Huge thanks to Gaby Young at Michael Jospeh Books – for inviting me to be part of this blog tour for The Burning girls by C.J. Tudor – out now.
500 years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death
30 years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace
Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide
Welcome to Chapel Croft.
For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten.
And in a close-knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome.
Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns.
Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls?
Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages?
And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself?
Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them if not for Flo – anything to protect Flo.
But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft – and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest…
‘C. J. Tudor is terrific. I can’t wait to see what she does next’ Harlan Coben
Want to read something good? You won’t find it on the front bestseller table at your bookstore, but it’s new, and will be there. THE CHALK MAN, by C.J. Tudor. If you like my stuff, you’ll like this. Stephen King
Our Author – C.J. Tudor
C. J. Tudor lives with her partner and young daughter, and dog. Her love of writing, especially the dark and macabre, started young. When her peers were reading Judy Blume, she was devouring Stephen King and James Herbert.
Over the years she has had a variety of jobs, including trainee reporter, radio scriptwriter, dog walker, voiceover artist, television presenter, copywriter and, now, author.
Her first novel, The Chalk Man, was a Sunday Times bestseller. It sold in over forty countries and will be adapted for the screen in a new six-part BBC series. Her second novel, The Taking of Annie Thorne, was also a Sunday Times bestseller as was her third novel The Other People. Her highly anticipated fourth novel The Burning Girls was released in January to rave reviews, with The Times listing it as one of the best crimes novels for 2021.
Caz has sent book 5 to her editors and is currently writing her sixth book, and we will see her going in a different direction. But with the return of a character we’ve maybe seen before, so watch this space.
My Review – The Burning Girls
Creepy, Spooky and bringing all the chills – yes, that is what I expect to happen when I pick up a book written by C.J. Tudor.
And yet again, I have not been disappointed by The Burning Girls – truly a trip down the rabbit hole of terror.
This is Caz’s fourth book and I love it – Reverend Jack Brooks has the ultimate job, being not only a friend to the lonely, but needing to be a counsellor and healer too. And despite her own issues and recent adventures in life, she’s moved to a new community to start afresh and yet, someone doesn’t want her to be able to do this. Someone is leaving burning girls – small stick figures for her to find. The church she’s been moved to, is the site of the Sussex Martyr’s – 6 adults and 2 young girls who were burned alive there and its said their ghosts haunt the church. Then 30 years ago 2 teenage girls went missing Merry and Joy – she’s wondering where she’s been moved to, as the quiet country village is turning out to be just the opposite.
Jack has quite literally been flung from the frying pan into the fire here. Because when Flo her 15 year old daughter starts seeing the girls, She’s left a exorcism kit and her predecessor killed himself, she’s got to solve this, before anyone else goes missing, gets hurt or sees mysteriously ghostly beings. This isn’t what she signed up for when she moved to Chapel Croft.
The villagers know more than they are letting on, and the deeper Jack digs, the more secrets come flooding out. Jack has found people reveal more to a Priest, they think their words can go no further, will be forgiven. But Jacks not just forthright in being a female vicar, also in her actions and beliefs. So righting those wrongs is high on her agenda.
Yet more brilliantly written characters, not just in Jack but teenage Flo and her cohort – the mentions of mental illness, and teenage angst are captured perfectly and bring this book into the realms of reality. The references to the 80’s with film quotes from some of my favourite films and bands are always welcome and hugely enjoyed too. I love the way Caz writes, dark and enticing, spooky and thrilling all at the same time.
All in all, it makes The Burning Girls a must read and a recommended 5 cob web covered stars from me.
To Buy The Burning Girls – And you should – https://bertsbooks.co.uk/product/the-burning-girls/
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@cjtudor @MichaelBooks
