Buddy Read with Gina: Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas


Dangerous Girls
Written by Abigail Haas
Buddy Review with Gina from Behind The Pages
Crime, Thriller
Published July 18th 2013
400 Pages
Add to Goodreads
It's Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer, she discovers hard truths about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

As she awaits the judge's decree, it becomes clear that everyone around her thinks she is not just guilty, but dangerous. When the truth comes out, it is more shocking than one could ever imagine...
It was supposed to be the summer of fun, a group of friends chasing the summer in Aruba. Anna, along with her best friend Elise and boyfriend Tate, the group spend their days lounging and exploring the local area only to drink and party long into the night. Until Elise is found brutally murdered in their holiday home. The promiscuous girl seemingly a target for a jilted one night stand, a theory the local police refuse to investigate.

Anna finds herself at the center of a media storm, prying into her personal life, her friendship with Elise and her relationship with Tate in a case of guilty until proven innocent.

Our Thoughts


Kelly


Chapter one, and I already have a suspect and possible motive in mind. I didn't even need my pipe and houndstooth hat. Already the main protagonist Anna is grating on my nerves. These girls are practically a 'not what to do' guide that parents provide their teenage daughters.

Gina


I've already got a suspect as well, and I have facts on why I think it's this person.... She's ok, but she is a little too emotionless if you get what I mean. When she is talking about drinking, then she shows emotion, but anytime after that, there is nothing there.

Urgh, another one of those kind of books where all the characters like to do is drink and smoke and go sleeping with each other... Just basically being dumb ass bitches. I agree with that completely.

Although, it is really interesting and hooking. If I sit here for ten minutes, I can't last any longer than that when I know I can pick the book back up and keep reading. My fingers are twitching to find out exactly what happened! I don't know how I will last through this book!

How are you getting along with it?

Kelly


As the characters were all introduced, it really turned into a thrilling murder mystery. I wondered who would be the first to betray the others or just blatantly lie. I wasn't surprised to see Anna charged and awaiting her fate. But as her trial begins, I was fascinated and horrified how easy it is for anyone to be painted as sinister. It's completely riveting.

Gina


Oh, I was the same throughout it all. It was all pretty intense just seeing everything that was happening and as all new evidence came in, it was hard to actually pin the blame on just one person. First you're all for Anna as not guilty, then something else comes up, and you start questioning everything.

So, now that we've both finished, what was your first reaction to those last 3 chapters? For me, at the end of the third last chapter, I was like, 'wait, hold up a second.... Say what?' Then I was trying to wrap my head around it, then it ended and I was like, 'What. The. Actual. Fuck'. Let me just say though, that my murder prediction wasn't true...


Kelly


Chilling. I thought it was the same person you suspected too.

The signs were there, most definitely.

But will all great thrillers, we were both completely thrown off track. What did you think of the main protagonist Anna? And also her relationship and friendship with both her boyfriend Tate and Elsie?

Did you see the similarities between Dangerous Girls and the Amanda Knox case?

Gina


Yes, it was very chilling. Especially the ending.

I know what you mean, but it was different a little with this one, I felt swayed towards one opinion, then something happens and it makes you reconsider everything!

I thought she was very...Unemotional at times. ​I'm not too sure actually. I thought before the murder that she was very naive because she was so wrapped up in Tate not to notice anything. I swear, that girl 'snuggled up to Tate so much, I never saw any kind of affection back on his side other than him wanting to have sex with her. Anna was the affectionate one, she was obsessed, which was pretty much the same as her being obsessed with Elise. But then, Elise was obsessed with Anna too. Their relationship felt unhealthy and too obsessive. It felt like they were more than sisters, like they were into each other.

Did you find the same thing?

I haven't seen that, but I just Googled it and I do see some similarities. You probably know more about it, what are the big similarities that stand out for you?

Kelly


Yeah, my thoughts exactly too. I know some girls are overly affectionate, but kissing her neck, grinding against one another when they'd would dance, is it just me or is that pushing the so called friendship boundaries a little too far. Besides the physical aspects, the emotional attachment was unhealthy, especially on Elise's part more so. They seemed too intimate and I'm not surprised it was brought up during the trial.

Tate was an asshole, it was clear he was only interested in sex. But my biggest issue was definitely Anna. She was nothing more than an irresponsible enabler who seen Elise as a fun loving, promiscuous party girl and encouraged her lifestyle.

The main similarities between Dangerous Girls and the Amanda Knox case were that the roommate was killed, in a foreign country, she and her boyfriend were charged. She's since been acquitted if I remember correctly, and the media at the time also hunted down what incriminating evidence they could find. It was also trial by media.

At anytime, did you consider any other suspects? It just seemed too easy and I was completely shocked at how wrong I was.
Follow the rest of the discussion over at Behind The Pages

24 comments

  1. Fantastic post! I love the idea of doing a buddy read review. I don't think I will ever pick this book up so I read the spoilers. Reading your thoughts about these clueless characters already has me amazed that anyone could ever live like that. I'll have to jump over to Behind the Pages to read the rest!!

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    1. Thanks Alyssa. The book was incredible and definitely lived up to all the hype surrounding it. One of the best psychological YA books I've read so far.

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  2. I'm so proud of myself for guessing it. I never guess these things. But it's great reading your buddy read thoughts - I've always wanted to do it! You should definitely read Dangerous Boys now :)

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    1. I never do either and this one felt like a huge slap to what little intelligence I actually have. I even read back through passages to see if I'd missed the signs, but still couldn't find them. We both have actually and in the process of discussing that one too.

      Just between us, not nearly as good as this one was.

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  3. Awesome post you two! This book totally BLEW ME AWAY and I too had the same suspicions at first as to who the killer was. In all, there was no way I could have seen that ending coming, and though we may end up staring at those final pages in utter disbelief, in a way it feels somewhat satisfying to know that we got duped because the author was so clever.

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    1. I had no idea either. It reminded me a little of We Were Liars, I didn't see that coming either. I think I'm a little too gullible when it comes to books. I seem to find myself so incredibly immersed that I'm completely oblivious to those little signs. It was utterly brilliant.

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  4. I loved reading buddy reads and reviews like this one, so great job! I really want to read this so I didn't read the spoilers, but I read enough to know that it sounds like something I'd enjoy... Great post!!

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    1. I think this is one of those books that appeals to the wider audience, and not just YA readers. It's absolutely brilliant Lara. I hope you enjoy it as much as we both did and can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  5. OMG! I absolutely love everything about this book, and I completely agree with everything you ladies have said. This is such a twisted and mind-boggling book, and the way there are so many different suspects who each have motives for possibly being the culprit makes it so brilliant. Thanks for sharing Kelly & Gina, and great dual review!

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    1. Thanks Zoe. the only issue I'm having now after reading Dangerous Boys, is how to get that same Dangerous Girls feeling back again. It's impossible. No book is even coming close to sounding as brilliant. I'm thinking I might need to check out a few adult thrillers just to mess with my head and make me pee a little.

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  6. I did not see that ending coming! AT ALL. I guess I had my suspicions that it *could've* been... that character... but still, it was a massive shock. I just loved this one so much. I'm super excited t read Dangerous Boys, as well; in fact, I might have just wrapped a copy of it for myself and put it under the tree. Aha. xD

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    1. I honestly didn't think it was THAT character at all. I was completely oblivious. Gina and I just finished Dangerous Boys as well. Still good, but I think Gina enjoyed it far more than I did. It was a little too TA DA. THE END for me. I can't wait to see what you think of it Kara.

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  7. OHHHHH I HATED/LOVED THIS BOOK. Seriously it messed with my mind so so badly. I reel every time I think of it. I didn't see it coming. not even to the last second. I still though the murderer was innocent right to the last page and then my jaw just dropped and I sat there like "whaaaaat NO NO NO."
    So I am a deluded sucker.
    AHEM.

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    1. I was exactly the same. Completely sucked in.
      Dangerous Boys was a little different though. I enjoyed it but could see where it was headed and wish it wasn't so obvious.

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  8. Brilliant discussion/review, ladies!

    I had the killer locked in by the first couple of pages which I'm chuffed about but it was still chilling to actually see it unfold. You're both incredibly right though! There was something completely off about Tate! And Kelly, I get what you mean about the similarities between this and the Knox case. It's what was running through my mind when I read this one as well and I'm glad I'm not the only one. I still get chills from it. Fantastic review, you two! <3

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    1. Thanks Jess and I'm not surprised, you're a clever cookie. It just reminded me so much of the Knox case during the trial. The questioning whether they were involved, perhaps it being some sort of sexual triangle, jealousy even. I'd love to know if there was anything political woven through the Dangerous Girls storyline about the outcome of that case. I was actually looking out for it.

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  9. What a fun review! I like seeing what you both though. I really loved this one. It's seriously one of my favorite books now. I really need to read Dangerous Boys!!

    -lauren

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    1. Thanks Lauren. I loved it too, Gina and I were both blown away by it. We've just finished Dangerous Boys and still well worth the read, but not nearly as suspenseful. Different feel to it altogether. Think Gina enjoyed it more than I did. We'll have our next chinwag review up soon.

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  10. I had to skim most of this because I STILL haven't read this book yet. I should I squeezed myself in between you and Gina like a puppy and demanded you let me join in on the fun :P I didn't want to spoil myself on the plot, but I'm glad the ending surprised you as well! I will have to come back to this page when I'm finally jumped on the Dangerous Girls bangwagon

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    1. Joy Joy Joy. You NEED to read this. ASAP. It'll be one of the best books you read this year. Go. GO NOW. Buy it or steal it from a friend even. But you need this book in your life. NEED IT!

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  11. I have to admit that I wasn't all that interested in Dangerous Girls when it first came out (the first cover wasn't that eye-catching, in my opinion D:). But then I started seeing all these amazing reviews from people like Zoe (Stories on Stage), Cait, the girls at YA Midnight Reads -- and now yours, and I'm regretting not downloading that e-galley when I had the chance. *weeps* OH WELL. I guess it's better to own such an awesome book in physical form, righttt? xD Anyway, I'm so glad both you and Gina enjoyed this so much! I haven't had the best of luck with YA mysteries lately, so I'm definitely all for good ones.

    Heh, I find it really impressive how both of you suspected the same person from page one... and were proven wrong. THAT'S the mark of a good thriller. And I'm curious about these bitchy main characters. Most of the time characters in books are all heroic and goody-goody, so I think it's a nice change of scenery to read about "bad-boy" characters. Another thing I really like is how the mystery here has quite a few similarities to a real mystery. I don't know, that just makes the story ten times more chilling for me!

    Off to go check out the rest of the review at Gina's blog, but fantastic review, you two! It's about time I bought Dangerous Girls. ;)

    P.S. Kelly, I LOVE YOUR BLOG DESIGN. Watercolor designs just blow my mind away, man. <3

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    1. Thanks Megan, I think I like my design now too finally. Have been through a few.

      I was blown away by all the reviews too and wanted to wait until the hype settled down a little before starting this one. Hyped books usually don't sit well with me, but I knew I'd enjoy this regardless. I was really surprised by how much. It was odd how we both came to the same conclusion, and were dead wrong. You definitely need to grab a copy, despite the unattractive looking covers. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  12. Interesting discussion ladies, especially how you listed down your thoughts as you were reading the book. I can see how your suspicions and everything clearly changed how you felt especially about the suspect as well while you were reading. I actually suspected everyone and yeah, Anna was difficult to connect with and her friendship was Elise was a bit too touchy feely. She definitely was obsessive all the way through.

    Heading on to Part 2!

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    1. It was creepy and made me start to second guess what kind of friendship they had actually. I think that was partly due to the trial as well. But I was adamant I knew who it was.

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