What do you think?
Rate this book
The Quiet Girls
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26The explosive new thriller from the Queen of the Big Reveal, steeped in betrayal and lies, danger and secrets
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.
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.
432 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 26, 2026
41 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Koomson
49 books3,325 followersHello, 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
April 20, 2026
4.0 / 5.0
I know every time I’ve picked up a book from Koomson, it has not disappointed and always delivered. It’s another one here (insert DJ Khaled Gif). I’ve found Dorothy to be on the ball with the plots, the pacing the style but I really enjoy reading her books. It’s like a breath of fresh air sometimes. Once again this book delivers, but I will put one warning. You can’t read this as a standalone. There’s too much character development that has happened, past history and events mentioned that it will make very little sense to read this as your first book. Dr Kez Lanyon’s character, behaviour and how she works has been carefully curated throughout the past few books. To put it simply, if you read this- you completely ruin the past few book, but also you probably won’t understand the character as much. Everytime I’ve read a book from Koomson, it just makes sense, I’m not left disappointed I get it and that’s how I feel with this book. It’s like going into a restaurant, ordering your usual and it just tastes the way you you like it. It delivers everytime. Perfect temperature, perfect portions and perfectly cooked.
Now this book centres around the previous book, it’s all to do with MJ who was an old work acquaintance shows up at Dr Kez Landon in the middle of the night. She knows that she has no choice but to help, after the events of the previous book. It’s all to do with MJ’s daughter who goes to a prestigious boarding school, where a teacher is killed and a pupil is missing. It seems as though every few years, the same thing happens. Only this time the school haven’t been able to cover things up and MJ’s daughter and her group of friends are caught in the thick of it. Kez is asked to go undercover as the new school therapist, where she quickly realises that there are some powerful people at play. And continuing to investigate the mystery only puts Kez and her family in grave danger.
It’s a great book, but I highly recommend but only if you have read the past few books. I haven’t been disappointed by Dorothy and rate her highly. Again she has delivered as always!
I know every time I’ve picked up a book from Koomson, it has not disappointed and always delivered. It’s another one here (insert DJ Khaled Gif). I’ve found Dorothy to be on the ball with the plots, the pacing the style but I really enjoy reading her books. It’s like a breath of fresh air sometimes. Once again this book delivers, but I will put one warning. You can’t read this as a standalone. There’s too much character development that has happened, past history and events mentioned that it will make very little sense to read this as your first book. Dr Kez Lanyon’s character, behaviour and how she works has been carefully curated throughout the past few books. To put it simply, if you read this- you completely ruin the past few book, but also you probably won’t understand the character as much. Everytime I’ve read a book from Koomson, it just makes sense, I’m not left disappointed I get it and that’s how I feel with this book. It’s like going into a restaurant, ordering your usual and it just tastes the way you you like it. It delivers everytime. Perfect temperature, perfect portions and perfectly cooked.
Now this book centres around the previous book, it’s all to do with MJ who was an old work acquaintance shows up at Dr Kez Landon in the middle of the night. She knows that she has no choice but to help, after the events of the previous book. It’s all to do with MJ’s daughter who goes to a prestigious boarding school, where a teacher is killed and a pupil is missing. It seems as though every few years, the same thing happens. Only this time the school haven’t been able to cover things up and MJ’s daughter and her group of friends are caught in the thick of it. Kez is asked to go undercover as the new school therapist, where she quickly realises that there are some powerful people at play. And continuing to investigate the mystery only puts Kez and her family in grave danger.
It’s a great book, but I highly recommend but only if you have read the past few books. I haven’t been disappointed by Dorothy and rate her highly. Again she has delivered as always!
March 9, 2026
I delved into Dorothy Koomson’s The Quiet Girls, with high hopes, having read an excellent short story (Beach Hit) from her last year. This is a deeper psychological thriller blending the "dark academia" aesthetic with the author’s signature "queen of the big reveal" pacing. Overall, I found it to be a good read, but with uneven pacing, hence 3.75 stars.
The story is centers on a prestigious girls’ boarding school where the veneer of privilege hides a far more sinister reality. We follow Dr. Kez Lanyon, a therapist and profiler who is pulled into the school's orbit when her former colleague, MJ, begs for help. MJ’s daughter is embroiled in a scandal involving a missing girl, Fredi, and the mysterious death of a staff member, Dr. Pemberton. The mystery is layered with secret societies and ancient traditions that operate outside the law, creating a palpable sense of dread. Koomson does an excellent job of using this setting to critique institutional power and white privilege.
Kez Lanyon is an interesting protagonist. She’s intellectual, empathetic, yet burdened by a complex personal history involving her husband and a former flame. This, I found out later, is the third book featuring Kez, and while it does function as a standalone, I felt I was missing out on how well I got to know her. MJ serves as a desperate, driving force, while the missing girl, Fredi, is given a haunting presence through the distinct narrative structure.
Ms. Koomson utilizes a multi-perspective approach that works well. Alongside Kez’s first-person investigation, we are treated to transcribed voice notes from Fredi. This stylistic choice adds an urgent, intimate layer to the mystery, allowing us to see the cracks in the school's facade through the eyes of a student. The writing is sharp and vivid.
You’ll need to be pretty patient early on with this. It starts slowly, continues slowly, and still is for quite a number of pages. It’s like the car going uphill before rushing down the other side. So, buckle in for a slow build-up and a lot going on by the end.
Overall, The Quiet Girls is a sophisticated mystery that offers more than just shocks; it provides a biting commentary on race and class. While the pacing is uneven, there is plenty of emotional depth and atmospheric tension, making this a character-driven thriller readers can enjoy.
Thank you to the author and publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to back to school with this ARC.
The story is centers on a prestigious girls’ boarding school where the veneer of privilege hides a far more sinister reality. We follow Dr. Kez Lanyon, a therapist and profiler who is pulled into the school's orbit when her former colleague, MJ, begs for help. MJ’s daughter is embroiled in a scandal involving a missing girl, Fredi, and the mysterious death of a staff member, Dr. Pemberton. The mystery is layered with secret societies and ancient traditions that operate outside the law, creating a palpable sense of dread. Koomson does an excellent job of using this setting to critique institutional power and white privilege.
Kez Lanyon is an interesting protagonist. She’s intellectual, empathetic, yet burdened by a complex personal history involving her husband and a former flame. This, I found out later, is the third book featuring Kez, and while it does function as a standalone, I felt I was missing out on how well I got to know her. MJ serves as a desperate, driving force, while the missing girl, Fredi, is given a haunting presence through the distinct narrative structure.
Ms. Koomson utilizes a multi-perspective approach that works well. Alongside Kez’s first-person investigation, we are treated to transcribed voice notes from Fredi. This stylistic choice adds an urgent, intimate layer to the mystery, allowing us to see the cracks in the school's facade through the eyes of a student. The writing is sharp and vivid.
You’ll need to be pretty patient early on with this. It starts slowly, continues slowly, and still is for quite a number of pages. It’s like the car going uphill before rushing down the other side. So, buckle in for a slow build-up and a lot going on by the end.
Overall, The Quiet Girls is a sophisticated mystery that offers more than just shocks; it provides a biting commentary on race and class. While the pacing is uneven, there is plenty of emotional depth and atmospheric tension, making this a character-driven thriller readers can enjoy.
Thank you to the author and publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to back to school with this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 17, 2026
Received a NetGalley ARC for an honest review:
Wow this book had so much in it. I loved it. A boarding school where a counselor does and a kid goes missing. Kez is brought in undercover to try and solve it. As she investigates it it’s clear that way more things have happened at this school that hasn’t been broadcasted widely. It’s a roller coaster of a book, a tiny part of the explanation got to me a bit too much but then there was another twist. Really fascinating.
Wow this book had so much in it. I loved it. A boarding school where a counselor does and a kid goes missing. Kez is brought in undercover to try and solve it. As she investigates it it’s clear that way more things have happened at this school that hasn’t been broadcasted widely. It’s a roller coaster of a book, a tiny part of the explanation got to me a bit too much but then there was another twist. Really fascinating.
Did Not Finish
March 22, 2026A brief note for myself on why I DNF’d this book at 12% (I think). As GR friend, Karen, kindly reminded me yesterday, it’s okay to walk away from a book when it’s not working for me. I think I had already walked away, just needed that little push to move it to the DNF shelf.
I am pretty sure this is part of a series. I somehow missed that when I chose this book. I fully admit to not always starting at the beginning of a series, but this time I think that was a factor. I struggled to get into the way the author wrote as well. I can’t remember specifics off the top of my head now, of course, but I know there were a few things that didn’t really work for me.
Then there is my eyes, they are super uncooperative lately. I don’t know if this would have helped me finish the book, but I might have gotten farther if the book had the read aloud option like many others on NetGalley have had. I am so appreciative of that feature for when my eyes or body are not cooperating nicely and make it difficult for me to read more than a page or two at a time (which is much more often than I would like 🫤🙄). I shouldn’t have assumed all NetGalley books have this feature, if I had known ahead of time that this one didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have requested it in the first place. Anyone know if there is a way to see this beforehand? Thus far, it’s the only one that hasn’t had it.
The premise sounded interesting, but I wasn’t getting pulled in and well, the whole eye thing didn’t help matters by making it difficult to even try and read.
I hope others enjoy this book. If you have read it, or read the earlier books, let me know how they were, maybe I can find them and start at the beginning somehow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. I am sorry it didn’t work for me.
On NetGalley, since they require a star rating, I will be giving it 1⭐️, but otherwise, I usually don’t rate books that I haven’t finished.
Notes, a little longer than my originally stated ‘brief’, got myself (and I suppose those who read this🤪) on why I DNF this book posted: 3/22/26
Ps. Gr friends Ceecee and Sandy both rated this book 4⭐️’s (and knew it was part of a series)….so check out there reviews!
I am pretty sure this is part of a series. I somehow missed that when I chose this book. I fully admit to not always starting at the beginning of a series, but this time I think that was a factor. I struggled to get into the way the author wrote as well. I can’t remember specifics off the top of my head now, of course, but I know there were a few things that didn’t really work for me.
Then there is my eyes, they are super uncooperative lately. I don’t know if this would have helped me finish the book, but I might have gotten farther if the book had the read aloud option like many others on NetGalley have had. I am so appreciative of that feature for when my eyes or body are not cooperating nicely and make it difficult for me to read more than a page or two at a time (which is much more often than I would like 🫤🙄). I shouldn’t have assumed all NetGalley books have this feature, if I had known ahead of time that this one didn’t, I probably wouldn’t have requested it in the first place. Anyone know if there is a way to see this beforehand? Thus far, it’s the only one that hasn’t had it.
The premise sounded interesting, but I wasn’t getting pulled in and well, the whole eye thing didn’t help matters by making it difficult to even try and read.
I hope others enjoy this book. If you have read it, or read the earlier books, let me know how they were, maybe I can find them and start at the beginning somehow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. I am sorry it didn’t work for me.
On NetGalley, since they require a star rating, I will be giving it 1⭐️, but otherwise, I usually don’t rate books that I haven’t finished.
Notes, a little longer than my originally stated ‘brief’, got myself (and I suppose those who read this🤪) on why I DNF this book posted: 3/22/26
Ps. Gr friends Ceecee and Sandy both rated this book 4⭐️’s (and knew it was part of a series)….so check out there reviews!
March 29, 2026
The Quiet Girls is another release in the series featuring psychologist Kez Lanyon (although the book doesn’t advertise that this is sort-of-part-of-a-series, so I only realised once I started reading it).
Kez up being placed at a private girls’ school - Axton Manor - to try to find out what happened to a missing girl, Fredi. I don’t want to give too much away about the storyline but through transcripts of voice messages by Fredi, as well as the present day investigation by Kez, we discover some shocking occurrences as this prestigious school. We also have a few chapters told from the perspective of Kez’s husband Jeb, and the tension ramps up as we realise Kez might be in danger.
I always enjoy multiple narratives and the different perspectives are easy to follow in this book.
Some of the book’s writing to me felt a bit like it was written for young adults, which I hadn’t noticed as much with the other novels. This wasn’t just in scenes reading the schoolgirls but more generally with the characters (including Kez and the staff working with her) and how they engaged and interacted. I also found the way Kez behaved sometimes a bit irritating in this novel.
The plot felt a bit over the top at times and required some suspension of disbelief. especially towards the end, but I did enjoy finding out what really happened.
This is worth a read and is good entertainment but not one of my favourite reads from Dorothy Koomson.
Kez up being placed at a private girls’ school - Axton Manor - to try to find out what happened to a missing girl, Fredi. I don’t want to give too much away about the storyline but through transcripts of voice messages by Fredi, as well as the present day investigation by Kez, we discover some shocking occurrences as this prestigious school. We also have a few chapters told from the perspective of Kez’s husband Jeb, and the tension ramps up as we realise Kez might be in danger.
I always enjoy multiple narratives and the different perspectives are easy to follow in this book.
Some of the book’s writing to me felt a bit like it was written for young adults, which I hadn’t noticed as much with the other novels. This wasn’t just in scenes reading the schoolgirls but more generally with the characters (including Kez and the staff working with her) and how they engaged and interacted. I also found the way Kez behaved sometimes a bit irritating in this novel.
The plot felt a bit over the top at times and required some suspension of disbelief. especially towards the end, but I did enjoy finding out what really happened.
This is worth a read and is good entertainment but not one of my favourite reads from Dorothy Koomson.
March 26, 2026
Such a compelling and brilliantly written thriller! Having studied Psychology at University, I adore the Kez Lanyon series of books, having a real interest in behavioural profiling - such an interesting field of study - and this book didn’t disappoint. I also thought it was such a clever book blending the dark academia trope with her use of big reveals. It also explores themes so well around bullying, institutional power and white privilege. A great, pacy read that I could not put down!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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⭐️
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⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
March 23, 2026
My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for the advanced copy.
This was my first book by Dorothy Koomson—and it definitely won’t be my last.
The Quiet Girls is one of those thrillers that pulls you in slowly and then tightens its grip until you realize you’re completely locked in. What starts as a late-night plea for help quickly unravels into something much darker: a prestigious boarding school hiding a pattern of deaths, disappearances, and long-buried secrets that no one wants exposed.
Dr. Kez Lanyon was such a strong anchor for this story. I loved her persistence and moral clarity—she’s the kind of character who refuses to look away, even when it would be easier (and safer) to do so. Watching her go undercover and push against powerful forces made the tension feel very real, especially knowing what it could cost her and her family.
What really stood out to me, though, was the emotional depth. This isn’t a nonstop, high-octane thriller—it’s more of a slow-burn that leans into character, relationships, and the weight of what people choose to hide. The multiple perspectives (especially Fredi’s voice notes) added layers to the story and built a steady sense of unease that kept me turning the pages.
The atmosphere is where this book really shines—claustrophobic, unsettling, and filled with that creeping feeling that everyone knows more than they’re saying. The exploration of power, privilege, and institutional silence—especially when it comes to protecting young girls—was both compelling and uncomfortable in the best way.
That said, the pacing may feel a bit slower for readers expecting constant twists, and there were a few moments where the dialogue or plot stretched believability. But once the story hits its stride, it becomes incredibly hard to put down—and the reveal? Genuinely shocking.
Overall, The Quiet Girls is a gripping, emotionally layered psychological thriller that lingers long after the final page. If you love dark academia vibes, elite institutions with secrets, and stories that explore the cost of silence, this is absolutely one to pick up.
This was my first book by Dorothy Koomson—and it definitely won’t be my last.
The Quiet Girls is one of those thrillers that pulls you in slowly and then tightens its grip until you realize you’re completely locked in. What starts as a late-night plea for help quickly unravels into something much darker: a prestigious boarding school hiding a pattern of deaths, disappearances, and long-buried secrets that no one wants exposed.
Dr. Kez Lanyon was such a strong anchor for this story. I loved her persistence and moral clarity—she’s the kind of character who refuses to look away, even when it would be easier (and safer) to do so. Watching her go undercover and push against powerful forces made the tension feel very real, especially knowing what it could cost her and her family.
What really stood out to me, though, was the emotional depth. This isn’t a nonstop, high-octane thriller—it’s more of a slow-burn that leans into character, relationships, and the weight of what people choose to hide. The multiple perspectives (especially Fredi’s voice notes) added layers to the story and built a steady sense of unease that kept me turning the pages.
The atmosphere is where this book really shines—claustrophobic, unsettling, and filled with that creeping feeling that everyone knows more than they’re saying. The exploration of power, privilege, and institutional silence—especially when it comes to protecting young girls—was both compelling and uncomfortable in the best way.
That said, the pacing may feel a bit slower for readers expecting constant twists, and there were a few moments where the dialogue or plot stretched believability. But once the story hits its stride, it becomes incredibly hard to put down—and the reveal? Genuinely shocking.
Overall, The Quiet Girls is a gripping, emotionally layered psychological thriller that lingers long after the final page. If you love dark academia vibes, elite institutions with secrets, and stories that explore the cost of silence, this is absolutely one to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.🌟
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.🌟
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 21, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy
Enigmatic from the outset, this layered thriller from Dorothy Koomson unravels the secrets of Axtom boarding school, where a teacher’s death and a missing pupil set events spiralling into something far more complex.
What begins as a familiar premise quickly expands into a multi-threaded narrative that covers a surprising amount of ground. In less assured hands, this could easily become unwieldy, but Koomson largely keeps control, guiding the reader through a maze of twists with confidence.
The character work is a clear strength. There’s depth across the cast, even if at times it feels slightly overcrowded. Among them are some genuine standouts who bring intrigue and emotional weight, helping to ground the story as its many strands begin to overlap.
The plotting is ambitious, with numerous threads weaving in and out of each other. While some twists are more predictable, others land with real impact, and the final exchanges carry a sharp, memorable bite.
Where the novel falls just short of a higher rating is in its balance. With so much competing for attention, certain elements feel underdeveloped or less engaging, and parts of the story, particularly strands like The Platinum, don’t quite match the strength of the central narrative. At times, the sheer number of moving pieces slightly dilutes the overall impact.
Even so, this is a gripping and highly enjoyable read that maintains momentum throughout. It may not be flawless, but it’s a strong, entertaining thriller that more than earns its place as a solid four-star read, especially for those looking for something immersive over a few summer evenings.
What begins as a familiar premise quickly expands into a multi-threaded narrative that covers a surprising amount of ground. In less assured hands, this could easily become unwieldy, but Koomson largely keeps control, guiding the reader through a maze of twists with confidence.
The character work is a clear strength. There’s depth across the cast, even if at times it feels slightly overcrowded. Among them are some genuine standouts who bring intrigue and emotional weight, helping to ground the story as its many strands begin to overlap.
The plotting is ambitious, with numerous threads weaving in and out of each other. While some twists are more predictable, others land with real impact, and the final exchanges carry a sharp, memorable bite.
Where the novel falls just short of a higher rating is in its balance. With so much competing for attention, certain elements feel underdeveloped or less engaging, and parts of the story, particularly strands like The Platinum, don’t quite match the strength of the central narrative. At times, the sheer number of moving pieces slightly dilutes the overall impact.
Even so, this is a gripping and highly enjoyable read that maintains momentum throughout. It may not be flawless, but it’s a strong, entertaining thriller that more than earns its place as a solid four-star read, especially for those looking for something immersive over a few summer evenings.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Quiet Girls made me think of a mix between Bunny and The Hunting Party (Lucy Foley), but better written in terms of clarity and cohesiveness. Kez, our FMC, goes to a private boarding school to investigate the disappearance of her colleague's daughter, and other girls before her. With a secret society looming over her and a complicated matrix of past relationships set to distract her, Kez must decide whose side she is on as she profiles her way through a deep history of buried secrets.
This is one of those books where it's best to go into it without too many details. I liked how long it was, how detailed the relationships were, and how the author braided many different characters' stories together into a complex, but comprehensible plot. The commentary on race and class power added extra depth and meaning to the thriller drama, and the ending was very satisfying. I enjoyed so many of the secret society tropes, and if you like dark academia, this book is adjacent to the genre in terms of the setting and corrupt power structures.
I liked the length of the book, but I think that some of the emphasis on Kez's relationship with her male colleague was a bit overdone. Cutting a little bit of that down would make the book feel more focused, but many readers will probably like the extra side story and chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Headline for sending me an e-ARC. Even though it feels a little long in the middle, the ending is very worth it! The alternating chapters and wide cast of characters keep the story interesting and balance the many details with a rewarding conclusion.
This is one of those books where it's best to go into it without too many details. I liked how long it was, how detailed the relationships were, and how the author braided many different characters' stories together into a complex, but comprehensible plot. The commentary on race and class power added extra depth and meaning to the thriller drama, and the ending was very satisfying. I enjoyed so many of the secret society tropes, and if you like dark academia, this book is adjacent to the genre in terms of the setting and corrupt power structures.
I liked the length of the book, but I think that some of the emphasis on Kez's relationship with her male colleague was a bit overdone. Cutting a little bit of that down would make the book feel more focused, but many readers will probably like the extra side story and chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Headline for sending me an e-ARC. Even though it feels a little long in the middle, the ending is very worth it! The alternating chapters and wide cast of characters keep the story interesting and balance the many details with a rewarding conclusion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 23, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
February 27, 2026
*Warning* do not read the last 20% of this book before you go to sleep, I held my breath the whole time, it was deliciously tense, dark and terrifying!
Full of twists, turns and intrigue this book kept me guessing right up until the end, a real page turner.
Thankyou to @dorothykoomson_author and @netgalley for this advance copy
🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊
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.
Full of twists, turns and intrigue this book kept me guessing right up until the end, a real page turner.
Thankyou to @dorothykoomson_author and @netgalley for this advance copy
🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Quiet Girls is another gripping, emotionally charged thriller from Dorothy Koomson, bringing Dr Kez Lanyon back into a world where secrets are currency and silence is a weapon. When MJ Hudson appears on Kez’s doorstep in the middle of the night, desperate for help, Kez is pulled into the elite corridors of a prestigious boarding school where a teacher has been found dead and a student, Fredi, has vanished. It soon becomes clear that this isn’t the first time a girl has disappeared, and that the school’s polished exterior hides something deeply rotten.
The story unfolds through Kez’s investigation and Fredi’s voice messages, a structure that adds urgency and emotional depth. Kez remains a compelling lead: sharp, intuitive, and willing to push boundaries when justice demands it. Her personal vulnerabilities, especially around protecting her own family, give the novel a strong emotional core. It is so refreshing to read about a successful, albeit one with challenges within a psychological thriller and the author handles this aspect with assurance.
Dorothy Koomson explores big themes including that double-edged sword, the loyalty that binds young women together. The atmosphere is tense throughout, and the final stretch is particularly intense and claustrophobic, in all the right ways.
The emotional stakes and character work combined with the create a layered, absorbing mystery..
The story unfolds through Kez’s investigation and Fredi’s voice messages, a structure that adds urgency and emotional depth. Kez remains a compelling lead: sharp, intuitive, and willing to push boundaries when justice demands it. Her personal vulnerabilities, especially around protecting her own family, give the novel a strong emotional core. It is so refreshing to read about a successful, albeit one with challenges within a psychological thriller and the author handles this aspect with assurance.
Dorothy Koomson explores big themes including that double-edged sword, the loyalty that binds young women together. The atmosphere is tense throughout, and the final stretch is particularly intense and claustrophobic, in all the right ways.
The emotional stakes and character work combined with the create a layered, absorbing mystery..
April 1, 2026
This book had the most twists and turns ever! Think about the quiet girls as a sorority that has expanded to the outside world. Everything you say or do is being watched and listened to. There are many different POV's, some happening in present time and some happening before everything happened. It starts off slow but it will keep you on the edge of your seat when things start to unfold. At first it is hard to keep up with because there is so much going on at the same time with the different POV, and apparently there are other books which explain all that has happened to Kez the main protagonist.
The story concentrates on girls that have gone missing and one professors death at a very prestigious girl's boarding school. Axton Manor is a place where only the elite are considered good enough for the school everyone else is made very aware that they don't belong. There is separation of race and wealth that it is very notable throughout the whole book.
MJ which is an old colleague of Kez asks her to help her with knowing if her daughter has anything to do with the disappearances of the previous girls and the death of the professor. Kez goes undercover as the therapist at the school to see who is responsible and to see if she can clear MJ daughter's name, what she finds is so much more complex.
This book will make you realize that not everything is at it seem. It was a good read, it included mystery, suspense. Thank You NG for the advance copy.
The story concentrates on girls that have gone missing and one professors death at a very prestigious girl's boarding school. Axton Manor is a place where only the elite are considered good enough for the school everyone else is made very aware that they don't belong. There is separation of race and wealth that it is very notable throughout the whole book.
MJ which is an old colleague of Kez asks her to help her with knowing if her daughter has anything to do with the disappearances of the previous girls and the death of the professor. Kez goes undercover as the therapist at the school to see who is responsible and to see if she can clear MJ daughter's name, what she finds is so much more complex.
This book will make you realize that not everything is at it seem. It was a good read, it included mystery, suspense. Thank You NG for the advance copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews