Kristin's Bookshelf

The Quarry Girls
By Jess Lourey | @jesslourey
Narrated by Jess Nahikian | @jessnahikian
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is truly the darkest thing I’ve ever read. Not in a flashy, over-the-top horror kind of way either. It’s dark because it feels real. The entire book has this heavy “monster next door” atmosphere where absolutely no one feels safe, and no one in a position of authority can really be trusted. The fear and helplessness woven through this story honestly stuck with me long after I finished it.

Set in 1977 Minnesota, the story follows Heather, a teen who already feels like an outsider in her own friend group. She’s painfully aware that she’s different from the other girls around her, especially when all they seem to care about are boys, parties, and fitting in.

Meanwhile, girls in town are disappearing, but the community keeps brushing it aside like nothing is truly wrong.

After Heather and Brenda witness something they were never supposed to see, everything spirals out of control. Heather believes the missing girls are connected, but she’s also struggling with her own memories and trying to figure out what actually happened that night.

What makes this book so unsettling is how believable it all feels. The adults fail these girls repeatedly. The town cares more about protecting its own… even at the cost of these girls. Every discovery Heather makes peels back another ugly layer, creating a constant feeling of dread because you realize danger isn’t hiding in the shadows, it’s woven directly into the community itself.

Jess Nahikian’s narration was phenomenal. She captured Heather’s uncertainty, fear, and vulnerability perfectly while still making her feel strong and determined underneath it all. The emotional weight of this audiobook absolutely landed. Her tone feels like a news report or true crime podcast, and I feel as though it fits perfectly.

This book was disturbing, heartbreaking, frustrating, and incredibly well done. Definitely check trigger warnings before diving in because this one does not pull punches.