The Jills

by Karen Parkman

In this propulsive debut, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader will stop at nothing to solve the disappearance of her best friend and teammate, navigating the dark underbelly of a hardscrabble city, the grime and glamour of professional cheerleading, and her own tangled family history.

Virginia is a Jill—a professional Buffalo Bills cheerleader—living the life she’s always dreamed of. She spends her weekdays practicing, her weekends cheering, and her nights hopping between events and bars and clubs with her close-knit band of teammates, especially her best friend, Jeanine, whose dynamic friendship has given Virginia confidence in spades and allowed her to put aside her troubled past with her sister, Laura.

But one Sunday, Jeanine fails to show up for a game, and all her calls and texts go unanswered. Aided by a worried network of Jills, ex-boyfriends, and seedy fixtures of Buffalo’s criminal underground, Virginia embarks on an investigation into Jeanine’s disappearance. But as her search grows increasingly dangerous and spirals into obsession, disturbing questions about who Jeanine really is begin to emerge. Soon, Virginia finds herself wondering how well she knows her friend, if she can trust the people and institutions she thought were protecting her, and whether—when trying to save the people she cares about most—she’s capable of saving herself, too.

Part bingeable mystery, part character-driven tale of a woman claiming her own power in systems built by and for men, The Jills is a sharply observed, witty, and poignant novel about the stories that constrain us and the healing power of sisterhood.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Sports

384 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

About the author

Karen Parkman holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her work has been supported by MacDowell, Yaddo, the Sozopol Fiction Seminars, and the Vermont Studio Center. Her short fiction appears in Michigan Quarterly Review, Witness, Joyland, and other outlets. Her debut novel THE JILLS is forthcoming from Ballantine in February 2026.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published January 6, 2026.

3.5 stars

Virginia is a Jill, a cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills (yep, that is really what they were called before they went defunct. They have an interesting real life story. They tried to unionize, got slapped down, then were disbanded when they had the nerve to speak up about pay and working conditions….those women always mouthy!). She does it because she loves to dance, but it sounds like a pretty crap part-time job that you pretty much have to pay to do. Oh, and weigh-ins!

Her best friend and fellow Jill, Jeanine fails to show up for a game and appears to have disappeared…into a world of drugs, disturbing people (some from Virginia’s past) and many, many questions.

This was quite good for a debut, part mystery, part character study and a soupçon of a look a the city of Buffalo, a rust belt town that never quite reinvented itself, all hung on the frame of life as an NFL cheerleader, which was a great set up. I really liked Virginia and I kept turning the pages. I’ll definitely look for more from this author.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jills by Karen Parkman had all the right ingredients to be a hit for me, which honestly made the letdown sting a little more. A professional NFL cheerleader at the center of a mystery? A behind the scenes look at the culture, pressure, and sisterhood of a team like the Buffalo Bills Jills? Sign me up immediately. And to be fair, those elements were the strongest part of the book. The cheerleading world felt researched, textured, and genuinely interesting — especially if you, like me, have spent years watching Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and love that mix of glamour, grit, and emotional investment.

Unfortunately, the mystery itself never fully came together. The plot felt overly long and scattered, somehow anticlimactic and wildly over the top at the same time. What started as a compelling disappearance spiraled into something increasingly chaotic, with twists that felt less shocking and more exhausting. There were moments that really worked and flashes of what this story could have been, but the overall execution felt unfocused and unsatisfying. I wanted sharper tension, cleaner answers, and a stronger payoff, especially given such a promising premise. In the end, The Jills lands at a generous three stars for me: parts I genuinely enjoyed, but not a mystery that ever fully stuck the landing.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very adventurous thriller with an exceptional setting. A propulsive debut! I really loved the writing here, I think the plot lost me a bit as the Buffalo organized crime scene intersected with the life of professional cheerleaders. This book was missing something but the writing and premise show a ton of promise. I am definitely going to keep this author on my radar.

Don’t miss the authors note at the end. I learned a lot!

the Buffalo Bills don’t have cheerleaders now but they used to, and they were indeed called the Buffalo Jills but they were disbanded in

Everyone involved in the NFL needs to make more money, from the ball boys to the referees to the concessions workers to the coaches to the quarterback- who makes the most- no one makes enough. It’s an ownership group of billionaires and the employee model is based on the premise that you are going to feel lucky to be there and the billionaires at the top really take advantage of everyone else.

There has been some progress recently but we have a long way to go!

Back to the book! I thought themes were great and the FMC was complicated and unaware of her victim hood and privilege, simultaneously.

I read this based on a review from Anna @livingmybookishlife - I don’t even think she loved the book all that much but reviews don’t need to be GLOWING in order to sell books. All they need to do is get books on our radar.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐ I obviously HAD to grab this debut. I'm from Buffalo and love the Buffalo Bills. This being about Virginia, a Buffalo Bills JILLS Cheerleader, on a mission to solve the disappearance of her teammate and best friend, Jeanine, it sounded right up my alley. This was a really good mystery and I loved the look into the world of professional sports and the Buffalo setting. I thought the mystery of the story was suspenseful and entertaining. This is definitely a worthy read and I'll be interested in Parkman's future books.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Bethany]

I mean I OBVIOUSLY have to read this.

[Jillian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is character-driven with a strong internal growth arc, it delivers enough twists and turns to satisfy thriller fans, with a cast full of intriguing and untrustworthy characters. Full review on BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/in...

[Leslie - Shobizreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read an arc of this novel. I was anticipating a thriller but it’s more of a slow burn mystery/crime book. It’s a fascinating premise of being set against the NFL cheerleader scene in Buffalo in the 90s.

It has a lot of content around addiction, parting, crime/mob life. That being said it’s not overly graphic on the violence. The first half dragged a bit but when I discovered where this was headed, I was more invested for the second half. Be sure to read the author’s note about the inspiration.

Solid debut. This won’t be for everyone given its grittiness and slower pacing. But fans of SA Cosby style novels and mob adjacent stories will enjoy it.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟. Who knew the life of a cheerleader could be this dangerous? That’s what happens when you add elite cheerleading with connections to the dark underbelly of drugs and money. This book also surprised me by throwing in a lot of talk about grief, which I thought Parkman did nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

[Megan F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me longer to read than any book I can recall in my recent reading history. It felt interminable, honestly. Objectively, the story is a good one, involving the cheer squad of the Buffalo bills, the Buffalo Jills. It’s a thriller with some ok twists and turns, but the rising action felt like it took 75 percent of the book to go anywhere. I feel that the protagonist could not decide whether the story was about her family, or her purportedly missing friend. Folks, I hate to say it, but the whole thing bored the heck out of me. Perhaps if it had been shortened by half and had benefitted from some prodigious editing, I would’ve enjoyed it more. It truly hurts my heart to give any book a two star rating, because authors and books are so important. I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. Perhaps some editing can happen before pub date, and this will turn into a snappy little thriller. The bones are there!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Jills” by Karen Parkman is a debut that’s premise intrigued me immediately. It centers around two best friends from the NFL Buffalo Bills defunct cheerleading/dance squad called the Jills. It speaks to the unique camaraderie and solidarity this team of women had and the very strong bond created by being part of a system that took tremendous advantage of them.
The story is part drug culture mystery, part family drama, and part self realization of one’s self worth. A complex read that could have been a bit tighter but still very enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading this authors next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

Karen Parkman is an author to watch! Her writing is fantastic (Iowa Writers Workshop) and she has put so many interesting ideas into her dark family drama+ amateur detective story. It all has shades of early Gillian Flynn.

The Jills is a story about female friendship, about family dynamics and coming to terms with your childhood illusions and complete misconceptions as an adult, about grief and guilt, about obsession.

The Jills almost feels like two books grafted together: the backstory of Virginia's three families (her nuclear family, her mob family, and her cheerleading family) and her still troubled relationship with her sister Laura, who is recovering from substance abuse disorder and wants to re-connect. That in and of itself could be one entire book.

Then there is the story of Virginia's fellow cheerleader Janine and Virginia's obsessive need to locate her after she vanishes: the amateur detective plot.

I felt that most of the time these two stories worked well together, but sometimes they felt at odds. This is being marketed as a mystery and I felt that at times, Virginia's emotional journey overshadowed or sidelined her detective work to an extent that might make some mystery readers unhappy. The middle of the book felt murky and a little slow, with Virginia just bouncing around among all the people (many from her past) whom she thought could help her find Janine.

I predicted the ending, but it was the ending I thought fit the story perfectly. And I will definitely read Parkman's next book! I think she's really talented.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!

Subscribe to my amazing mystery and thriller newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

So I'm reading the synopsis of this book, and I hear something faintly rising in the background. It's an unmistakable intro. It's a little whisper of "Thunder." Am I...performing the "Thunderstruck" dance in blue and white fringe while racing down the field in Dallas? I sure am. And that never stopped the whole time I read this book. An added bonus!

Virginia is a Jill, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader, and if you, too, started watching _Making the Team_ on CMT about 100 years ago and are now equally obsessed with _America's Sweethearts_, you also will have a tough time separating Virginia's experiences from what you've seen Kelly and Judy produce over the decades. But there's more to Virginia than just cheering, getting approached by creeps, fearing weigh ins, and being asked to do way more work than she is paid for. There's also...a missing fellow cheerleader, a strained relationship with an addict sister, and a deceased father who was maybe taken out by the mob? Virginia is struggling with more than the kick line.

I really enjoyed many aspects of this book, though at times I felt like I was operating in two different narratives that I wanted to come together more cleanly: cheer life and the external exploration of the mystery. Alternatively, I almost wanted these paths to split cleanly into two entirely different books. I also feel like the Jills would be a great backdrop for a cozy series if taken in a fluffier vs. darker direction. There's just a lot of fodder and possibility on this front.

This was a good time, a solid debut, and a promising start to my encounters with this author. I look forward to more!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Rachel Taylor at Ballantine, Bantam, Dell for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Alix · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

As a Buffalo Bills fan, I was really eager to pick this one up. That said, this book actually has very little to do with football or cheerleading. So if you’re going in expecting that, you might be disappointed. The real focus is the disappearance of our main character’s best friend and the personal issues she’s grappling with.

She has a complicated relationship with her family, especially her sister, who is a recovering addict. There’s a lot of guilt and anger wrapped up in her sister’s substance use and that tension plays a big role in the story. As we follow Virginia’s investigation into her best friend’s disappearance, it becomes clear that her friend was mixed up in criminal activity and involved with dangerous people.

I enjoyed the story overall, but the pacing was a little slow for me at the beginning. The last 150 pages are where things really start to ramp up and we see just how dangerous a situation Virginia has put herself in. This is definitely more of a character-driven, slow-burn thriller. It digs into why the characters do what they do, what they think they’ll gain, and whether any of it is worth it in the end. While there weren’t any huge, shocking twists, it was still an entertaining read.

[Jennifer Elliott · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
So annoying

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and intriguing debut mystery with a fun twist: Our amateur sleuth is a Buffalo Bills cheerleader!

Though this novel is way more bogged down in drug abuse and addiction than I would have preferred, the story on the whole is very, very good, the mystery compelling, and the writing showcases some of the most well-crafted sense of place that I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading.

I found this a particularly impressive feat because the author managed it in a setting that might be described casually as having no atmosphere. How do you bring a depressed Rust Belt town to life? By refusing to idealize it and focusing on the grittiness of a place that often feels like the modern world passed it by.

Virginia is also a surprisingly well-developed and nuanced protagonist for a mystery. You won’t always like her, but she will definitely hold your interest. And you’ll be rooting for Ginny and the rest of the Jills the whole way through.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Annie Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. The plot becomes a little convoluted in my opinion. It is a coming of age story for the main character, but there were some times where I was frustrated with her and the choices she would make. I wanted to jump in the book and yell at her! This is likely what Parkman was aiming for when she wrote a character with specific flaws. The theme of the book centers around the character’s main “flaw,” so to speak, and it is in your face a lot. I enjoyed the camaraderie among the women in the novel. It was interesting to learn about the world of professional cheerleading.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best you could hope for: an audience of more than seventy thousand people screaming with anticipation. A mass of shifting colors coalescing into a single entity, one heart, one gargantuan cheer droning one note. We were all here, caring our guts out. Who wouldn’t want to weep at the sight?

One thing about me is, if a book claims to explore the “seedy underbelly” of something, I’m immediately in. That, paired with the fact that the Buffalo Bills are my adopted team because the Browns are hopeless, means that I couldn’t wait to read The Jills.

The Jills is about a Buffalo Bills cheerleader, Virginia, whose best friend and teammate, Jeanine, goes missing. Virginia seems to be the only one who truly wants to do the work to find her, but as she begins to investigate Jeanine’s disappearance, she realizes that her friend was keeping secrets she never could have imagined.

The Jills is much more complex than its main plot, the disappearance of an NFL cheerleader, would lead you to believe. It’s at once a compelling mystery and a profound character study, with an immersive atmosphere and willingness to explore the darkest parts of society and human nature. Karen Parkman’s writing is so smart and intuitive, with effortless prose that still has a lot of depth. I loved the way she crafted these characters – not just Virginia, who is so interesting, but also the rich cast of supporting characters.

We also get a fascinating glimpse into the world of NFL cheerleading – the sisterhood most importantly, but also the rigorous practices, the weight and diet restrictions, and the lack of fair pay. I had no idea that NFL cheerleaders aren’t actually paid by the NFL but instead rely on sponsorships, and the Jills specifically have an interesting history: They were the first and only group of cheerleaders to unionize in 1995, and ultimately were disbanded in 2014 after suing the Bills organization for wage and labor violations.

The Jills is a memorable debut, and Karen Parkman has such a unique voice and way of looking at the world. I’ll be eagerly awaiting her next novel. Thank you to Ballantine Books for the early reading opportunity.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a novel! Parkman tackled a lot in this part-mystery and part-character study. The mystery was what hooked me, as well as the inside-look at the life of a Jill. I loved all the details tossed throughout—weigh-ins and brands and when you get money versus when you don't—that built up a whole world of what being a Jill just was. I could tell this was well-researched, and that every reveal and turn of phrase was deliberate, it gave me chills! About halfway through or so, the novel took a turn I didn't see coming, and I liked how I had no idea where it was going. I thought the last 100 pages or so could have been tighter (I just kept expecting it to be over soon, and it never was?), but other than that, it was hard to tell this was a debut. I'd definitely read more books from this author.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride. A thriller about Virginia, a Buffalo Bills cheerleader (or a "Jill"), who can't stop investigating her friend Jeanine's disappearance. Virginia is the ultimate oldest daughter (father died early, mother and sister are addicts) and she wants to save her friend so badly. Ginny is truly a child of Buffalo. Her father had mob ties and she is still cared for by Buffalo's major mob family, who also orbit the Buffalo Bills franchise. This novel has a wonderful sense of place: a decaying rust belt town with a lot of unanalyzed assumptions about right and wrong and people's places in the world. Ginny is like that herself and has to understand herself (and the city she lives in) while finding her friend. This novel manages to do all these things while being a real thriller. Loved it. A Michael Connelly novel for the Rust Belt. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this debut novel about the Buffalo Jills -a dance team who performs at Buffalo Bills games-and a member who goes missing. As a Bills fan, it was fun to read and recognize local landmarks and places. Solid mystery with heart, too.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was promising! Did not deliver. Main character needs a lot of therapy

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! The Jills are professional dancer/cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills and Virginia loves the spotlight. Then suddenly one of them--Jeanine--goes missing, and no one knows what happened to her. Virginia is of course concerned but figures the police will do their jobs and find her. But she has no idea what craziness is involved in this industry or what those at the top will do to keep the "girls" under their thumb to perform and give the fans what they want!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you get when you mix professional sports with the seedier elements of organized crime? You get THE JILLS.

Virginia is a Jill, a professional cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise. A native of this working class community, her roots run deep and include connections with some unsavory characters. When her friend and fellow dancer goes missing, Virginia takes it upon herself to investigate her disappearance.

Virginia is no stranger to the underbelly of Buffalo’s organized crime scene due to her younger sister’s troubles with drug addiction. The two storylines intertwine to create a tense mystery as Virginia risks it all to find her friend.

I found the behind the scenes description of professional cheerleading to be fascinating. The hours, dedication, and commitment are certainly not commensurate with their compensation.

The rest of the book was a bit unevenly paced and emphasis vacillated between the missing dancer and Virginia’s family drama. Overall this was an interesting debut that shows significant potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5–4 stars)

Book Report: The Jills by Karen Parkman

The premise alone grabbed me…a mystery centered around the Buffalo Bills cheerleaders? Yes please! As someone currently in a bit of a sister/mystery era…this one fit right in. The story follows Virginia…a Jill living her dream life on the sidelines until her best friend Jeanine suddenly goes missing…sending Virginia down a dangerous rabbit hole of secrets…obsession and self-discovery.

I found it enjoyable and compelling…though at times it felt like a lot was happening all at once. I’ll admit…I was frustrated by several character choices and almost set it aside a few times but I’m glad I didn’t. The final stretch and the author’s note really bumped this up for me. I was fascinated by what Karen Parkman shared there and almost wished that had been the story itself! Where as the story itself touched more on drugs, addictions and crime.

I believe this is her debut…and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next novel 💙

Thank you Ballantine Books for the ecopy.

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character of this novel, Virginia, is a Jill - a cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills football team. One day, her best friend Jeannie who is a fellow Jill disappears, and Virginia begins trying to figure out what happened to her, taking her into some dark corners of life in Buffalo involving the mob, drug dealing, and more.

I like to go into books blindish, so must admit this book was a bit different than what I expected going in. Knowing just the general premise of missing NFL cheerleader, I assumed it would be more of a glitz and glam satirical behind the scenes thriller. Instead, it’s a pretty gritty literary mystery that couldn’t make bring a cheerleader look less glamorous. But I. Happy to report that I loved it! A great mystery, interesting and complex characters and friend and family drama beyond the mystery, and just overall compelling writing and story. A great debut and I’ll be keeping an eye out for whatever Karen Parkman writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 2/10/26); all opinions are my own.

[Steven Lowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars

The Jills was such an intriguing and engaging read. From the start, the story pulls you into a world filled with ambition, power dynamics, and carefully guarded secrets. It’s the kind of book that keeps you curious the entire time as the tension slowly builds.

What stood out to me most was the atmosphere and the way the author explores complicated relationships and the pressure of expectations. The writing feels sharp and observant, and the story does a great job balancing mystery with deeper character moments.

While the pacing is a bit more slow-burn at times, it fits the tone of the story and allows the layers to unfold naturally. I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see how everything would come together.

If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a thoughtful edge, this one is definitely worth picking up.

A smart, layered read that keeps you hooked with its quiet tension.

[Court · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I make no secret that I’m a diehard member of the Bills Mafia, so when I found there was a book based on the Bills’ (now former) cheerleaders, the Jills, I was all over it.

Sadly, it didn’t meet my expectations. In fact, it felt like it was trying to paint Buffalo as possibly the worst city in America. This was filled with drug use, addiction, drug dealing, horrible family dysfunction, and the seedy underbelly of a city. And, although I’m not FROM Buffalo, I live near enough to tell you that this is not a fair depiction of the friendly city who loves their team(s) (adding in the Sabres) and readily shovels out their neighbor’s driveway and Highmark Stadium, too.

Way too much “bad” and not enough “Bills.” Three stars is probably higher than it deserves but the Queen is generous today (or on the day I rated it when I finished it 2 weeks ago 🤣). Go Bills! 🦬💙♥️

[Amy Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting suspense thriller about a professional cheerleader for the Buffalo Bills whose best friend has gone missing and may be dead. On the surface, it seems like a light hearted whodunnit, but this book was quite deep. The main character, Virginia has a lot of issues..going back to childhood losing her Dad at a very young age; as well as her codependency with her sister Laura, whom she is estranged from in the opening of the story. Ginny's best friend Jeanine has taken the place of Laura and when she goes missing, Ginny will go to every length to find her and fix whatever has happened. There are a lot of characters in the book, at times making it hard to follow, but overall I thought this was a very decent debut. Excellent writing, very character-driven story.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jills
By: Karen Parkman
Pub date: Feb 10, 2026
Publisher: Ballantine

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An impressive debut! This author will be one to look out for!

The Jills are cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills. When one of them goes missing, her friend will stop at nothing to find her. She has tried calling, showing up at her apartment and things seem amiss.

Virginia gets Jeanine’s cat and starts following the clues. This story is told in several parts. Danger, drugs, drama and more makes this binge worthy, cat and mouse, and fast-paced as Virginia hopes to find her friend alive!

I will be looking for Parkman’s next novel.

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly? I devoured this book. I preordered it months ago because I’m from Buffalo and a lifelong Bills fan. I currently live in Philly and this book was like a weekend trip home. It is accurate to the city and brought me to all the places I used to party in, brought me to Kenmore where I grew up, brought me to The Ralph for Bills games, and was shockingly accurate when it came to the seedier areas of town! I also appreciated that one of the more sketch families were the Paladinos because IYKYK.
The book itself really didn’t focus too much on cheerleading — which was my only hesitation. I like that it was broken up into three easily digestible parts.
I also appreciated the side story of a cat.
I read a lot of thrillers and this was definitely a different kind of story. I really, really liked it.