The Quiet Girls: Will their secrets stay buried? A gripping and twisty new thriller from the queen of the big reveal

by Dorothy Koomson

'Master of the jaw-dropping twist' S Magazine

A teacher is dead. A pupil is missing. What are they hiding?

The explosive new thriller from the Queen of the Big Reveal, steeped in betrayal and lies, danger and secrets

**Available to pre-order now**

When MJ Hudson, an old work acquaintance, shows up at Dr Kez Lanyon's house in the middle of the night, Kez knows she has no choice but to help.

At the prestigious boarding school that MJ's daughter attends, a teacher has been killed and a pupil is missing. And it seems that the same thing happens every few years. Only this time, the school haven't been able to cover things up and MJ's daughter and her group of nice, quiet friends are right at the heart of the scandal.

Undercover as the new school therapist, Kez quickly realises there are some seriously powerful, well-connected forces at play. And by continuing to investigate the mystery, perhaps even stepping outside the law to do so, Kez risks putting her own family in serious danger.

Because no one wants their secrets aired. And some will go to any length to keep them buried.

Praise for Dorothy

'An author who never fails to pull the rug from your feet when you least expect it' i Paper

'Every chapter is more addictive than the last' Daily Express

'Dark, gritty and on trend. A brilliant read' Sun

'An edge-of-your-seat thriller that'll keep you guessing right until the end' Heat

Genres: Mystery Thriller

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 12, 2026

About the author

Hello, my name's Dorothy Koomson and I'll try to make this bit that's all about me as interesting as possible.
I wrote my first novel called There's A Thin Line Between Love And Hate when I was 13. I used to write a chapter every night then pass it around to my fellow convent school pupils every morning, and they seemed to love it.

I grew up in London and then grew up again in Leeds when I went to university. I eventually returned to London to study for my masters degree and stayed put for the following years. I took up various temping jobs and eventually got my big break writing, editing and subbing for various women's magazines and national papers.

Fiction and storytelling were still a HUGE passion of mine and I continued to write short stories and novels every spare moment that I got. In 2001 I had the idea for The Cupid Effect and my career as a published novelist began. And it's been fantastic. In 2006, third novel, My Best Friend's Girl was published. It was incredibly successful - selling nearly 90,000 copies within its first few weeks on sale. Six weeks later, it was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads Book Club and the book went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Oh, there I go again, this is meant to be about me, not my novels.

Okay, back to me. I recently spent two years living in Sydney Australia, and now I'm back in England. But I can't say for how long I'll be in the UK for because I've been well and truly bitten by the travel bug

Reviews

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Headline Review for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

From its opening pages, “The Quiet Girls” by Dorothy Koomson radiates unease. A teenage girl vanishes from an elite girls’ school. A teacher is found dead. And most disturbing of all is that no one in power seems particularly interested in investigating either event. That lack of urgency sets the tone for a dark, psychologically charged thriller that is less about solving a crime in the traditional sense and more about exposing what happens when wealth, privilege, and silence protect themselves at all costs.

This is the third book featuring Dr. Kez Lanyon, a therapist and profiler for British Intelligence, but it works well as a standalone (I did not realize until after reading that there were previous Kez installments). When an old colleague, MJ Hudson, turns up at Kez’s door asking for help, the situation quickly escalates. MJ’s daughter attends Axton Manor, the same prestigious school where a therapist has apparently committed suicide on the very day a student, Winifred “Fredi,” goes missing. As Kez digs deeper, she discovers this is not an isolated incident and that the school has a disturbing history of deaths, disappearances, and quiet cover-ups, all brushed aside by authorities.

Kez goes undercover as the new school therapist, placing herself and potentially her family at risk, which is a major point of contention for her husband. The story unfolds through different perspectives: Kez’s present-day investigation, voice notes from Fredi that chronicle her experiences before disappearing, and occasional insights from those close to Kez, including her husband Jeb. These shifting viewpoints build tension not through police procedure, but through relationships, power dynamics, and what people choose not to say.

The pacing begins as a deliberate slow burn, allowing the intricate web of characters and hierarchies within the school to take shape. Once the momentum hits, however, the book becomes hard to put down. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and menacing, with secret societies like the Platinums and the Quiet Girls blurring the lines between victimhood and complicity. The sense that everyone knows something and is willing to protect it creates the feeling of watching a slow-motion train wreck: horrifying, inevitable, and impossible to look away.

Kez Lanyon is a compelling anchor for the story. Her persistence, moral clarity, and refusal to accept “that’s just how things are” make her deeply satisfying to follow, especially as she clashes with adults who suspect the truth yet choose silence. The story also shines in its exploration of themes such as class and racial privilege, elitism, bullying, power, and the cost of complicity. The critique of how institutions protect themselves, especially at the expense of young girls, is sharp and unsettling.

There are a few drawbacks. At times the dialogue, particularly the student slang, can feel overdone, and parts of the plot stretch plausibility. The story occasionally veers into YA territory when including Fredi’s POV despite its very adult subject matter. Still, the twists are effective, the villain reveal is genuinely shocking, and the psychological tension remains strong throughout.

Overall, “The Quiet Girls” is a gripping, unsettling psychological thriller that thrives on atmosphere, moral discomfort, and creeping dread. Fans of dark, twisty suspense, especially those who enjoy stories about elite institutions, buried secrets, and the danger of silence, will find this a compelling and thought-provoking read.

[Kim Benouski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I’ve read other Koomson books, I was not made aware that this was the third installment in books about Kez Lanyon, a profiler and therapist who investigates cases, or I would not have accepted the book as I hadn’t read the others. Therefore, this may not be an entirely fair review, although it’s set up to be able to be read on its own.

I really prefer Koomson’s earlier romance or family drama books, often blended with mystery, because this investigator book doesn’t really fit her style. The writing feels choppy, especially in the dialogue. It is told in two POVs, Kez’s and the girl she is searching for (through recordings). I prefer the latter, perhaps this is because Koomson tries to refer to the first two books a lot to review Kez’s past, so it feels like more telling than showing, and this background takes up a large portion of the first half of the book, making it drag. She also puts in random information about things like home renovations and a random “angry sex” scene with her husband that is completely out of the blue at the 20% mark that just doesn’t fit and is weird and is constantly obsessing about Mac, another character she has a crush on despite being married.

With the school girl gone missing storyline, there are topics like racism and bullying that are important but feel forced. For example, there is a dialogue with the school about how they don’t know their Black students apart that borders on ridiculous, and the dialogue between the girl and her mom about self image seems so forced. Her mom has her chanting “no one is better than me” louder and louder. It is simply odd. No one does that. The premise that multiple girls have gone missing from a prestigious boarding school with nothing happening about it is completely unbelievable, and the YA style was a bit annoying. Even the concept of the secret society at this boarding school bordered on ridiculous. “We are platinum.” What!? It just came off as dumb and unbelievable.

I struggled to continue reading, but many reviewers stated the first half was a marathon, but it got better. There was less repetition, but the “alpha male” talk and fox hunting stuff was annoying. The adults spoke awkwardly. In addition to the mother dialogue mentioned earlier, the therapist says things like, “As your therapist and trusted adult, I need to do everything I can to keep you safe.” Other characters speak in this weird, formal fashion as well. The racism and feminism mini speeches throughout felt forced. Kez acts very unprofessionally and takes unnecessary risks for a professional.

At around the 80% mark, the book gets a bit more interesting as the reveals begin to happen, but this isn’t enough to make me recommend this book. If the end portion was more throughout the whole book, that would help. The “twists” are good, but I was so bored by then, it didn’t matter.

This book has a few months before publication, and I hope the author streamlines some of this and works on stronger dialogue. I simply cannot recommend it as is.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book featuring therapist and profiler Kez Lanyon, although I can't see it advertised anywhere as a series. The two previous books are Every Smile You Fake and Give Him to Me, both of which I have read and enjoyed. As I also did this one.
We start with a cry for help from MJ, a worried parent, who also happens to be an old work acquaintance of Kez's. She is frantically worried for the safety of her child who is a border at a very prestigious private school. It transpires that recently, a teacher has died and a pupil gone missing. And that this is not the first time that this has happened. But the school has power and money and so there's little fuss made of any of the previous incidents. But MJ wants to kick up a fuss this time, and wants Kez to help by going in undercover, to replace the deceased teacher as the school's new temporary therapist. Reluctantly she agrees, but she does have a couple of issues, leaving her husband Jed, and her current employer also isn't keen, although he also reluctantly agrees and so she arrives at her new post. Only to find that her "supervisor" is Guy, an "old friend" complete with their historical unrequited baggage!
Long story short and there is this secret society in the school. A bunch of very influential pupils who basically have the say on everything. And then there's a lever higher than them, but I think it best you meet them as the author intended... as well as witness their shenanigans first hand...
Well... wasn't this all things dark and mysterious. And shocking wrt how much power in the hands of children (lord of the flies anyone) and what can go wrong. Its also a bit of a masterclass in misdirection too as you will no doubt find out for yourself. It's a bit of a slow burn but this only adds to the intrigue and tension which is integral to the story. It's shocking and horrid and everything that is wrong with certain factions of society. And it's a pretty hot topic at the moment with power and money and elitist behaviour being a bit front and centre in the news. With people on the periphery keeping quite for fear of their own retribution. But it doesn't always buy you out of everything as the school is now finding out.
As well as following Kez in the present, we also go back in time and follow thing from Fredi's POV. How she found herself at that school and how she was "welcomed" there. This was in the form of voicenotes which I think worked very well indeed.
And the ending, when it came was perfect. I did have an inkling that a certain something was bubbling but I was never sure. Suffice to say that I had an absolute blast as I watched it all play out at the end.
All in all, another winner from another of my favourite, go-to, authors. I do wonder what she will have in store for next time, be it a Kez book or a standalone, I can't wait! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the opening pages, The Quiet Girls feels off in the most unsettling way. A teenage girl goes missing from a prestigious school, a teacher is found dead, and yet there is a disturbing lack of urgency from those in power. The absence of official investigation becomes one of the book’s earliest sources of tension, immediately signaling that this story will not follow a typical crime-fiction path.

The narrative unfolds through two interwoven threads: Dr. Kez Lanyon’s present-day perspective as she begins asking quiet but dangerous questions, and the voice notes of Fredi, the missing girl, which gradually reveal her experiences leading up to her disappearance. Between these two timelines, the story develops not through procedural investigation but through relationships, power dynamics, and what people choose not to say.

As Kez untangles the web surrounding the school it becomes increasingly clear that silence is not accidental. The story starts as a slow burn while the characters and dynamics are established, but that pacing works in its favor. About 100 pages in, I found myself tracking relationships, sensing early on that nothing here would be straightforward. Once the momentum builds, the book becomes a relentless psychological thriller. I put it down once to sleep and picked it up first thing the next morning, unable to stop until the final page.

Kez Lanyon was a standout character for me. I admired her courage, her persistence, and her refusal to back down when something felt deeply wrong. What frustrated me, clearly by design, was the number of adults who either suspected the truth or chose not to act. This is a school, and as a teacher, I found the collective silence surrounding the girls was infuriating.

The psychological tension is highly effective, creating the feeling of watching a slow-motion train wreck. You don’t want to see what’s coming, but you can’t look away. Themes of wealth, class privilege, and silence are woven seamlessly into the story, highlighting how power protects itself. I did not see the villain coming, and the reveal genuinely shocked and appalled me in the best possible way.

Content warnings include sexual assault, pedophilia, and animal cruelty. Despite some deceptively simple language early on, this is not a young adult novel. Readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers, particularly fans of Freida McFadden, will likely find this one gripping and unsettling.

A special thank you to Headline Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Dr Kez Lanyon #3(?) a profiler with Insight, attached to the Intelligence Services.

One night MJ Hudson turns up at the home or Dr Kez Lanyon, the two are old work colleagues in the intelligence services but not necessarily friends. MJ appeals for Kez’s help in working out the truth about a teacher’s death at Axton Manor, her daughter’s school. The teacher has been the school therapist and in addition, on the same day he dies a pupil goes missing which is a bit too much of a coincidence. Further discussion between the pair reveals that the same thing has happened before, only this time it seems there will be no cover-up and MJ’s daughter and her quiet girl friends lie at the heart of the scandal. After some persuasion, Kez goes undercover as the new school therapist in order to investigate the mystery but which may potentially put herself at risk and also her family. What lurks at the heart of this that has to stay so ruthlessly buried?

I really enjoy being back with familiar characters in Kez and her husband Jeb. Both are very likeable, their relationship is certainly interesting and positively sizzles at times. They are a team and whilst they have their ups and downs, they have each other’s backs. I thoroughly enjoy the pair of them “destroying “a parent at their children’s school who wants to turn the clock back, highly entertaining!

The novel explores good themes such as elitism and the connections therein, power, friendship, family, race, and bullying to name but a few, as well as the obvious demands of Kez’s job and the toll on her family life. The plot is steady and well paced, there are plenty of twists and shocks in store, it’s tense and there’s a strong sense of claustrophobia. The setting in this school of privilege is good, it’s atmospheric although not always a good one with a number of characters to heartily dislike and pin suspicions on.

However, possibly inevitably it does feel a bit YA at times, it gets somewhat convoluted and I don’t totally buy into the ending.

On the whole though, it’s enjoyable and I look forward to seeing what Kez gets up to next.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Stephanie Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quiet Girls is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Dr Kez Lanyon as she becomes drawn into a disturbing situation rooted in secrecy, silence and long buried trauma. A teacher is found dead and a teenage girl disappears from an elite all girls boarding school, but the authorities appear to accept the school's narrative of a teacher/pupil illicit relationship. When past and present begin to collide, Kez's investigation exposes secrets and uncomfortable truths, forcing her to confront both the darkness of the situation and her own internal struggles. Told through an intelligent dual voice and timeline, the story slowly tightens its grip, revealing just enough to keep the reader constantly questioning what they think they know. The result is a tense, atmospheric novel from the beginning, right through to the final page.

This is the third Kez Lanyon book and, for me, the strongest of the series so far. It absolutely works as a standalone, but readers new to Kez will gain a much richer experience by reading the books in order as understanding her psychology and emotional landscape adds real depth to the story.

A true page turner, the novel is dark, unsettling and incredibly hard to put down. Dorothy Koomson's intelligent plotting and psychological tension are on full display with the unexpected twists she does so brilliantly, woven seamlessly into the narrative. The dual voice/timeline technique heightens the suspense, while the exploration of elitism, wealth, privilege and racial prejudice gives the book a thoughtful, socially aware edge that elevates it beyond a standard psychological thriller.

Content note: the book contains references to paedophilia and animal cruelty, which some readers may find distressing.

Overall, 'The Quiet Girls' is a compelling and deeply absorbing read, and a standout entry in the Kez Lanyon series.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Headline books for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

[justonemorechapter2025 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quiet Girls by Dorothy Koomson is a powerful and emotionally resonant psychological thriller that also serves as a heartfelt story about motherhood, grief, and the bonds that shape us. The book centres on three women whose lives become intertwined in the aftermath of a devastating tragedy, and the choices they make when secrets come to light.
Koomson’s strength in this novel lies in her character work. Each of the central women is fully realised, with their own flaws, fears, and hopes. The narrative shifts between their perspectives in a way that deepens empathy rather than confusion, allowing readers to understand — even if they don’t always agree with — the decisions each character makes. The emotional stakes are high, grounded both in the loss that haunts them and the challenges they face navigating motherhood, friendship, and healing.
The quiet creep of tension in the story comes not from overt horror or violence, but from the emotional truths the characters are forced to confront. Koomson excels at building psychological suspense — the kind rooted in what people don’t say, or what they hide beneath carefully maintained façades. There’s a compelling unease that threads through the story, making you want to keep reading to see how everything will unfold.
That said, the pace is gentler than some thrillers. The focus here is as much on internal conflict and emotional revelation as it is on plot twists. If you come to this book expecting non-stop suspense or dramatic shocks at every turn, you might find it more reflective and character-driven than intensely plot-heavy. Some readers may also feel that certain threads take longer to resolve than expected.
Still, the emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of complex relationships make The Quiet Girls a rewarding read. It’s a novel that stays with you not just for its plot, but for how it makes you feel — exploring themes of loss, resilience, and the ways we try to protect those we love.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is my first book by this author, and THE QUIET GIRLS gripped me from the first page. I know some other readers indicated that it took them a while to get engaged in the story, but that was not the case with me.

The story is primary told through two POVs -
* Dr. Kez Lanyan - is a profiler and therapist who gets an undercover job at an elite boarding school (Axton Manor School) to secretly investigate the deaths of several faculty members and disappearances of several students
* Fredi Kingston - is the most recent student disappearance; she entered the school recently after being bullied at her last school and shares events up to her disappearance through her recorded voice notes

There are some supporting characters as well -
* MJ - a previous work colleague of Kez who asks her to conduct the investigation at the school; her daughter, Viola, is implicated in Fredi’s disappearance
* Dr. Guy Mackenzie (“Mac”) - also undercover at the school as Kez’s supervisor; they have personal history from a previous job
* Portia Akande - another teacher at the school who has history with Mac
* Jeb - Kez’s husband, who remains at home with their two children
* Dennis - Kez’s boss

Fredi’s story is the more compelling of the two. But I liked Kez and the progression of her investigation. The ending was a bit of a letdown.

So, why only 3 1/2 stars? The plot was interesting and the writing was compelling, but there were a lot of jabs throughout the story related to racism, and it just became tiresome. Also, the ending was somewhat dissatisfying.

Content Warnings - Racism, bullying, graphic sex (one scene, very out of place), animal cruelty (graphic discussions of fox hunting)

🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟

[Cass loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

When a teacher dies and a pupil goes missing at an elite school, Kez is drawn into an investigation that quickly becomes far more complex than it first appears. What initially seems like an isolated tragedy begins to reveal a disturbing pattern. similar incidents have occurred before, quietly absorbed and concealed by the institution. This time, however, the cracks are impossible to hide, and MJ’s daughter and her group of seemingly “nice, quiet” friends are at the centre of the unfolding scandal.

Dorothy Koomson excels at peeling back the polished surface of respectability to expose what lies beneath. The setting of an elite school is used brilliantly, a place built on reputation, status and silence, which adds an undercurrent of unease to every interaction. The tension builds steadily, and the structure of the narrative keeps the reader questioning motives and loyalties throughout.

What stood out most for me was the layered characterisation. No one feels one-dimensional; motivations are complex, and relationships are nuanced. The exploration of friendship, parental trust, institutional protection and the power dynamics within teenage social groups adds depth beyond the central mystery.

The pacing is well judged, not relentless, but deliberately unsettling. Just as you think you understand what’s happening, new information shifts the ground again. It absolutely delivered that “just one more chapter” pull.

An intriguing, twist-filled thriller that balances suspense with emotional insight. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy psychologically layered mysteries set within closed communities.

[Bekah Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Headline Review for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I was hooked from the beginning where we see what seems like an initiation into a secret society at a boarding school. Then we jump to present time where a student is missing and a teacher is found dead. We also find out that this is not the first time something like this has happened at Axton.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the multiple POVs. We get to have the POV of Dr. Kez Lanyon who is an undercover therapist trying to find information about what happened to the missing girls and the ins and outs of Axton. We also get voice note recordings from the point to view of Fredi, the missing girl, from a few months back as she starts her time at Axton and starts to discover that everything there is not as it seems.

I was really interested in figuring out the mystery of this story and it wasn’t at all what I expected! It’s twisted and messed up, but I couldn’t put it down! This book also follows themes on racism, privilege, classism, and othering.

One thing that really bothered me though, was the use of Gen Alpha slang. I understand that this story takes place in present day 2026 and some chapters are from the POV of a teenager, but I don’t want Gen Alpha slang in my books personally. Every time I read the word “aura,” “rizz,” “opp,” etc. I physically cringed. I think you can write from the point of view of a teenager without using current slang. I also think it will be something that will really date this book in the future.

If you can look past the slang, I really did thoroughly enjoy this book and was invested in the story and plot!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just white privilege but class privilege come to the fore in the latest Dorothy Koomson book featuring therapist and profiler for British Intellegence, Dr Kez Lanyon. At an old colleague's request, she leaves her family to take a temporary post at an exclusive girls' school where her predecessor has apparently committed suicide and a girl has gone missing. It's not the first time this happened - the school has a much higher than usual ratio of suicides, fatal accidents and runaways. Yet the police don't seem concerned. Kez needs to find out what is going on.
Meanwhile her personal life is becoming ever more complicated.
This was a roller-coaster of a thriller with twists and turns on every page. We soon learn of the existence of secret societies within the school which have spilt out into life in the adult world. This school has so many secrets to keep, but Kez has no-one to trust with her theories except the man whose charms she is desperately trying to resist.
Told from the viewpoint of Kez, Jeb her husband, and the latest missing girl, Fredi's voicenotes, the plot becomes ever more menacing with every small reveal. As do the residents of the school - it's like being in a thriller version of The Secret History, where everyone is guilty of something, and is prepared to stop at nothing to keep dark secrets hidden.
I really enjoyed this story for its creeping air of menace. One one level, the plot is implausible - though who really knows what goes on behind closed doors of elite establishments in real life, too? But the characters are good, the action pacy and the resolution satisfying.
A great thriller to curl up with on a wet and windy night.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quiet Girls is one of those thrillers that starts with a knock on the door and spirals into something far darker than you expect. When MJ Hudson appears on Dr Kez Lanyon’s doorstep in the dead of night, you can feel the unease settle in immediately. From that moment, the story moves with a steady, elegant tension as Kez is drawn into the secrets of a prestigious boarding school where a teacher has been killed, a student is missing, and history seems to be repeating itself.

Kez is a compelling lead—calm, capable, and deeply human. Her decision to go undercover as the school’s therapist gives the novel a wonderfully intimate vantage point. Through her eyes, the school’s polished façade begins to crack, revealing a culture built on privilege, silence, and the kind of influence that can bury the truth for years. The “quiet girls” at the centre of the scandal are especially intriguing: outwardly well‑behaved, inwardly carrying far more than anyone realises.

The atmosphere is beautifully handled. Every corridor feels heavy with unspoken rules, every conversation edged with something unsaid. As Kez digs deeper, the sense of danger grows—not just for her, but for her family, which adds a sharp emotional undercurrent to the investigation. The novel explores power, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their reputations with a deft, confident touch.

Taut, absorbing, and layered with suspense, The Quiet Girls is perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers set in elite institutions where secrets run deep and the truth is anything but simple.

With thanks to Dorothy Koomson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jen Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a minute since a book kept me awake and invested until the wee hours of the morning, but the crazy twists and turns of The Quiet Girls made sacrificing a few hours of shut-eye totally worth it.

As the story begins, readers are welcomed to Axton Manor, an elite all-girls boarding school devoted to honoring legacy and tradition. The school’s roots run so deep that no one seems to notice a disturbing pattern of accidents and disappearances amongst its student body, particularly involving young women of color.

When new student Fredi joins the ranks of the missing, an old acquaintance and Axton alum asks Dr. Kez Lanyon for help unravelling the truth of what happened. Posing as the school’s interim psychologist, Kez soon learns that Axton’s mission to empower young women only applies to the chosen few, leaving the girls who aren’t in the club to fend for themselves against impossible odds.

Throughout the narrative, Woodson does a phenomenal job of building tension and suspense. We all know that Axton Manor is not what it seems, but the way she peels back the depths of its depravity layer by layer keeps the reader guessing between who’s a victim and who’s a villain. While some may criticize Kez’s stubborn defiance, especially at the end of the story, I love that her character draws a line in the sand to say “No more.”

If you want an intriguing, edge-of-your-seat mystery, The Quiet Girls certainly fits the bill, but what makes it a truly exceptional read is the way it leaves you thinking about the kind of world we live in long after you’ve closed the book.

Thanks to Hachette Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Dorothy Koomson book.

I liked the plot of this story. It was a slow start with a lot of the first half being about Kez, Jeb - her husband, and an emotional affair/attraction with Guy. It took a lot of the first half to get through that portion. I definitely was not hooked from page one and had to force myself to get to throught th3 first 30-40%.

All of them were very likeable though. I enjoyed reading about them but Kez did frustrate me because she couldnt keep her focus on her husband. But really the only character flaw in the main characters.

The writing leaned less toward a traditional thriller and felt more YAish, mostly due to the heavy use of teen slang. It was not invalid, but it was excessive. Some teens use slang all the time and some do not, yet in this book all of them spoke the same way. It was a bit much, though not a deal breaker for me. I am fluent in teen talk, so it was fully readable.

Despite that, the storyline itself was very much a thriller. I loved the twists and turns throughout the book. The main twist near the end was horrifying in the best way and exactly the kind of reveal I enjoy. I do think the story could have done without the final chapter before the epilogue. It felt like one twist too many when the story was already strong without it.

Overall, this was a good read. It does not put me off from reading more by this author, but it also does not make me actively seek out her books right away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for the ARC.

[Amanda Cavalcanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was not aware that this is book #3 featuring Dr. Kez Lanyon but it seems to work as a standalone. The book definitely starts out as a slow burn, allowing you to grasp the characters and the tangled webs they are in.

It starts with Dr. Kez who has an unexpected visit from an old colleague (MJ) who is requesting her help with a situation involving her daughter at a very prestigious school. She is reluctant to go but eventually agrees and gets her boss to agree as well. Once she arrives at her new post she is met with the fact that Dr. Guy Mackenzie (Mac) is now her supervisor. Mac and Kez have an intense history with one another which could make working together dangerous for her marriage.

The prestigious school ends up having two secret societies and a long history of girls “running away”, topped off with the “accidental” death of a teacher. There are two timelines to follow throughout the book but they work very well together.

The latest girl to “run away” was Winifred “Fredi” and her POV is given in the form of voice messages from the past, detailing how she got to Axton Manor, how the welcome experience was for her as an “outsider”, the dynamics of the friendships she made, and all the secrets she has uncovered before she vanished.

Again it was slow in the beginning but around the 75-80% mark it really picked up and made it difficult to put down. I also felt the ending left it open for another book to follow.

[Paula Sterling-Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series of mystery thrillers featuring Dr Kez Lanyon and the attractive but taboo Dr Guy MacKenzie: Their sexual tension bubbling throughout as the two work together to uncover a history of deaths and disappearances from the prestigious and exclusive school for girls – Axton Manor.

The plot opens when an old colleague, M.J. Hudson, asks Kez for help. Despite there being no love lost between the two, she believes her daughter Viola may have something to do with the recent disappearance of Winifred and the death of a Dr Pemberton.

Posing undercover as a therapist, Kez enters the dark and sinister world where privilege and old money rule. There are two groups equally foreboding. The Platinums and The Quiet girls whose anonymity ensures that no one, not even teachers, can be trusted.

Koomson once again hits the ball out of the park in this smash. Told from the perspectives of Winifred and Kez we have two timelines which work to drive the plot forward while developing the characters. There is no doubt that Koomson can tell a story ensuring that there are strength and vulnerability in her female depictions. I have followed her body of work over the years and am totally blown away with every publication.

For those who are not familiar with this series. It works well as a stand-alone too.

Thank you Net Galley, Headline and Dorothy Koomson for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ‘The Quiet Girls’ by Dorothy Koomson, due to be published on 12 March 2026 by Headline. 

Welcome back to the world of Dr Kez Lanyon - this time tasked by an old work friend MJ Hudson to investigate the death of a teacher and the mysterious disappearance of a girl, especially as the Police have closed the case citing accidental death and that the girl has simply run away, unable to cope with the pressures of being at such a prestigious school.

Dark secrets lie in the corridors of the school, and many of the characters appear to not be who they say they are….and just who are The Quiet Girls and who are The Platinum? 

This is a gripping, intense psychological thriller, with twists and turns around every corner, nothing is as it seems. Characters are well developed and well described, you soon get a feel of who you like the least! Although it features characters from two previous books, this can be read as a standalone as backstory is referenced to give you enough information to know who is who.

I was delighted to be able to read and review Dorothy’s latest book ahead of release as a long time fan and one of the first authors that I can credit with getting me into psychological thrillers, her books never fail to surprise and delight me.  Highly recommended read.

[Allie Flury · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and the overall feel of the book was great. However, it took so long to get into the guts of the story. There was a lot of background information that seemed to just go on for too long. I really struggled with the first half of the book. Once things got moving into the present and really focused on the murder of a professor and the disappearance of several students over the years, things moved quickly. This book showcases privilege on several different levels and how power can lead people to do horrible things.

Kez is a profiler/therapist who works for a less than reputable company and in helping an old colleague, she finds herself at an all girls boarding school where a professor has recently died and a student has disappeared. Kez needs to find out if the professors suicide was really a suicide or a murder and she needs to find out what happened to the student, who the school has said ran away. In her investigation she has found a group of women who believe they are above all else and the people at Axton Manon will do anything to maintain their prestige.
Just when it seems like Kez is closing in on what is happening, she is met with an adversary she didn't know she had and has to fight for her life and for those around her.

The last 50% of this book was fantastic, it was fast paced and held so many secrets!

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex thriller that blends dark academia with a spy narrative and explores race and class in the UK. Fantastic!

When Kezuma Lanyon's former colleague MJ Hudson calls in a favor, Kez goes undercover as a school therapist at MJ's daughter's elite boarding school to investigate the death of the last therapist and the disappearance of Fredi, one of MJ's daughter's best friends. But it turns out Fredi isn't the only Black girl to have gone missing recently, and the therapist is not the only faculty death. Kez soon finds she may be onto something far more dangerous than she imagined.

Told in alternating perspectives of Kez in the present and Fredi a few months before, Koomson explores the UK's class and racial tensions at an institution designed to groom the next generation of social elites. Park dark academia, girls boarding school, sinister secret societies; part undercover government intelligence profiler mystery; a little spicy romance and a little slow burn romantic tension; this book had a little of everything and tied it all together well. The characters are likeable, the plot engaging, the social commentary satisfying (don't get me wrong, I love a good mindless thriller, but make a statement on the state of the world along the way and do it well you'll have me eating out of your hand :) ).

Overall, a complex multifaceted story that keeps the twists coming and gets even better as it builds.

Thank you NetGalley for advance access to the eBook in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Prologue sucks you in. The Quiet Girls won't let you out. 🙃

This book continues with the lives of Kez and Jeb, married parents living in Great Britain. They are so relatable in terms of their marital, parental and personal relationships. The author has done a spectacular job of placing the reader in their hearts and minds throughout this book.

Kez is the main focus, and she proves to be a supportive parent to her teenage daughter from the inception of this book, creatively humorous in places, and scary confrontational in others. Kaz accepts an offer to work semi-undercover at an elite, private girls school where students and teachers alike are disappearing and even dying.

There are many suspects in this book. Girls are being bullied, in different ways. Kaz is uncovering things and the plot thickens. Everyone is a suspect. The plot moves fast, and I found it impossible to put it down as I tried (unsuccessfully) to figure out what was going down at this sinister school. And of course, the villain didn't show her/his true colors until the VERY end.

The book is full of bullying, sexual and animal violence. Nevertheless, it's a great adult thriller read along the lines of early Freida McFadden.

A solid must read recommendation. I thank NetGalley, Hachette Books and the author for the ARC. The book is due out late August 2026.

4⭐️

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the published for this advanced copy of The Quiet Girls
Words and opinions are my own in this review

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars for The Quiet Girls.

I LOVE an academic setting and have read a few other boarding school/bullying girl type stories, so when I was able to get this one, I was EXCITED! From the beginning of this story, you suspect the powers that be at the school and intrigue is built with the secret societies that exist. Missing girls, deceased teachers, LET'S GO! The author did a good job building the eerie mysteries surrounding the misfortune at Axton Academy.

I got lost was some of the background about the FMC (namely the Jeb portions, he got on my nerves) Another place I THOUGHT I got lost ended up being integral to the story, so I won't give that one away!

There are twists that are worth reading to the end and I felt like I was pulled into Axton Academy and the surrounding forest (IYKYK). I enjoyed the book overall, but it ended up with 3.5/5 because it took until the last 30% to really suck me in. Once I made it there, it was unputdownable!

I do recommend to those who enjoy academic settings, secret societies and intelligence agencies.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Quiet Girls is a tense, character-driven thriller set within the closed doors of an elite boarding school where a teacher has died and girls have been disappearing for years.

Told through dual POVs — profiler Dr. Kez Lanyon, who goes undercover as a school therapist, and Fredi, the most recent missing student whose story unfolds through voice notes — the premise is strong and genuinely unsettling. There’s a definite mean-girl, hazing atmosphere running through the school, and the theme of power and privilege is handled sharply.

I’ll be honest: this was a slow start for me. The first half leans heavily into Kez’s personal life and relationships, which delayed the momentum of the investigation. Once the focus shifted firmly onto the murder and disappearances, though, the pacing picked up and the twists began to land. Fredi’s sections were particularly compelling.

The writing at times felt slightly YA in tone, largely due to the heavy use of teen slang, but it didn’t derail the story. The main reveal near the end was strong and disturbing in the way I like — though the final stretch felt like one twist too many.

Overall, a thriller with a powerful setting and a few solid twists, even if it took a while to fully get going.

[Ridgerunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to check that I had not selected a Young Adult book of fiction by mistake half way through this book. The idea that girls could regularly disappear from an extremely posh girls boarding school without ever drawing much attention is just a bit unbelievable. The secret cliques within the school and their extreme power was almost as far fetched and was matched by the outcome of the hard to not see coming hunt at the end of the book.
However accepting that the book is completely over the top early James Bond level of implausibility rather than a serious thriller would make it easier to read. Unfortunately I was expecting a tense psychological thriller.
I liked the character of Kez the therapist/profiler , who is a bit gung ho and survived some major scares in the past which are no doubt events in the previous books in the series. Fredi who enrols at the school and whose recorded notes are saved to the cloud and printed in the book is also a likable character.
But I just found the plot to be so implausible that I never felt any great tension building while reading it and was not surprised by the ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quiet Girls by Dorothy Koomson

“I was shaky all over but I had to keep quiet. So quiet. “

Who are The Platinum Girls? More importantly who are The Quiet Girls? Who and where are the missing girls? What dark secrets does Axton Manor, a premier boarding school hold? The secrets of the Tower….Undercover…..Eyes and ears everywhere, who can you trust?
Will Kez discover the truth without getting her family in danger? Who can she trust and will she cross the line with….a blast from the past?

For me the first few chapters of the book felt a bit ‘flat’ I couldn’t quite grasp who, where or what was going on. I felt there was a lot of names along with ‘also known as’…..which I personally found confusing. I did read other reviews saying similar but I was determined to carry on having several of Dorothy’s books on my shelf.

Once past that stage the story certainly picked up pace, covered subjects that at times were uncomfortable to read but sadly happen. I certainly didn’t expect the outcome, my thoughts were somewhere else completely! Always good to have an unexpected twist…..or two.


Thank you to NetGalley #Netgalley @Headlinebooks #Headlinebooks and Dorothy Koomson #dorothykoomson_author for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of #TheQuietGirls

[Melissa Horrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 rounded up)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Quiet Girls has a great premise, but it’s a bit of a marathon to get to the good stuff. The first half feels bogged down by the narrator Kez’s personal drama—specifically a frustrating emotional affair—while the actual mystery of the missing girls and the dead teacher feels like an afterthought. With so many characters and subplots, the story felt a bit too convoluted for a standalone novel.

However, once the "secret society" aspect finally takes over in the final 20%, the book really finds its rhythm. The twists were unexpected and the ending was well-executed. I wish there had been more of Fredi’s perspective and less of Kez’s backstory, but the strong finish saved the story for me. A slow-burn mystery that eventually rewards your patience!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorority meets Yellowjackets.

I have read several of Koomson's previous books, but most of them haven't been thrillers. I was very pleased to see her dive into another genre, it did not disappoint. I did not realize that this was part of a series, but it read just fine on its own (I do plan on reading the other books about Kez as well)

I appreciated the setting, and the build of all the characters in the school. Kez's job was a little confusing for me (the first 2 books in the Kez universe would have helped) but very interesting. I always enjoy multiple POVs and a little bit of timeliness jumping. Kez's relationship with Guy was a little uncomfortable to me, but I think that is the point.

This book slowed down a teeny bit in the middle, but if you can power through you are in for a ride in the end!

I especially enjoyed the insights from the author at the end of the book!

Huge thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy to review.

[Mags Schofield · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I struggled with is book until almost half way through as I didn't realise that it was the third in a series. I thought I had read all of Dorothy Koomson's books as she is an author that I really enjoy. I struggled with this book as I found it very disjointed. Not reading the previous books or knowing any of the characters certainly didn't help. The Kez, Jeb and Mac triangle I really struggled with, as I lacked the background.
It was only the second part of the story that really drew me in, but I can't say that I actually enjoyed reading this book. I really need to go back and read the previous books in the series.
With thanks to Dorothy Koomson, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Can I request that in future that books that are part of a series are flagged as such please?

[Chelsea Vande zande · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not aware that there were previous Kez books. I don't think you are missing a ton by not reading them as I didn't prior.
Kez is a therapist and profiler, she is approached by an old college MJ who needs help making sure her daughter is innocent. A student is missing and the school therapist is dead. The local police and the school seem to be doing nothing in regards to figuring out what happened.
Kez goes into the school as acting therapist till they find someone permanent. There are issues with racism and secret societies and secrets galore.
The story was good, I did struggle when the YA slang was overly used. At times it did feel a tad drawn out but I pushed through and I enjoyed it. I'm glad that it brought light to racism issues. It was a great book in terms of mystery and suspense!
Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an earc for my honest review.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by The Quiet Girls. This was my first book by Dorothy Koomson, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work.

I didn’t realize going in that this is part of a standalone series. I do think having a bit more of Kez’s background would’ve helped me enjoy it even more, but it was still a fun read overall.

The slang felt a little overdone at times. I appreciate students sounding like students, but it sometimes became too much and pulled me out of the story.

That said, the twists were solid and not overly predictable. There were definitely moments where I couldn’t stop myself from jumping straight into the next chapter.

Overall, a fun and entertaining read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!

[chloe bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. It started off as a slow burn given time for you to see the web of characters and the hierarchies in the school.

I did not realise that this book was the third in the series it read well as a standalone but I will definitely be going back to read the others!

It comes very clear early on that people in the school do anything to keep their secrets but I felt that just added to the tension you felt worried in this story. The story draws the themes of Class, elitism, racial privilege, power and bullying and it did it very well.

The side characters as well as the main characters really made this story what it is an absolute fantastic read I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.