An Unusual DNF: Good Girls by Glen Hirshberg

Series: Motherless Children Trilogy #2
352 p.
Published: 2/23/16
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: From publisher for review

Three-time International Horror Guild and Shirley Jackson Award Winner Glen Hirshberg brings his flair for the grim, grisly, and emotionally harrowing to this standalone sequel toMotherless Child. 

Reeling from the violent death of her daughter and a confrontation with the Whistler--the monster who wrecked her life--Jess has fled the South for a tiny college town in New Hampshire. There she huddles in a fire-blackened house with her crippled lover, her infant grandson, and the creature that was once her daughter’s best friend, who may or may not be a threat. 

Rebecca, an orphan undergrad caring for Jess’s grandson, finds in Jess’ house the promise of a family she has never known, but also a terrifying secret.
Meanwhile, unhinged and unmoored, the Whistler watches from the rooftops and awaits his moment. 

And deep in the Mississippi Delta, the evil that spawned him stirs…

My thoughts:

I did DNF this book at about the 1/2 mark, so I will not give stars for the review. However, unlike other DNF "reviews" (since I didn't read the whole thing, it really isn't a review) I have to say I did like what I read. My problem is that I just didn't quite understand what I was reading. Confused? I wouldn't blame you.

I don't mind books that befuddle me somewhat, but should have a thread or come together at least by the half mark. While I did start to see a thread, it just wasn't enough. I didn't read the first book but was assured that I would be fine reading this as a standalone. I don't think this was the case for me. I think what I needed was in that first book and I aim to find out what what thread or key I needed to pull more of the images together. What I did read was strange and just disjointed but in a way that really captivated me and interested me. In fact, the more confusing parts were the most interesting. Usually it is the most frustrating but I didn't feel that way. I did want to continue the book and hope that it all came together in the end, but I kept feeling that I was missing the most important aspect of the trilogy and so needed that first book to do this one justice. So while I DNF'd this one, I am determined to come back to it once I read the first book. I think those with more patience possibly could read this one without reading the first, but it wasn't that way for me.

Btw, for those that don't like horror, it was a bit horrific, but more on the creepy end than terror (or what I did read). If you read the first book, let me know what you think, but I am intrigued enough to try it.