The Thorn Girl: A totally addictive and emotional psychological thriller

Really good plot and the subject matter of the way young girls were treated not only for being unmarried and pregnant but also rape victims really interesting the ending was just a little too neat to be realistic but hopefully for some victims in those days things may have have worked out that way

This is the first book I have read by this author, it has some brilliant reviews so I thought I'd give it a go. The first 25% of the book is gripping, starts off really good, but then it kind off lagged a bit, got a bit boring in the middle, (hence the four stars) and I thought I was going to give up on it. I persevered and I'm glad I did, because the last 35% of the book was bloody brilliant. It had be completely gripped at the end. The characters are believeable and the twist at the end was awesome. I will definitely read more of Laura Elliott books.

Adele is all set for a new life abroad, after clearing out her late Grandmothers house who raised her, after her own mother died in childbirth. While clearing the house she discovers her mothers old diary... It holds shocks, and secrets that need to be uncovered. A totally gripping read, I highly recommend it

Having just read one of Laura s books I deliberately chose to read another straight after, thorn girl did not disappoint! Very cleverly written again, at one point I did think this is going g to conclude very early; but then the ending is just great! A review very guarded as no spoilers, you really have to read for yourself. Cults and the Irish laundries provide the setting the author provides the characters and depth, really enjoyed

Great read! Very interesting and uplifting book providing an insight into the secretive world of pseudo religious cults and the intolerable way a closed and repressed society treated unwed pregnant mothers.

This was far better than the last Laura Elliot book I read- The Wife Before Me. The general idea behind the storyline isn’t new- the Irish Laundries and the consequences of Irish girls being unmarried and pregnant- but in this there’s a different slant, which works well.Marianne is raped by three masked men, when she is 15. There’s a big cover-up and she’s sent to a Thorn Home, where she dies in childbirth. Her daughter, Adele, finds contradictory evidence some 25 years later and makes it her quest to find the truth.The plot is slow to get going and is then gripping (I couldn’t put the book down for long periods). The ending is convoluted and convenient but does tie up loose ends. Most of the characters are thoroughly horrible and would fit the mental picture of the nasty people involved in this unsavoury part of Ireland’s past.Well worth a read and in my opinion, a return to previous standards of psychological thrillers the author is renowned for.

Never read a book by this author and this type of book isn’t what I normally read but thought I would give it a go. So glad I did as I absolutely loved it. So gripping and as soon as I started to read it I didn’t want to put it down. Great characters and great stories about them. The full story started to unravel early so then you got a proper ending rather than it feeling rushed and I was satisfied what happened to the people that deserved to be punished as well. Will definitely look to buy other books by this author too.

I was gripped from start to finish by this excellent story. The vunerable girl Marriane's horrific journey through her young life is heartbreaking. Her daughters courage and resolve to find out the truth about what happened to her mother even when ruthless greedy , heartless people try to cover their guilty track's. Totally enjoyed the journey.

I really enjoyed this book! It was very believable and the character development was excellent. I hate books that have so many switch backs that the ending is a complete surprise. This book gradually built, then built some more until the end. I wish there was sequel because I became so attached to the characters!

The best thriller I have read in the last year.

It is a must read. One of my favourite books. That humans could be so cruel is almost unbelievable. This wonderful book has an excellent ending. If only similar stories could also have one.

I very seldom write a review of a novel but I really can't help myself this time. I found the Thorn Girl to be totally mesmerizing. Ms. Elliot has written a story that has actually made me cry, both with sadness and with joy. I don't cry easily while reading though I read daily.The plot of this writing is twisting and scary...it also rings of the possibility of the truth. I know Thorn Girl is not based on any 'true' happening, but the terrible events surrounding the main characters could easily have happened, in fact, the details of confinement did happen in our not too distant past.Please read this novel, it is well worth your time. I was so entertained by the novel I will be looking for more from Ms. Elliot.

Spell binding story, a lot of hardship, however so powerful accomplished!It portrays a powerful will of achievement,