Dead Girls Don't Burn

by Zia Rayyan

Mandy knows what it takes to love a hero.

As Charleston's most beloved firefighter, Scott has spent his life rescuing strangers. Everyone trusts him. Mandy did, too.

But when Mandy discovers a document she was never supposed to see, a stranger starts following her every move. And the one person she should be able to trust may be the one person she can't.

Now Mandy must turn to the Dead Girls Book Club to stay alive.

Because someone knows who Scott really is.

And they'll do anything to stop Mandy from finding out.

The Dead Girls Book Club series are stand alones, interconnected by the characters that fans know and love. These twisty, domestic psychological thrillers can be read independently, and are perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2026

Reviews

[Jan]

100🖤wonderful. MUST Read

Wow… is honestly all I can say.

I just finished DGDB, and once again, Zia Rayyan - Author has captured so many emotions that every Dead Girl can recognize. We all have moments when we’re standing at the bottom of a mountain, wondering how we’ll ever make it to the other side. But somehow, we climb. And we climb together.

That’s what makes these books so special. There is always a DG beside you, behind you, or reaching back to pull you forward, reminding you to take just one more step.

Zia hasn’t simply told stories. He’s told our stories. In every book, there is a piece of each of us: our fears, our strength, our pain, our friendships, and the parts of ourselves we sometimes struggle to put into words.

Thank you, Zia, for seeing the DGs in all of us and for giving us stories where we can laugh, cry, hurt, heal, and feel understood.

I am so incredibly grateful for every single story. 🖤Thank you Mandy🖤 Your Grammy🖤. Oh what a treasured soul.

— with Zia Rayyan - Author.

[Megan]

Another Great Dead Girls Book (no spoilers)

I love this series so much and this book was as good as the previous two! I would like to say that yes you can read them in any order you want or read just one but it is so much better reading them in order and learning all of the dead girls along the way. This one concentrated on Mandy's story and it was a doozy. There is a connected story in it set up as diary entries and I was pretty surprised where that led. I also know her husband was a scumbag but this author really brings it to life. I was disgusted with him and rooting for his downfall most of the book. Well written, story flows really well and no complaints at all. My criteria for 5 stars is a well written book that I become obsessed with and can't put down that is well written with words that bring the story to life. That is what this book is and I highly recommend it AND I even more highly recommend reading it as a series and starting at the beginning

[Anne Jarman]

Zia has done it again.

I have been reading so many books while quietly waiting for the next instalment and Mandy’s story.
I was not disappointed! The way Zia writes, pulls you in, you are right there with the girls, feeling the highs, the lows, the pure love they have for each other. I loved this book, just like I have loved every one! Can’t wait to read Sam’s story!

[Jessica Taylor]

I can’t express how much I love this series and the dead girls. After finishing each one I crave MORE. I love the ride or die friendship and all the chaos they are willing to go through for each other. I love they brought Grammy into this one, the book wouldn’t have been complete without her. Here’s to hoping there’s more of Dead Girls in the future 🤞🏼

[Heather]

You just can't go wrong with these books. Hooked me from the start. Read all the Dead Girls books, and you will want to find friends like Jessica and Sam.

[Yvelisse93]

This story stressed me out kind of remind me of anyone that going through bad relationships or marriage in real life that afraid to leave and the type of girls that always had her back is amazing. Love the story I got tears after she talk to Grammy and I love cats. I can't and never will leave them behind lol
Now I cant wait to read the last book that will be release later.

[Besh]

Dead Girls Don’t Burn gives us Amanda’s story: the story of an ordinary woman carrying the grief and baggage that so many of us can relate to, navigating life with the man she loves. Of course, that man only adds to her troubles (surprise, surprise), and that’s where the Dead Girls come in.

The friendship. The connection. The selflessness. The fierce loyalty.

It’s everything that makes these stories so brilliant to be part of. You get all the comfort and familiarity of the book club you’ve come to love, alongside all the twists that Zia is so good at delivering.

My favourite thing about this one, though, is the writing. If I didn’t know otherwise, I would argue with my whole chest that this was written by a woman with first-hand experience of being in an abusive relationship.

Zia has always nailed the female POV, but to write so accurately about such a sensitive subject without making it over the top, depressing or cliché is genuinely impressive. Amanda is never reduced to the stereotypical “psycho girlfriend”, and the story never becomes frustrating because you think, oh my God, why is she being so stupid? It all feels believable. Realistic.

Yet it’s still fast paced, exciting and genuinely entertaining. It deals with a serious subject without becoming relentlessly depressing or whiny, while still giving us enough storytelling flair, violence and baddie bashing to keep us completely hooked.

Not many male authors can pull that off, but Zia Rayyan makes it look effortless.

Another cracking instalment in the Dead Girls Book Club series. What I love most about these books is that they are touching, emotional stories that really draw you in, while still delivering everything you want from a psychological thriller. None of the thrills are lost, and you can always count on getting that twist you so desperately crave.

[Erin]

I love

Dead girls is by far my fav series of Zia’s. It always makes me want more! Can’t wait til November

[Tara]

Oh, he’s got Casper? Yess girl, stay and die, that’ll show ‘em. 🫶🏾

[nikkyireads]

I like Zia's writing and this kept my attention, but I almost hate Mandy more after knowing her past and her character in 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘾𝙡𝙪𝙗.

[Jerri]

An absolutely awesome book!

The plot starts from the first sentence and twists and turns throughout with possibilities you both love and hate. An excellent read with authentic characters and the feeling of being right there in the thick of things along with the characters. I really enjoyed this book. Great job Rayyan! Loved it!

[Cassie Martin]

4.5⭐️
I have loved getting to know these characters! Now I want to go back and reread the original! Loved the twists and seeing everything come together. Definitely kept me on my toes. Love this group of girls

[Cristian Marrero]

3rd book in the series. New character introduced and you know something will happen. For ladies that love cats, this might be a thriller for you. As for the diary entries that served as a side story in this piece...More should have been added. The ending piece felt rushed. As for the book club piece, it felt a bit flat with not having the side elements sprinkled throughout and also fast reveal at the end. The story was okay. Made you think. But a mystery reader knew half the ending in the first 100 pages.
The prequel and the original book were better.

[Lucy Hampton]

Loved this from the first page.

[Amanda Garrett-Baker]

I’m obsessed with this series. Knowing there’s only one left is the only damper.

[Gina Cox]

So good. I love this series! Some things do belong in the ground!!!!

[Alex Anderson]

I’ve loved this series… until whatever this was

[Sue Fedash]

All I can say is… Zia Rayyan, you seriously get better with every book! I was completely hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put this one down. It literally killed me having to put it on hold during my family’s visit because I was dying to get back to it!
The suspense, twists, and perfectly paced storyline kept me completely invested, and just when I thought I had things figured out, I was proven wrong. Another incredible read from an author who never disappoints!
And now that ending… I NEED Sam’s story! I cannot wait to see what comes next. Bring on the next book! While this can be read as a stand alone I highly recommend reading the series.

[Jennifer Williams]

Compared to the previous two books, this was just a rough and difficult read. It was pretty close to being a DNF. The story really didn’t make much sense and it lacked any real psychological suspense. It read more like a drama than anything. There were no “what the what” moments…..

[Bob Phillis]

Mandy is the star of this book, and we learn what type of life she leads with Scott her fireman husband.
Scott's family do not really like Mandy as they never married in a church.
Mandy lives a life of terror, never knowing how her man is going to walk into their home, or how he will react at any given moment.
Mandy's Grammy does not.like Scott, and the feeling is mutual there, but she has all the time in the world for Mandy, who she raised.
At one point Mandy believes Scott is having an affair, or possibly setting the fires so he can rescue people to appear to be the hero.
Jessica and Sam want her out of her home for her own safety, but Mandy cannot leave because Scott has hidden one of her cats and Mandy can never leave her beloved cats behind, even if it means forfeiting her life.
Tension builds over the course the book.
Who is setting the fires?
Will Mandy lose her life to a fire or something else Scott is planning?
Will Scott wed her in the church as he has promised everyone?
Will Jessica and Sam be able to rescue Mandy?
Will Scott and Mandy make it as a couple, spoiler alert, probably not if you have read the previous books!
What a great backstory to one of the Dead Girls founder members.
Great read.

[Sydney Dedrick]

This was a very interesting read. It took me a little bit to get through it, but not at all because of the book itself. If I could have read the whole book in sitting, I for sure would have. The plot twist was a little predictable, but there were some other aspects that blew my mind and I didn’t see them coming. There is already another book set to release this year and I can’t wait to read more about the Dead Girls and find out more about their backstories. Mandy is an okay character, but I really liked getting to know her and reading her backstory and finding out more about her Grammy. I found myself connecting deeply with both characters and often relating to how they felt. It made it a lot easier to read and understand. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Suzi Winter]

Again… WOW!! What an amazing and incredible book 3 of The Dead Girls series!!
It definitely didn’t disappoint!!
The girls are back at it again with their own tactics of how they go around rescuing their own in their special “vigilante” way. Their adventures are always full of craziness, brazenness, and girl power!! They are not your typical book club ladies🤣🤣. That is for sure!!
I can’t tell you how much I looked forward to book 3 coming out and how quickly I devoured the pages 😁😁.
As always, I loved the personal inscription at the end of the book, as it gave more personal meaning to the story🥰🥰.
If you haven’t read the series, you should try it and if you haven’t read book 3, you have to RIGHT NOW!!
Read and Enjoy😊😊!!

[Brandi Winfrey]

I did my best to take my time reading this. But once I reached 50% completion, all bets were off! I needed to know what was going to happen next, and Zia didn’t disappoint! This is another great standalone in the Dead Girls Book Club series. Zia just has a talent for making you feel something for his characters without always telling you what you should be feeling. He conveys it in such subtle ways! I love Mandy’s story, and I cannot wait to read Sam’s! If you’re not already reading the DGBC series, you need to start now!

[Kimberly Stanhope]

I’d been waiting for Dead Girls Don’t Burn for what felt like forever, and overall, I thought it was a good addition to the series!

I really enjoy the characters, and the story definitely kept me curious and wanting to know what would happen next. That being said, I never felt completely hooked, and toward the end, things started to feel a little predictable.

Still, I’m invested enough in the series that I’ll absolutely continue reading. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!

[Lauren Thomas]

Been waiting MONTHS for this book to be released and it was a good addition to the series. I had a hard time remembering all the details from the past books since it’s been a few months though.

The characters are fun to read, except Scott (🙄).

It kept you on your toes but in my opinion, there wasn’t anything overly exciting about the book. Toward the end, it got a little predictable. I will continue to read the series and look forward to the next book in November!

[Ashley Patricia]

Zia flipping Rayyan.... what do you put in these books?! I have loved ever single one of the Dead Girl books but this one!! This one hit the spot.

I read while I cooked dinner... I read when I shouldve been sleeping.. I simply couldnt put it down.

I knew Mandys story would be emotional and addicting... and I was right.

Also Grammy is the GOAT. Everyone needs a Dead Girl and a Grammy.

I loved this sooo much and I'd give it infinite stars if I could.

[Paige Gunn]

As soon as I think I have a favorite book of Zia Rayyan's.... he goes and writes another excellent story! Absolutely loved this one and might be my favorite of the Dead Girls Book Club series! Highly recommend DGBC before reading this one. The storyline is very well-written, it stays fast-paced and entertaining, and gives you insight you didn't know you needed on one of the Dead Girls.

[Ali]

A solid installment in this series. These books are quick to get through and keep my interest. The plots are a bit out there, like reading a Freida McFadden book. Considering its the 3rd book it's a bit silly that they all keep breaking the don't lie to eachother rule. Its a bit of a silly plot device at this point.
Still a fun, quick thriller.

[Candy Galindo]

The third book in the Dead Girls series did not disappoint. I read most of it in a day and just couldn't stop myself from turning pages. It helps explain Mandy's character which influence her decisions in the other books. This book once again deepened my love and respect for the Jessica character. At this point, I will read any book this author writes.

[Malik C.]

I’m feeling this series. The books are fun, fast-paced, cozy and I’d call this one mildly thrilling.

Some parts were unrealistic like when the firefighter was introduced (But that’s just the First Responder in me being hypercritical haha).

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait for the next book in the Dead Girls Book Club series.