Keep Your Friends Close

by Cynthia Murphy

An explosive dark academia thriller set in the world of the BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die, where secret societies and lethal ambition run the show.

Chloe Roberts is on top of the world. After a stellar first year at the prestigious Morton Academy, she’s a shoo-in for Head Girl and a coveted position in the school’s secret society, Jewel and Bone. But her dreams are shattered when her best friend, Nikhita Patel, unfairly snatches the top spot—and steals Chloe's boyfriend at the same time.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Chloe discovers a shocking truth: Jewel and Bone isn’t as secret as she thought. The rest of the school despises the Jewels, and there’s even a “Book of Crime and Punishment” cataloging their misdeeds. Things take a very dark turn when the names in the book start to correlate with murders of Jewel and Bone members on campus. Suddenly, anyone could be a suspect.

And now, Chloe must navigate a web of lies and deceit to get to the bottom of this twisted game before she’s next on the kill list.

Keep Your Friends Close is a gripping thriller that explores the dark side of ambition, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to claim what’s theirs.

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

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Cynthia Murphy is the bestselling author of a number of YA thrillers, including the BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die.

She has a long-standing love affair with all things scary, reading Point Horrors before graduating to Stephen King in her misguided teens. 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 lives in her hometown of Manchester with her husband and their rescue dog, Loli, who you will see a lot of on TikTok and Instagram @CynthiaMurphyYA

Reviews

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow and just a bunch of mean girls. Yes its YA, but I just found it uninteresting, the few bad scenes was not enough to hold my interest. When was being Deputy Head Girl not a big achievement too?

[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.

[Kobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

when is it my turn to be in a secret society huh

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Full of 90s nostalgia, Mean Girls-worthy backstabbing and more twists than an episode of Pretty Little Liars. Cynthia Murphy’s deliciously pacy, YA murder mystery was utterly unputdownable!

Set at a British boarding school in the 90s, we follow the ambitious, yet relatable Chloe. Whose dreams of Head Girl are shattered when her former best friend steals the position, along with Chloe’s boyfriend.

To get revenge, Chloe adds her ex-bestie’s name to the Book of Crime and Punishment (a Burn Book-esque journal where students anonymously write the “crimes” of their peers as well as their chosen punishment.)

But when students show up dead (matching the punishments in the book) Chloe knows she has to find the culprit —or risk being the next victim.

This was actually the first of Cynthia Murphy’s books I’ve ever read. And I can safely say, with the atmospheric prose, compelling FMC and immersive boarding school setting (complete with claustrophobic psychological tension, secret societies and as many red herrings as murder suspects) it definitely won’t be the last!

I really enjoyed the pacing, though it was quite swift, (so do take into consideration if you prefer your suspense more slow-burn) and felt it really helped to make the stakes feel higher (and the plot twists even twistier.) But for me, it was protagonist Chloe, and her flawed, emotionally raw voice (as she navigates friendship, betrayal, trust and her own ambitions) that really kept me invested.

Thanks in part to her Nancy Drew-style investigations, feud with (Regina George-esque) Nikhita and THAT incredible ending, which I really didn’t see coming.

Overall, this was a fabulously twisty, Dark Academia thriller that YA murder mystery lovers should definitely consider picking up.

Also, thanks to Penguin UK for the proof

[Yara’s Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆☆

I was really looking forward to this one, but it ended up being a bit of a letdown for me. The pacing felt really slow, and I actually guessed the ending before I was even halfway through, which took a lot of the tension out of it.

There were definitely parts I enjoyed, and I liked the overall idea, but it just fell flat and didn’t give me what I was hoping for. I guess I expected… more? Still, not a bad read, just not the gripping thriller I thought it would be.

[Ghost Ladybug · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
WHAT THE HELLY WAS THAT ??!!

THE EPILOGUEEEE ????!!!!
and like, seriously, i'm jus so confused.
i feel there are certain things which haven't been explained idk if that's for a reason, maybe there's a sequel or smth comin up but yea- woahhhhhh that was a wild ride fr 💀

[Alexsis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Get Underlined for the gifted copy!

While I found the premise of this book to be very intriguing, reading through it was not exactly what I expected. I did not find this book to be thrilling or even page turning.

I found myself more annoyed than wanting to continue the book. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters to want to know what happens next.

I believe this would be a fantastic intro to the genre for YA. It is not as “scary” and more mystery than thriller. It would a great read for younger audiences.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ ~ This book was really weird. I liked it ok at first, but then everything got confusing, and the plot twist was…interesting. There really wasn’t a conclusion either, so we were left with a lot of loose ends.

[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.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!! Omg Cynthia Murphy might just be my new favourite YA thriller author. I was griped from the beginning. This was the first book by her that I have read and I will definitely be reading more by her. WHY OH WHY DID IT FINISH ON A CLIFFHANGER!! I need a sequel!! That plot twist within the last few pages I did NOT see coming. Omg I would have never guessed it. This is a must read if you love murder mystery YA books.

[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

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t typically reach for YA these days, but every now and then, I crave that nostalgic rush of teen angst, high-stakes drama, and the kind of mystery that makes you feel like you’re back in high school (Minus the homework of course!). Keep Your Friends Close delivered just the right dose of all that, and I finished it in one sitting.

Set in 1999 at the eerie and prestigious Morton Academy, the story follows a group of ambitious students competing for a spot in a secret society called Jewel and Bone. The prize? Financial sponsorship for university which is a motivator that adds a layer of realism to the otherwise dramatic setup. The secret society trope leans into cliché territory but it’s executed with enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.

The setting is giving the classic dark academia vibe: secret meetings, gothic architecture, and a sense of apprehension that lingers in every hallway. The year 1999 adds a wistful edge: no smartphones, no social media, just raw ambition, whispered secrets, and handwritten notes slipped under dorm doors.

What I Liked:
❥ The secret society angle, while overused, still hooks you with its rituals and power plays.
❥ First person narrative.
❥ I’m always here for the underdog but fierce girl vibe especially when the stakes are high.

What Fell Short:
❥ Slow paced.
❥ The girl fights, though entertaining, leaned into petty territory that felt beneath the emotional weight the story was aiming for.
❥ The romantic subplot lacked chemistry and felt more like a checkbox than a natural development.

Ratings breakdown:
❥ Setting - 5⭐️
❥ Character Building - 3⭐️
❥ Writing Style - 3⭐️
❥ Message - 2⭐️
❥ Overall - 3⭐️

Overall, despite some imperfections, Keep Your Friends Close is a fast and enjoyable read. Perfect for a cozy Friday night curled up with a blanket and a hot drink. It’s ideal for fans of high school politics, mystery, and a touch of melodrama. Sometimes, a story just needs to entertain and this one absolutely does.

Huge thanks to Penguin Random House Australia and author Cynthia Murphy for this twisty little gem! I had so much fun unraveling the secrets at Morton Academy. YA may not be my usual go-to, but this one had me hooked. As always, all opinions are 100% mine.

~JaNnA~

[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.

[Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Thank you Penguin Australia for this book in exchange for an honest review


Cynthia Murphy has provided a delicious YA murder mystery that gave me all the Pretty Litle Liar vibes and I all here for it. Set in an English boarding school, we meet Chloe, whose dreams of being the next Head Girls are shattered when her friend snatches her dream right out from underneath her. Chloe gets her revenge by writing her friends name into the Book of Crime and Punishment, which is Death Note like where students anonymously write crimes of their others as well as their chosen punishment. Believing it was all a gag, Chloe is shocked to learn that students are starting to show up dead, aligning with the death that was suggested in the Book of Crime and Punishment. The pacing of this book was brilliant, as you find yourself flipping pages, desperate to see what happens next! Overall, this is a fab little murder mystery academia that you should add to your TBR!

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tricky one for me to rate because there were a lot of things I loved about the book, but there were also a lot of things I didn’t enjoy.

It took me a while to read because I couldn’t maintain my interest in the story. The plot itself was great, and it was a perfect fit for a YA thriller, but the delivery was where I struggled. The last few pages had me invested, but I wish that kind of pace had been introduced way earlier in the book.

I also couldn’t get on board with the motive of the killings. I can’t say anything without spoiling the ending, but I’ll just say that I wasn’t remotely convinced.

With every YA novel, I try to read it a bit through the eyes of a younger me. Overall, I felt it was a good fit for the genre, but I was a little put off by the toxic attitudes and constant swearing littered throughout.

I feel like this is one of those “give it a try and see how you feel” book recs.

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for my gifted copy!

[Kaylee ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Cynthia Murphy books, they always help me get out of a book slump. So when I received a proof copy of this book, I saved it for a rainy day. I unfortunately didn’t love this one as much as her other books, but that isn’t to say it wasn’t a good read, because it was. It was easy to read, dark and twisty. I liked that we went back into the world of Morton Academy, but I didn’t connect with these characters as much as the ones from Win, Lose, Kill, Die.

I think this could’ve been a little faster in pace. We were being directed towards the answer being right in front of us, which made me guess that wasn’t going to be how it ended. So I spent around 100 pages waiting to get to the actual point of that makes sense? It wasn’t a drag, Cynthia’s writing is always really compelling. I am just a little impatient. I did like how it ended though. Whilst we got our answers, I liked that we didn’t actually know where it would go from there. It felt a tiny bit rushed, I would’ve liked more detail into what happened after she made her choice, rather than just jumping to the end. I think, for me, I just wanted more shock factor.

I enjoyed this book and I recommend this and Cynthia’s other books.

thank you Cynthia & Penguin UK books for my proof copy!

[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.

[Lucy Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Ella Clode · Rating 5 out of 5]

my jaw was on the floor reading the last couple chapters

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Has sort of guessed the ending but had such a great time reading this anyway.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

mean girls secret society edition

[Falyn Elicee · Rating 3 out of 5]

more predictable than win lose kill die but still a fun time

[cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You never know what tomorrow might bring. My friends didn’t.” 4 ⭐️. chloe my poor sweet angel omg :(( every friend she ever made in that horrible school is either dead or betrayed her. she seriously never caught a break this entire novel. she deserves the world!!! it truly breaks me how awful life treated her omg she literally only has theo left and i don’t even know if that’s true because the last chapter barely mentioned them interacting omg im so sad

[olive · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmmm 3.5 rounded down

[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.

[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!

[elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

FINALLY it’s over. disappointment is an understatement, especially after having rated murphy’s last few releases 5 stars… it wasn’t anything like her other novels, so slow & tbh the pace never picks up until the last 30 pages or so, the MC was unbearable making stupid decisions left and right & the plot twist wasn’t even that great but kinda predictable. this annoyed me so much i wish i hadn’t read it lol.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

unsure how I feel about this one tbh! The premise was really good, and I enjoyed it until the last quarter. The ending felt really naff and trying to be a cliffhanger when it wasn't, also so many plotholes?? So was Nikita being drugged?? What was going on with her and Bradley?? Does Chloe just go back to normal despite her roommates being literal murderers??? Maybe its setting up for a sequel but idk

this is also the second Cynthia Murphy book I've read that I didnt really enjoy and didn't like the ending lol