Review of The Fourth Girl: A Novel (Haven Cliff, Book 1) by Wendy Corsi Staub
The allure of a good mystery has always captivated me, but there’s something deeply resonant about the secrets buried within friendships, especially those marred by tragedy. When I stumbled upon The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub, I knew I was in for a gripping tale; one that combined not just a whodunit mystery but an exploration of lifelong connections and the shadows they cast. This first installment in the Haven Cliff series caught my intrigue not only for its suspenseful premise but also for its emotional depth.
At the heart of the story is the shocking disappearance of Caroline Winterfield on prom night, a haunting event that binds three friends—Midge, Kelly, and Talia—together in a secrecy that looms over their lives for twenty-five long years. When they reunite at the now-gleaming Haven Cliff mansion, the air crackles with tension, memories, and unspoken truths. Staub meticulously weaves this dual timeline, flicking between the jubilant chaos of their youth and the ominous present, as the friends confront both the ghosts of their past and a new, chilling murder that forces all their buried secrets to the surface.
One of the strongest elements of Staub’s writing is her ability to create richly layered characters. Each friend carries their own baggage, and my compassion for them deepened as their individual backstories unfurled. Midge, the police detective, is a particularly compelling figure, torn between her duty to solve the murder and the loyalty she feels towards her friends. This personal conflict adds a palpable tension that invites readers to consider how loyalty can both protect and ensnare.
Pacing is a mixed bag here. While the story begins somewhat slowly, I found the methodical buildup helped me immerse myself in the characters’ histories. Yet, I can understand why some might find the initial chapters dragging. It’s a balancing act that Staub tackles effectively, as the narrative picks up steam when the stakes escalate brilliantly in the last act. I was left guessing right up until the surprising conclusion, a testament to Staub’s knack for misdirection and suspense.
One quote from the book that resonated with me—“A secret is a secret and a promise is a promise”—echoes the core theme of the narrative. The heavy burden of promises made in the innocence of youth reverberates through the pages, inviting reflections on the complications of growing up, friendship, and the drastic choices we make in the face of trauma.
The Fourth Girl is an engaging read suited for anyone who delights in mysteries with emotional stakes. If you enjoy unraveling the tangled webs of complex friendships—or simply appreciate a well-crafted suspense tale—this book will undoubtedly snag your interest. It left me pondering the weight of unspoken truths and the tantalizing idea that the past never truly stays buried. And personally? I can’t wait to see where Staub takes us next in this intriguing new series.
You can find The Fourth Girl: A Novel (Haven Cliff, Book 1) here >>