American Girl By Wendy Walker- Summary

Goodreads Summary of American Girl By Wendy Walker (review below):

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.

American Girl By Wendy Walker- Review

No, this isn’t five reasons to read American Girl by Wendy Walker.  There definitely is, but I felt like it was so intertwined that breaking them apart would not do American Girl Justice. I would like to note that I am not Autistic. Although I was in education for 15 years, I do not, in any way, consider myself an expert in the subject. I did look up the background of Wendy Walker, and she does have a degree in psychology. Additionally, the narrator of this audiobook is Autistic herself. That makes me confident that this is a good representation of being Autistic. In fact, in one interview, Paige Layle said she felt heard because of Wendy Walker’s portrayal of Autism in American Girl.

Having said that, one of the reasons I enjoyed American Girl is for this very thing. The inclusive depiction of Autism did not feel like a plot point or something of convenience. I felt it really was a part of Charlie’s life, how she thinks, and how the book unfolds. Moreover, I felt taken in and immersed in Charlie’s perception of the world, herself, and how to take action.

 

I was in possession of my own copy of American Girl,

This was accomplished without ever losing the thrill of the story. Without a doubt, American Girl is a book that grips you until the very end. Most importantly, I’ve never read an author explain so much of the reveals. It makes American Girl believable from start to finish. Wendy Walker had my immediate attention and buy-in right until the very end. From there, it rockets off without a slow moment. There wasn’t a piece of the plot where I felt that this was bogged down.

Speaking of the thrill ride in American Girl, it starts with a bang. There are a multitude of mysteries to solve, and none of them were what I expected.

Most of the characters play an essential role in Charlie’s story and predicament. They are well fleshed out, and we learn their backstory. Additionally, they are multi-layered and not flat at all. Women’s issues are also tackled through choices they are forced to make and how that dominoes their current lives. This provides meaning to their current actions. Lastly, Wendy Walker’s writing of not just an Autistic girl but of the entirety of American Girl is spot on.

It is quick and to the point. In this way, American Girl flies by, and you don’t even know it. Overall, American Girl continues Wendy Walker’s consistency as a unique thriller writer.