Keep Your Friends Close

De: Cynthia Murphy

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 intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’ Bill Wood, author of Let’s Split Up

‘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.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First

‘Chloe Roberts is an ambitious, brilliantly flawed protagonist who fights her way out of the darkest places.’ Sue Wallman, author of I Know You Did It

‘Twists, turns and heartstopping tension, Cynthia Murphy is a thriller author at the top of her game.’ Benjamin Dean, author of How to Die Famous

‘Delicious 90s Scream vibes, a vicious teen secret society and bodies piling up around every corner . . . This is Cynthia Murphy at her absolute best.’ Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake

‘Mean Girls meets The Secret History – the perfect blend of 90s nostalgia and twisty, compelling murder mystery.’ Laura Wood, author of The Agency for Scandal

‘A white-knuckled, stomach-clenching, un-put-downable thriller with characters you love to hate.’ J. L. Simmonds, author of Run Away With Me

‘Twisty, atmospheric and great fun!’ Amy McCaw, author of Mina and the Undead

‘Murder is on the timetable at Morton Academy in this twisty tale of murderous backstabbing and secret societies.’ Amy Goldsmith, author of Those We Drown

©2025 Cynthia Murphy (P)2025 Penguin Audio