My debut YA thriller GIRLS WHO BURN is out July 16, 2024 from Penguin Teen in the US, and July 18, 2024 from Hachette in the UK and Australia!
Eighteen-year-old Addie Blackwood regrets nothing more than one horrible, mistake-filled night last summer. Hours after she hurled the worst words she could think of at her sister, Fiona was found dead at the bottom of a ravine.
The police ruled her death an accident, but Addie’s never bought it. Her ballet-prodigy sister didn’t slip and fall; she was pushed. And Addie’s number one suspect: Thatcher Montgomery, the rich kid down the street who always had a thing for Fiona.
But when Thatcher is found dead in the same ravine, Addie must admit she was wrong. And now her only ally (and alibi) in catching the real killer is none other than her childhood frenemy, Seth Montgomery—Thatcher’s cousin and the boy she’s always loved to hate. Arguing with Seth is easy; working with him without thinking of that night last summer, near impossible.
As Addie and Seth dodge corrupt police and Seth’s even more corrupt family, their investigation pulls them closer than ever before. But as they approach the explosive and murderous truth, their growing bond may not be enough to keep Addie safe—in fact, it may turn her into the next victim.
In this twisty, pulse-racing enemies-to-lovers thriller, the only thing that burns hotter than the long summer days is Addie’s rage . . . and desire.
PRAISE FOR GIRLS WHO BURN
“Packed with breathtaking prose and a rich cast of suspects, MK Pagano’s debut weaves a sinuous yet heart-wrenching tale about family, love, and regret.” —Chelsea Ichaso, author of Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets
“Slow-burn mystery at its finest, with a scintillating frenemies-to-lovers romance that will keep you up far past your bedtime. Girls Who Burn is the perfect sultry summer suspense beach read from a must-read debut author.” —Alexa Donne, Edgar Award–nominated author of The Ivies
“A romantic, beautifully written mystery that is sure to keep you up all night reading, Girls Who Burn will hook you with its magnificent first page and not let you go until its final stunning twist. What’s better than a mystery with a dash of enemies-to-lovers-romance? Literally nothing. I’m so excited to see what MK Pagano does next!” —Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas
“A twisty, tense tale of power, murder, and how far a sister will go to find the truth.” —Rebecca Barrow, author of And Don’t Look Back
“Girls Who Burn is a stunning examination of toxic privilege, with beautiful prose, rich character development, and red herrings that’ll keep you guessing till the end! A masterful debut.” —Diana Urban, author of Lying in the Deep and All Your Twisted Secrets
“A twisty, multilayered mystery that will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can. Populated by complicated characters and the many secrets they’re keeping, Girls Who Burn is the perfect combination of heart-hammering plot, escalating tension, and emotional heft. You won’t know who to trust, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, a new twist will upend everything. This unforgettable debut firmly establishes M.K. Pagano as an author to watch in the thriller space.” —Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here and All Eyes On Her
MK Pagano 