The Jills

“Karen Parkman’s debut offers a nuanced, incisive exploration of the world of NFL cheerleading—and the complex power of sisterhood, both familial and chosen. Spending these pages with Virginia and her teammates was a delight: Parkman views her characters through a compassionate lens, with a keen eye for authentic detail and a knack for humor. Perfect for fans of thoughtful thrillers like Liz Moore’s Long Bright River, The Jills is an observant page-turner with heart.”—Chloe Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists

“Parkman’s character-driven mystery comes roaring out of the gate with all the poise and power of an NFL athlete. With its nuanced character work, propulsive prose, and intricate web of secrets and lies, The Jills is an unforgettable debut. I couldn’t put it down.”—Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Ferry Out and We Were Never Here

“Surprisingly grim and psychologically complex.”—Kirkus Reviews

“With this powerhouse debut, Karen Parkman has established herself as a brilliant new voice in fiction. The Jills is both a page-turning mystery and a moving portrait of sisterhood, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of NFL cheerleading and a fictional New York crime syndicate. I brought this book on my honeymoon and couldn’t put it down. Smart, sharply observed, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, The Jills is perfect for readers of book-club fiction and fast-paced thrillers alike. Without question one of my favorite reads this year.”—Lauren Ling Brown, bestselling author of Society of Lies

“Utterly immersive, thoroughly propulsive, and gorgeously written, The Jills is a thoughtful and empathetic look at the infinite complications of sisterhood and the dangerous lure of dreams with perilously hidden costs.”—Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of Like Mother, Like Daughter and Reconstructing Amelia

“Virginia is a fascinating narrator. . . . The Jills is a well-researched and intimate look behind the curtain of professional cheerleading.”—BookPage, starred review

“A thrilling mystery that offers an immersive view into the lives of NFL cheerleaders . . . Ginny narrates in an appealing voice that is both strong-willed and vulnerable. . . . It’s the best novel about cheerleaders since Megan Abbott’s Dare Me.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review