Book Review: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

If you loved “The Wife Between Us,” then you will surely enjoy “An Anonymous Girl,” the new standalone novel from dynamic writing duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Described as “a deliciously twisty new thriller about a girl lying to know the truth,” the book holds your attention from the first page to the last.

And, if you choose to listen to the unabridged audiobook, the narration by Barrie Kreinik and Julia Whelan will surely captivate you.

Full disclosure: I read the book when I received the ARC early on, but I decided to wait for the release of the audiobook before I wrote a review. With the book written from two points of view, I needed to “hear” the voices of Jess and Lidia. And, the audiobook like the written one did not disappoint.

So, where do I begin, or perhaps the question is how do I begin to write a spoiler-free review of this mystery/thriller? I can say that it is set in New York City and touches its artistic world. The book shows the struggles of how young people make it there, which according to an old song is the benchmark of “making it anywhere” if you succeed in the Big Apple.

An Anonymous Girl” is also about familial love and romantic love; it is about love between siblings and the camaraderie of friends, the real-life friend not the BFF from social media. It also delves into the anonymity that a city of 8.5 million people brings.

We have two women protagonists – Jessica Farris, a struggling make-up artist from a middle-class family and Dr. Lidia Shields – an author, a professor and practicing psychiatrist who happened to be born with a silver spoon. How they met was very unorthodox; their interaction with each other can be deadly!

Then, I must stop here. If I say something more, spoilers might creep in. Let me just say that “An Anonymous Girl” is a must-read and/or a must-listen. It’s still early in the year so I will already say that if you have not picked up any books for 2019, then this is should be the first one. If you have started your reading list, then please put “An Anonymous Girl” on top of your list.

An Anonymous Girl” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance is strongly advised.

  • An Anonymous Girl
5
 
Description

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

an anonymous girl
Red park bench Photo by Alex Blăjan; Make-up Photo by freestocks.org; Woman Photo by Tamara Bellis; Man wearing glasses Photo by Brooke Cagle; all photos on Unsplash