Book Summary and Reviews of Thornbird by E. Kennedy

Thornbird by E. Kennedy

Thornbird

by E. Kennedy

  • Critics' Consensus (4):
  • Published:
  • Jun 2026, 448 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

The highly anticipated young adult thriller about a serial killer's daughter and her race to solve the crimes of her family's twisted past before it's too late—from E. Kennedy, aka New York Times bestselling romance author Elle Kennedy!

Ten years after her father—the infamous serial killer Gabriel Thorn—was caught, Ryan Shipley is back in Starling, Tennessee, trying to lay low. No one can know who she really is. No one can know the truth about her past.

But as fresh eyes dig deeper into the case, old secrets refuse to stay buried. Cryptic texts, eerie coincidences, and a chilling note leave everyone wondering—does Ryan know more than she's letting on? As the truth unravels, one thing becomes clear: in a town full of secrets, Ryan might be the biggest mystery of them all.

Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Jeneva Rose—get ready for a thriller packed with twists you won't see coming.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Suspenseful writing and nuanced, morally complex characterization anchors both introspective examinations of the ripple effects of violence and a grimly layered mystery about identity and reconciliation." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A solid thriller for true crime fans." —Booklist (starred review)

"True crime elements add an unconventional twist to the standard YA format, making Kennedy's breakthrough into the genre one to be devoured." —School Library Journal (starred review)

"A largely satisfying mystery that's appealingly creepy and dark." —Kirkus Reviews

This information about Thornbird was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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Author Information

E. Kennedy

E. Kennedy is a true crime enthusiast and devoted bookworm. When she's not plotting twisty thrillers, you'll find her deep in a true crime doc rabbit hole. She lives in Toronto.

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