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Keep Your Friends Close

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Keep Your Friends Close

By: Cynthia Murphy
Narrated by: Alexandra Boulton
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

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.

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 society: 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 . . . ?

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

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.' The Guardian

© Cynthia Murphy 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Death & Dying Difficult Situations Horror Literature & Fiction Crime

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Critic reviews

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.'
‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Keep Your Friends Close will be your next obsession.’
‘Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Murphy book, I know I'm in for a wild ride. Keep Your Friends Close is no exception – an intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’
‘Keep Your Friends Close is a taut and twisty read that takes no prisoners. This captivatingly murderous book will keep you up all night and leave you unsure who you can trust.’
‘Chloe Roberts is an ambitious, brilliantly flawed protagonist who fights her way out of the darkest places.’
‘Twists, turns and heartstopping tension, Cynthia Murphy is a thriller author at the top of her game.’
‘Taut, vicious and edge-of-your-seat thrilling, the queen of YA slashers has created another darkly delicious tale. You won't be able to put it down!’
‘Delicious 90s Scream vibes, a vicious teen secret society and bodies piling up around every corner . . . We’re back at Morton Academy, and there’s never been a more terrifying time to be a student. This is Cynthia Murphy at her absolute best.’
‘Keep Your Friends Close is dark, viciously fun and dangerously addictive. It’ll punch the breath out of you. Cynthia Murphy writes academia like it’s a blood sport – get ready to play.’
‘Mean Girls meets The Secret History, Keep Your Friends Close is the perfect blend of 90s nostalgia and twisty, compelling murder mystery. Cynthia Murphy never misses but this is her best yet.’
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