDE
A Chilling Exploration of Inherent Evil.
THE BIRDICT
š§” Can a person be born evil? That's the question posed in this disturbing tale in which a young girl is convicted of a brutal murder. There are clear echoes of the tragic Jamie Bulger case, something which stayed with me. I'm sure that's why this story gripped me not once, but twice.
š I'm surprised that I'm at odds on this one with other reviewers with whom I usually agree. Some said it was slow, but I found it captivating. What I'd say however - and my critique is in the spoilers - is that there are plot and premise flaws. I only deducted one star for these though because, were I not the type who goes away and analyses e-ve-ry-thing, I'd have just enjoyed the twists and turns.
š This was very much in the K.L Slater vein, which is always a good thing.
SQUAWKING THE TALK
š§ The narration is, quite frankly, flawless. I actually didn't realise it was Emilia Fox, but am I surprised? Spoiler: No.
š§ Slime and evil ooze from all the right vocal places. Indeed, Ms Fox is responsible for me detesting characters like Max even more than I would have based on the writing alone. But it is in the innocence of children that Fox injects true dread. Think nursery rhyme chanting in a Freddy Kruger flick creepy.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER: SIMILAR AUDIOBOOKS
š There are a lot of improbably sinister characters in this story. Max, Amy, Laurel, Rose, Evie. Enough to question the contents of the local water supply. I do think that Rose's narrative is brilliantly masked in the majority of the book, meaning that when her true nature is unveiled it does not contradict what's come before.
š The main issue for me is Amy and the idea of inherent evil. Firstly, there were insufficient breadcrumbs to make me question her as a mum. I'd have liked more childhood anecdotes earlier to hint at this. I was also disappointed by the mum being the source of her daughters' game and actions. Most of the book centres on the question of the nature of psychopathy and much is made of Laurel having a nice upbringing. Even with Amy being evil, it doesn't answer the question. In other words, where did it begin? Was Amy born evil? Or was she influenced by her mum?
Like I said, I might have (i.e., definitely) overthought this.
Click For Spoilers
The Flower Girls
THE BLURB
"The Flower Girls. Laurel and Primrose. One convicted of murder, the other given a new identity. Now, 19 years later, another child has gone missing. And the Flower Girls are about to hit the headlines all over again...."
bottom of page