A Barbie Movie I Could Get Behind

 

TITLE: Dollface

AUTHOR: Lindy Ryan

PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books

PUBLISHING DATE: February 24, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Horror author Jill has just moved to suburban New Jersey, hoping to fit in with the new PTA moms and maybe not weird everyone out with her Final Girl coffee mug. You know. Make some real friends. 

But then a plastic face-masked serial killer begins slashing their way through town, one overly made-up mom at a time. The police are incredulous. The moms are indignant. And Jill is slowly wrapped into a killer’s murderous spree, until she might just be the last woman standing. 

A delightfully murderous novel that is equal parts scathing and salacious, Dollface will win you over with its gossip and gore, one body at a time.

MY THOUGHTS: I was worried because this book started out a little off for me.  I don't know how to explain it other than it didn't pull me in the way I expected.  However, it almost had to be me because by the time I hit the third chapter, we were off and running and I was hopeful this would be one I loved!

Jill has recently moved to New Jersey with her young son and husband after he was just transferred to a new military post.  Jill continually describes the house as creaky-not-creepy which threw me off a bit because it sounds like she lives in an upscale suburb but oh well, it was fun. See, Jill is a bestselling horror author who has writer's block and is behind on the development of her second book.  Soon after her move, Jill is befriended by a neighbor, Darla, who is also on the PTA and before Jill knows it, she is the newest PTA member, something she definitely didn't want, and is having brunch with the PTA mean girls. 

The next day, Lindy finds out that the barista who had insulted one of the PTA members at lunch was found dead behind the restaurant. And she is just the first in a string of murders/assaults which makes Jill question if she just might be the next target and hmm, might this be a great concept for her next book.

I loved Jill as a character. She has an affinity for all things horror and loves dressing in black and throwback horror tees.  When she was young, she and her sister experienced a childhood trauma which set the tone for their adulthoods, and this is a big influence on the plot. Darla is a blast and quickly becomes Jill's close friend, but as they get closer, her sister gets more and more peeved. Jill clearly balances a lot of different dynamics throughout the story, and I was really investigated in what was happening.

I only had a few issues with Dollface.  As expected, there were a few twists and reveals at the end and one I had pegged pretty early on. Also, other than this technically featuring a slasher, I fear it is being mismarketed as a horror and totally missing the thriller population who I feel would enjoy this just as much. Being the fourth book, I've read by this author in the past few years, I would definitely give anything she releases a try and she is quickly on the way to becoming a favorite.

Oh, and I forgot, there is an awesome dog named Lugosi who I adored and spoiler alert - who lives and is never in danger!  Props to the author.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS