Book Review: The Fourth Girl (Haven Cliff, #1) by Wendy Corsi Staub
When I stumbled upon The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub, I was intrigued not just by its eerie premise but by the author’s previous works, particularly the Lily Dale Mystery series which I’ve always enjoyed. The concept of a long-buried secret from teenage years resurfacing on the anniversary of a friend’s disappearance immediately drew me in. But as I turned the pages, I found myself grappling with disappointments rather than the anticipated thrills.
Set against the haunting backdrop of Haven Cliff, the story follows three friends—Midge, Kelly, and Talia—who reunite as the twenty-fifth anniversary of their friend Caroline’s disappearance looms. Midge, now a police detective, uncovers a skeleton soon after her return, igniting old memories and buried secrets. The central themes of friendship, betrayal, and the haunting weight of the past are beautifully established, but unfortunately, the execution leaves much to be desired.
One of the most significant issues I encountered was the characterization. I felt a disconnection with every character, including Caroline, whose disappearance should have invoked empathy and curiosity. Instead, the characters came off as flat; they lacked the depth needed for a reader to truly invest in their journey. Instead of rooting for their reunion, I found myself indifferent to their conflicts and secrets.
The writing style is straightforward, yet the narrative structure was where I found myself lost. The frequent shifts between timelines and perspectives felt disjointed, turning what could have been a rich tapestry of memories into a confusing patchwork. I craved suspense but was met with a sense of stagnation—there was little buildup to the revelations that the story promised. I expected tension and thrill, but those moments never quite materialized.
The excerpt I shared earlier captures the essence of that eerie intrigue, with lines like, "A skeleton. Yeah. You want to take a look?" gnawing at the reader’s curiosity. However, rather than amplifying suspense, it merely highlighted a missed opportunity for more profound exploration into what those buried secrets actually meant to the characters involved.
Regrettably, The Fourth Girl fell short of my expectations. While I completed the book, it took longer than anticipated—five days versus my usual two or three for a compelling read. The pacing felt uneven, leading to a lack of urgency despite the serious themes it attempted to tackle. I dreaded turning the pages rather than eagerly anticipating what lay ahead.
In conclusion, The Fourth Girl might appeal to readers who enjoy gentle thrillers or mysteries that lean more towards character exploration than high-stakes action. However, if you’re after a gripping narrative with twists and stakes that keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to look elsewhere. I’ll be moving on from this series, carrying away lessons on character depth and narrative pacing as I choose my next read.
If you’ve read Wendy Corsi Staub’s other works and are curious about her exploration of friendship and secrets, you might find some merit here. As for me, I’ll keep my reading compass pointed toward stories that resonate a little deeper and ignite a little more suspense.
⭐️⭐️½
TheFourthGirl #NetGalley
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