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Toksyczna przyjaźń
Od lat były nierozłączne, teraz stały się rywalkami.
Kiedy dziewczyny z przyjaciółek zmieniają się w konkurentki – nic dobrego z tego nie może wyniknąć. Tak jest i w tym przypadku. Izzy i Becca od lat nierozłączne, jako dorosłe kobiety zaczynają ze sobą rywalizować. Niby wciąż się przyjaźnią i wiedzą o sobie wszystko, ale w tej relacji coraz częściej dochodzi do spięć. I coraz bardziej widać, jak bardzo się różnią. Isabel piękna, zgrabna, bogata, u boku wymarzonego męża wiedzie bajkowe niemal życie. Wykwintne przyjęcia, towarzyski blichtr, wszystko na wysoki połysk. Becca przeciwnie, u niej nic nie jest doskonałe. Aspirująca dziennikarka ma narzeczonego o wątpliwej reputacji, maleńkie mieszkanko i wciąż walczy z nadwagą.
Na styku tych dwóch światów iskrzy coraz bardziej. Zgrzyty zdarzają się i podczas towarzyskich spotkań i podczas wspólnie spędzanych świąt. Bo choć nadal żyć bez siebie nie mogą, dominują teraz w ich kontaktach złośliwości, zawiść oraz brak lojalności. I ciągłe wzajemne pretensje.
Gdy Becca na pierwszej stronie popularnego tabloidu czyta informację, którą dopiero co w "największym sekrecie" wyjawiła Izzy jej wściekłość sięga zenitu... Ma dość tej przyjaźni. Ma dość takiej przyjaciółki...
Kiedy dziewczyny z przyjaciółek zmieniają się w konkurentki – nic dobrego z tego nie może wyniknąć. Tak jest i w tym przypadku. Izzy i Becca od lat nierozłączne, jako dorosłe kobiety zaczynają ze sobą rywalizować. Niby wciąż się przyjaźnią i wiedzą o sobie wszystko, ale w tej relacji coraz częściej dochodzi do spięć. I coraz bardziej widać, jak bardzo się różnią. Isabel piękna, zgrabna, bogata, u boku wymarzonego męża wiedzie bajkowe niemal życie. Wykwintne przyjęcia, towarzyski blichtr, wszystko na wysoki połysk. Becca przeciwnie, u niej nic nie jest doskonałe. Aspirująca dziennikarka ma narzeczonego o wątpliwej reputacji, maleńkie mieszkanko i wciąż walczy z nadwagą.
Na styku tych dwóch światów iskrzy coraz bardziej. Zgrzyty zdarzają się i podczas towarzyskich spotkań i podczas wspólnie spędzanych świąt. Bo choć nadal żyć bez siebie nie mogą, dominują teraz w ich kontaktach złośliwości, zawiść oraz brak lojalności. I ciągłe wzajemne pretensje.
Gdy Becca na pierwszej stronie popularnego tabloidu czyta informację, którą dopiero co w "największym sekrecie" wyjawiła Izzy jej wściekłość sięga zenitu... Ma dość tej przyjaźni. Ma dość takiej przyjaciółki...
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2021
53 people are currently reading
1740 people want to read
About the author
Polly Phillips
3 books52 followersPolly is originally from South West London but after visiting Australia in 2011, she fell head over heels for the lifestyle, even though she doesn’t drink coffee and rarely goes to the beach! Polly currently lives in Perth with her husband, daughter and much-loved dog. My Best Friend’s Murder won the writing prize at the Emirates Literature Festival and is her debut novel. She hopes that after they read it, her friends will still be talking to her…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
May 16, 2021
All toxic friendships must come to an end. One way or another.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one was such a fun read that leaves you constantly questioning who the real victim is and just far things will go before the unthinkable happens.
Though parts of it were a bit far fetched, I didn’t see the twist coming at all. This is such a fantastic debut and I’m excited to see what Polly does next!
Thank you @simonschusterau for my gifted copy.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one was such a fun read that leaves you constantly questioning who the real victim is and just far things will go before the unthinkable happens.
Though parts of it were a bit far fetched, I didn’t see the twist coming at all. This is such a fantastic debut and I’m excited to see what Polly does next!
Thank you @simonschusterau for my gifted copy.
January 4, 2021
Best friends Bec and Izzy have had an up and down relationship all their lives, but when Bec got engaged to Ed, the first person she rushed to tell was Izzy. Izzy and her husband Rich had a little four-year-old daughter, Tilly and on the outside their marriage was happy. But Izzy wanted the best of everything, the most expensive furniture, jewellry, clothing that money could buy. Bec had always felt a little intimidated around her friend.
When things began going wrong – with work, Izzy’s continual put-downs, and Ed – Bec had finally had enough. She approached Izzy and they fought, badly. But when she returned to Izzy’s home a few hours later, she was horrified at what she found. A crumpled, bloodied Izzy at the base of the stairs. Did she fall? Or was she pushed? Who would be the first person the police looked to if indeed they investigated the incident?
My Best Friend’s Murder is the debut novel by Aussie author Polly Phillips, set in London, and is a full-on lesson of an extremely toxic relationship, and what you shouldn’t do in that circumstance. Sweet little Tilly was caught up in the horrors of what went on in the household. She had a devoted dad and a mum who wasn’t sure how to be one. Bec was used and abused, walked all over and still went back for more! Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader eager for more, My Best Friend’s Murder is one I recommend.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When things began going wrong – with work, Izzy’s continual put-downs, and Ed – Bec had finally had enough. She approached Izzy and they fought, badly. But when she returned to Izzy’s home a few hours later, she was horrified at what she found. A crumpled, bloodied Izzy at the base of the stairs. Did she fall? Or was she pushed? Who would be the first person the police looked to if indeed they investigated the incident?
My Best Friend’s Murder is the debut novel by Aussie author Polly Phillips, set in London, and is a full-on lesson of an extremely toxic relationship, and what you shouldn’t do in that circumstance. Sweet little Tilly was caught up in the horrors of what went on in the household. She had a devoted dad and a mum who wasn’t sure how to be one. Bec was used and abused, walked all over and still went back for more! Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader eager for more, My Best Friend’s Murder is one I recommend.
With thanks to Simon & Schuster AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
Need a page turner of a thriller? My Best Friends Murder is an addictive story that kept me guessing right until the end. Just when you think you know what is happening, plot twist! Unlikeable characters and fast paced, this was a winner for me.
Bec and Izzy have been best friends for years. It is a lopsided relationship with Bec being passive and quiet while Izzy is aggressive and controlling. They have been through a lot together but Bec is finally seeing Izzy’s true colours and has had enough. But she is not the only one. When Izzy is found, broken at the bottom of the stairs did she fall or was she pushed? And who is involved?
You don’t want to miss this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Bec and Izzy have been best friends for years. It is a lopsided relationship with Bec being passive and quiet while Izzy is aggressive and controlling. They have been through a lot together but Bec is finally seeing Izzy’s true colours and has had enough. But she is not the only one. When Izzy is found, broken at the bottom of the stairs did she fall or was she pushed? And who is involved?
You don’t want to miss this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my advanced copy of this book to read.
June 28, 2023
Bec and Izzy have been friends their whole lives, but suddenly Bec went to Izzy's place to find Izzy's body lying at the bottom of the stairs with lots of blood. And there are actually more of those friendships.
Bec and Izzy have the most toxic friendship ever, and it made me wonder how old they are because it felt like I was reading a YA high school drama. Instead of giving off a scary or suspense vibe, I'm just annoyed with them. The characters were so bland and unlikable.
The story becomes so repetitive and annoying. And it picked up around 70% and I thought the ending would satisfy me, but no, it was so stupid, ridiculous, and bad.
TW: this book contains cheating, really toxic and manipulative characters.
2⭐
February 14, 2021
Bec and Izzy have been friends since high school. They'd always been there for each other. Or had they?
Now in their 30's Bec is starting to realise that Izzy hasn't always been supportive of her and often she has been downright manipulative. When they were younger Bec was happy to let Izzy have the limelight. She was the beautiful one, everyone loved Izzy and she chose Bec to be her friend. However now she sees the friendship for what it is, one sided and toxic. But Izzy is her best friend and she can't let go. She needs Izzy's approval for everything.
My Best Friend's Murder is a captivating story of toxic friendships, narcissism and gaslighting. Izzy is a master manipulator she has Bec second guessing everything she sees and hears.
I think we have all seen, or even been in, a toxic friendship at some time however these usually end with some sort of blow-up during the teen years or early twenties. Bec and Izzy were in their thirties and I was astounded they were still going on with all this game-play. However, I did find it quite entertaining!
The story is narrated in the first person by Bec and as with any first person narrative we are only getting one side of the story.
The story starts with the friendship and the back and forward maliciousness with lots of background on both Bec and Izzy and I found this all quite fascinating reading. When Izzy is found near death at the bottom of the stairs the story turns to a mystery. Was she pushed or did she fall? The conclusion to this well-paced mystery took me by surprise.
My Best Friend's Murder is a cleverly-plotted narrative that astutely explores the complexity of toxic friendships, manipulation and revenge.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Now in their 30's Bec is starting to realise that Izzy hasn't always been supportive of her and often she has been downright manipulative. When they were younger Bec was happy to let Izzy have the limelight. She was the beautiful one, everyone loved Izzy and she chose Bec to be her friend. However now she sees the friendship for what it is, one sided and toxic. But Izzy is her best friend and she can't let go. She needs Izzy's approval for everything.
"I'm like one of those old dogs that pine for the owner that beat them."
My Best Friend's Murder is a captivating story of toxic friendships, narcissism and gaslighting. Izzy is a master manipulator she has Bec second guessing everything she sees and hears.
I think we have all seen, or even been in, a toxic friendship at some time however these usually end with some sort of blow-up during the teen years or early twenties. Bec and Izzy were in their thirties and I was astounded they were still going on with all this game-play. However, I did find it quite entertaining!
The story is narrated in the first person by Bec and as with any first person narrative we are only getting one side of the story.
The story starts with the friendship and the back and forward maliciousness with lots of background on both Bec and Izzy and I found this all quite fascinating reading. When Izzy is found near death at the bottom of the stairs the story turns to a mystery. Was she pushed or did she fall? The conclusion to this well-paced mystery took me by surprise.
My Best Friend's Murder is a cleverly-plotted narrative that astutely explores the complexity of toxic friendships, manipulation and revenge.
*I received a copy from the publisher
December 26, 2020
My Best Friend’s Murder is the first novel by UK-born Australian author, Polly Phillips. Izzy is at the bottom of the stairs, with a halo of blood forming around her head, while her best friend, Bec carefully examines the scene. What could have led up to this? And what will ensue?
Rebecca Maloney is a Features Assistant with Flare magazine. Isabel Waverly is a busy wife and mother. Bec and Izzy have been best friends since they were eleven. Izzy has a perfect life: a beautiful house in Clapham, money to buy the best of everything, the devotion of the gorgeous Rich, an adorable three-year-old daughter, and parents and in-laws who dote on their grandchild.
Bec’s life, on the other hand, is not quite that: a dingy flat, an ugly dog, a dull dress sense, and a boyfriend who proposes with the wrong sort of ring. Meanwhile her best friend has the man she’d thought, at fifteen, was about to choose her, before Izzy breezed in and took him. And yet, they are friends. After all, Izzy was there when Bec’s mother died, and no-one else was. When it suited her.
Does the story behind that engagement ring set in motion the cascade of events that finds Izzy at the foot of the staircase? Or was it brewing well before that?
The way Bec tells it, Izzy does seem adept at stealing Bec’s thunder, at delivering back-handed compliments, at damning her with faint praise. But does Bec’s long-standing resentment over Rich cause her to lay blame too readily at Izzy’s door, and summarily dismiss her denials?
Initially, the reader will be wondering just how reliable a narrator Bec really is: do her friends actually treat her like a doormat? Are the perceived slights as bad as she describes? And is her clumsiness as accidental as she makes out? Are her faux-pas more intentional than well-intentioned? Or does Bec’s emotional greed sometimes render her the architect of her own downfall?
There aren’t really any characters that will endear themselves to the reader; they are either weak and compliant (or acting that way); or toxic users; thus, care factor very low. And yet, this one’s hard to put down, a bit like being unable to turn away from a train wreck, a compulsion to see just how far things can go wrong. Phillips throws in several red herrings and some jaw-dropping twists before final pages that will leave the reader gasping. A compelling read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
Rebecca Maloney is a Features Assistant with Flare magazine. Isabel Waverly is a busy wife and mother. Bec and Izzy have been best friends since they were eleven. Izzy has a perfect life: a beautiful house in Clapham, money to buy the best of everything, the devotion of the gorgeous Rich, an adorable three-year-old daughter, and parents and in-laws who dote on their grandchild.
Bec’s life, on the other hand, is not quite that: a dingy flat, an ugly dog, a dull dress sense, and a boyfriend who proposes with the wrong sort of ring. Meanwhile her best friend has the man she’d thought, at fifteen, was about to choose her, before Izzy breezed in and took him. And yet, they are friends. After all, Izzy was there when Bec’s mother died, and no-one else was. When it suited her.
Does the story behind that engagement ring set in motion the cascade of events that finds Izzy at the foot of the staircase? Or was it brewing well before that?
The way Bec tells it, Izzy does seem adept at stealing Bec’s thunder, at delivering back-handed compliments, at damning her with faint praise. But does Bec’s long-standing resentment over Rich cause her to lay blame too readily at Izzy’s door, and summarily dismiss her denials?
Initially, the reader will be wondering just how reliable a narrator Bec really is: do her friends actually treat her like a doormat? Are the perceived slights as bad as she describes? And is her clumsiness as accidental as she makes out? Are her faux-pas more intentional than well-intentioned? Or does Bec’s emotional greed sometimes render her the architect of her own downfall?
There aren’t really any characters that will endear themselves to the reader; they are either weak and compliant (or acting that way); or toxic users; thus, care factor very low. And yet, this one’s hard to put down, a bit like being unable to turn away from a train wreck, a compulsion to see just how far things can go wrong. Phillips throws in several red herrings and some jaw-dropping twists before final pages that will leave the reader gasping. A compelling read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Simon & Schuster Australia.
July 21, 2022
Finally published in 2021, My Best Friend's Murder by Polly Phillips is her first standalone thriller. It opens with a bloodied woman crumbled up at the bottom of the stairs. Narrated by Bec, the events leading up to the discovery of the dead woman are revealed. Bec and Izzy are best friends and an engagement and new job complicate their close relationship. Not all is as it seems and there are many a twist and turn as the psychological thriller builds in tension and surprises. Despite its intriguing finale, this slow burner of a psychological tale has a three star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
May 26, 2025
1⭐️ = Not For Me.
Paperback.
Now, I can’t really put my finger on what I didn’t enjoy about this, but I was kind of just reading it without really caring about the storyline at all. The characters were mediocre, and whilst I knew that everything would unfold, I couldn’t really get excited at all.
I also felt that I wasn’t really the right age bracket for this.
Paperback.
Now, I can’t really put my finger on what I didn’t enjoy about this, but I was kind of just reading it without really caring about the storyline at all. The characters were mediocre, and whilst I knew that everything would unfold, I couldn’t really get excited at all.
I also felt that I wasn’t really the right age bracket for this.
May 20, 2021
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
*3.5 stars*
My Best Friend's Murder by Polly Phillips. (2021).
Bec and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. They've been through a lot together and have been side by side for all of the highs and lows life has thrown at him. But there's a darker side to their friendship too - and Bec is about to reach breaking point. Then Izzy is found broken and bloodied at the bottom of the stairs. It could have been an accident - perhaps she fell - but if the police decide to look for a killer, then Bec is sure to be their prime suspect.
Talk about having a frenemy, my gosh! By halfway through the book, I wanted to push Izzy down the stairs myself. Any redeeming feature she had would be immediately forgotten by her clearly manipulative behaviour. In saying that, Bec was no angel; it was pretty clear she had a long term crush on Bec's husband Rich (and I wouldn't classify that as a spoiler because I think it was obvious from the beginning). Their friendship was like a little soap opera and when you learn parts of their history it makes you wonder why they were even still friends at all. The story becomes a who-dunnit as it seems there a multiple people that have a motive to hurt Izzy...
This is the debut novel for the author and I think it's pretty enjoyable and will be well liked.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
*3.5 stars*
My Best Friend's Murder by Polly Phillips. (2021).
Bec and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. They've been through a lot together and have been side by side for all of the highs and lows life has thrown at him. But there's a darker side to their friendship too - and Bec is about to reach breaking point. Then Izzy is found broken and bloodied at the bottom of the stairs. It could have been an accident - perhaps she fell - but if the police decide to look for a killer, then Bec is sure to be their prime suspect.
Talk about having a frenemy, my gosh! By halfway through the book, I wanted to push Izzy down the stairs myself. Any redeeming feature she had would be immediately forgotten by her clearly manipulative behaviour. In saying that, Bec was no angel; it was pretty clear she had a long term crush on Bec's husband Rich (and I wouldn't classify that as a spoiler because I think it was obvious from the beginning). Their friendship was like a little soap opera and when you learn parts of their history it makes you wonder why they were even still friends at all. The story becomes a who-dunnit as it seems there a multiple people that have a motive to hurt Izzy...
This is the debut novel for the author and I think it's pretty enjoyable and will be well liked.
January 14, 2021
Bec and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives and Bec is forever grateful for Izzy's support after her mother died. But there is a dark side to their friendship that gradually unfolds throughout the story. Bec can't imagine her friend not looking out for her best interests but the clues pointing in that direction are mounting and her brother is concerned for her. When Izzy's body is found at the bottom of the stairs in what appears to have been an accidental fall, the police turn to Bec for answers.
This was the ultimate frenemies tale, that built up speed throughout and leaves you wanting the conclusion. I would have liked to go into this not having read the synopsis, as I do like to be kept wondering through the story. Other than that, it was such a wild and entertaining adventure and so enjoyable.
This was the ultimate frenemies tale, that built up speed throughout and leaves you wanting the conclusion. I would have liked to go into this not having read the synopsis, as I do like to be kept wondering through the story. Other than that, it was such a wild and entertaining adventure and so enjoyable.
February 2, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘What Ed doesn’t realise is that it’s not about whether or not this row will blow over or how busy Izzy is. It’s about whether or not Izzy and I ever had a friendship at all.’
The complex nature of female friendships, a shock tragedy and unclear motives outline My Best Friend’s Murder by Polly Phillips. A resident of my own home state, Polly Phillips has crafted a shrewd and savvy whodunnit, which allows this new author to make her mark on the domestic thriller scene as a debut novelist.
In My Best Friend’s Murder we are presented with a besetting tale of two lifelong friends, who have been there for each other through the ups and downs of life. Bec and Izzy have supported each other through many difficult life events and transitions. But not all friendships are smooth sailing, as we discover through Bec and Izzy’s complex relationship dynamic. Tensions mount, as a sinister tone to their relationship takes a hold, resulting in a deep crisis. What follows is a terrible and tragic incident, which leaves one of the pair dead. With this in mind, police point fingers at Bec, the surviving friend, but is she capable of killing her best friend?
Our book club recently settled on My Best Friend’s Murder for our monthly read. I was pleased by this choice as I love to support local writers. Debut novelist Polly Phillips is originally from the UK, but she is now based in Perth. I am always intrigued by new authors and I was keen to give My Best Friend’s Murder a go. Overall, I’m really pleased our book club chose this novel to read, as it raises plenty of discussion points.
My Best Friend’s Murder is narrated from the viewpoint of Bec, one half of a long-standing bestie relationship. I appreciated getting to know this character, even though I didn’t have much to like about Bec, or her best friend Izzy. Despite that fact that I didn’t warm to these characters at all, I still enjoyed following their relationship milestones, along with their good and bad moments. Phillips does a fine job of exploring the complexities of a tenuous female friendship. With this particular relationship dynamic, we are presented with a few issues from jealousy, perfection, image, grief, loss, marriage, parenthood, family, fame, fortune and guilt. There is a heavy sheen of toxicity that seems to follow this long-standing connection. Phillips also looks at the hidden areas of difficult female relationships. There is plenty to ponder on and the approach Phillips takes to her narrative is believable.
The narrative direction in My Best Friend’s Murder is pretty specific. We are presented with a shocking opening, which then sees Phillips track to the time before, around three months or so, along with some time after the pinnacle narrative event. This was an interesting route to take, that seemed to benefit me as an onlooker following on. There are precise date and time allocations attached to each chapter, which definitely helped to build true sense of what was going on. However, just when I thought I had this one worked out, or distinguished which character was responsible for something, the plot changed direction. My Best Friend’s Murder is a sharp novel with an acutely plotted storyline. This one really begs the question – can you truly kill a friendship? I liked this question very much!
With two rather dynamic lead female characters, filled with their own issues and problems, the male cast did seem to pale in comparison. I could see the purpose of male cast members such as Ed and Rich, but they definitely did not have the same page presence that their female counterparts. The subsequent support cast add a sense of intrigue to the unfolding events and they also work to enhance the whodunnit factor of this tale. I know I didn’t have the final culprit earmarked at all, so kudos to Phillips for duping me!
Domestic thrillers seemed to be all the rage lately and My Best Friend’s Murder slots very nicely into this burgeoning genre. I look forward to seeing what Perth based writer Polly Phillips comes up with next following my appreciation of her debut release.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
My Best Friend’s Murder is book #7 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
‘What Ed doesn’t realise is that it’s not about whether or not this row will blow over or how busy Izzy is. It’s about whether or not Izzy and I ever had a friendship at all.’
The complex nature of female friendships, a shock tragedy and unclear motives outline My Best Friend’s Murder by Polly Phillips. A resident of my own home state, Polly Phillips has crafted a shrewd and savvy whodunnit, which allows this new author to make her mark on the domestic thriller scene as a debut novelist.
In My Best Friend’s Murder we are presented with a besetting tale of two lifelong friends, who have been there for each other through the ups and downs of life. Bec and Izzy have supported each other through many difficult life events and transitions. But not all friendships are smooth sailing, as we discover through Bec and Izzy’s complex relationship dynamic. Tensions mount, as a sinister tone to their relationship takes a hold, resulting in a deep crisis. What follows is a terrible and tragic incident, which leaves one of the pair dead. With this in mind, police point fingers at Bec, the surviving friend, but is she capable of killing her best friend?
Our book club recently settled on My Best Friend’s Murder for our monthly read. I was pleased by this choice as I love to support local writers. Debut novelist Polly Phillips is originally from the UK, but she is now based in Perth. I am always intrigued by new authors and I was keen to give My Best Friend’s Murder a go. Overall, I’m really pleased our book club chose this novel to read, as it raises plenty of discussion points.
My Best Friend’s Murder is narrated from the viewpoint of Bec, one half of a long-standing bestie relationship. I appreciated getting to know this character, even though I didn’t have much to like about Bec, or her best friend Izzy. Despite that fact that I didn’t warm to these characters at all, I still enjoyed following their relationship milestones, along with their good and bad moments. Phillips does a fine job of exploring the complexities of a tenuous female friendship. With this particular relationship dynamic, we are presented with a few issues from jealousy, perfection, image, grief, loss, marriage, parenthood, family, fame, fortune and guilt. There is a heavy sheen of toxicity that seems to follow this long-standing connection. Phillips also looks at the hidden areas of difficult female relationships. There is plenty to ponder on and the approach Phillips takes to her narrative is believable.
The narrative direction in My Best Friend’s Murder is pretty specific. We are presented with a shocking opening, which then sees Phillips track to the time before, around three months or so, along with some time after the pinnacle narrative event. This was an interesting route to take, that seemed to benefit me as an onlooker following on. There are precise date and time allocations attached to each chapter, which definitely helped to build true sense of what was going on. However, just when I thought I had this one worked out, or distinguished which character was responsible for something, the plot changed direction. My Best Friend’s Murder is a sharp novel with an acutely plotted storyline. This one really begs the question – can you truly kill a friendship? I liked this question very much!
With two rather dynamic lead female characters, filled with their own issues and problems, the male cast did seem to pale in comparison. I could see the purpose of male cast members such as Ed and Rich, but they definitely did not have the same page presence that their female counterparts. The subsequent support cast add a sense of intrigue to the unfolding events and they also work to enhance the whodunnit factor of this tale. I know I didn’t have the final culprit earmarked at all, so kudos to Phillips for duping me!
Domestic thrillers seemed to be all the rage lately and My Best Friend’s Murder slots very nicely into this burgeoning genre. I look forward to seeing what Perth based writer Polly Phillips comes up with next following my appreciation of her debut release.
*I wish to thank Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
My Best Friend’s Murder is book #7 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 19, 2021
elitist? somewhat. boring? sure. unimaginative? probably. unintelligent? absolutely. predictable? yep. a waste of my time? you bet.
there is no one glaring thing that is wrong with this book, but it is just so absolutely boring and unimaginative. there were glaring stupidities, like the author saying that green tea doesn’t have caffeine (this really bugged me for some reason).
that, and the characters were bland, two-dimensional and frankly, completely unlikeable. the relationships were so obvious, the author was telling not showing. the protagonist had no character and flip-flopped all over the place. there was no chemistry between everyone. the plot was thin and ridiculous.
there is no one glaring thing that is wrong with this book, but it is just so absolutely boring and unimaginative. there were glaring stupidities, like the author saying that green tea doesn’t have caffeine (this really bugged me for some reason).
that, and the characters were bland, two-dimensional and frankly, completely unlikeable. the relationships were so obvious, the author was telling not showing. the protagonist had no character and flip-flopped all over the place. there was no chemistry between everyone. the plot was thin and ridiculous.
June 5, 2021
I'm just not sure what this was meant to be. The first three quarters are just a lesson in toxic friendship (which could've used more development - why was Bec so happy to stay friends with someone like Izzy? Is her self esteem really that low?). Then there's the murder, which no one even considers to be a murder until the last two chapters? And the culprit is just so out of left field, but it didn't even seem like a twist because there were no other suspects because no one even realised it was a murder? Just....a bit weird.
January 13, 2021
I thought this book was so disappointing. It started with an interesting enough premise, and one a lot of us can relate to, the frenemies, the toxic relationship. Then came the end - what????
Better luck next time Polly Phillips!
Better luck next time Polly Phillips!
August 4, 2021
A pretty typical scenario for kids that grow up together into adulthood all those things that were minor annoyances, jealousies and over-familiarity are still there, however they can become more magnified as adults.
Izzy is the girl with the looks, the ability and the success married into money, Rich the man ready to climb the ladder to the summit but stolen by Izzy from her best friend Bec who is left behind to pick up the crumbs. One would wonder why Izzy would go out of her way to upset Bec's apple cart, who now engaged to be married discovers that Izzy behind the scenes is causing interference with just about everything Bec touches, ringing the reception place putting in her bit, sending in champagne, leading Ed off the track to have affairs before getting married and then pushing her way back into an executive position to work with him.
Bec is accident prone, spills wine on the beautiful new flooring of Izzy and Rich, casting aside instructions from Izzy when she serves pizza to Tilly, small daughter of Izzy and Rich and kisses Rich when he is vulnerable, unhappy with his life, pushed around by his wife and father, who is the real corporate man.
Bec is a writer for a magazine doing small articles, however through her brother who has started dating a well known movie star has organised an exclusive interview on the insistence that Bec do it. For the time being it's all pretty hush hush but when Bec who just can't help herself tells Izzy and adds a confided secret she is as mad as hell when she discovers it's been leaked, blaming Izzy. All that pent up animosity comes to a head.
Returning home in a rage Bec is confronted with the ultimate betrayal by Ed and throws him out then returns to Izzy's to find her sprawled on the floor oozing blood. After her death through Tilly holding onto a small monitor/webcam Bec finds the SD card and on viewing it discovers to her shock the perpetrator of Izzy's death.
Bec gets the prized man in her life but can they both ever emerge from Izzy's shadow. Bec also reveals that she isn't the total pushover she makes out to be in particular her own small revenges over time to Izzy, that spilt wine? Izzy's fall at the community challenge run?
This read is not my normal Genre which generally makes me itch with impatience and a bit of speed reading happens, however the author does make a surprise impact at the end which gives it the 4 stars.
Izzy is the girl with the looks, the ability and the success married into money, Rich the man ready to climb the ladder to the summit but stolen by Izzy from her best friend Bec who is left behind to pick up the crumbs. One would wonder why Izzy would go out of her way to upset Bec's apple cart, who now engaged to be married discovers that Izzy behind the scenes is causing interference with just about everything Bec touches, ringing the reception place putting in her bit, sending in champagne, leading Ed off the track to have affairs before getting married and then pushing her way back into an executive position to work with him.
Bec is accident prone, spills wine on the beautiful new flooring of Izzy and Rich, casting aside instructions from Izzy when she serves pizza to Tilly, small daughter of Izzy and Rich and kisses Rich when he is vulnerable, unhappy with his life, pushed around by his wife and father, who is the real corporate man.
Bec is a writer for a magazine doing small articles, however through her brother who has started dating a well known movie star has organised an exclusive interview on the insistence that Bec do it. For the time being it's all pretty hush hush but when Bec who just can't help herself tells Izzy and adds a confided secret she is as mad as hell when she discovers it's been leaked, blaming Izzy. All that pent up animosity comes to a head.
Returning home in a rage Bec is confronted with the ultimate betrayal by Ed and throws him out then returns to Izzy's to find her sprawled on the floor oozing blood. After her death through Tilly holding onto a small monitor/webcam Bec finds the SD card and on viewing it discovers to her shock the perpetrator of Izzy's death.
Bec gets the prized man in her life but can they both ever emerge from Izzy's shadow. Bec also reveals that she isn't the total pushover she makes out to be in particular her own small revenges over time to Izzy, that spilt wine? Izzy's fall at the community challenge run?
This read is not my normal Genre which generally makes me itch with impatience and a bit of speed reading happens, however the author does make a surprise impact at the end which gives it the 4 stars.
February 18, 2021
My Best Friend’s Murder is the debut thriller from Western Australia author, Polly Phillips. As the Books and Bubbles book club read, I was looking forward to reading this and dissecting it. Escaping reality for a while was a bonus as I headed over to London and got to know the main protagonist, Bec. Phillips explores childhood, toxic friendship, love, family and marriage in this unpredictable yet familiar read.
Bec is a typical young woman. Like many of us, her family dynamics are not perfect. Over a decade ago, Bec’s mother died, leaving behind her husband, son Rob and of course, Bec. Bec found it difficult to deal with the speed in which her father moved on from his wife’s death and now the father daughter relationship is strained. Bec is lucky to have a strong relationship with Rob. Her childhood best friend Izzy has also been there to help Bec through the difficult periods. Yet things are not perfect in this department either.
With problems building over the years, the women’s friendship is highly toxic. I don’t know how they stayed friend for so long as there are a lifetime of issues to overcome. Most people would not put up with what Bec experienced. It would have been interesting to have Izzy’s perspective of the friendship as we only have Bec’s point of view, making it biased. Making matters worse for Bec, she has been secretly in love with Izzy’s husband Rich for many years. The couple have an only child, Tilly, and when readers first meet the family it is evident that there is trouble brewing. It has been brewing for a long time and Izzy has been a witness to it all. When Izzy is found lying at the bottom of her family’s staircase, life is about to be become extremely dark.
Who killed Izzy?
Bec is a typical young woman. Like many of us, her family dynamics are not perfect. Over a decade ago, Bec’s mother died, leaving behind her husband, son Rob and of course, Bec. Bec found it difficult to deal with the speed in which her father moved on from his wife’s death and now the father daughter relationship is strained. Bec is lucky to have a strong relationship with Rob. Her childhood best friend Izzy has also been there to help Bec through the difficult periods. Yet things are not perfect in this department either.
With problems building over the years, the women’s friendship is highly toxic. I don’t know how they stayed friend for so long as there are a lifetime of issues to overcome. Most people would not put up with what Bec experienced. It would have been interesting to have Izzy’s perspective of the friendship as we only have Bec’s point of view, making it biased. Making matters worse for Bec, she has been secretly in love with Izzy’s husband Rich for many years. The couple have an only child, Tilly, and when readers first meet the family it is evident that there is trouble brewing. It has been brewing for a long time and Izzy has been a witness to it all. When Izzy is found lying at the bottom of her family’s staircase, life is about to be become extremely dark.
Who killed Izzy?
January 16, 2021
Bec and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. They’ve been through a lot together – the death of Bec’s mother, the birth of Izzy’s daughter, Bec’s engagement. But there’s a darker side to their friendship, too – and Bec is about to reach breaking point.
Then Izzy is found broken and bloodied at the bottom of the stairs.
It could have been an accident – perhaps she fell – but if the police decide to look for a killer, then Bec is sure to be their prime suspect.
I was attracted to this book because of its title and premise and it was definitely an engaging read. The pacing of the plot was good especially that the suspense was maintained throughout. There were enough twists to keep me hooked.
The one thing that came to my mind while reading this book was that who needs enemies or haters, when you have best friends like Izzy! The relationship between all the main characters is actually toxic. The only relationship that was real was the one between Bec and her brother, Rob.
Since I found almost all the characters shady, I had a doubt on all of them but even then, when the culprit was finally revealed at the end, I was actually surprised because it was kind was unexpected!
Overall, an excellent debut novel. Looking forward for her next!
Thank You NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC!
Then Izzy is found broken and bloodied at the bottom of the stairs.
It could have been an accident – perhaps she fell – but if the police decide to look for a killer, then Bec is sure to be their prime suspect.
I was attracted to this book because of its title and premise and it was definitely an engaging read. The pacing of the plot was good especially that the suspense was maintained throughout. There were enough twists to keep me hooked.
The one thing that came to my mind while reading this book was that who needs enemies or haters, when you have best friends like Izzy! The relationship between all the main characters is actually toxic. The only relationship that was real was the one between Bec and her brother, Rob.
Since I found almost all the characters shady, I had a doubt on all of them but even then, when the culprit was finally revealed at the end, I was actually surprised because it was kind was unexpected!
Overall, an excellent debut novel. Looking forward for her next!
Thank You NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this ARC!
November 6, 2021
Mówi się, że prawda straszniejsza jest od jakiejkolwiek fikcji, więc boję się tego, co naprawdę przeżyła autorka Polly Phillips, która w swoim debiutanckim thrillerze psychologicznym „Toksyczna przyjaźń” zawarła podobno doświadczenia dziecięcych lat.
„Toksyczna przyjaźń” to debiutancka powieść Polly Phillips, przy czym widać miejscami, że pióro autorki dopiero się rozkręca, dopiero buduje swoją pisarską osobowość. Nie przeszkodziło to jednak w wykreowaniu intrygującej, wciągającej czytelnika fabuły oraz zagadki, której rozwiązanie przyniesie sporo czytelniczej satysfakcji. Podbija napięcie, rozwija postacie, zakręca fabularnie tak, jak lubimy najbardziej. Warto śledzić dalsze poczynania tej autorki.
„Toksyczna przyjaźń” to debiutancka powieść Polly Phillips, przy czym widać miejscami, że pióro autorki dopiero się rozkręca, dopiero buduje swoją pisarską osobowość. Nie przeszkodziło to jednak w wykreowaniu intrygującej, wciągającej czytelnika fabuły oraz zagadki, której rozwiązanie przyniesie sporo czytelniczej satysfakcji. Podbija napięcie, rozwija postacie, zakręca fabularnie tak, jak lubimy najbardziej. Warto śledzić dalsze poczynania tej autorki.
March 29, 2021
My View:
This is a really interesting read on a few levels. It is a genre I like – crime/mystery/domestic noir, and it has an plenty of plot twists and red herrings to keep you guessing – in fact I didn’t work out the culprit – and was surprised when this was revealed (no spoilers). But for me this has been a significant read/discussion about relationships and has left me considering the toxicity of some of those relationships in my life.
For me this is a narrative about the stories we tell our self; of memory and how it is influenced by our own desires and need to fit, to belong, to be acknowledged. Reflection sat heavily with me long after I finished reading this book. Thank Holly Phillips for creating a world that has shone a torch on my own relationships, toxic relationships are hiding within plain sight 😊 Now what to do about them…I don’t have stairs in my house😊 😊
PS Polly is a Perth writer – another reason t celebrate this read 😊
This is a really interesting read on a few levels. It is a genre I like – crime/mystery/domestic noir, and it has an plenty of plot twists and red herrings to keep you guessing – in fact I didn’t work out the culprit – and was surprised when this was revealed (no spoilers). But for me this has been a significant read/discussion about relationships and has left me considering the toxicity of some of those relationships in my life.
For me this is a narrative about the stories we tell our self; of memory and how it is influenced by our own desires and need to fit, to belong, to be acknowledged. Reflection sat heavily with me long after I finished reading this book. Thank Holly Phillips for creating a world that has shone a torch on my own relationships, toxic relationships are hiding within plain sight 😊 Now what to do about them…I don’t have stairs in my house😊 😊
PS Polly is a Perth writer – another reason t celebrate this read 😊
January 14, 2021
My Best Friend’s Murder is an entertaining domestic thriller from UK journalist Polly Phillips, who currently calls Australia home.
“You’re lying, sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, legs bent, arms wide.”
Bec and Izzy have been the best of friends since they met, aged eleven. In the years since, Bec has mostly been content to let Izzy set the terms for their relationship, but recently she’s begun to sense that contempt lurks behind Izzy’s backhand compliments and seemingly solicitous advice. Hurt and angry, Bec is determined to confront her best friend, but could she really be responsible for her murder?
My Best Friend’s Murder is told from Bec’s perspective, beginning with her standing over a broken and bloodied Izzy, before moving back three months previously as Bec and her new fiancé, Ed, celebrate their engagement at home of Izzy and her husband, Rich. The occasion is not the first time that Bec senses something awry between herself and Izzy, but she is surprised by her best friend’s cool behaviour.
Well-paced, this is a suspenseful novel as Phillips reveals the history of the friendship between the two women and it’s increasing toxicity. To Bec, Izzy’s behaviour is inexplicable- beautiful, married to her handsome highschool sweetheart with an adorable child, wealthy and ambitious, Izzy has everything, yet she seems to resent Bec’s recent small successes - her engagement, and a potentially career altering opportunity. Phillips skilfully explores the complex dynamic of their friendship, the role each of them play in maintaining the status quo, and how difficult it is for them to let go. With Izzy’s death, Bec is left to grapple with her grief, and her guilt.
I admired Phillips subtle, and not so subtle twists, in the plot, and though I wasn’t so enamoured with an element of the ending, it’s a minor flaw in what is otherwise a well told tale. My Best Friend’s Murder is an absorbing read and an accomplished debut.
“You’re lying, sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, legs bent, arms wide.”
Bec and Izzy have been the best of friends since they met, aged eleven. In the years since, Bec has mostly been content to let Izzy set the terms for their relationship, but recently she’s begun to sense that contempt lurks behind Izzy’s backhand compliments and seemingly solicitous advice. Hurt and angry, Bec is determined to confront her best friend, but could she really be responsible for her murder?
My Best Friend’s Murder is told from Bec’s perspective, beginning with her standing over a broken and bloodied Izzy, before moving back three months previously as Bec and her new fiancé, Ed, celebrate their engagement at home of Izzy and her husband, Rich. The occasion is not the first time that Bec senses something awry between herself and Izzy, but she is surprised by her best friend’s cool behaviour.
Well-paced, this is a suspenseful novel as Phillips reveals the history of the friendship between the two women and it’s increasing toxicity. To Bec, Izzy’s behaviour is inexplicable- beautiful, married to her handsome highschool sweetheart with an adorable child, wealthy and ambitious, Izzy has everything, yet she seems to resent Bec’s recent small successes - her engagement, and a potentially career altering opportunity. Phillips skilfully explores the complex dynamic of their friendship, the role each of them play in maintaining the status quo, and how difficult it is for them to let go. With Izzy’s death, Bec is left to grapple with her grief, and her guilt.
I admired Phillips subtle, and not so subtle twists, in the plot, and though I wasn’t so enamoured with an element of the ending, it’s a minor flaw in what is otherwise a well told tale. My Best Friend’s Murder is an absorbing read and an accomplished debut.
September 16, 2021
Phillips’ debut novel was, arguably, awful. It read like a knock-off version of ‘A Simple Favor.’ It was fundamentally uninspired, clichéd in every sense of the word and enraging (not in a good way). Protagonist Bec is horrifically unlikeable, so much so that I failed to conjure any sympathy for her circumstances throughout the novel. The problem is, the author wants us to feel bad for her. She paints Bec’s character with such a self-righteous victim complex that that task becomes simply impossible.
As for the plot itself, it makes absolutely no sense. The entire way through pages 1 to 335 the novel is lacklustre and fundamentally predictable. I knew what was going to happen before it even happened, which is exactly what shouldn’t be the case for a thriller. Then, in the last 20 pages, it’s as though Phillips chokes back an LSD tab and completely blows the whole plot apart, and not in a good way. The ending makes no logical sense; the result of the murder in the novel’s title feels poorly drawn and unresolved. There’s just not enough motive, evidence or character development for it to make any sense. Phillips must have come down from her peak, realised her mistake, and therefore decided to poorly conclude her ridiculous debut four pages after dropping her drug-hazed bombshell. Also, the police NEVER look for a killer in the novel, much less Bec, so the entire selling point is a lie.
Not too sure what publication team let this one slip through the cracks.
As for the plot itself, it makes absolutely no sense. The entire way through pages 1 to 335 the novel is lacklustre and fundamentally predictable. I knew what was going to happen before it even happened, which is exactly what shouldn’t be the case for a thriller. Then, in the last 20 pages, it’s as though Phillips chokes back an LSD tab and completely blows the whole plot apart, and not in a good way. The ending makes no logical sense; the result of the murder in the novel’s title feels poorly drawn and unresolved. There’s just not enough motive, evidence or character development for it to make any sense. Phillips must have come down from her peak, realised her mistake, and therefore decided to poorly conclude her ridiculous debut four pages after dropping her drug-hazed bombshell. Also, the police NEVER look for a killer in the novel, much less Bec, so the entire selling point is a lie.
Not too sure what publication team let this one slip through the cracks.
January 19, 2021
I was a in a mood for a fairly trashy who done it - and this seemed like it could be a bit gone girl or single white female. The author did hold my attention enough to preserve to find out what happened. But the characters were so one dimensional, the sense of place was a cardboard cutout. You know it’s London because it’s says so, it doesn’t have the London vibe. The ending was very silly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
What a frustrating read, in the best way, as all amateur detectives will be desperate to work out just who the killer is!
An incredibly engaging plot, with the light of suspicion shining down on so many characters, and readers being led down the wrong path fairly frequently, features which tend to be great ingredients to put in the suspense pot for stirring.
Just when you think you have the measure of a character a new part of the narrative exposes that belief to be incorrect and off you go again, re-forming your thoughts and impressions and, as is often in my case, sitting and barking up at the wrong tree!
Bec and Izzy are supposedly best friends but from very early on it would appear to be a toxic relationship and the dynamic between the two women is very unhealthy. Rather than friendly, supportive, caring and encouragin, the friendship lives and breathes on a massive amount of jealousy and competitiveness. Bec would appear to be down-trodden and the victim out of the pair. Izzy is dominant, vociferous, perfect, clever and manipulative. The friendship certainly makes for explosive dialogue and events and thus, exciting reading.
Bec is engaged to Ed but still has feelings for Rich who just happens to be married to Izzy.
Rob is Bec's brother and appears to be the only one to tell Bec how it is and attempt to pull apart Bec's delusions. He has a wonderful new relationship, Izzy is going to return to her high powered job and Bec seems to be the only one treading stagnant waters at her magazine assistant's job.
It is very difficult to write much more without giving away essential plot details, so suffice to say, if you are looking for a read-into-the-night thriller with lots of lovely detail about the intricacies of human nature and the relationships we form, plus an intriguing opening and an unexpected ending, My Best Friend's Murder could very well be your next read!
An incredibly engaging plot, with the light of suspicion shining down on so many characters, and readers being led down the wrong path fairly frequently, features which tend to be great ingredients to put in the suspense pot for stirring.
Just when you think you have the measure of a character a new part of the narrative exposes that belief to be incorrect and off you go again, re-forming your thoughts and impressions and, as is often in my case, sitting and barking up at the wrong tree!
Bec and Izzy are supposedly best friends but from very early on it would appear to be a toxic relationship and the dynamic between the two women is very unhealthy. Rather than friendly, supportive, caring and encouragin, the friendship lives and breathes on a massive amount of jealousy and competitiveness. Bec would appear to be down-trodden and the victim out of the pair. Izzy is dominant, vociferous, perfect, clever and manipulative. The friendship certainly makes for explosive dialogue and events and thus, exciting reading.
Bec is engaged to Ed but still has feelings for Rich who just happens to be married to Izzy.
Rob is Bec's brother and appears to be the only one to tell Bec how it is and attempt to pull apart Bec's delusions. He has a wonderful new relationship, Izzy is going to return to her high powered job and Bec seems to be the only one treading stagnant waters at her magazine assistant's job.
It is very difficult to write much more without giving away essential plot details, so suffice to say, if you are looking for a read-into-the-night thriller with lots of lovely detail about the intricacies of human nature and the relationships we form, plus an intriguing opening and an unexpected ending, My Best Friend's Murder could very well be your next read!
May 10, 2022
Izzy and Bec have been bestfriends since childhood. Close friends, yet there's a dark side to the friendship. Izzy is constantly trying to be better than Bec, and Bec is slowly beginning to realise that it's a very toxic friendship. Then Izzy's body is found at the bottom of the stairs. Bec panics, certain she will be a suspect, along with others that Izzy has wronged. Has Izzy pushed Bec too far? Was it an accidental fall?
This was a very good book, it had me gripped from the first page. It's such a toxic friendship, it actually became frustrating how Bec couldn't see it. When she finally saw how toxic it was, I actually did a cheer! The ending has THE twist. And it's a good twist. You'll finish this book wanting more, the author is just that good.
This was a very good book, it had me gripped from the first page. It's such a toxic friendship, it actually became frustrating how Bec couldn't see it. When she finally saw how toxic it was, I actually did a cheer! The ending has THE twist. And it's a good twist. You'll finish this book wanting more, the author is just that good.
January 22, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book.
There are some nasty characters that I loved to hate and the main part of the book paints Izzy as a very nasty manipulative control freak and Bec as the doormat, downtrodden friend. Both appear unhappy with their partners.
I think most readers can see the toxic relationship between the two, underlined by Bec's jealousy of Izzy's seemingly perfect life.
However all is not as it seems and the pace and style change after Izzy's death.
So many people had a motive to push her. What happens now?
The ending was not a total surprise, but Bec's reaction was, and I'm still left with a few unanswered questions.
Thanks to Polly and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this page turner.
There are some nasty characters that I loved to hate and the main part of the book paints Izzy as a very nasty manipulative control freak and Bec as the doormat, downtrodden friend. Both appear unhappy with their partners.
I think most readers can see the toxic relationship between the two, underlined by Bec's jealousy of Izzy's seemingly perfect life.
However all is not as it seems and the pace and style change after Izzy's death.
So many people had a motive to push her. What happens now?
The ending was not a total surprise, but Bec's reaction was, and I'm still left with a few unanswered questions.
Thanks to Polly and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this page turner.
January 22, 2021
Frienemy..... Someone who is both friend and enemy, a relationship that is both mutually beneficial or dependent while being competitive, fraught with risk and mistrust.
Friendships can be diverse, some are close and loyal,some can last for years and some can be short lived. You can believe that someone is your friend but in reality they are stabbing you in the back at every opportunity and then they are suddenly ghosting you. And then there are the toxic friendships like the one between the two characters in this captivating debut thriller.
Bec and Izzy have been best friends since primary school and have supported each other throughout the ups and downs of the roller coaster ride that is also known as life. But as the story unfolds the reader learns that their friendship is rather toxic and appears to mean more to one of the women than it does to the other. The women were complete opposites when it came to their backgrounds, lifestyles, personalities and social standings, they say that opposites attract but that definitely didn't appear to be the case with this relationship. They were each in a relationship, Bec was living with Ed whilst Izzy was married to Rich who was also very close friends with Bec,something that Izzy didn't like one tiny little bit. Izzy and Rich had a lovely three year old daughter called Tilly although I think that Izzy viewed her as more of a fashion statement that a daughter. Tilly was such a sweet little girl and I felt so sorry for her during the chapters that were set on Christmas Day. I can't honestly say that I thought either of the woman were very likeable for various reasons although Bec did have a few redeemable qualities, I liked her caring nature when she was interacting with her dog Missy and little Tilly and I loved the interactions between Bec and her brother Rob. I thought was Rich was a really nice character and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he put up with Izzy but as they say, appearances can be deceptive. Was he really the lovely person that he appeared to be or was he hiding his true nature behind a mask? Did he push his beautiful wife down the stairs? Had Bec finally had enough of her so called best friend? Was Izzy's death a tragic accident or a case of cold blooded murder?
Mostly domestic drama with elements of a mystery/thriller this is a addictive,well written debut that opens with a prologue that hooks the reader in and draws you into the story. It's a compelling study into the complexities of the relationships between the realistic characters,a tale of revenge,deception, jealousy,betrayal and manipulation that keeps the reader guessing and glued to your kindle. It's perfectly paced and when the truth is revealed it is a genuinely unexpected surprise.I really enjoyed this gripping thriller and look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future.
Friendships can be diverse, some are close and loyal,some can last for years and some can be short lived. You can believe that someone is your friend but in reality they are stabbing you in the back at every opportunity and then they are suddenly ghosting you. And then there are the toxic friendships like the one between the two characters in this captivating debut thriller.
Bec and Izzy have been best friends since primary school and have supported each other throughout the ups and downs of the roller coaster ride that is also known as life. But as the story unfolds the reader learns that their friendship is rather toxic and appears to mean more to one of the women than it does to the other. The women were complete opposites when it came to their backgrounds, lifestyles, personalities and social standings, they say that opposites attract but that definitely didn't appear to be the case with this relationship. They were each in a relationship, Bec was living with Ed whilst Izzy was married to Rich who was also very close friends with Bec,something that Izzy didn't like one tiny little bit. Izzy and Rich had a lovely three year old daughter called Tilly although I think that Izzy viewed her as more of a fashion statement that a daughter. Tilly was such a sweet little girl and I felt so sorry for her during the chapters that were set on Christmas Day. I can't honestly say that I thought either of the woman were very likeable for various reasons although Bec did have a few redeemable qualities, I liked her caring nature when she was interacting with her dog Missy and little Tilly and I loved the interactions between Bec and her brother Rob. I thought was Rich was a really nice character and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why he put up with Izzy but as they say, appearances can be deceptive. Was he really the lovely person that he appeared to be or was he hiding his true nature behind a mask? Did he push his beautiful wife down the stairs? Had Bec finally had enough of her so called best friend? Was Izzy's death a tragic accident or a case of cold blooded murder?
Mostly domestic drama with elements of a mystery/thriller this is a addictive,well written debut that opens with a prologue that hooks the reader in and draws you into the story. It's a compelling study into the complexities of the relationships between the realistic characters,a tale of revenge,deception, jealousy,betrayal and manipulation that keeps the reader guessing and glued to your kindle. It's perfectly paced and when the truth is revealed it is a genuinely unexpected surprise.I really enjoyed this gripping thriller and look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future.
January 3, 2021
I was part-way through My Best Friend's Murder by Polly Phillips when it occurred to me it might be set in Australia. What I very much liked about that thought was not that it might be set in my home country, but rather it translated into any number of locations. An excellent idea for a debut author which would make the book relevant and relatable across a number of english-speaking markets. Of course there might (also) have been references to places or landmarks I missed or didn't recognise!
And I very much enjoyed this book, reading it in a sitting on Christmas night when I was supposed to be bingeing on a new Netflix release.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
And I very much enjoyed this book, reading it in a sitting on Christmas night when I was supposed to be bingeing on a new Netflix release.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
February 20, 2021
Bec and Izzy have been friends since they met at school. Izzy is married to Rich and has a daughter named Tilly, Bec is engaged to Ed until she discovers him cheating on her. Bec also used to have a crush on Ed. However things change when Izzy becomes a major bitch and secrets are revealed. And then Izzy is found dead at the bottom of her stairs and Rich and Bec find love. Whodunnit? A great read with some characters that intensely likeable and some that are easy to hate.
October 27, 2020
One to watch next year for fans of the psych thriller genre. Think The Real Desperate Housewives one murderous. Best frenemies and a lot of passive aggressive gas-lighting. Expertly done.
March 2, 2023
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised, it is definitely more gripping and thrilling than the cover would suggest.
We start the book at the scene of the crime and you think you know exactly what’s happened, it sure does look pretty clear cut but things aren’t quite as they seem…
We go back in time and start to see the lives and friendship of Bec and Izzy, how close they are and everything that leads us to the final scenes. I have to say, I really didn’t like Izzy and definitely agreed with some of the comments Bec’s brother made, she just doesn’t seem like a nice person and I couldn’t see much good in her…
As we head into the aftermath things take an interesting turn which I kinda saw coming but it did feel a bit awkward for me and I kept expecting something to go wrong or for a big reveal. Which of course did come, although it wasn’t the reveal that I was expecting at all - I’ve definitely got someone else down as my prime suspect!
I ended up getting pretty hooked to this and found myself wanting to read on and discover the truth, I’d definitely have a read of more books by Polly in the future!
We start the book at the scene of the crime and you think you know exactly what’s happened, it sure does look pretty clear cut but things aren’t quite as they seem…
We go back in time and start to see the lives and friendship of Bec and Izzy, how close they are and everything that leads us to the final scenes. I have to say, I really didn’t like Izzy and definitely agreed with some of the comments Bec’s brother made, she just doesn’t seem like a nice person and I couldn’t see much good in her…
As we head into the aftermath things take an interesting turn which I kinda saw coming but it did feel a bit awkward for me and I kept expecting something to go wrong or for a big reveal. Which of course did come, although it wasn’t the reveal that I was expecting at all - I’ve definitely got someone else down as my prime suspect!
I ended up getting pretty hooked to this and found myself wanting to read on and discover the truth, I’d definitely have a read of more books by Polly in the future!
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