What do you think?
Rate this book
Girl Forgotten
Piper Gray starts a true-crime podcast investigating a seventeen-year-old cold case.
Seventeen years ago, Layla Trello was murdered and her killer was never found. Enter true-crime fan Piper Gray, who is determined to reopen Layla’s case and get some answers. With the help of Jonas—who has a secret of his own—Piper starts a podcast investigating Layla’s murder. But as she digs deeper into the mysteries of the past, Piper begins receiving anonymous threats telling her to back off the investigation, or else. The killer is still out there, and Piper must uncover their identity before they silence her forever.
Seventeen years ago, Layla Trello was murdered and her killer was never found. Enter true-crime fan Piper Gray, who is determined to reopen Layla’s case and get some answers. With the help of Jonas—who has a secret of his own—Piper starts a podcast investigating Layla’s murder. But as she digs deeper into the mysteries of the past, Piper begins receiving anonymous threats telling her to back off the investigation, or else. The killer is still out there, and Piper must uncover their identity before they silence her forever.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2023
131 people are currently reading
10513 people want to read
About the author
April Henry
34 books3,378 followersI write mysteries and thrillers. I live in Portland, Oregon with my family.
If you've read one of my books, I would love to hear from you. Hearing from readers makes me eager to keep writing.
When I was 12, I sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He liked it so much he arranged to have it published in an international children's magazine.
My dream of writing went dormant until I was in my 30s, working at a corporate job, and started writing books on the side. Those first few years are now thankfully a blur. Now I'm very lucky to make a living doing what I love. I have written 27 novels for adults and teens, with more on the way. My books have been on the New York Times bestseller lists, gotten starred reviews, been picked for Booksense, translated into seven languages, been named to state reading lists, won the Anthony award and won the Oregon Book Award.
If you've read one of my books, I would love to hear from you. Hearing from readers makes me eager to keep writing.
When I was 12, I sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He liked it so much he arranged to have it published in an international children's magazine.
My dream of writing went dormant until I was in my 30s, working at a corporate job, and started writing books on the side. Those first few years are now thankfully a blur. Now I'm very lucky to make a living doing what I love. I have written 27 novels for adults and teens, with more on the way. My books have been on the New York Times bestseller lists, gotten starred reviews, been picked for Booksense, translated into seven languages, been named to state reading lists, won the Anthony award and won the Oregon Book Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
April 17, 2024
Well, this was underwhelming to say the least. It tries so hard to be the next AGGGTM and to add "quirky" new things but falls flat. I couldn't care less about Piper's interactions with Jonas and the plot moved at a snail's pace, the reveal was just meh.
When you look at the entire plot line it's not that bad, it's just a bit too boring for me - you've got the new kid in town starting a podcast about a local cold case. Sounds fun. BUT I expected a bit more "investigating" or "deducting" instead, she just repeats everything that was already discovered by the police on her podcast and rewrites it in her own way (basically like every student ever trying to write a 50 page essay). Well, this is not an essay, this is a book that should entertain me, not sound like a school asssignement. Ironically though, Piper starts this podcast EXACTLY for that purpose 😂
When it comes to Piper, she was okay enough. While I'm probably gonna "forget the girl", I didn't dislike her while reading, I just didn't love her either. I appreciate that from the start she said her goal is not to solve the case, but to shine a light to it and maybe motivate and remind people to start talking about it again. She definitely accepted that she's "just a teen" and not a detective. Althought, that meant that she didn't "try as hard." Her podcast was mainly telling the cold case story in a new way.
If you thought this book will have a new Pip x Ravi ship, it does not. The romance is basically non existent, which is not a bad thing usually, but this time it is. Why? Becuase the interactions between Piper and Jonas are purely of the "my teacher made me help you with your assignement so here I am" to "actually, we might be friends because we share the same passion". Then suddenly, after The Big Reveal, they have a romantic relationship. IMO there was no chemistry nor any romantic scenes between them so I wish they just stayed friends, it would feel more natural.
I did appreciate the insight into the podcasting world. Jonas had some decent advice in how to start a podcast, how to write it, which equipment to get etc. Those bits were interesting. There's also one more point that I actually LOVED reading about and I thought it was writen in a lovely way - Piper's relationship with her father and stepmom. Their interactions are awkward at first, but they go on to create close bonds and show how much they care for each other. These character developments were wonderful and when I was nearing the end of the book, I cared more about how Piper will get along with her stepmom than who killed Layla 😂
BEFORE READING:
*this sounds A LOT like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder:
1. a true crime fan teen girl tries to solve a cold case
2. her name is Piper...Pippa?
3. she has a podcast
4. she starts recieving anonymous threats
5. a mysterious boy is helping her in her investigations...
I still can't wait to read it tho 😂
When you look at the entire plot line it's not that bad, it's just a bit too boring for me - you've got the new kid in town starting a podcast about a local cold case. Sounds fun. BUT I expected a bit more "investigating" or "deducting" instead, she just repeats everything that was already discovered by the police on her podcast and rewrites it in her own way (basically like every student ever trying to write a 50 page essay). Well, this is not an essay, this is a book that should entertain me, not sound like a school asssignement. Ironically though, Piper starts this podcast EXACTLY for that purpose 😂
When it comes to Piper, she was okay enough. While I'm probably gonna "forget the girl", I didn't dislike her while reading, I just didn't love her either. I appreciate that from the start she said her goal is not to solve the case, but to shine a light to it and maybe motivate and remind people to start talking about it again. She definitely accepted that she's "just a teen" and not a detective. Althought, that meant that she didn't "try as hard." Her podcast was mainly telling the cold case story in a new way.
If you thought this book will have a new Pip x Ravi ship, it does not. The romance is basically non existent, which is not a bad thing usually, but this time it is. Why? Becuase the interactions between Piper and Jonas are purely of the "my teacher made me help you with your assignement so here I am" to "actually, we might be friends because we share the same passion". Then suddenly, after The Big Reveal, they have a romantic relationship. IMO there was no chemistry nor any romantic scenes between them so I wish they just stayed friends, it would feel more natural.
I did appreciate the insight into the podcasting world. Jonas had some decent advice in how to start a podcast, how to write it, which equipment to get etc. Those bits were interesting. There's also one more point that I actually LOVED reading about and I thought it was writen in a lovely way - Piper's relationship with her father and stepmom. Their interactions are awkward at first, but they go on to create close bonds and show how much they care for each other. These character developments were wonderful and when I was nearing the end of the book, I cared more about how Piper will get along with her stepmom than who killed Layla 😂
BEFORE READING:
*this sounds A LOT like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder:
1. a true crime fan teen girl tries to solve a cold case
2. her name is Piper...Pippa?
3. she has a podcast
4. she starts recieving anonymous threats
5. a mysterious boy is helping her in her investigations...
I still can't wait to read it tho 😂
August 15, 2023
temu version of AGGGTM
March 28, 2023
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I thought that this was a very entertaining story. Piper has recently moved in with her father, stepmother, and half-siblings. She feels out of place and starting a new school in her senior year is less than ideal. She decides to start a podcast investigating the death of another student 17 years earlier as her senior project. She is paired with another student, Jonas, who runs his own podcast and will serve as her mentor. I loved the way that Piper dived into this project headfirst and couldn’t wait to learn what really happened to Layla Trello.
Layla Trello went missing after a party and her body was found in a secluded area 2 weeks later. Some people think her boyfriend or his brother was involved but the case remains unsolved. Piper starts interviewing people immediately, and I was surprised by some of the things she discovered. Piper has her own issues to deal with and I feel like she grew a lot over the course of the story. Jonas was also a great character and I thought his story added a lot to the story as well.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others. The pacing of the book was very well done and I felt like the short chapters helped to make this feel like a very speedy read. I hope to read more of April Henry’s work again very soon in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
I thought that this was a very entertaining story. Piper has recently moved in with her father, stepmother, and half-siblings. She feels out of place and starting a new school in her senior year is less than ideal. She decides to start a podcast investigating the death of another student 17 years earlier as her senior project. She is paired with another student, Jonas, who runs his own podcast and will serve as her mentor. I loved the way that Piper dived into this project headfirst and couldn’t wait to learn what really happened to Layla Trello.
Layla Trello went missing after a party and her body was found in a secluded area 2 weeks later. Some people think her boyfriend or his brother was involved but the case remains unsolved. Piper starts interviewing people immediately, and I was surprised by some of the things she discovered. Piper has her own issues to deal with and I feel like she grew a lot over the course of the story. Jonas was also a great character and I thought his story added a lot to the story as well.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others. The pacing of the book was very well done and I felt like the short chapters helped to make this feel like a very speedy read. I hope to read more of April Henry’s work again very soon in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
January 22, 2025
Um yeaa
First: the "plot twist" SO PREDICTABLE it was honestly sad.
Second: I didn't come into this with high expectations but dang I expected more.
Third: this quote makes me cringe every time😭
"At North, I can be whatever I want to be. I don't have to be "that poor girl, did you hear about her mom?" I can be the girl who has her own podcast." IM SORRY BUT WHAT THE FLIP WAS THATTT UR NOT A MIDDLE SCHOOLER ANYMORE BABE
First: the "plot twist" SO PREDICTABLE it was honestly sad.
Second: I didn't come into this with high expectations but dang I expected more.
Third: this quote makes me cringe every time😭
"At North, I can be whatever I want to be. I don't have to be "that poor girl, did you hear about her mom?" I can be the girl who has her own podcast." IM SORRY BUT WHAT THE FLIP WAS THATTT UR NOT A MIDDLE SCHOOLER ANYMORE BABE
March 31, 2025
I thought this book was actually pretty good, it follows a popular theme of people starting podcasts to solve unsolved murders in there town. The book is full of twists and turns, it’s interesting from start to finish, and it makes a pretty fun and good read!
When Piper moves to a new town to live with her dad and his perfect step family, she isn’t fitting in with them well. While having to do a project in class, she decides she’s going to start a podcast about the unsolved murder of Layla Trello. Piper makes friends with a boy in town who also has his own podcast, so as he helps her with the podcast and she helps him navigate into a friendship after his accident, the two become fast friends. Although he’s sort of against making a murder the topic of a podcast, he isn’t the only one, Piper is getting messages about shutting down the podcast.
You follow along as the threats keep coming in, questions keep rolling, and dark secrets and truth come out. It’s entertaining, it’s full of curveballs, and it’s a well written and interesting book. Definitely worth a read!
When Piper moves to a new town to live with her dad and his perfect step family, she isn’t fitting in with them well. While having to do a project in class, she decides she’s going to start a podcast about the unsolved murder of Layla Trello. Piper makes friends with a boy in town who also has his own podcast, so as he helps her with the podcast and she helps him navigate into a friendship after his accident, the two become fast friends. Although he’s sort of against making a murder the topic of a podcast, he isn’t the only one, Piper is getting messages about shutting down the podcast.
You follow along as the threats keep coming in, questions keep rolling, and dark secrets and truth come out. It’s entertaining, it’s full of curveballs, and it’s a well written and interesting book. Definitely worth a read!
March 20, 2023
This was a YA thriller that I adored! (Comes out 3/28) and I am so thankful I got a physical copy to read early!
It was a very quick read. LOVE the short chapters. And I absolutely loved reading about Piper learning to podcast.
I ALSO adored the slight shade to my arch nemesis- Ashley Flowers, wether the author meant it or not. (You can hear my whole RANT on her in our newest podcast episode on Thursday if you'd like 🤣 Novels & Nonsense Podcast)
Anywhoooo, this was the first I've read of this longtime author and I will definitely read her books again! Also, killer cover. Perfect.
It was a very quick read. LOVE the short chapters. And I absolutely loved reading about Piper learning to podcast.
I ALSO adored the slight shade to my arch nemesis- Ashley Flowers, wether the author meant it or not. (You can hear my whole RANT on her in our newest podcast episode on Thursday if you'd like 🤣 Novels & Nonsense Podcast)
Anywhoooo, this was the first I've read of this longtime author and I will definitely read her books again! Also, killer cover. Perfect.
April 23, 2023
Is this not just a knock off of "A good girls guide to murder"??? From the plot to the main characters name nothing here is original.
July 9, 2024
ripoff pickme agggtm - 2.5
i also picked the murderer from the start which i was proud of <3
i also picked the murderer from the start which i was proud of <3
December 12, 2023
A quick read… not bad, just has been done before… “The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.”
An outsider comes into a small town and decides to do a podcast on a 17 year old unsolved murder.
As she starts her interviews she receives threatening calls and messages.
A boy helps her (who she may or may not like).
An outsider comes into a small town and decides to do a podcast on a 17 year old unsolved murder.
As she starts her interviews she receives threatening calls and messages.
A boy helps her (who she may or may not like).
October 2, 2024
“i think i’ve seen this film before”… cough cough, AGGTM
March 22, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-ARC of Girl Forgotten!
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🎧 want to learn how to make a podcast
👛 enjoy thrifting
🪦 know of a local unsolved murder
🏫 are in high school or have a high schooler
• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄
After an incident involving her mom, Piper Gray transfers to a new school where she must complete a passion project in order to graduate.
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Piper Gray just moved to Firview, Oregon. The day before school, she stumbles upon an old tombstone, Layla Trello, who died nearly 17 years ago at just 17, the same age as Piper. When she discovers she must do a senior passion project to graduate, she decides to make a podcast about the unsolved murder. Could delving into Layla’s murder mean digging her own grave?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a really fun YA thriller with a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed the podcast episodes and appreciated that they sounded as though a high school student could have created it. This added to the overall realness of the story. I had to keep reminding myself that Layla wasn’t a real person. While I did guess the killer, I liked hearing all about their motive and what happened. I also loved how informative this book was - learning about how to create a podcast, how to thrift, how the police can discover clues! This is great read for all ages.
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🎧 want to learn how to make a podcast
👛 enjoy thrifting
🪦 know of a local unsolved murder
🏫 are in high school or have a high schooler
• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄
After an incident involving her mom, Piper Gray transfers to a new school where she must complete a passion project in order to graduate.
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Piper Gray just moved to Firview, Oregon. The day before school, she stumbles upon an old tombstone, Layla Trello, who died nearly 17 years ago at just 17, the same age as Piper. When she discovers she must do a senior passion project to graduate, she decides to make a podcast about the unsolved murder. Could delving into Layla’s murder mean digging her own grave?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a really fun YA thriller with a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed the podcast episodes and appreciated that they sounded as though a high school student could have created it. This added to the overall realness of the story. I had to keep reminding myself that Layla wasn’t a real person. While I did guess the killer, I liked hearing all about their motive and what happened. I also loved how informative this book was - learning about how to create a podcast, how to thrift, how the police can discover clues! This is great read for all ages.
November 17, 2025
Knockoff AGGTM but more predictable
July 5, 2023
i thought this was a horror book, it just made me depressed. it was ok.
May 10, 2025
I loved this book I couldn’t put it down I love the thrill of the mystery and how it was such a put-together book. I am a fan of all April Henrys book and because of this book I’m so into murder mystery.
November 11, 2024
This book was DEFINITELY a RIPOFF TEMU version of AGGGTM - IT IS SUCH A WANNA BE OF AGGGTM!!!!!!!!
I MADE A GOODREADS ACCOUNT JUST TO RATE THIS BOOK A 1 STAR - I WOULD RATE A O BUT UNFORTUNANTLY THAT IS NOT AN OPTION
THIS IS HWY IT IS SUCH A RIPOFF TEMU VERSION
1. Her name is Piper - PIPPA MUCH??
2. One of her parents - died Pippa's dad died\
3. It is for a frickin school project - JUST LIKE PIPPA
4. SOMEONE SENDS HER mysterious threats - JUST LIKE PIPPAAAAAAA
5. Lives in a small town - LIKE PIPPA
6. Starts a true crime podcast - JUST LIKE PIPAAA
7. There is an unsolved murder - just like in little collins WHERE PIPPA LIVESSSSSSSSSSS
8. THE TEACHER IS THE MURDEREr
THIS IS A COMPLETE UTTER COPY RIPPOFF TEMU VERSION of the amazing A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. This book hurts me.
u can see on my date started and finsihed that i never finished because it was to hard to read because the plot made me want cry.
I MADE A GOODREADS ACCOUNT JUST TO RATE THIS BOOK A 1 STAR - I WOULD RATE A O BUT UNFORTUNANTLY THAT IS NOT AN OPTION
THIS IS HWY IT IS SUCH A RIPOFF TEMU VERSION
1. Her name is Piper - PIPPA MUCH??
2. One of her parents - died Pippa's dad died\
3. It is for a frickin school project - JUST LIKE PIPPA
4. SOMEONE SENDS HER mysterious threats - JUST LIKE PIPPAAAAAAA
5. Lives in a small town - LIKE PIPPA
6. Starts a true crime podcast - JUST LIKE PIPAAA
7. There is an unsolved murder - just like in little collins WHERE PIPPA LIVESSSSSSSSSSS
8. THE TEACHER IS THE MURDEREr
THIS IS A COMPLETE UTTER COPY RIPPOFF TEMU VERSION of the amazing A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. This book hurts me.
u can see on my date started and finsihed that i never finished because it was to hard to read because the plot made me want cry.
April 21, 2023
2 stars
overall i thought it was pretty good until the end but the end really annoyed me. everyone in the reviews talked about how many plot twists and surprises there were in this book and there weren't any in my opinion. it was so obvious from the start that the teacher was the killer she was so shady from day 1 and why would she be asking all those questions as a teacher unless she was the killer. overall it was fine, nothing special but pretty good but the reveal was interesting to say the least in a bad way also so many things were left unsolved unless im slow and didn't pick up on something and it just was not satisfying at all.
overall i thought it was pretty good until the end but the end really annoyed me. everyone in the reviews talked about how many plot twists and surprises there were in this book and there weren't any in my opinion. it was so obvious from the start that the teacher was the killer she was so shady from day 1 and why would she be asking all those questions as a teacher unless she was the killer. overall it was fine, nothing special but pretty good but the reveal was interesting to say the least in a bad way also so many things were left unsolved unless im slow and didn't pick up on something and it just was not satisfying at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
It’s like AGGGTM but just… worse
March 23, 2024
1 ☆ oh oh okay. girl, forgotten feels very familiar. almost like my favourite book…… this review is going to have spoilers in it, and also spoilers for a good girls guide to murder!
i know dupes when i see them, and you can't really miss a dupe when it's of your favourite book. that was probably my main critique. it was startlingly similar to a good girls guide. from the names of the characters, the random threats (threats coming from a person that wasn't the murderer of the original person), the boyfriend as the main suspect, a teacher murderer. it felt done before because it was done before. and that was really really disappointing to me. even to the point where the main character was going to be killed where the original victim was found/died (pippa going to the barn, piper was at the place where the body was found).
aside from that, the romance between the guy (jonas) and piper was so unconvincing. there was nothing to really indicate a valid connection there and it seemed like the only reason they ended up together was because jonas was the only speaking male character in pipers age range. which ew, if it doesnt call for it, we dont need the romance!!
and more, the characters felt like they lacked a personality. i didnt feel connected to the main character piper, and i felt nothing towards the victim of the crime (laila). it didn't even need to be that i loved her, i could've hated her, but i wanted to feel some emotion and i felt nothing at all
so basically, my rating went from a 2 star to 1 star writing this and i think that says enough
i know dupes when i see them, and you can't really miss a dupe when it's of your favourite book. that was probably my main critique. it was startlingly similar to a good girls guide. from the names of the characters, the random threats (threats coming from a person that wasn't the murderer of the original person), the boyfriend as the main suspect, a teacher murderer. it felt done before because it was done before. and that was really really disappointing to me. even to the point where the main character was going to be killed where the original victim was found/died (pippa going to the barn, piper was at the place where the body was found).
aside from that, the romance between the guy (jonas) and piper was so unconvincing. there was nothing to really indicate a valid connection there and it seemed like the only reason they ended up together was because jonas was the only speaking male character in pipers age range. which ew, if it doesnt call for it, we dont need the romance!!
and more, the characters felt like they lacked a personality. i didnt feel connected to the main character piper, and i felt nothing towards the victim of the crime (laila). it didn't even need to be that i loved her, i could've hated her, but i wanted to feel some emotion and i felt nothing at all
so basically, my rating went from a 2 star to 1 star writing this and i think that says enough
December 20, 2022
I love April Henry books! They are fabulous thrillers that are totally appropriate for middle school readers and up!
I was really excited to get my hands on Girl Forgotten because it is about one of my other passions- true crime podcasts.
In Girl Forgotten, Piper has just moved in with her dad and stepmom and is starting her senior year at a high school that requires seniors to do tear long passion projects. Piper chooses to investigate a 20 year old, unsolved local murder. The story is told through first person narrative, podcast transcripts, and newspaper articles. The short chapters kept me turning the page, and I read the whole book in under 24 hours.
I'll admit, I did have one of the twists figured out, but it didn't make me enjoy the story any less.
Highly recommend for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder!
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books Publishing for an early copy for review.
I was really excited to get my hands on Girl Forgotten because it is about one of my other passions- true crime podcasts.
In Girl Forgotten, Piper has just moved in with her dad and stepmom and is starting her senior year at a high school that requires seniors to do tear long passion projects. Piper chooses to investigate a 20 year old, unsolved local murder. The story is told through first person narrative, podcast transcripts, and newspaper articles. The short chapters kept me turning the page, and I read the whole book in under 24 hours.
I'll admit, I did have one of the twists figured out, but it didn't make me enjoy the story any less.
Highly recommend for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder!
Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books Publishing for an early copy for review.
January 22, 2025
I would just like to repeat what’s been said before: blatant ripoff of agggtm. Am I saying it’s a bad book? No. It’s a little slow at the beginning, but I was interested (more in the actual crime than Piper’s personal life) by the end.
I feel like this book could go either way for huge fans of agggtm. You could like it cause it’s a copy of your favorite book, or you could hate it cause it’s a copy your favorite book. I feel like giving this book ANYTHING over 3 stars would be a stretch, but it was a quick read and I still had a good time.
SPOILER!!!!
My favorite part of this entire book (as in I was giggling cause it was so ridiculous) was the talk of plagiarism and ripping people off… yeah you would know.
I feel like this book could go either way for huge fans of agggtm. You could like it cause it’s a copy of your favorite book, or you could hate it cause it’s a copy your favorite book. I feel like giving this book ANYTHING over 3 stars would be a stretch, but it was a quick read and I still had a good time.
SPOILER!!!!
My favorite part of this entire book (as in I was giggling cause it was so ridiculous) was the talk of plagiarism and ripping people off… yeah you would know.
May 31, 2023
I'm a sucker for a podcast .. story wasnt like overly awesome but the performance on audio and the overall book was fantastic for me
June 27, 2025
Girl Forgotten by, April Henry
This fast-paced YA thriller pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go.
Girl Forgotten dives into a haunting cold case, blending true crime vibes with emotional depth. April Henry knows how to keep the tension high—secrets unravel slowly, suspects shift, and every chapter ends with just enough suspense to make you say, “One more chapter...”
The protagonist’s voice is authentic and relatable, and the mystery is layered in a way that keeps you guessing without getting lost in the details. I appreciated the focus on justice, identity, and how the past echoes into the present.
If you love twisty, emotionally grounded thrillers with strong female leads, Girl Forgotten is a must-read. 📚
This fast-paced YA thriller pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go.
Girl Forgotten dives into a haunting cold case, blending true crime vibes with emotional depth. April Henry knows how to keep the tension high—secrets unravel slowly, suspects shift, and every chapter ends with just enough suspense to make you say, “One more chapter...”
The protagonist’s voice is authentic and relatable, and the mystery is layered in a way that keeps you guessing without getting lost in the details. I appreciated the focus on justice, identity, and how the past echoes into the present.
If you love twisty, emotionally grounded thrillers with strong female leads, Girl Forgotten is a must-read. 📚
August 15, 2025
dnf @ chapter 5 - it's giving ✨️agggtm✨️
November 27, 2023
Pretty decent! I didn't really suspect who the murderer was, which was a surprise 🤔
I was surprised with how good this book was. It's pretty basic but still ok
I was surprised with how good this book was. It's pretty basic but still ok
July 25, 2023
When Piper starts over at a new school she finds herself needing something to keep her occupied. With an interest in true crime podcasts, and with her new school insisting she complete an extended project, Piper decides to learn how to set up her own podcast. Her focus? The murder of a local girl.
The girl in question was a student at the same school Piper is now attending. She was found dead seventeen years ago, a bullet hole in her chest, and her murder has never been solved. Her curiosity roused means Piper bites the bullet and starts to question those connected to the case.
This is the kind of story that feels very familiar now. Henry creates a character who we empathise with, but who takes some unnecessary risks and who definitely could have been a little more circumspect. The details about her family are made to seem more serious than they are. The characters linked to the case drop in and out as needed, and the actual twist seems like the sort of thing that would have been discovered at the time.
The girl in question was a student at the same school Piper is now attending. She was found dead seventeen years ago, a bullet hole in her chest, and her murder has never been solved. Her curiosity roused means Piper bites the bullet and starts to question those connected to the case.
This is the kind of story that feels very familiar now. Henry creates a character who we empathise with, but who takes some unnecessary risks and who definitely could have been a little more circumspect. The details about her family are made to seem more serious than they are. The characters linked to the case drop in and out as needed, and the actual twist seems like the sort of thing that would have been discovered at the time.
April 6, 2025
If you’re looking for the next AGGGTM, this is not it. The writing felt weird and chunky. I thought it could maybe be a good read for a younger audience? It was not... I’ve been wanting to read this book for over a year now, it disappointed me. The writing was so off! There was a SUB plot of romance and there was ZERO connection between the characters, his dog runs over our MC and then he limps away just to see her in class the next day. The podcast element felt very AGGGTM, but unlike AGGGTM it was the main plot of this book and felt thrown in at points. The thriller aspect was fine, that was maybe the only point when I wasn’t counting how much longer until it’s over!!! It felt cheap. The MC name is Piper….Pippa???? And the cold case she’s podcasting about is in a town called Firview…. Fairview!!!! Overall first two stars of 2025.
October 18, 2022
April Henry has done it again, highly recommend for a great YA mystery! I didn’t see the twist coming and the pod cast element is done perfectly.
April 2, 2023
I can't even say this author or story had potential
September 23, 2023
did I just find one of my favorite reads of the year?
yes.
yes.
March 31, 2023
This post was originally posted on my blog: https://phanniethegingerbookworm.com
In “Girl Forgotten” we follow young Piper Gray who is starting a True-Crime Podcast for her passion project. Piper absolutely needs to find out what happened to Layla Trello, and is doing everything she can in order to do so. However, her adventure soon becomes very dangerous.
Where should I start? You probably know that I loved the “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” Trilogy, or at least the first two books because I haven’t finished the third one yet. So I was absolutely thrilled to see that “Girl Forgotten” was also about a true-crime podcast hosted by a young adult.
I loved every second of this book. The writing style was fluent and managed to keep me hooked on the action. The chapters are very short, something I absolutely enjoy in Thrillers because it helps me to read faster. I simply didn’t want to put this book down, and highly encourage you to grab a copy of this one!
There were also some twists and turns and as the chapters are short and fast-paced, “Girl Forgotten” is a quick read.
This book is a must-read if you love True-Crime stories about small-town murders.
In “Girl Forgotten” we follow young Piper Gray who is starting a True-Crime Podcast for her passion project. Piper absolutely needs to find out what happened to Layla Trello, and is doing everything she can in order to do so. However, her adventure soon becomes very dangerous.
Where should I start? You probably know that I loved the “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” Trilogy, or at least the first two books because I haven’t finished the third one yet. So I was absolutely thrilled to see that “Girl Forgotten” was also about a true-crime podcast hosted by a young adult.
I loved every second of this book. The writing style was fluent and managed to keep me hooked on the action. The chapters are very short, something I absolutely enjoy in Thrillers because it helps me to read faster. I simply didn’t want to put this book down, and highly encourage you to grab a copy of this one!
There were also some twists and turns and as the chapters are short and fast-paced, “Girl Forgotten” is a quick read.
This book is a must-read if you love True-Crime stories about small-town murders.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews