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American Girl
A pulse-pounding novel about a small-town business owner found dead and the teenage girl caught in the crosshairs, American Girl is the latest thriller from international best-selling author Wendy Walker.
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA as soon as she graduates high school — in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called The Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner Clay Cooper — a man who is both respected and feared by many in this economically depressed community — is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Charlie must work to protect herself and her friends, and uncover the danger that may still be at large in their tightknit community.
Best-selling author Wendy Walker returns with another riveting thriller, told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist.
Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA as soon as she graduates high school — in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called The Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner Clay Cooper — a man who is both respected and feared by many in this economically depressed community — is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Charlie must work to protect herself and her friends, and uncover the danger that may still be at large in their tightknit community.
Best-selling author Wendy Walker returns with another riveting thriller, told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist.
Please note: This audio contains strong language, distressing situations, and descriptions of violence that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised.
246 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2023
About the author
Wendy Walker
12 books3,496 followersWendy Walker is the author of psychological suspense. Her novels have been translated into 23 foreign languages, have topped bestseller lists both nationally and abroad, and have been optioned for television and film.
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October 28, 2023
Originally an Amazon Original Audible, released in December 2021, this story is now available in print for the first time!
Lettuce Tomatoes Pickles Onions
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to escape Sawyer, PA and attend MIT as soon as she graduates high school — but in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at “The Sawyer Sandwich Shop” (known as The Triple S to locals) to save money for college.
When shop owner Clay Cooper is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case-But, only one knows what really happened-Charlie-and she isn’t telling.
Charlie will have to figure out who to trust and what to do-using the rules of life she has learned from her mother and from TV- if she wants to protect the co-workers who are like family to her-and attain her dream of attending college.
What ensues is a story that was original, engaging and most of all SURPRISING!
Wendy Walker never disappoints!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title!
Lettuce Tomatoes Pickles Onions
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to escape Sawyer, PA and attend MIT as soon as she graduates high school — but in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at “The Sawyer Sandwich Shop” (known as The Triple S to locals) to save money for college.
When shop owner Clay Cooper is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case-But, only one knows what really happened-Charlie-and she isn’t telling.
Charlie will have to figure out who to trust and what to do-using the rules of life she has learned from her mother and from TV- if she wants to protect the co-workers who are like family to her-and attain her dream of attending college.
What ensues is a story that was original, engaging and most of all SURPRISING!
Wendy Walker never disappoints!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title!
September 8, 2023
I believe this is undoubtedly one of my favorite books by Wendy Walker, deserving a solid 5 stars for its gripping twists and turns! While not a romance, it stands as one of the best-written explorations of "true, innocent, unconditional love." Charlie Hudson, the protagonist, emerges as one of the most memorable characters crafted by the author. In fact, I found myself yearning for more time with her, secretly hoping that Wendy Walker might pen another book, delving into Charlie's mid-twenties as she becomes embroiled in another captivating crime tale.
Charlie, a seventeen-year-old girl hailing from the small town of Sawyer, is determined to escape its confines and seize her chance at MIT. As a member of the autism spectrum, she works at a sandwich shop where she's forged her own version of family, as opposed to the fractured family her mother created with an unsupportive stepfather and distant stepbrothers. Feeling like an outsider for years, she carries the weight of guilt when her mother is shunned by her grandparents and called derogatory names. Despite their struggles, she perseveres in creating a new life, even resorting to duct-taping floors to fend off cockroaches in their rundown homes.
Her job at the sandwich shop becomes a sanctuary, a place where she can immerse herself in the routine and camaraderie, as she chants her order mantra: "lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles." This is where she finds genuine acceptance and liberation among her friends.
Her fierce love for her friends drives her to take extreme risks, even putting her own life on the line to protect them. When their questionable boss, Clay Cooper, the owner of the Triple S sandwich shop where they work, is murdered, Charlie is not only present at the scene but also becomes a prime suspect. She's plunged into a perilous situation, especially when one of her closest friends is potentially the real killer.
Charlie adamantly refuses to discuss the night when Clay Cooper met his end, despite security footage confirming her presence at the crime scene, cowering behind the counter in fear.
With her loved ones in jeopardy, Charlie embarks on a quest to uncover the true murderer, exposing herself to even greater risks. The web of danger deepens as it becomes evident that Clay was involved in dangerous dealings with sinister individuals who now want Charlie eliminated. Armed with her sharp intellect and the survival strategies she's developed, can she outsmart these threats and bring justice to light?
I found myself racing through the pages, captivated by the ingenious unraveling of the mystery and the skillful character development that heightened my reading experience. This compelling mystery is an absolute must-read that I wholeheartedly recommend!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an irresistible digital review copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
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Charlie, a seventeen-year-old girl hailing from the small town of Sawyer, is determined to escape its confines and seize her chance at MIT. As a member of the autism spectrum, she works at a sandwich shop where she's forged her own version of family, as opposed to the fractured family her mother created with an unsupportive stepfather and distant stepbrothers. Feeling like an outsider for years, she carries the weight of guilt when her mother is shunned by her grandparents and called derogatory names. Despite their struggles, she perseveres in creating a new life, even resorting to duct-taping floors to fend off cockroaches in their rundown homes.
Her job at the sandwich shop becomes a sanctuary, a place where she can immerse herself in the routine and camaraderie, as she chants her order mantra: "lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles." This is where she finds genuine acceptance and liberation among her friends.
Her fierce love for her friends drives her to take extreme risks, even putting her own life on the line to protect them. When their questionable boss, Clay Cooper, the owner of the Triple S sandwich shop where they work, is murdered, Charlie is not only present at the scene but also becomes a prime suspect. She's plunged into a perilous situation, especially when one of her closest friends is potentially the real killer.
Charlie adamantly refuses to discuss the night when Clay Cooper met his end, despite security footage confirming her presence at the crime scene, cowering behind the counter in fear.
With her loved ones in jeopardy, Charlie embarks on a quest to uncover the true murderer, exposing herself to even greater risks. The web of danger deepens as it becomes evident that Clay was involved in dangerous dealings with sinister individuals who now want Charlie eliminated. Armed with her sharp intellect and the survival strategies she's developed, can she outsmart these threats and bring justice to light?
I found myself racing through the pages, captivated by the ingenious unraveling of the mystery and the skillful character development that heightened my reading experience. This compelling mystery is an absolute must-read that I wholeheartedly recommend!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an irresistible digital review copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
September 12, 2023
Wendy Walker has done it again! Another gripping, psychological thriller that had me fully invested wanting to know whodunit in this shocking murder mystery set in a small town full of secrets and interesting people.
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old has been accepted to MIT and has been working hard to raise money to afford her studies. She began working at the Triple S, a local sandwich shop, at the age of fourteen. She never gets an order wrong and has a mind for numbers. Her co-workers are like family to her, and she enjoys working with them. Her boss Clay Cooper employs most of the town in various businesses. He is respected and feared by those who rely on him for their income.
When Clay Cooper is found dead, the employees at the Triple S become suspects. Charlie finds herself at the heart of the investigation and does her best to protect herself and her coworkers.
I enjoyed Charlie and her "rules". She is extremely likeable, and I enjoyed her POV, her desire to protect those in her life, and her relationships with others.
What happened the night Clay was killed? Charlie is keeping mum on what she knows but is willing to do what she can to find out who killed her employer? As Charlie searches for answers, the tension mounts, secrets begin to be revealed, people will show their true colors and the sense of danger will intensify.
There are a few twists and turns and a few reveals along the way. I enjoyed the mystery and was willing to overlook some of the things that took place at the end of the book.
Overall, a very enjoyable psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more books by Walker.
Gripping, well written, and tense.
*Traveling Friends buddy read
#AmericanGirl #NetGalley #WendyWalker, #Blackstonepublishing
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old has been accepted to MIT and has been working hard to raise money to afford her studies. She began working at the Triple S, a local sandwich shop, at the age of fourteen. She never gets an order wrong and has a mind for numbers. Her co-workers are like family to her, and she enjoys working with them. Her boss Clay Cooper employs most of the town in various businesses. He is respected and feared by those who rely on him for their income.
When Clay Cooper is found dead, the employees at the Triple S become suspects. Charlie finds herself at the heart of the investigation and does her best to protect herself and her coworkers.
I enjoyed Charlie and her "rules". She is extremely likeable, and I enjoyed her POV, her desire to protect those in her life, and her relationships with others.
What happened the night Clay was killed? Charlie is keeping mum on what she knows but is willing to do what she can to find out who killed her employer? As Charlie searches for answers, the tension mounts, secrets begin to be revealed, people will show their true colors and the sense of danger will intensify.
There are a few twists and turns and a few reveals along the way. I enjoyed the mystery and was willing to overlook some of the things that took place at the end of the book.
Overall, a very enjoyable psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more books by Walker.
Gripping, well written, and tense.
*Traveling Friends buddy read
#AmericanGirl #NetGalley #WendyWalker, #Blackstonepublishing
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
February 12, 2022
Oh yeah....all right...take it easy baby- make it last all night...she was an American Girl....I mean how great is this title? Good thing I love Tom Petty because I can't get this song out of my head now!
I am so excited today to be on tour for this fantastic audiobook! Guys...it was so good. First off- the title is perfection. Charlie is...an American girl...she is a small town girl...working at the sandwich shop...saving up money for college....because she wants out.
Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions...that is her mantra....that is what she chants in her head, to calm herself. Charlie is a normal girl- that just happens to be autistic. We can all relate to Charlie- well except maybe for the night she came home smelling of bleach, sandwiches and fear...at 4am...the night...her boss died...
The audio is amazing for this book! Wow! Not only did Paige Layle knock this out of the park...I really felt she was Charlie. She was the 17 year old girl telling us her story. We were in Charlie's mind. Another remarkable thing that made this audio stand out from the rest was.............the sound effects! I have never heard an audiobook that had sound effects like this - footsteps, cars. It really added to the atmosphere.
In typical Wendy Walker fashion- she kept me guessing all the way until the end! Thank you so much to Suzy Approved Tours, Wendy Walker and Audible for my gifted copy!
I am so excited today to be on tour for this fantastic audiobook! Guys...it was so good. First off- the title is perfection. Charlie is...an American girl...she is a small town girl...working at the sandwich shop...saving up money for college....because she wants out.
Lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions...that is her mantra....that is what she chants in her head, to calm herself. Charlie is a normal girl- that just happens to be autistic. We can all relate to Charlie- well except maybe for the night she came home smelling of bleach, sandwiches and fear...at 4am...the night...her boss died...
The audio is amazing for this book! Wow! Not only did Paige Layle knock this out of the park...I really felt she was Charlie. She was the 17 year old girl telling us her story. We were in Charlie's mind. Another remarkable thing that made this audio stand out from the rest was.............the sound effects! I have never heard an audiobook that had sound effects like this - footsteps, cars. It really added to the atmosphere.
In typical Wendy Walker fashion- she kept me guessing all the way until the end! Thank you so much to Suzy Approved Tours, Wendy Walker and Audible for my gifted copy!
July 17, 2023
Fun fact: I’ve had the audiobook of this one for so long that I forgot I had it, therefore requesting the NetGalley and subsequently finding out I’m collecting editions of this book like Faberge eggs. I ended up listening to the audiobook version, which I’m glad I did, because the performance was fantastic!
American Girl is the type of story where the mystery lies in what our main character knows, and we get to unravel this as the book progresses. As the mother of a daughter on the spectrum, I appreciated the representation of autism in a leading character. If you can hang with the inner monologue, this is a compulsive read. Highly, highly recommend the audiobook version if you decide to read this one. Wendy Walker is a fantastic author, one of my favorites, and this read proves she is still one of the best in the thriller game!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
American Girl is the type of story where the mystery lies in what our main character knows, and we get to unravel this as the book progresses. As the mother of a daughter on the spectrum, I appreciated the representation of autism in a leading character. If you can hang with the inner monologue, this is a compulsive read. Highly, highly recommend the audiobook version if you decide to read this one. Wendy Walker is a fantastic author, one of my favorites, and this read proves she is still one of the best in the thriller game!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
March 3, 2022
Sorry friends, I've been MIA for a few weeks wrapping up my graduate degree. But I'm back now!
I'm still very new to the world of audiobooks having a 2022 goal of replacing my repetitive music playlist and podcasts with audiobooks while I exercise and drive. All that to say that I have very limited exposure with what works and what doesn't with audiobooks. So take this reviewers below opinions with the absolute grainiest grains of salt.
What I liked most about American Girl is that it was the first time I enjoyed the experience of the audiobook and the narrator over the quality of the story. The narrator for the MC (Charlie) delivered a truly authentic performance. I felt like Charlie really WAS narrating this. In my laughably brief experience (see disclaimer above), most narrators remind me of those readings at libraries when you're a kid where the delivery is mostly overly dramatic. It was refreshing to experience something that felt more real.
There are also a couple of movie-style chapters filled with sounds and background noise - like listening to a movie. I thought these were neat but have seen reviews that both loved and hated it. I could go either way. I was walking my dog when one such chapter started with a car pulling up and I wasn't expecting it. Scared the 💩 of me! 🤣
American Girl is about an autistic teenage girl named Charlie who's just trying to get out of her bum hometown. One night she witnesses the murder of a notorious local businessman who also happens to be the owner of the sandwich shop she works at. Did Charlie really see what happened that night? Or is she protecting someone she cares about?
Phrases like "Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions" helps bring Charlie back to center. She was an easy protagonist to root for in a plot where you'll have to leave believability and logic at the door.
Need a good brain teaser twist of an ending? Well, don't look here. You'll likely see this one from a mile away without even looking. The plot is short on originality, but what it lacks in pizzaz it more than makes up for with endearing characters.
5⭐ Narration
5⭐ MC
2.5⭐ Story
I'm still very new to the world of audiobooks having a 2022 goal of replacing my repetitive music playlist and podcasts with audiobooks while I exercise and drive. All that to say that I have very limited exposure with what works and what doesn't with audiobooks. So take this reviewers below opinions with the absolute grainiest grains of salt.
What I liked most about American Girl is that it was the first time I enjoyed the experience of the audiobook and the narrator over the quality of the story. The narrator for the MC (Charlie) delivered a truly authentic performance. I felt like Charlie really WAS narrating this. In my laughably brief experience (see disclaimer above), most narrators remind me of those readings at libraries when you're a kid where the delivery is mostly overly dramatic. It was refreshing to experience something that felt more real.
There are also a couple of movie-style chapters filled with sounds and background noise - like listening to a movie. I thought these were neat but have seen reviews that both loved and hated it. I could go either way. I was walking my dog when one such chapter started with a car pulling up and I wasn't expecting it. Scared the 💩 of me! 🤣
American Girl is about an autistic teenage girl named Charlie who's just trying to get out of her bum hometown. One night she witnesses the murder of a notorious local businessman who also happens to be the owner of the sandwich shop she works at. Did Charlie really see what happened that night? Or is she protecting someone she cares about?
Phrases like "Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions" helps bring Charlie back to center. She was an easy protagonist to root for in a plot where you'll have to leave believability and logic at the door.
Need a good brain teaser twist of an ending? Well, don't look here. You'll likely see this one from a mile away without even looking. The plot is short on originality, but what it lacks in pizzaz it more than makes up for with endearing characters.
5⭐ Narration
5⭐ MC
2.5⭐ Story
October 9, 2023
4.5 stars, rounded up all the way up! Okay, the author has now redeemed herself with me for that last one, LOL! I really, really loved “American Girl” (this is the book, not audio, that I’m reviewing). I just adored the MC Charlie, an autistic teen so very much, you just can’t help rooting for her to get out of this murder mystery mess in one piece & safely away! (The setting of this super crappy small-town with it’s small minded and patriarchal people, sure made me glad I’ve always been a big city gal) It’s been a long time since I was so invested in a book that I couldn’t bear to put it down & read it so quickly - the pacing here was perfect, and while it’s true that some of the twists were a bit predictable, I was still quite entertained and quite happy with the resolution.
September 25, 2023
Well, Charlie Hudson was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin' that there was a little more to life
somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin'
She had one little promise
She was gonna keep
American Girl by Wendy Walker draws inspiration from Tom Petty's iconic song, American Girl, delivering a unique and gripping small-town suspense narrative. After a traumatic encounter with a crime, Charlie finds her goal of leaving her hometown in jeopardy. She grapples with a crucial decision: protect her envisioned future or stand by her friends.
The story is told through Charlie's perspective, adding a unique and compelling twist. She keeps secrets from us and the authorities, creating suspense that keeps the plot moving. I found myself eagerly flipping pages searching for answers, and when they finally came, it was satisfying.
I read American Girl, but I understand it was originally an audiobook, with the print version coming out October 17, 2023. I have heard the audiobook is highly recommended
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin' that there was a little more to life
somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
Yeah, and if she had to die tryin'
She had one little promise
She was gonna keep
American Girl by Wendy Walker draws inspiration from Tom Petty's iconic song, American Girl, delivering a unique and gripping small-town suspense narrative. After a traumatic encounter with a crime, Charlie finds her goal of leaving her hometown in jeopardy. She grapples with a crucial decision: protect her envisioned future or stand by her friends.
The story is told through Charlie's perspective, adding a unique and compelling twist. She keeps secrets from us and the authorities, creating suspense that keeps the plot moving. I found myself eagerly flipping pages searching for answers, and when they finally came, it was satisfying.
I read American Girl, but I understand it was originally an audiobook, with the print version coming out October 17, 2023. I have heard the audiobook is highly recommended
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
February 28, 2022
3.5 stars rtc
January 10, 2022
I don't normally read audiobooks and they take me forever to get through compared to reading physical books. This one was fun, but what really sets it apart was the theatrical elements to the way the narrators were able to portray the story. I felt like I was listening to a movie the entire time. Highly recommend.
January 12, 2022
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
3,5 ⭐️
Charlie, an autistic 17 yo, just wants to leave Sawyer. She works at a sandwich shop to save money for college. When her boss is found dead, Charlie and her co-workers all become suspects, so she starts investigating to uncover the killer while protecting her friends.
The thing that appealed to me the most about American Girl was the fact I thought it would be a full cast of narrators (I haven’t listened to many of those), but instead it was a main narrator (Charlie), and then some chapters with dramatized scenes with different actors, sound effects, etc. Those were cool and I would have liked more of them as they really managed to draw me into the story.
I appreciate how Charlie’s character was not neurotypical, but I’m not sure how believable she was at times. Suspension of disbelief was required more than once. There were several red flags that made me wonder how did she not realize sooner that some things happening to her were pretty convenient and not exactly normal.
After a strong start I soon became a bit disinterested in the mystery itself. For the most part it was more about Charlie’s ramblings and not so much about the investigation. Also, the mystery focused a lot in a line of investigation that then didn’t have much impact in the final resolution and made me wonder why so much time was dedicated to that when it was not as interesting.
Although it was an interesting listening experience, the story itself fell a bit flat for me and my interest was only really piqued out in the last third.
3,5 ⭐️
Charlie, an autistic 17 yo, just wants to leave Sawyer. She works at a sandwich shop to save money for college. When her boss is found dead, Charlie and her co-workers all become suspects, so she starts investigating to uncover the killer while protecting her friends.
The thing that appealed to me the most about American Girl was the fact I thought it would be a full cast of narrators (I haven’t listened to many of those), but instead it was a main narrator (Charlie), and then some chapters with dramatized scenes with different actors, sound effects, etc. Those were cool and I would have liked more of them as they really managed to draw me into the story.
I appreciate how Charlie’s character was not neurotypical, but I’m not sure how believable she was at times. Suspension of disbelief was required more than once. There were several red flags that made me wonder how did she not realize sooner that some things happening to her were pretty convenient and not exactly normal.
After a strong start I soon became a bit disinterested in the mystery itself. For the most part it was more about Charlie’s ramblings and not so much about the investigation. Also, the mystery focused a lot in a line of investigation that then didn’t have much impact in the final resolution and made me wonder why so much time was dedicated to that when it was not as interesting.
Although it was an interesting listening experience, the story itself fell a bit flat for me and my interest was only really piqued out in the last third.
January 10, 2023
This was an audiobook and kudos to the production team. I'd never listened to one like this before - it read as a "normal" book on some chapters, and on others where the action happening lent itself to the style, it switched to what sounded like an old-timey radio performance. Multiple narrators would speak the dialogue along with sound effects. At first I found this style odd, but my brain quickly adapted and it ended up being an interesting story telling effect.
For me, the mom to a high functioning adult on the spectrum, what I loved most about American Girl is the main character, Charley has autism. This wasn't an autism book, this was a thrilling novel where the protagonist happened to be autistic. I loved it. I want more people to understand and accept there are different ways the brain is wired, and that's ok. It's good to understand we are not all the same, and none of us are lesser. That's me, the mom, wanting the world to be kinder and more loving.
Highly recommend this on audio.
For me, the mom to a high functioning adult on the spectrum, what I loved most about American Girl is the main character, Charley has autism. This wasn't an autism book, this was a thrilling novel where the protagonist happened to be autistic. I loved it. I want more people to understand and accept there are different ways the brain is wired, and that's ok. It's good to understand we are not all the same, and none of us are lesser. That's me, the mom, wanting the world to be kinder and more loving.
Highly recommend this on audio.
January 13, 2022
An okay read. Completely unrealistic conclusion.
February 6, 2024
This primarily stays in one POV and is narrated from a teen girl with autism’s perspective. Wendy did a phenomenal job of highlighting her autism, but not solely relying on it for her character development. She is very lovable and relatable and makes for a great narrator. There are some scenes scattered throughout, that play out as if you are watching a play- POV from the outside looking in. These were neither here nor there for me 🤷🏻♀️ The middle of the book dragged a little, but ultimately it was necessary for the build up to the ending. I did find it was somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable enough. It was also easy to fly through! I have only read one other book by WW - What Remains and I preferred that one as it was a little more thrilling.
January 1, 2024
A page-turning novel about a small town business owner found dead and the teenage girl caught in the crosshairs.
Autistic 17 yr old Charlie Hudson is determined to leave Sawyer, PA as soon as she graduates from high school. Working as many hours as possible at the Triple S sandwich shop each member of the staff becomes a suspect when the owner is found dead. Charlie must protect herself and her friends by attempting to uncover the danger lurking in their small community.
Charlie is the perfect teenage heroine. She's smart, brave and quirky. I loved being in the mind of an autistic teen. She's fascinating!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Autistic 17 yr old Charlie Hudson is determined to leave Sawyer, PA as soon as she graduates from high school. Working as many hours as possible at the Triple S sandwich shop each member of the staff becomes a suspect when the owner is found dead. Charlie must protect herself and her friends by attempting to uncover the danger lurking in their small community.
Charlie is the perfect teenage heroine. She's smart, brave and quirky. I loved being in the mind of an autistic teen. She's fascinating!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
November 25, 2023
American Girl by Wendy Walker was only out on audio at the time of this review, but it looks like it is coming out in book form this year as well! I kinda love that it was made an Audible Original to start, and I'm wondering if it will be exactly the same when it comes out physically. As an audiobook, it truly is an experience and I loved that it had a full cast of narrators as well as plenty of sound effects. Due to the nature of the storyline and the sound effects used in the audio, there is a disclaimer and a warning to use discretion. The weirdest part for me was the one kissing scene since it was like listening to the audio of a movie without actually seeing anything.
It was wonderful having an MC with autism, and I'm glad that a sensitivity reader was used. I really don't know as much about autism as I should, and I loved Charlie so much. The audio is basically the length of a normal book at over 8.5 hours, but it felt a lot shorter to me. It was a quick, mostly easy listen that deals with some pretty serious subjects, but in a way that is very interesting and suspenseful. The plot was fairly complex which I loved, but it is also easy to get confused so I'm glad they are releasing a book now as well to reference. The main narrator is Paige Layle and WOW, I didn't even know going into it that they are autistic, and to have a performer in this role who is actually on the spectrum just makes me love it even more. Thanks to Wendy Walker, one of my favorite authors, for another twisty and surprising read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It was wonderful having an MC with autism, and I'm glad that a sensitivity reader was used. I really don't know as much about autism as I should, and I loved Charlie so much. The audio is basically the length of a normal book at over 8.5 hours, but it felt a lot shorter to me. It was a quick, mostly easy listen that deals with some pretty serious subjects, but in a way that is very interesting and suspenseful. The plot was fairly complex which I loved, but it is also easy to get confused so I'm glad they are releasing a book now as well to reference. The main narrator is Paige Layle and WOW, I didn't even know going into it that they are autistic, and to have a performer in this role who is actually on the spectrum just makes me love it even more. Thanks to Wendy Walker, one of my favorite authors, for another twisty and surprising read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 20, 2023
AMERICAN GIRL is another great story by Wendy Walker. I really liked the character of Charlie. She was put in quite a situation but did her best to help uncover the truth behind who killed Clay Cooper. I also enjoyed that the story is told from her perspective. I would recommend grabbing a copy, it was different than most psychological thrillers that I've read and I appreciated that.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
October 26, 2023
This book is about 17 year old Charlie. I loved her neurodivergent character and seeing her thought process throughout. She works at a sandwich shop to save money to get out of small town Sawyer. Then, her boss is murdered. Charlie gets pulled in to the investigation due to camera footage of her being in the sandwich shop when the murder took place. The first 70% or so is a slow burn, with it picking up its pace and twists and turns the last 30%. This is a quick, easy read coming in at 235 pages. If you like Wendy Walker’s previous work, you will enjoy this one!
3.5 rounded up
3.5 rounded up
October 8, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 17, 2023
Charlie Hudson has one dream- to leave the small town of Sawyer and go to college. In order to do this, Charlie works at a local sandwich shop, the Triple S, while achieving top marks in math and science and hoping for a scholarship. One night, however, the owner of the Triple S, Clay Cooper, is killed and Charlie was the only witness. Clay was not a nice person and everyone Charlie knows had a motive for killing him, so, to protect her friends, Charlie goes to great lengths, including risking her own life, to keep the truth from coming out.
I have had the honour of reading many of Wendy Walker’s novels, many of them earning five-star reviews, so it wasn’t even a question that I’d read her newest work, “American Girl”. When I found out the protagonist was neurodivergent, I was even more on board.
This novel is non-stop action and suspense. Charlie, the protagonist, is a seventeen-year-old girl who is living with her mother, her mother’s new husband, Dusty, and their three sons. An outsider in every way, Charlie finds escape in math and science, and in her friends at the Triple S. Following her “rules” of human interaction that she created with help from those around her, she aims to live a normal life, one far outside the boundaries of Sawyer. I loved each and every aspect of Charlie, and I admired her bravery, her innocence and her perseverance.
As “Girl” unfolds, there are many possible suspects for the murder of Clay, and Walker makes sure to leave the reader guessing until the final pages. The tension builds on each page, and slowly releases until the ending reveals the final, unexpected twist.
I can always expect Walker’s novels to be creative, tense, engaging and brilliant, and “American Girl” checked all the boxes. Anywhere Walker goes, I will follow, and I look forward to more of her novels in the future.
Expected publication date: October 17, 2023
Charlie Hudson has one dream- to leave the small town of Sawyer and go to college. In order to do this, Charlie works at a local sandwich shop, the Triple S, while achieving top marks in math and science and hoping for a scholarship. One night, however, the owner of the Triple S, Clay Cooper, is killed and Charlie was the only witness. Clay was not a nice person and everyone Charlie knows had a motive for killing him, so, to protect her friends, Charlie goes to great lengths, including risking her own life, to keep the truth from coming out.
I have had the honour of reading many of Wendy Walker’s novels, many of them earning five-star reviews, so it wasn’t even a question that I’d read her newest work, “American Girl”. When I found out the protagonist was neurodivergent, I was even more on board.
This novel is non-stop action and suspense. Charlie, the protagonist, is a seventeen-year-old girl who is living with her mother, her mother’s new husband, Dusty, and their three sons. An outsider in every way, Charlie finds escape in math and science, and in her friends at the Triple S. Following her “rules” of human interaction that she created with help from those around her, she aims to live a normal life, one far outside the boundaries of Sawyer. I loved each and every aspect of Charlie, and I admired her bravery, her innocence and her perseverance.
As “Girl” unfolds, there are many possible suspects for the murder of Clay, and Walker makes sure to leave the reader guessing until the final pages. The tension builds on each page, and slowly releases until the ending reveals the final, unexpected twist.
I can always expect Walker’s novels to be creative, tense, engaging and brilliant, and “American Girl” checked all the boxes. Anywhere Walker goes, I will follow, and I look forward to more of her novels in the future.
January 23, 2022
When I first started this book I thought I'd be hooked, I loved the idea of a murder mystery centered around a main character who is a young autistic girl. As the book progressed however I grew to really not enjoy it. In the end I finished it simply so I could add a book to my reading goal for the year. My biggest qualm is that I felt like the author didn't do a great job of representing people on the autism spectrum through her main character. It seemed like her autism was added and removed into the story as she saw fit (for example, she is sensitive to physical touch and talks about having to brace herself for a hug from her mother, but other times she talks fondly of cuddling with her mom and feeling her arms around her, and she also seemingly forgets she doesn't like being touched when she's talking about her relationship with the main love interest). I don't know, obviously autism is a spectrum and there is no one right way to be autistic so its not like enjoying an embrace from someone you love is wrong, it just felt like her autism was a prop. It felt shallow/cheap and could have been done so much better in my opinion.
Once you get past that, the actual story that this book is about is weak. Again, it started off on a good foot, the mystery set up had me wanting to know what happens next, but as the mystery begins to unfold it just kind of went south. I'm not trying to be mean, but some elements of the story line seemed naive, like anyone who does a bit of research would know thats not how murder investigations/lawyers/money laundering works in the real world, you know what I mean? It just felt like a story my 11 year old neice would come up with.
Anyways, I wanted to love this book because it started off great and I really liked the premise, but in the end it just didn't do it for me. Sorry Ms. Walker!
Once you get past that, the actual story that this book is about is weak. Again, it started off on a good foot, the mystery set up had me wanting to know what happens next, but as the mystery begins to unfold it just kind of went south. I'm not trying to be mean, but some elements of the story line seemed naive, like anyone who does a bit of research would know thats not how murder investigations/lawyers/money laundering works in the real world, you know what I mean? It just felt like a story my 11 year old neice would come up with.
Anyways, I wanted to love this book because it started off great and I really liked the premise, but in the end it just didn't do it for me. Sorry Ms. Walker!
October 6, 2023
This is my 4th book by Wendy Walker and it’s about a girl on the spectrum who could be a witness to a murder. This kept me engaged from the very first page with action packed scenes and I had a hard time putting it down. I do think this is my fave book by Wendy so far. Lots of lies, secrets, and who done its throughout. Lots of nice twists throughout too! I really enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy that comes out October 17, 2023.
November 23, 2023
This is my second book by this author, and I have to say, she delivers on every level.
Originally published as an Amazon Audible original, it is now available as a paperback. Charlie, a 17-year-old Autistic girl is working at a sandwich shop to make as much money as she can to escape the small confines of her hometown. When her boss is murdered, all the staff including Charlie come under investigation.
I adored Charlie and her quirky, unique mannerisms, she was such an easy character to root for. While keeping secrets to protect the people she loves, we are drawn in to a compulsive narrative with twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
Very cleverly written and one I highly recommend.
Many thanks to @edelwiss @blackstonepublishing for an advanced reading copy
Originally published as an Amazon Audible original, it is now available as a paperback. Charlie, a 17-year-old Autistic girl is working at a sandwich shop to make as much money as she can to escape the small confines of her hometown. When her boss is murdered, all the staff including Charlie come under investigation.
I adored Charlie and her quirky, unique mannerisms, she was such an easy character to root for. While keeping secrets to protect the people she loves, we are drawn in to a compulsive narrative with twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
Very cleverly written and one I highly recommend.
Many thanks to @edelwiss @blackstonepublishing for an advanced reading copy
August 4, 2023
Master of suspense Wendy Walker has endowed us with another excellent psychological thriller. The protagonist, Charlie, is on the spectrum, trying to survive and help out her friends and is completely endearing. I found myself totally rooting for her. When she gets caught up in a crime, she must try to figure out the culprit and save her own life in the process. This is a total page-turner and will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware and Megan Miranda.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Blackstone Publishing and Wendy Walker for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Blackstone Publishing and Wendy Walker for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 18, 2021
This was a neat audio journey! It has one main narrator but every few chapters they have a cast of characters, which at first I thought was silly but I grew to really like it as the story unfolded. It felt very original and authentic.
February 4, 2022
A great read. A few parts we kind of slow and dragging, but over all I enjoyed it. Would recommend
November 9, 2023
3.25 stars
American Girl, by Wendy Walker, is a short, highly suspenseful, fast-paced, small town thriller.
This story follows Charlie, a brilliant, autistic teen girl with high grades and unfettered determination to save money for MIT by working at the local Triple S. Her home life has not been easy, marred by difficult people and prejudices, and she desperately wants to make it out of her sh*^ty small town, per her mother’s constant admonitions and warnings. When she witnesses a tragic event and finds her repugnant boss murdered, she is determined to protect her friends who have stood by her; all of whom are potential suspects. Charlie must determine whom she can trust in a situation where she can trust no one, piece together the clues on her own, and not lose her entrance to her dream college in the process.
American Girl is a complex, twisty, uniquely told thriller. It’s dark, unsettling, and rather heart-breaking with some truly reprehensible characters, but it’s also a suspenseful, compulsive read.
American Girl, by Wendy Walker, is a short, highly suspenseful, fast-paced, small town thriller.
This story follows Charlie, a brilliant, autistic teen girl with high grades and unfettered determination to save money for MIT by working at the local Triple S. Her home life has not been easy, marred by difficult people and prejudices, and she desperately wants to make it out of her sh*^ty small town, per her mother’s constant admonitions and warnings. When she witnesses a tragic event and finds her repugnant boss murdered, she is determined to protect her friends who have stood by her; all of whom are potential suspects. Charlie must determine whom she can trust in a situation where she can trust no one, piece together the clues on her own, and not lose her entrance to her dream college in the process.
American Girl is a complex, twisty, uniquely told thriller. It’s dark, unsettling, and rather heart-breaking with some truly reprehensible characters, but it’s also a suspenseful, compulsive read.
December 14, 2023
American Girl is the eighth novel by American author, Wendy Walker. Not until she was eleven did Charlie Hudson find out she was autistic. Six years on, she’s in her final year of high school, has a place at MIT studying data analytics, is aiming to win the town scholarship, and working at Sawyer’s Triple S sandwich bar to save up her college fees.
She employs a number of strategies to cope with the aspects of her autism that unnerve those around her, including her extensive list of life rules that help her understand human behaviour. And she’s going to need them all: her boss, Clay Cooper, the town’s wealthiest, most influential and also nastiest businessman, has been murdered, and the police believe that Charlie knows who did it.
But Charlie’s not talking. The people she considers her real family, much moreso than her step-father, step-brothers, and often her mother, are those whom she works with at the Triple S: her manager Nora, her best friend, Keller, and hard-working Janice. And it turns out each of them, as well as Keller’s older boyfriend, Levi, has a motive for killing Coop so, no, she has no intention of betraying her friends: Charlie’s not saying a word.
But then an FBI agent turns up, telling Charlie that there might be a dangerous thug on her trail, believing she knows the whereabouts of some laundered cash and a certain cell phone. Much as she’d rather not expose herself to the stirring feelings that his proximity raises, she has to ask her ex-boyfriend, Ian Maguire, now a rookie cop, for help.
Walker gives the reader a cleverly plotted tale, with several excellent twists and turns that keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveals. Charlie is a gutsy, resourceful protagonist in whom the reader will easily invest and enthusiastically cheer on. She is observant of details and her rules for life show insight beyond her years. Utterly gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
She employs a number of strategies to cope with the aspects of her autism that unnerve those around her, including her extensive list of life rules that help her understand human behaviour. And she’s going to need them all: her boss, Clay Cooper, the town’s wealthiest, most influential and also nastiest businessman, has been murdered, and the police believe that Charlie knows who did it.
But Charlie’s not talking. The people she considers her real family, much moreso than her step-father, step-brothers, and often her mother, are those whom she works with at the Triple S: her manager Nora, her best friend, Keller, and hard-working Janice. And it turns out each of them, as well as Keller’s older boyfriend, Levi, has a motive for killing Coop so, no, she has no intention of betraying her friends: Charlie’s not saying a word.
But then an FBI agent turns up, telling Charlie that there might be a dangerous thug on her trail, believing she knows the whereabouts of some laundered cash and a certain cell phone. Much as she’d rather not expose herself to the stirring feelings that his proximity raises, she has to ask her ex-boyfriend, Ian Maguire, now a rookie cop, for help.
Walker gives the reader a cleverly plotted tale, with several excellent twists and turns that keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveals. Charlie is a gutsy, resourceful protagonist in whom the reader will easily invest and enthusiastically cheer on. She is observant of details and her rules for life show insight beyond her years. Utterly gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
October 6, 2023
American Girl was an interesting and fast-paced thriller from Blackstone Publishing and Wendy Walker. It is about Charlie, an autistic 17 year old who wants to get out of her small town as soon as she graduates. She is saving money for MIT by working at The Triple S, a sandwich shop owned by the most powerful man in town. When that same man is found dead, Charlie is the only witness to what may have happened. There are many people with motive, and there are also many people that Charlie wants to protect. As things get messier, Charlie has to try to decide who to trust and who has bad intentions.
Thoughts: I loved Charlie as a main character. She was fun to read about and I could empathize with her a lot. I felt like this was a quick read that had lots of layers and everyone wanted Clay dead. It was almost like a locked room style mystery, with the reader narrowing down the suspects. It didn’t have that big twist I was hoping for, but was more straightforward. I didn’t think there was a huge reveal, and the small twists were all pretty obvious.
Regardless, I really enjoyed Charlie’s perspective and the way that Walker did a wonderful job of portraying an autistic person. It was easy to get inside her head and thought process, and even though she didn’t get everything in the end, it was a good ending. 4-stars for this book!
Thoughts: I loved Charlie as a main character. She was fun to read about and I could empathize with her a lot. I felt like this was a quick read that had lots of layers and everyone wanted Clay dead. It was almost like a locked room style mystery, with the reader narrowing down the suspects. It didn’t have that big twist I was hoping for, but was more straightforward. I didn’t think there was a huge reveal, and the small twists were all pretty obvious.
Regardless, I really enjoyed Charlie’s perspective and the way that Walker did a wonderful job of portraying an autistic person. It was easy to get inside her head and thought process, and even though she didn’t get everything in the end, it was a good ending. 4-stars for this book!
January 19, 2024
American Girl is a murder mystery centered around seventeen-year-old Charlie.. a sweet, smart and inquisitive young woman whom also happens to be autistic! The storyline is intriguing with a lot to unpack with secrets, blackmail, lies, red herrings and Charlie’s friends all being suspects (whom she’s very protective of) in the murder of her boss. I never fully knew which way the story was headed, who to trust or who had bad intentions, with one twist in particular being quite a shocker! I really enjoyed the suspense and loved Charlie’s character. That even though some were trying to take advantage/mislead Charlie, she uses her inner voice.. lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions.. for encouragement to stay on track. She is very perceptive in using tools in order to process life with a “see saw brain (as she calls it).” Another winner from Wendy Walker! 4 stars — Pub. 10/17/23
I received a NetGalley digital copy for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received a NetGalley digital copy for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2023
Charlie Hudson is on the autism spectrum, and much like Molly Gray in “The Maid”, her awkwardness makes her seem suspicious when there is a murder. It also makes her trust the people she shouldn’t, and distrust those she should.
Charlie works at a sandwich shop called ‘The Triple S’ to save money for college. She’s quite gifted at math, and has just been accepted to MIT. Like Molly, she lives by a set of rules her mother taught her (the rules remind me a lot of “Zombieland” - I loved them!) and tries her hardest to keep going in a neurotypical world.
Charlie’s boss, Clay Cooper, had a very…creative…way of handling his business affairs, and the FBI and IRS are now investigating not just his death, but his business practices. A very incriminating video is found that shows Charlie inside the restaurant the night Coop was killed in the kitchen. Was this 17-year-old girl a witness…or worse?
I adored this character; she really made the book, which otherwise was your typical murder mystery. The entire book was enjoyable, but the ending was excellent! Everything came together well with some twists I didn’t see coming, and it tied everything together very neatly. This was a really fun read with a great protagonist - four stars.
(Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Wendy Walker and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Charlie works at a sandwich shop called ‘The Triple S’ to save money for college. She’s quite gifted at math, and has just been accepted to MIT. Like Molly, she lives by a set of rules her mother taught her (the rules remind me a lot of “Zombieland” - I loved them!) and tries her hardest to keep going in a neurotypical world.
Charlie’s boss, Clay Cooper, had a very…creative…way of handling his business affairs, and the FBI and IRS are now investigating not just his death, but his business practices. A very incriminating video is found that shows Charlie inside the restaurant the night Coop was killed in the kitchen. Was this 17-year-old girl a witness…or worse?
I adored this character; she really made the book, which otherwise was your typical murder mystery. The entire book was enjoyable, but the ending was excellent! Everything came together well with some twists I didn’t see coming, and it tied everything together very neatly. This was a really fun read with a great protagonist - four stars.
(Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Wendy Walker and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
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