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Jacqui Hazell
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I Came to Find a Girl: A dark, haunting, psychological thriller Kindle Edition

by Jaq Hazell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.1 3.1 out of 5 stars 822 ratings
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'Dark, haunting, twisted ... unforgettable'
Best Crime Fiction Books 2015, The Telegraph
A Gripping Psychological Thriller Shortlisted for the Virginia Prize

I was happy to hear Flood was dead. I wasn't as happy as I thought I'd be, but I was happy all the same.

A complex game of cat and mouse in the seedy streets of Nottingham ends in death. Young artist Mia Jackson is compelled to watch the posthumous video diaries of Jack Flood – controversial bad boy of the London art world and convicted serial killer. Can Mia allow Drake Gallery to show Aftermath in their retrospective of his work? Muse or victim, why was she allowed to survive?

I Came to Find a Girl is a psychological thriller set in Nottingham about a young art student's twisted 'relationship' with famous artist and convicted serial killer Jack Flood.

Read what people are saying about I Came to Find a Girl

'This is a smart modern thriller, with a strongly feminine outlook (still unusual in crime fiction). Jaq Hazell may be an author to watch' Best Crime Fiction Books for 2015, The Telegraph

'This is an extremely good book. The writing is brilliant, fluid and poetic and yet still pacy' Louise Voss

'It is a disturbing reflective book that will refuse to loosen its grip on you for quite some time' Book Fabulous

'A whirlwind of anger and friendship, fear and creativity, disgust and despair spattered throughout with flashes of insight and sparks of creative muse' Scifiandscary.com

'Murders are afoot here as Nottingham appears to have a serial killer on the loose. But Mia's story has a different crime at its core, an underrepresented one on account of its sensitivity' NottsLit

'If you like your thriller with depth of thought, then this is for you' Kate Evans (Amazon)

'Dark, twisted, full of suspense – a book that challenges your perception of it right to the end – would highly recommend' Selina Trafford, Goodreads

'Set in the student/red light district of Forest Fields in Nottingham, it's an edgy read and the beautifully expressive and vivid writing puts you right there, right now. I didn't want to put it down' Amazon review

'The twist at the end was brilliant and I didn't see it coming at all! A thoroughly fantastic read' Kelly, Goodreads

'Jaq Hazell's book had me spooked. I felt that I was being watched.... Remarkably there is no violence (that happens 'off stage'), but plenty of atmosphere' Susan Kerr, Goodreads

'A murder mystery told through youthful eyes. Thoroughly enjoyable read' Angela Jones-Moore (Amazon)

'The two worlds of student life in Nottingham and the metropolitan art scene are well drawn... hugely enjoyable page-turner' Stephanie Zia

'A fascinating account of a young art student's struggle to deal with the aftermath of an encounter with a famous artist against the background of the deaths of several young women. Highly recommended' (Amazon review)

'I really liked the cat and mouse play between the heroine Mia and her nemesis Jack Flood. The balance of power between them shifts back and forth, but you never lose the sense of danger that all women share, and our need to survive' monkey mamma (Amazon)

'The sense of menace permeated every page... punctuated by the horrors that then go on to take place' N Jefferson, (Amazon)

'I definitely put this among my favourite books this year' Mrs A Hunt (Amazon)

'Flood is an artist who uses a camcorder to record everything. There are murders of street girls. Is it Flood? I had to find out. I was guessing who it was but got it wrong. I would highly recommend this book. Must read' Sue Wallace (Amazon)



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  1. Print length
    260 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    October 29, 2015
  5. File size
    929 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is an unusual thriller set on the fringes of the modern art world that is dark, haunting, twisted - and, in its own way, unforgettable' Best Crime Fiction of 2015, The Telegraph
'I Came to Find a Girl is one of the best stories I've read for "Books & Pals", and when you consider I've reviewed 100+ and sampled at least six times that many titles, you'll understand that is a substantial compliment to the author. Finding unique stories like this is what keeps me reading... didn't want it to end. Highly recommended!' Big Al's Books & Pals

'Gripping, unusual, and very well written - loved it' Louise Voss, author of From the Cradle
'Words have power, and books like this showcase that power to a disturbing degree' Scifiandscary.com
'A thought-provoking read that makes an excellent book club choice. One of the best reads this winter' Book Fabulous
'A magnificent mystery novel that constantly keeps you on your toes and wanting more!' Published Moments
'This is a well-written psychological thriller that isn't afraid to break the rules' NottsLit
'Every page crackles with unspoken menace and Jaq Hazell's dark, edgy style takes the reader right into the heart of student life and Mia's disastrous encounter with Flood. I couldn't stop reading until I reached the dramatic finale' Indie Bookworm

'I read this in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down without finding out more! The author's intelligent writing, combined with intriguing characters and a compelling plot grabbed my attention from the outset and rendered me unable to sleep until I reached the end of the book. Jaq Hazell is one to watch' Claire Loves to Read

'Jaq Hazell's way of writing about the unfairness of the world and the dangers of being a girl in this day and age really resonated with me and reminded me a little of the author Gillian Flynn. I would recommend this book to fans of Gone Girl. I Came to Find a Girl will make you see the world in a different way than before you picked up this book. It will make you question the inspiration behind certain pieces of art, you will find yourself walking a little faster on your way home in the dark and looking over your shoulder making sure you really are alone' OnlineBookClub
'With themes of date rape, celebrity worship and insights into the bizarre world of art, this reflects some of the darker elements of the world... A thought provoking and enjoyable drama, that was an education about the art world. Mia's growth as a character kept my attention throughout the book, and the little twist made me smile' Northern Crime Reviews

'The writing is stunning. it just flows beautifully. In terms of the dialogue it feels real. A book that is full of dark and light and all the shades of the palette. It's an earthy book full of mystery, beautiful characters and a real gem. One to add to your TBR now. Yes, NOW' mylittlebookblog.com
'Wow. What a writer. Cleverly crafted, I Came to Find a Girl is ultimate edge-of-your-seat stuff' Bookaholic Confessions

About the Author

Jaq Hazell is an award-winning British author. Her YA novel, My Life as a Bench, won the International Rubery Book of the Year and the Carousel Aware Prize Best YA Book 2017. Her debut novel, I Came to Find a Girl, was included in the Telegraph's Best Crime Fiction of 2015 and was shortlisted for the Virginia Prize for Fiction.
Born near Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, to an Irish mother and an English father, she studied textile design at Nottingham Trent University and has an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. She has worked as a journalist and magazine editor. She lives in London.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B015ZT3D7C
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4Media (October 29, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 929 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.1 3.1 out of 5 stars 822 ratings

About the author

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Jacqui Hazell

Jacqui Hazell

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Award-winning author Jacqui Hazell was born near Portsmouth to an Irish mother and an English father. Brought up on the south coast of England, she studied textile design at Nottingham before moving to London where her first full-time job was as a secretary at Buckingham Palace. Jacqui has also worked as a greetings cards designer, a journalist, a magazine editor and a film extra.

Jacqui's YA novel, My Life as a Bench, won the International Rubery Book of the Year 2017 and the Carousel Aware Prize Best Young Adult Book and her psychological thriller, I Came to Find a Girl, was named one of the best crime novels of 2015 by the Telegraph and shortlisted for the Virginia Prize. She has an MA in creative writing from Royal Holloway, University of London, and she lives in London.

Customer reviews

3.1 out of 5 stars
3.1 out of 5
822 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

SFSusan
3.0 out of 5 stars Good technique but difficult for me to get to end
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2016
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I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers including a lot of British mysteries and thrillers. I found this book ok - I read on a long flight - But it left me cold and I forced myself to get to the end. I liked the way the author presented the story - mainly through a filming of events - but it was odd and at times extremely difficult to follow. I needed to re-read several sections to determine whether the character was watching the film or not. Wish I could have given this book another star.
3 people found this helpful
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marjorie zeidner
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable first mystery novel
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2016
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I was surprised that this was the author's first mystery. Even though I figured out who did it early on, the character development was so good I eagerly read on to the end. Looking forward to his second book about this detective.
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Heather Dixon
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what i expected.
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2016
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It was okay not quite what I expected. I enjoyed reading when the main character was talking about herself. When it would go over what was on the video its was hard to follow, a number names and I would lose interest. I struggled a little to finish it but I did like it enough that I wanted to know how everything would turn out.
One person found this helpful
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Laurie Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars with a poor excuse for art
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2016
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Dark, dark, dark...with a poor excuse for art.
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars A sophisticated game of cat and mouse.
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
I was sent this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Mia, a fine-art student in Nottingham is in her second year of University when she meets Jack Flood – a controversial artist who captures his work and life on his hand-held camera. The night Mia meets Jack changes her life forever in a way she never feels she will get over.

When girls start turning up dead and her close friend Jenny goes missing, Mia is starting to fear for her life in her student house located in the seedy, dangerous area of Nottingham – and with her final year of University fast approaching she needs to focus on her ‘finale’.

Jack Flood keeps appearing in Mia’s life, and when she’s trying to avoid him she wonders if he is in any way linked to these missing and murdered girls. After all, he ruined her life in one night so could his game of cat and mouse be the missing link to her friend Jenny?

What did I think?

Jaq Hazell was shortlisted for The Virginia Prize for Fiction for her incredible work with ‘I Came To Find A Girl’ and after reading it, I can definitely see why!

Hazell has written a magnificent mystery novel that constantly keeps you on your toes and wanting more! Not only has Hazell managed to write a gripping story, the way she has written it is incredibly. It all flows perfectly and gives you just enough to imagine exactly how the story should play-out.

‘I Came To Find A Girl’ really pulls you in to Mia’s student-life in Nottingham and incorporates some really racy topics that haunt us in today’s world. The way Hazell has approached these subjects (such as date rape and murder) is faultless and she really writes about them with the delicacy they require but not so delicate that it doesn’t leave you thinking.

I think this would be an incredibly interesting book to be adapted for the ‘big-screen’. It is so complex and could definitely be turned in to a hit-film if it is kept exactly as the book is.

I am definitely adding Hazell’s other releases and any future novels she may write. If the other novels are as good as this she could be competing for a spot as my favourite author!
One person found this helpful
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Sandra W
4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh perspective on the usual crime/pschological thriller
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2016
I loved the sound of the blurb for this book but when I started reading it I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it though that soon changed. The first person perspective is unusual, most of the books I read are written in the third person but here the first person works brilliantly. The book slowly draws you in, you see everything through the eyes of Mia Jackson, an art student in Nottingham, all of her highs and lows, good and bad decisions and everything else, nothing is hidden and this is both brilliant and a little unnerving. When I was reading I felt like I was in her head, watching everything she did and feeling everything she felt, the writing is really that excellent. Finishing the book was a slightly surreal experience because once I’d reached the end and closed the cover on my kindle I felt like I had re-emerged into my world from Mia’s, almost like Alice coming back out of the rabbit hole. There are scenes involving footage which has been or is being filmed (depending on the point in the story you are at) and although these could be awkward they actually work really well, they give a perspective and an insight into Jack Flood which would be missing if these scenes were not written in this way.

I realise what I have said may make this book sound odd but it isn’t, this is a really well written story that shows you how the everyday decisions we make can have unpredictable and far reaching consequences for ourselves and for others. We see the decisions Mia makes and how the results affect her as well as how the environment she lives in also affects her and those around her. Mia changes throughout the book and a lot of that change is shown through the changes in her art work which is beautifully described. All of the major characters are well written and realistic in their behaviours, and you also get a sense of the minor characters even though they may only appear in one or two pages in the whole book. I liked Mia, she tries to be tough but is clearly quite vulnerable and it’s obvious she cares about her friends and her art. Although I’m not sure a sequel to this is possible given the ending it would be lovely to find out what happens to Mia or where she is in say, 5 years from the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this book and once I got used to the pace and feel of it I read it quite quickly, time just disappeared while I was in Mia’s world. I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy psychological thrillers and/or crime novels but want something a little different. This is a fresh perspective on a genre I love and I will be looking forward to the authors next work.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Top reviews from other countries

Steenie
3.0 out of 5 stars Quite an entertaining read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2016
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This book took quite a long time to really get going and I almost gave up on it half way through. However it did get pacier towards the end and the ending had quite a good twist to it.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2016
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An interesting crime story written from the perspective of a young artist with a strong sense of realism. I particularly enjoyed the insight into the modern art world and the unexpected twists and turns the story takes. It does end somewhat abruptly but with a conclusion.
One person found this helpful
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Julie
2.0 out of 5 stars Still not sure...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2016
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I started this book four times but struggled to initially get into it. As it had good reviews gave it a final chance. Still don't rate this book, not a real heart racing thriller in my opinion. Unusual read.
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Aladelbainepinky
5.0 out of 5 stars ... of a student working towards her finals on her fine arts degree
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2016
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At first I bought this book because I read it is mostly set in Nottingham and the life of a student working towards her finals on her fine arts degree. Also a pychological thriller made it my type of book. I have lived in Nottingham for 52 years and know it very well and have connections with the Universities. The final art exhibitions described in the story are a great description of the type of art shown. The description of student accommodation brilliant (although the story was set 10 years ago, nothing changes) and the seedier parts of Nottingham are spot on. Of course, this made it easy for me to visualise the book well, I could even follow her footsteps round the well described streets. However, for me that was just a small part of the enjoyment of this book. The story itself is brilliantly written, haunting and totally gripping. The subject of date rape so frightening, I found myself holding my breath in some parts. I have just spent most of my day off work finishing this book as I was at the point that I couldnt put it down. There are some good twists and the end of the story did not dissapoint, in fact it made it a definate 5 star. I would love to read more from Jaq Hazell.
One person found this helpful
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NJL1974
1.0 out of 5 stars Modern art is rubbish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2016
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Awful. Silly girl gets mixed up with absurd modern-art poseur. Hazell's characters might be quite funny in a satire of the pathetic 'look-at-me' fraud of shock-artists like Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin, but this is supposed to be a thriller, and Hazell is just as in awe of the artists as her heroine. I hated every miserable page of it.
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