By: Frances Vick
ISBN: 9781786811202
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 2/22/2017
Format: Other
My Rating: 2 Stars I’m not safe – you have to help me…’ Little Lorna Bell is from a notorious family on a rundown estate. Everyone thinks she’s a nasty piece of work. The schoolchildren call her a thief. But Lorna’s hair is matted, her shoes pinch her feet and school teacher Claire Penny can’t help herself; some kids just need a bit more support, a bit more love, than the rest.
As the bond between teacher and pupil grows stronger, Claire sees Lorna’s bruises, and digs to uncover the disturbing tale behind them. Heartbroken, Claire knows she has to act. She must make Lorna safe.
Just when Claire thinks she has protected Lorna, a chance encounter brings enigmatic stranger Marianne Cairns into their lives. Marianne seems generous and kind but there is something about her story that doesn’t quite add up. Why does she feel so at home, and why is Lorna suddenly so unsettled?
Claire has risked everything to save Lorna. But what can save Claire from the shocking truth?
An utterly unputdownable and darkly compelling read that will have fans of The Girl on the Train, The Sister, and Gone Girl absolutely hooked.
My Review
A special thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
BAD LITTLE GIRL by Frances Vick is a twisty suspense of lies and manipulation, with a cast of unreliable characters. Loran Bell was such a happy little girl with a wide smile. She was just a normal, sweet little girl- friendly, open confident. Claire Penny is a teacher. She cared about her students. She noticed things. She was loved. When she sees the way Lorna is treated, she wants to come to her rescue. She could see Loran was shorter and thinner than most of her friends, and at first, she had not gotten into trouble. She evidently comes from a bad and troubled family. The poor little thing thought Claire. She would be extra nice to her. The girl just does not fit in. Claire seems to care too much, she has been told. Shouldn’t mothers and teachers protect the kids from the darkness? There has to be that person, that one woman who makes all the difference. Lorna is complex. Claire wonders if this is a potential child protection issue? Was there something bad going on at home? If she goes to the authorities or social services will this make it worse for Claire? Can she take her away from the abuse? Is everything is as it appears? Is Lorna really bad? Then Marianne Cairns, forty-eight, a teaching assistant in secondary schools in the Bristol area. Things become wacky, wicked . . . and the story becomes crazy. Not a fan of this one and never really hooked me- very long and drawn out. Would not classify as a page-turner, unless you are rushing for it to end, as I was. I also listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Katherine Manners had the most annoying voice (worst ever). While some may find BAD LITTLE GIRL, entertaining— it was not for me. No likable characters here and unsure why all the hype.
About the Author
The only child of parents who worked at a top security psychiatric hospital, Frances Vick grew up receiving disquieting notes and presents from the inmates. Expelled from school, she spent the next few years on the dole, augmenting her income by providing security and crewing for gigs and being a medical experiment guinea pig. Later jobs included working in a theatre in Manhattan, teaching English in Japanese Junior High Schools, and being a life model in Italy, before coming back to London and working with young offenders and refugees. Read More
