Keep Your Friends Close

by Cynthia Murphy

From the bestselling author of BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die and ‘CEO of Plot Twists’ comes an explosive dark academia thriller, perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson and Mean Girls.

‘A thriller author to watch!’ Karen M. McManus, international bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying

Chloe Roberts is on top of the world at Morton Academy. She’s a shoo-in for Head Girl and the lead spot in the school’s secret Jewel and Bone. But then her best friend, Nikhita Patel, betrays her, and life comes crashing down.

Things take a darker turn when Chloe stumbles upon the Book of Crime and Punishment – a record of every misdeed committed by Morton students and the fitting penalty. And it’s not long before entries in the book start to match up with murders of Jewel and Bone members. Anyone could be a suspect.

Can Chloe get to the bottom of this twisted game before she’s next on the killer’s hit list . . . ?

Genres: Thriller, Young Adult, Mystery, Dark Academia, Mystery Thriller, Academia

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 11, 2025

About the author

Cynthia is a YA writer from the North-West of England. She has always enjoyed writing and when her English teacher accused her of plagiarism in Year 8, she thought she might actually be quite good at it.

She has a long-standing love affair with all things scary, reading Point Horrors at primary school before graduating to Stephen King in her misguided teens. Classic 90s and 00s horror movies are definitely her pub quiz strong point and her first love may well have been Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Studying for a degree in Art History and Archaeology meant that she developed a thirst for anything old, beautiful and very often dead. She tries to combine this with contemporary settings in her writing to make unique and chilling modern stories.

Cynthia is married to her best friend and they share (are ruled by) a Romanian rescue dog called Loli, who loves to steal socks.

Reviews

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 2✩

It is with great sadness that I write this two star review. I wish I loved this book, maybe it's just not the right book for me or maybe the mystery fell flat. Because the second I opened this book, I pegged the "antagonist," and I knew what was going on. Maybe it was supposed to be like that but I just felt duped out of a thriller. YA specifically because YA is usually SO good with thrillers. I think I'm gaslight gatekeep girlbossing my way of thinking with this because lowk, reading back on my notes--nothing hit. I didn't like the main character at all. Reading some of the other reviews, I might be in the minority and that's probably a me thing.

But the action and depth was lacking, our "romance," if we can call it that was cringe and...i hated the love interest. And when the ending came, I shut the book and verbally went "well, i wasted two hours." So yes, please keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.

Thank you to netgalley + the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

I wish I could go back in time to when I hadn't read this. Full review to come.

Thank you to netgalley + random house childrens books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria Causon-Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win the proof copy and boy I wasn’t disappointed. Cynthia Murphy has done it again!!! Another great book! I couldn’t put it down! It was so nice being back at Morton Academy! Highly recommend reading Win Lose Kill Die as it is in the same school but in the future with different Characters.

[Lottie Staniforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won an early copy of this book and at book event and finished the book in two days. It it so gripping and surprising, I would totally recommend. I couldn’t put it down once I started. I can’t wait to read more by Cynthia

[Karen Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe Roberts should have been Head Girl this year, but for the last-minute betrayal by her so-called best friend, Nikhita Patel. So, Chloe arrives at Morton Academy for the new school year as Deputy. As soon as she arrives she is dumped by her boyfriend, Theo, who only hours later has got himself a new girlfriend, Nikhita.
As one of only twelve members of a secret society, Chloe is all too aware of how she needs to toe the line in order to maintain any chance of getting sponsorship for her university placement. But when the leader of the group, Nikhita, seems determined to ostracise Chloe it gets harder to keep her cool. Thank goodness for her new roommates, who do their best to support Chloe.
Throughout their first term a number of mysterious accidents befall members of the group. Though students are dead, the events are covered up. Someone is using their influence to try and ensure nobody finds out what has been going on. Chloe has her own ideas about who’s responsible, but will she learn the truth of what’s happening or will she become the next victim?
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.

[Ash_reads24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars ⭐️
Set in Morton academy a prestigious school for the disadvantaged we follow our main female character Chloe, we see the mysterious murders that start to pile up! I think Cynthia did such a great job with the characters Chloe was flawed and real we could really get into her thoughts which I loved. I really loved following Claire and Amari’s friendship too. The pacing was just right preparing us for a build up. The ending was quite abrupt but that happens with a lot of books right? Either way it was a fun and gripping read! I definitely would recommend this if you’re after a YA mystery add it to your autumn 🍂

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Press, for providing the copy of Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy. This is the first book I've read by Murphy, and it won't be my last. I loved the engaging story and the vivid characters. Being set in the 90s was an interesting choice, and I enjoyed the portrayal of the early days of the internet and phones without as many bells and whistles as today. The clever ending was a complete surprise to me, although I’m not sure it was gratifying for me. This is a fun read, and I will be recommending it to everyone I know! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

[Emma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have been one of my favourite reads of the year... and by far my favourite by Cynthia Murphy. The characters? The description? The world building? The twists? This was a 4.5 star book for me, and I can't recommend it enough to my fellow YA mystery girlies!

Set in a dark boarding school in the heart of England, KYFC follows Chloe, a pretty, popular girl who experiences a fall from grace when her best friend Nikhita wins the position of head girl - and steals her boyfriend, Theo. Chloe vows to get revenge, but forgets all about her anger as she makes new friends, applies to study abroad... and Nikhita fades slowly, silently, out of view.

As teens start dying, one by one, Chloe decides that Nikhita must be behind it - with the help of her rich, corrupt sponsor. But Nikhita is dying, too, looking worse and worse each day... and Chloe no longer knows who to trust - or believe.

Flirting with extreme gore, secret societies, classism and privilege, this book is everything you'd want from a YA mystery. It gives the most decadent and wonderful dark academia vibes, while also set in the late 90s, with so many little details I know older readers are going to adore. I had an inkling about the reveal, but that's what made it feel so convincing as a mystery. It was believable. It somehow made so much sense.

If you love dark academia and twisted boarding school settings, I can't recommend this one enough! I'm so excited to see what Cynthia Murphy produces next.

[Lauren Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the arc!

Keep your friends close is another great read from Cynthia Murphy!

It’s set in Morton Academy for disadvantaged kids with a secret (deadly) society and follows Chloe who had a rough start to the school year when she was missed out on head girl to her ‘best friend’, was dumped by her boyfriend and then had to watch them get together. The year then got worse as she had to figure out why are friends in the society were getting murdered, and whether she was next.

This is a fast paced dark academia thriller set in the 90s with so many great references for that time period, one to absolutely read when it’s released in September!

[rb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this ARC copy at the tour this November and I was stoked! I was really intrigued by the description Cynthia gave and was excited to read it. I was not disappointed! Honestly a really good book and it was gripping all the way through. I am excited to read more from Cynthia!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Penguin Books for an advanced copy of this book.

Chloe Roberts is on top of the world at Morton Academy. She’s a shoo-in for Head Girl and the lead spot in the school’s secret Jewel and Bone. But then her best friend, Nikhita Patel, betrays her, and life comes crashing down. Things take a darker turn when Chloe stumbles upon the Book of Crime and Punishment – a record of every misdeed committed by Morton students and the fitting penalty. And it’s not long before entries in the book start to match up with murders of Jewel and Bone members. Anyone could be a suspect. Can Chloe get to the bottom of this twisted game before she’s next on the killer’s hit list . . . ?

Chloe deals with a lot in this book and to be honest, I’m amazed she kept her sanity! From being dumped, becoming second best and lower after her privileged position, losing her best friend… It is a lot for anyone to deal with. But I really admired how she handled everything. She had so much awareness of how she had behaved wrongly to others and was conscious of changing that. Seeing her form new relationships with others was great because it helped display her true personality - someone proud of her achievements and her intelligence. And that uncovered personality opened a lot of doors for her! I also loved her Nancy Drew tendencies, trying to work out the unfolding mystery! I wish this was explored a little more for her character because it was so good!

When a PR box for this book arrived at my house, I was so excited. When I stumbled across the blurb for the book, I just knew I needed to read it. So getting a physical ARC was a dream come true. And OH MY GOD. What a story this is! The plot is fast paced and utterly addictive. I could scarcely put the book down, telling myself over and over “just one more chapter”. I eventually had to force myself to stop at the halfway point in my first sitting because I knew I wanted to enjoy the unraveling mystery, not just blast my way through. I had feared that with it being a YA story, I wouldn’t be gripped but I certainly was. This actually beats out a lot of adult thrillers I’ve read by MILES. The characters were fantastic. I loved that we got to see such a range of personalities. Being in a boarding school, there is the stereotype that everyone is the same and all think the same so I absolutely loved that this was avoided. The fact that the characters also helped add to the unfolding mystery as well with their secrets was brilliant. I do love when the characters take charge and guide the plot. It was also good seeing the typical clique mentality going on. It doesn’t matter what school you’re in, there are always groups of certain people around. Though perhaps not always a secret society… Something I also loved was that there was so little in the way of romance. The main character wasn’t distracted by love but instead, completely immersed in mystery and solving the puzzle. It could very easily have been different but I love that Murphy went down this route. The ending was utterly jaw dropping. I was not expecting that at all! However, it did feel a little rushed and a bit too open for me. I like to know details! But otherwise, WOW!

Overall, Keep Your Friends Close is an absolute stunner of a thriller everyone needs to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Penguin Books for an advanced copy of this book.

[AncsaT · Rating 2 out of 5]

A könyv elvileg YA korosztálynak szól, de ezzel kapcsolatban vannak fenntartásaim, mert a gyilkosságok, erőszak ábrázolása miatt erősen 16+ besorolást adnék neki, ugyanakkor annyira mentes a testiség ábrázolásától, hogy a főszereplő csajnak mindössze néhány baráti ölelésben van része a pasijától, és kétszer látja csókolózni a pasiját egy másik lánnyal, ami alapján akár 14 alatt is elmenne. (Aztán belefutunk egy olyan mondatba, hogy a pletykák szerint egy évfolyamtársnőjét megujjazták a kukák mögött.)
A történet akár szórakoztató is lehetne, de aztán az élvezetet folyton elrontja valamivel. Gyilkosságok után nyomozunk, így a krimikre vonatkozó elvárásoknak teljesülnie kéne, melyek közt előkelő helyen áll a logika. De árulja el valaki, hogy egy olyan iskolából, ahol sorra halnak a diákok, hogy a fenébe nem viszik haza a szülők a gyerekeiket? A főszereplő csaj sorra botlik bele (szó szerint is) a hullákba. Erről hogy nem mesél az anyjának? És a szünidőben inkább marad az életveszélyes
környezetben, miért nem megy haza?
Az oké, hogy a helyi rendőrségnél lefizetnek valakit, de az egész rendőrőrsöt? És a balesetben vízbe fulladt lányokat boncolni szokták. Ha kiderül, hogy a halál oka nem fulladás, hanem egy késszúrás, az azért felvet kérdéseket. Ha nagy a közeli település, akkor sokan dolgoznak a rendőrségen, sok embert kell megvesztegetni, ha kis helyről van szó, akkor a boncolást nem helyben végzik, még többeket kell megvesztegetni. Sok ember közt nem marad titok egy ilyen horderejű dolog.
És az iskola nevelési programját sem értem. Hátrányos helyzetű diákoknak kínál
esélykiegyenlítést, és aztán elitista szegregációt végez? Iskolai órát nem sokat látunk (talán
egyet), csak fényes bálokat, vacsorákat, gyanús, hogy ez nem is iskola, hanem főúri kastély. Egy
vagy két tanár szerepel, meg egy könyvtáros, de van recepciós, inas, pincérek, felszolgálók,
ajtónállók, nővér, és a betegszobán életjeleket monitorozó drága berendezés, ami a kórházak
intenzív osztályán szokott lenni.
És a végén az erkölcsi mondanivaló: a reménybeli jó élet, jó pozíció, jó egyetem érdekében
teljesen oké, ha gyilkolunk, eláruljuk a barátainkat, mert ugye hülyék azért nem vagyunk.
(Dehogynem, hiszen hiába van beismerő hangfelvételünk a tettesről, ami börtönbe juttathatja, ha erről nem tud, akkor ez nem működik életbiztosításként.)
A második csillagot azért kapta, mert a főszereplő csaj alapvetően talpraesett, minimális mennyiségben könnyezik és nyivákol, használja a fejét, de nem agyalja túl a dolgokat. És nem rossz az írói hang, talán még érdekes lenne a sztori, ha nem volna olyan rohadtul logikátlan, valószerűtlen és hiteltelen.

[Izzy Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In my opinion if there was one thing this book did right, it was the suspense and characters creating a gripping mystery that I was fully invested in. Keep your friends close follows our main character Chloe in Morton academy, a prestigious school for the disadvantaged, as the murders of her friends pile up. This book has a great premise which is what drew me to it and overall was a thrilling read.

I would recommend this book to any teen who is looking for their next escape into a book. The characters in this book feel real and not like caricatures, Chloe is not a perfect person which adds a refreshing depth to her and the story being told. I enjoyed Claire and Amari’s friendship and also felt like the book did a good job in showing Chloe’s thought process and how it changed as she became closer to them and more distant to her ex friends.

Each chapter I was holding my breath to see what would happen. On one hand the pacing could feel quite slow here but because of how intrigued I was it did not matter. I was fully absorbed into the mystery and ready to see how it played out but the reveal did not meet the expectations for the level of build up. The reveal comes at about 90% into the book and felt quite rushed. Even more so rushed because of how drawn out the story was. As for who the actual killer was it felt a bit disappointing because I had already guessed half of the answer but discarded the idea because it felt so obvious. I personally felt like there were much more interesting routes to investigate which made the reveal fall a bit flat. As for the epilogue, it perhaps fits with how the reveal went but I felt like it was a bit unexpected for Chloe’s character since she cared so much about her friends which felt like was her big moment of development.

Overall, I did have a good time reading this book but was just a bit disappointed by the ending.

[Jessica Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Booksta Link✨

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy is an upcoming YA thriller that delivers pure '90s nostalgia in the best way possible. Told from the perspective of Chloe Roberts, a top student at the prestigious Morton Academy, the story plunges you into a world of ambition, betrayal, and dark secrets. Chloe is a shoo-in for Head Girl and set to lead the school’s elite secret society, Jewel and Bone - until her best friend, Nikhita Patel, betrays her and everything falls apart.

Think Mean Girls with a deadly twist.

What stood out most for me was Chloe’s character development. At first, I really couldn’t stand her, she has this ‘holier than thou’ attitude and believes she’s entitled to success. But after being ostracised by her friends and forced to rebuild from the ground up - with the help of her two roommates - we start to see the real Chloe: driven, clever, and willing to fight for her future. Watching her confront Nikhita was incredibly satisfying and well-earned.

The novel explores the intensity of secret societies and the pressure to succeed, especially among students from less privileged backgrounds. At Morton Academy, success comes at a cost, and Jewel and Bone amplifies that desperation. It makes for high-stakes drama and a compelling atmosphere.

Around the 60–70% mark, I did find the pacing slowed, and my interest dipped a bit. Still, the twist about who was really behind the murders, and the mysterious Book of Crime and Punishment, completely blindsided me, in the best way. While I struggled to connect with many of the side characters due to their constant scheming and backstabbing, this is very much a plot- and mystery-driven book.

📖 Keep Your Friends Close releases on September 16th.

Thank you to Penguin Australia for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE by Cynthia Murphy

Thank you Netgalley and Getunderlined for the earc (Sept 2)

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE is a dark academia, YA thriller that kept me on the edge-of-my-seat. It follows Chloe Roberts, a student at Morton Academy. When she loses out on being Head girl of Jewel and Bone +plus her boyfriend, Chloe discovers the secret society isn't so secret. The rest of the school knows---and despises---the members. They even have a Book of Crimes and Punishments with their misdeeds listed. When the bodies start piling up, Chloe works to connect the dots before she d*es next.
Murphy has done it again with this enthralling mystery that sticks its talons in you and doesn't let go until the last page. It'll have you grasping at the seems, breath held as everything plays out. Set in the 90's, at Morton Academy like WIN LOSE KILL DIE, KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE is full of mysterious societies, mean girls, and neverending drama.
I love this author's work, and KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE has become an immediate favorite. The first page offers a look into Chloe's mind, and the tension that follows up until the first k*ll was topnotch.
KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE is easily devourable because it pulls you in and keeps you there. I read this in under a day, and once the bodies started piling up, I tried to solve the m*rders. There were times where I was absolutely sure I was right---thinking it had to be who Chloe thought---then Murphy offers a twist---and then a reveal---that left me utterly shocked. The whodunit reveal was just the beginning.  The epilogue is where it's at---I gasped at that final reveal.
This book is perfect for fans of Murphy's previous work, but also for those who love heart-pounding mysteries with secret societies at its core. 10/10.

[Destinee SanSoussi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, netgalley, for the gifted eARC!

Cynthia Murphy has done it again—Keep Your Friends Close is a tightly wound, dark academia thriller that kept me glued to the pages from the very first chapter. Set in the shadowy, secret-ridden halls of Morton Academy (familiar to fans of Win, Lose, Kill, Die), the story follows Chloe Roberts, a student who seems to have it all—beauty, intelligence, a perfect academic record. But from the start, there’s an unsettling sense that nothing is quite what it seems.

As Chloe becomes entangled in a dangerous game of manipulation, lies, and secret societies, Murphy masterfully builds suspense with a razor-sharp eye for psychological detail. The tension between characters is palpable. Every interaction feels loaded, and just when you think you know who to trust, she flips the script. I especially loved how Murphy uses the elite school setting to explore privilege, pressure, and performance—themes that resonate deeply in today’s academic culture.

The pacing is relentless in the best way. Short chapters, cliffhanger endings, and eerie interludes kept me compulsively turning pages late into the night. The reveals toward the end are so satisfying—twisty, but never cheap. Everything clicks into place, and yet the lingering chill of the final scene stays with you.

What sets Murphy apart, though, is her ability to blend genuine emotion with horror-tinged thrills. Beneath the gothic atmosphere and clever plotting, Chloe is a fully realized, flawed protagonist trying to understand her place in a cutthroat world.

If you like your thrillers smart, stylish, and just a little sinister, Keep Your Friends Close should be at the top of your TBR. It's The Secret History meets Pretty Little Liars, with a distinctly British voice and a fierce, modern edge.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE is a tense thriller that uses your expectations against you.

This is a prequel to WIN LOSE KILL DIE, set 20 years before that, looking at several events that are key to that original tale. However, you can read it without having read WIN LOSE KILL DIE (I certainly couldn't remember what happened then and even the brief summary a friend gave didn't spoil this book.) It's a prequel that can be read on its own as the previous book doesn't spoil this one, just provides several "oh, that's why that character ended up there" moments.

It is an engaging, page-turning read. I thought I might have an idea of where it was going (thanks to WIN LOSE KILL DIE and the book's set up) but I was still surprised by the ending. Cynthia Murphy is a master of misdirection and using your expectations against you to keep you guessing throughout.

I struggled to put this down, wanting to know who exactly was behind it all and who would be hurt next. The chapters also subtly shorten as you get towards the finale, which add to the increasing tension and pacing across the book. Cynthia Murphy does not pull her punches either, making us sympathise with characters who are pretty nasty so the deaths fall hard. They're all so self-centred and self-serving, and yet the deaths feel so raw and devastating.

The book is set in the autumn term ("Michaelmas") of 1999, full of references to tv shows and music out then, as well as the climax happening on Millennium Eve, which was a nice touch. The book also took full advantage of the internet being a new thing to restrict information for the characters.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Murphy is the queen of the UKYA thriller and proves it again as we return to Win Lose Kill Die's Morton Academy, 20 years before the events of the first book.

Chloe Roberts 2nd year at Morton Academy is not going well, her ex-best friend Nihkita Patel (oh yeah that SAME Dr Patel) has stolen the head girl position by playing dirty, has stolen her boyfriend and ostracized Chloe from her Jewel and Bone Friendship circle. Soon her new roommates show her a book in which all the crimes and punishments of Morton's students are entered and listened by those in the student body they've aggrieved. As the dead bodies start to pile up and the school desperately scrambles to cover them up, Chloe notices the disturbing correspondence between "punishments" and the deaths of her friends.

Can she survive long enough to figure out who wants them all dead?

The story ties in very closely to a tale you think you know from Win Lose Kill Die. However is the narrative we know correct? As the J&B acolytes scramble for sponsorship for university and Nihkita's mind games with Chloe get darker and more spiteful and Chloe loses the one friend she had left, Murphy cleverly litters the plot with red herrings and misdirection, whilst highlighting the hypocrisy of secret societies and the paranoia and viciousness they spawn amongst in those inside and those outside in a supposedly meritocratic institution.

Whilst no-one in this book is a good person - they're all super engaging and fun to read also Theo is a terrible boyfriend. I really, really, really hope Chloe doesn't go back to him after the end of the book. Seriously, we hate Theo.

Massive thanks to Penguin for the advanced review copy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨3 stars✨

I usually find Cynthia’s YA mystery/thrillers to be fast-paced but sadly I found this book, while having a promising start, to be extremely slow-paced which meant what should be shocking twists to unnecessarily drawn out.

This book is set in the 90’s with lots of references to the times, however there were times when the characters dialogue and thoughts read like a contemporary character. This ultimately drew me out of the story multiple times. For example, the term “gaslighter” was used and from a quick google search it would appear that the term wasn’t widely used in the 90s but rather gained prominence in the 2010s. It’s little things like that, that made me pause because there really wasn’t any reason of importance for this book to be set in the 90s so why not just set it in the modern day? Feel free to correct me if wrong!!

Finally, what was that ending?? It felt rushed and almost like the author hadn’t really planned for it at all! So we have the reveal (which I didn’t guess so points for that) and then epilogue of less than a page and then it’s done?? I didn’t like that at all😂

Overall, if you’re looking for a YA mystery/thriller set in the 90s then give this a go. However, I personally enjoyed many of Cynthia’s other books more so would suggest reading them instead.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[MISS RACHEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gripping but (thankfully) entirely unbelievable mystery set in an elite boarding school.

When Chloe is cheated out of the prestigious head girl position by her former best friend Nikhita, and then discovers that Nikhita has also stolen her boyfriend Theo, Morton Academy does not feel like the place she wants to be after all. But the school and its secret 'Jewel and Bone' society may be her only hope of securing funding for a place at university so she resolves to 'suck it up' and do what she needs to do.

Then, after not one but two of her peers die in mysterious circumstances, all kinds of questions need to be answered... Will Chloe be next?. Who can she really trust? What is really going on with the school?

I enjoyed this overall and can imagine it appealing to many of the younger teen readers in my library who love murder mysteries... but I"m not sure that I'll be getting it because there's just so much bad language in it. Maybe that is the way teens speak, but I think the expletives could be removed and younger readers wouldn't notice/care.

It's a good premise - and at times felt to me like a sanitised version of Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History', but it lost pace towards the end and ultimately I felt that the ending was unsatisfactory.

Grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC.

[Jordyn Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Random House Children's Books and Cynthia Murphy for this ARC! 

Return to Morton in Cynthia Muprhy’s newest thriller, Keep Your Friends Close. This book had me gagged by the end of it. Murphy certainly lives up to her title, CEO of Plot Twists. If you were a fan of Win Lose Kill Die, you’ll love this book. We reenter Morton Academy following Chloe Roberts right after she has been awarded Deputy Head Girl of Jewel and Bone. You know the secret society that is not all that secret, as Chloe comes to find out. And this lack of secrecy leads to only one thing: someone picking off the girls of Jewel and Bone one by one. Murphy’s writing pulls you in and makes you feel like you’re the one physically there, trying to uncover all the secrets of Morton Academy.

I enjoyed the variety of characters that were present in this story. Everyone had something to hide and a reason to want to get ahead at Morton. That made the story all the more intriguing. The introduction of the “Book of Crime and Punishment” added even more suspense and mystery to the book. I was unable to put the book down and was constantly writing down different theories just as Chloe did. The writing is difficult to digest, and it’s a great young adult thriller.

Overall, this book was 5/5 stars. Can’t wait to read more of Cynthia Murphy’s books!

[What-Rian-Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about teenagers at a school for gifted but underprivileged children, how much trouble can they really get into????

It turns out a lot. Chloe Robert’s one of our lead female characters , brilliantly clever and hardworking with a list of dreams for the year. However after a summer filled with work, limited connections with her class mates and best friends her return to Morton Academy is not the dream she was hoping for.

The book jumps straight in as it means to go on… Chloe betrayed by her best friend and dumped by her boyfriend before she’s even got her room assignment for the year. Scared and alone, Chloe turns to her new roommates Claire and Amari to get through the year.

Things take a darker twist when Chloe uncovers the Book of Crime and Punishment. What are the misdeeds that have been committed and should the culprit be punished for it!

A dark and twisted tale of Murder, Punishment, Secret Societies and cover ups which extend way beyond the school. Think 90s thriller mixed with the school place hierarchy’s and bitchiness of Mean Girls with twists to keep you on your toes -> that is this book.

The drama alone keeps you guessing throughout this book and when you think you have worked it out you’re slapped in the face by a twist that makes you question your theory. An enthralling mystery that sucks you in, refusing to release you to the last page. Then you think it’s all over the epilogue throws yet another surprise.

A fantastic read for those fans of dark academic thrillers, or thrillers with smart sinister storylines which keep you questing to the very last page.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep Your Friends Close was the perfect quick read—fast-paced, addictive, and hard to put down. Right from the beginning, you're pulled into Chloe's world as everything starts to unravel: her boyfriend dumps her, her social standing at school vanishes, and she’s left feeling completely lost.

Still, as one of only twelve members of the school’s secret society, Chloe knows she has to hold it together. If she wants any chance at securing a university sponsor, she needs to stay in line—even if that means enduring constant abuse from the girl who stole both her Head Girl title and her boyfriend.

As the story unfolds, Chloe finds herself helplessly watching as her friends begin to die, one by one. The tension builds steadily, and she’s left to piece together what’s really happening.

Yes, I figured out the twist about halfway through, but that didn’t take away from the suspense or the fun. I still found myself second-guessing everything until the final reveal.

The ending did feel a little rushed—I wish it had a bit more time to land emotionally—but overall, this was a gripping and satisfying read. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for a fast and twisty YA thriller!

And as a bonus—lots of references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is always welcome.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

[petitepageturner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Delacorte Press for giving me an e-galley of this dark academia YA book in exchange for my honest review.

In a world of constant connection and social media, reading a YA novel set in 1999 before smartphones and at the beginning of internet was intriguing.

Chloe Roberts was doubly cheated the summer before her senior year. Her bestie turned arch nemesis Nikhita has managed to steal her position as Head Girl of an exclusive secret student society, and her (now ex) boyfriend Theo. Senior year is already kicking her butt.

And then, one by one, her friends are dying around her in mysterious ways. It is up to Chloe to stay alive while trying to figure out (again with analog techniques who is behind the murders.

I appreciated the setting, the time period and the characters. Murphy wrote them in a believable way.

The pacing was a bit off for me, I needed 3 more chapters at the end, which was rushed, too ambiguous and wrapped up far too quickly.

I appreciated all the late 90s/early millennium references (a whole half page of banter about the Backstreet Boys- fantastic)

This was dark and twisty, I did not see the twists coming, and I enjoyed it. A solid 4. I would be interested in exploring further books by Murphy.

[Ashlei Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC Review:
Keep your friends close by Cynthia Murphy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub date: 2 Sep 25

This YA dark academia thriller kept me intrigued to see how it would all conclude in the end. It was equipped with drama, which helped further lead to my curiosity & anticipation of the story. I did almost give a 5- star rating to Murphy’s latest, yet I felt that there wasn’t as much of a surprise for me at the ending. I did feel for Chloe as she went through all of her difficulties at Morton Academy. I like how she kept on persevering as if her mentality & well- being weren’t being in the best shape.

Chloe Robert’s is one of the top students at Morton Academy, her dreams & reality are altered when her best friend betrays her. The academy’s secret society, Jewel & Bone, start losing its members one by one. Chloe thinks that she is finally figuring it all out in regard to who is behind her the murders at the Academy. Well, little does she know…

[Kate Pazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy
Cynthia Murphy has a way of weaving teenage life with a creeping sense of dread, and this book is no exception. What starts out as a seemingly normal friendship quickly spirals into something darker, pulling you into a tangled web of secrets, manipulation, and danger.

The pacing is sharp and relentless—you’ll keep saying “just one more chapter” until you realize you’ve devoured the whole book. The characters feel authentic, messy, and real, which makes the twists hit even harder. And trust me, there are twists you won’t see coming.

It’s part thriller, part psychological puzzle, and part cautionary tale about how easily trust can be broken. Perfect for fans of dark YA thrillers like Karen McManus or Holly Jackson, this book keeps you hooked until the very last page.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep your friends close is Cynthia Murphy’s newest YA thriller and what a thriller it is! We join at the beginning of Chloe’s last year at Morton Academy where everything she worked for has slipped through her fingers, she lost out on head girl to her now ex- best friend and her boyfriend dumps her before she’s even got to her room! And from here things go from bad to worse, her ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend are now the new it couple, she’s got two outcast roommates, her classmates start vanishing and turning up dead and to top it off the secret society she joined at the end of last term might be a cult! Super quick paced and fun to read Cynthia Murphy’s new book is one you don’t want to miss! Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the arc copy!

[Jordyn Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Keep Your Friends Close.

2.5 stars rounded up. This one started promising with the allure of secret societies, nineties references, and teenage drama, but ended up being slow and overdone. I began to lose interest around 31%, decided to power through, and ultimately hated the ending and how predictable it was. I had hoped that Chloe would show growth, but she didn't. The dialogue and characters ended up being one-dimensional by the end, which I wasn't expecting.

While this one wasn't for me NOW, I think I would have loved this when I was younger. Chloe's friendships and relationships are some that I think all readers can understand and empathize with.

[jessisnotreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh to be back at Morton Academy! I loved Win Lose Kill Die and I was so excited to be back in the setting of Morton Academy. I love the dark, creepy vibes in this place! I enjoyed being taken back to places I read about in the previous book but in a different time. Everything tied together so nicely. It’s an interconnected but standalone book, so you don’t have to have read Win Lose Kill Die to read Keep Your Friends Close.

I love Cynthia Murphy’s writing so much. I did think the plot was predictable, however this may have been due to breadcrumbs from Win Lose Kill Die. I have more questions, and would love to know more about what happens next!

Overall, a really fun and enjoyable thriller!

[Sinéad✨ The Irish Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if The Burn Book was a hit list?

This book is a good time. Think Mean Girls energy but make it killer!

At Morton Academy, ambitious Chloe Roberts has her future all figured out. Until her best friend Nikhita steals it from her. As Chloe uncovers the ominous “Book of Crime and Punishment” that catalogs student misdeeds, she races to untangle a deadly web of lies before she finds her name on the hit list.

I loved the 90s setting and the not so subtle Mean Girls references - Will you please tell him his hair looks sexy pushed back had me howling!! The lies, the backstabbing, and the teenage angst is strong. I think the author very authentically describes a teenage 'frenemies' relationship that actually made me wince at times.

The FMC is hilarious:

"𝑶𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔," 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕...𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌.

I think this is a perfect back-to-school thriller for fans of One of Us Is Lying and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

🔪Dark academia thriller
🔪 Revenge plot
🔪Toxic friendships
🔪Friends-to-enemies
🔪Campus setting

Thank you to Penguin Books Ireland & Cynthia Murphy for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrew Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consistently high level writing from Murphy, whenever i see she has a new book out i already know im going to enjoy it. this latest offering has a great premis, taking some characters from a previous book back to their schooldays at the same place, Morton Academy. It's a fine story with people being knocked off left right and centre. As with all her books there are lots of twists and turns, and you are kept guessing til very close to the end, and the ending was great too. Its quite well researched too, with lots of references to the music of the 90's. Get it, read it and like it. thats an order! Netgalley ARC