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No Friends Of Mine
Meeting up with old friends can be murder…
Marilyn is disappointed with her life. What has she got to show for her twenty-seven years on the planet? She hates her job and she’s pretty sure her boyfriend is cheating on her. Again. Things would have been so different if that thing hadn’t happened ten years ago.
You see Marilyn carries a secret, and she’s not the only one.
When she gets a text from an old friend inviting her to spend a weekend at her beach house, Marilyn decides it’s exactly what she needs.
Perhaps now is the time to finally clear the air and confront what happened all those years ago. Turn her life around. Return to the place where it all happened.
Marilyn is disappointed with her life. What has she got to show for her twenty-seven years on the planet? She hates her job and she’s pretty sure her boyfriend is cheating on her. Again. Things would have been so different if that thing hadn’t happened ten years ago.
You see Marilyn carries a secret, and she’s not the only one.
When she gets a text from an old friend inviting her to spend a weekend at her beach house, Marilyn decides it’s exactly what she needs.
Perhaps now is the time to finally clear the air and confront what happened all those years ago. Turn her life around. Return to the place where it all happened.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2023
471 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Garbin
13 books102 followersVanessa lives with her husband and their three children by the sea in Western Australia.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading a good book with her cat Bruce curled on her lap.
Vanessa worked as a bookseller for several years and enjoyed being surrounded by books of all genres.
Her favourite authors are John Steinbeck, Daphne Du Maurier and Ray Bradbury, and in more recent times, Shari Lapena, Claire McGowan and Kimberly Belle.
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading a good book with her cat Bruce curled on her lap.
Vanessa worked as a bookseller for several years and enjoyed being surrounded by books of all genres.
Her favourite authors are John Steinbeck, Daphne Du Maurier and Ray Bradbury, and in more recent times, Shari Lapena, Claire McGowan and Kimberly Belle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 5, 2023
I really liked the premise of this book - a group of high school friends is drawn back together ten years after a tragic event tore their group apart - and was hooked by the prologue, which kept me wondering how the plot was going to reach such a dramatic and ominous denouement. I found Maz to be an interesting, sympathetic protagonist and, initially, not knowing who she (or we, the readers) could trust made for an intriguing, compelling narrative.
This story is a pacy thriller that kept me engaged, but the constant twists eventually became exhausting; it was difficult to truly become absorbed in the story as every revelation or assumption is highly likely to be contradicted or undermined shortly afterwards.
The character development is notably weak for several of the supporting characters: Lucas' only characteristics are that he loves Sienna and 'hates the rain and getting wet', while, in the first two thirds of the story, Jake is so vaguely and generally suspicious that his fiancée announces at one point, 'Just because he's got an eyepatch doesn't mean he's the villain!' The early chapters are very heavy with exposition so that we can follow the relationship dynamics between Maz, Lizzie, Tamara and Sienna, and it would have made more sense to have the parallel timeline introduced from the start to avoid this.
The final few chapters are a breakneck ride with approximately 24(!) revelations coming one after another.
In summary, while this story has a lot of potential and is certainly entertaining, it didn't live up to its early promise for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This story is a pacy thriller that kept me engaged, but the constant twists eventually became exhausting; it was difficult to truly become absorbed in the story as every revelation or assumption is highly likely to be contradicted or undermined shortly afterwards.
The character development is notably weak for several of the supporting characters: Lucas' only characteristics are that he loves Sienna and 'hates the rain and getting wet', while, in the first two thirds of the story, Jake is so vaguely and generally suspicious that his fiancée announces at one point, 'Just because he's got an eyepatch doesn't mean he's the villain!' The early chapters are very heavy with exposition so that we can follow the relationship dynamics between Maz, Lizzie, Tamara and Sienna, and it would have made more sense to have the parallel timeline introduced from the start to avoid this.
The final few chapters are a breakneck ride with approximately 24(!) revelations coming one after another.
In summary, while this story has a lot of potential and is certainly entertaining, it didn't live up to its early promise for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 12, 2023
No friends of mine
I don't usually enjoy books which foot backwards and forwards in time but I am pleased to say that this is one of the rare exceptions there were a lot of red herrings and when you thought you had cracked the plot it suddenly changed direction I enjoyed this book immensely as it kept me guessing right up to the end which I may add was a total surprise I don't review many books as some are really a different take on an old plot this one was refreshingly different
I don't usually enjoy books which foot backwards and forwards in time but I am pleased to say that this is one of the rare exceptions there were a lot of red herrings and when you thought you had cracked the plot it suddenly changed direction I enjoyed this book immensely as it kept me guessing right up to the end which I may add was a total surprise I don't review many books as some are really a different take on an old plot this one was refreshingly different
November 8, 2025
Setting: Western Australia; modern day.
At 27 years old, Marilyn is pretty fed up with her life, her job and her cheating boyfriend Lance. So, when she receives an invitation to reunite with her group of former school friends 10 years on from their previous meeting, Marilyn sees it as an opportunity to put to rest some demons from her past. Because 10 years earlier, at the same beach house, not everyone survived the meet-up - and some blamed Marilyn for what transpired....
I have read several of this author's books which are generally good Aussie-set psychological thrillers. This was also a good tale, with unpredictable twists and turns although for some reason it didn't grip me quite as much as many of her other books I have read. Maybe it was the characters, who were all quite selfish and egotistical, and I didn't get much of an Aussie vibe from the book, unlike the previous Aussie author book I read. However, still a good 4-star read for me and looking forward to reading more by her - 8/10.
At 27 years old, Marilyn is pretty fed up with her life, her job and her cheating boyfriend Lance. So, when she receives an invitation to reunite with her group of former school friends 10 years on from their previous meeting, Marilyn sees it as an opportunity to put to rest some demons from her past. Because 10 years earlier, at the same beach house, not everyone survived the meet-up - and some blamed Marilyn for what transpired....
I have read several of this author's books which are generally good Aussie-set psychological thrillers. This was also a good tale, with unpredictable twists and turns although for some reason it didn't grip me quite as much as many of her other books I have read. Maybe it was the characters, who were all quite selfish and egotistical, and I didn't get much of an Aussie vibe from the book, unlike the previous Aussie author book I read. However, still a good 4-star read for me and looking forward to reading more by her - 8/10.
March 21, 2023
Well…. Hmm. As others have said, there is a mystery, some multiple timelines and a creepy setting. Through much of the story, the pace is tense, although, really, not much happens.
The last part of the book is ridiculous. Secret siblings that make zero sense, deaths for absolutely no reason, characters that made dramatic changes with no explanation.
Incredibly disappointing. The epilogue is just silly.
The last part of the book is ridiculous. Secret siblings that make zero sense, deaths for absolutely no reason, characters that made dramatic changes with no explanation.
Incredibly disappointing. The epilogue is just silly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2023
A Heart Pounding Riveting Book!!
It was so was so riveting it had my heart pounding. Really hooks you and doesn't let go. It had so many deep dark secrets, twists and turns, betrayal and so much suspense. Just when you thought you knew what was going on then BAM it went in another direction. The ending was very unpredictable and shocking. I definitely recommend it!!
It was so was so riveting it had my heart pounding. Really hooks you and doesn't let go. It had so many deep dark secrets, twists and turns, betrayal and so much suspense. Just when you thought you knew what was going on then BAM it went in another direction. The ending was very unpredictable and shocking. I definitely recommend it!!
February 16, 2023
TWISTED!!!
It would be scary to have "friends" like the ones in this story. It was so easy to suspect them all with some kind of malice. It goes to show you should never trust people who've not kept in touch with you...for 10 years!...then invite you to a weekend with them... out of the blue. Just that bit of info. tells me something bad was going to happen.
It would be scary to have "friends" like the ones in this story. It was so easy to suspect them all with some kind of malice. It goes to show you should never trust people who've not kept in touch with you...for 10 years!...then invite you to a weekend with them... out of the blue. Just that bit of info. tells me something bad was going to happen.
February 18, 2023
Another show stopper from Vanessa Garbin. I can't get enough of Australian fiction these days. One day I'll get over there.
February 23, 2023
Very good read
First time reading Ms. Garbin work, and I'm hooked! The perfect length and sticking to the main story makes reading enjoyable to me.
First time reading Ms. Garbin work, and I'm hooked! The perfect length and sticking to the main story makes reading enjoyable to me.
February 22, 2023
This was good but maybe because there were so many characters I didn't like it quite
as much as her other books. Still recommend the author if you like this genre
as much as her other books. Still recommend the author if you like this genre
March 6, 2023
No friends of mine
I
Loved this book. I thought I had it all figured out, but boy was I wrong. Will read more by this author.
I
Loved this book. I thought I had it all figured out, but boy was I wrong. Will read more by this author.
March 13, 2023
Murder at the beach house
Life time friends that let too much time go by without finding out what really happened and dealing with it before their friendship became stretched.
Life time friends that let too much time go by without finding out what really happened and dealing with it before their friendship became stretched.
February 28, 2023
Keep your Friends Far Far Away
Do we really know our friends. Maybe but doubtful. This story proves just how friends, best friends really feel toward one another when the truth comes to light. Even when your loved who is suppose to be your friend betrays you shows you that friends are not who we think they are.
Do we really know our friends. Maybe but doubtful. This story proves just how friends, best friends really feel toward one another when the truth comes to light. Even when your loved who is suppose to be your friend betrays you shows you that friends are not who we think they are.
April 7, 2023
Good story
Weird ending. Not sure I can believe the ending and the killer revealed. Just doesn’t fit, but the story held my focus to the end and it was exciting and a thriller, including murders.
Weird ending. Not sure I can believe the ending and the killer revealed. Just doesn’t fit, but the story held my focus to the end and it was exciting and a thriller, including murders.
January 22, 2023
★★☆☆☆ (2.5)
My favourite genre I think maybe ever is this type of fast-paced, twisty, murder-mystery type book. My curiosity always gets the better of me and I have to find out what happens (no matter how painful the actual writing may be to get there), which means these are always great books to get me out of reading slumps. This is one of those books.
Set almost entirely on a weekend retreat, old friends who haven't spoken in ten years following a tragic event return to the same beach house in order to bury the trauma. However, as often happens in these books, it doesn't exactly go to plan.
The prologue grips you from the first page, and the pace never really lightens up after that. The reader is constantly being pulled in different directions, not knowing who to trust or even what happened ten years ago that is making everyone so twitchy. While this can keep you on your toes, it also becomes exhausting to read. The characters are all dislikeable, and flit between decisions like a feather - whilst I'm sure the intention was to keep everyone a possible suspect, what it does is make it incredibly difficult to connect with any character and the twists and turns become hard to keep track of due to the sheer number of them.
Halfway through, a second timeline is added, to show the truth of what happened all those years ago. Yes, this does help to have these simultaneous to each other and means that the reader isn't just being told what happened (especially by all these completely distrustful characters), but I personally have a pet peeve with books that completely change structure halfway through; for me, if it was going to be a dual-timeline narrative, it should have done that from the beginning. The ending also feels incredibly rushed and unbelievable, with the addition of a 'happily ever after' epilogue that feels like an afterthought.
In saying that, if you are looking for an easy-to-read, page turning book to get you out of a slump, or read on your morning commute that you don't really have to think too much about - this is perfect. If you like books that are intricately plotted, well-thought through with fully realised characters...maybe keep looking.
cw//
burying alive, murder, mentions of terminal illness, mentions of cancer, mentions of mental institutions and mental instability, mentions of self harm
Thanks to NetGalley for sending a digital copy for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My favourite genre I think maybe ever is this type of fast-paced, twisty, murder-mystery type book. My curiosity always gets the better of me and I have to find out what happens (no matter how painful the actual writing may be to get there), which means these are always great books to get me out of reading slumps. This is one of those books.
Set almost entirely on a weekend retreat, old friends who haven't spoken in ten years following a tragic event return to the same beach house in order to bury the trauma. However, as often happens in these books, it doesn't exactly go to plan.
The prologue grips you from the first page, and the pace never really lightens up after that. The reader is constantly being pulled in different directions, not knowing who to trust or even what happened ten years ago that is making everyone so twitchy. While this can keep you on your toes, it also becomes exhausting to read. The characters are all dislikeable, and flit between decisions like a feather - whilst I'm sure the intention was to keep everyone a possible suspect, what it does is make it incredibly difficult to connect with any character and the twists and turns become hard to keep track of due to the sheer number of them.
Halfway through, a second timeline is added, to show the truth of what happened all those years ago. Yes, this does help to have these simultaneous to each other and means that the reader isn't just being told what happened (especially by all these completely distrustful characters), but I personally have a pet peeve with books that completely change structure halfway through; for me, if it was going to be a dual-timeline narrative, it should have done that from the beginning. The ending also feels incredibly rushed and unbelievable, with the addition of a 'happily ever after' epilogue that feels like an afterthought.
In saying that, if you are looking for an easy-to-read, page turning book to get you out of a slump, or read on your morning commute that you don't really have to think too much about - this is perfect. If you like books that are intricately plotted, well-thought through with fully realised characters...maybe keep looking.
cw//
burying alive, murder, mentions of terminal illness, mentions of cancer, mentions of mental institutions and mental instability, mentions of self harm
Thanks to NetGalley for sending a digital copy for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2023
No Friends of Mine
Although I enjoyed this book, it definitely wasn't my favorite that I've read by other authors. A lot of it just dragged. The ending was a pretty good twist. Recommend .... I don't know.
Although I enjoyed this book, it definitely wasn't my favorite that I've read by other authors. A lot of it just dragged. The ending was a pretty good twist. Recommend .... I don't know.
March 23, 2023
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down because I wanted to know what happened next. It was fun trying to figure out who was the actual killer.
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down because I wanted to know what happened next. It was fun trying to figure out who was the actual killer.
March 23, 2023
A great storyline
10 years of mystery and lies are met head on, when a group of old friends reunite. Manipulation and deceit, and a lot of unanswered questions until the very end. A plot that kept me guessing. Thoroughly enjoyable.
10 years of mystery and lies are met head on, when a group of old friends reunite. Manipulation and deceit, and a lot of unanswered questions until the very end. A plot that kept me guessing. Thoroughly enjoyable.
July 12, 2023
I had really high hopes for this. Dont get me wrong it has the potential to be a great story, it just didnt make it there. I felt like there were so many plot holes and then so many side bar issues that it took away from the actual truth which honestly wasnt even that psychologically thrilling.
May 22, 2023
I went into this blind. Maybe it is YA but if so, it is bad YA. Repetitive, juvenile, ridiculous. I won't be reading this author again.
November 10, 2023
Intense, mysterious, enthralling …. fantastic read!
Whoa.
I’ll admit, going into this read I wasn’t expecting much. The book is rather short. Premise seemed interesting enough to at least check it out, etc…
But just a few chapters in, I was absolutely hooked!
Vanessa Garbin’s work is brand new to me, & if all of her writing is of this level, I’ve just hit author gold!
No Friends of Mine is the perfect twisty psychological thriller with a heart-pounding conclusion.
The characters are developed extremely well, with lots of detail, emotion, & history included. You definitely get to know each player well; their secrets & their hopes/goals.
Garbin’s world building is sublime.
I could feel the hot sun on my skin, the sand in my toes, imagine all settings through exquisitely written imagery, hear the thunder & shorebirds, feel the chill of a storm, clearly see the color of the sky & all the nooks & crannies which make up the beachy holiday home, taste the wine, & feel the hangovers.
Writing & using emotive language to full effect is definitely a skill Garbin has mastered. So much of this story — the increasing intensity you feel as the plot thickens, the heart-pounding feeling, as well as the drive to keep turning/swiping pages as fast as possible because the tale just keeps getting better & more intriguing as you read — is mostly due to this author’s honed ability to share her story through the lens of her character’s emotional worlds/experiences.
A rare talent culminating in a gem of a book!
The mystery, tension, thrilling twists & turns, as well as a conclusion that is explosive, exciting, & more than satisfying, all add up to a story many types of readers will thoroughly enjoy & appreciate.
Whatever your preferred genre, I highly recommend No Friends of Mine.
It’s a fast, rewarding, thrilling read!
Whoa.
I’ll admit, going into this read I wasn’t expecting much. The book is rather short. Premise seemed interesting enough to at least check it out, etc…
But just a few chapters in, I was absolutely hooked!
Vanessa Garbin’s work is brand new to me, & if all of her writing is of this level, I’ve just hit author gold!
No Friends of Mine is the perfect twisty psychological thriller with a heart-pounding conclusion.
The characters are developed extremely well, with lots of detail, emotion, & history included. You definitely get to know each player well; their secrets & their hopes/goals.
Garbin’s world building is sublime.
I could feel the hot sun on my skin, the sand in my toes, imagine all settings through exquisitely written imagery, hear the thunder & shorebirds, feel the chill of a storm, clearly see the color of the sky & all the nooks & crannies which make up the beachy holiday home, taste the wine, & feel the hangovers.
Writing & using emotive language to full effect is definitely a skill Garbin has mastered. So much of this story — the increasing intensity you feel as the plot thickens, the heart-pounding feeling, as well as the drive to keep turning/swiping pages as fast as possible because the tale just keeps getting better & more intriguing as you read — is mostly due to this author’s honed ability to share her story through the lens of her character’s emotional worlds/experiences.
A rare talent culminating in a gem of a book!
The mystery, tension, thrilling twists & turns, as well as a conclusion that is explosive, exciting, & more than satisfying, all add up to a story many types of readers will thoroughly enjoy & appreciate.
Whatever your preferred genre, I highly recommend No Friends of Mine.
It’s a fast, rewarding, thrilling read!
April 29, 2023
Marilyn is twenty-seven and disappointed with her life - she hates her job and is pretty sure her boyfriend is cheating on her again. When she gets a text out of the blue from old friend Lizzie, inviting her to spend a weekend at Lizzie’s beach house, Marilyn decides it’s just what she needs. Except she hasn’t seen her friend in ten years and the last time she was the beach house, two people died.
I’ve read a few of Vanessa’s books now and this is another enjoyable slice of Antipodean murder mystery. It’s quickly paced and makes good use of the location and told the story well. For me, there might have been a couple of supporting characters too many (I had trouble, at times, differentiating between various boyfriends) but Marilyn makes for an engaging lead and the mystery plays out well. Definitely worth a read, I’d very much recommend this.
I’ve read a few of Vanessa’s books now and this is another enjoyable slice of Antipodean murder mystery. It’s quickly paced and makes good use of the location and told the story well. For me, there might have been a couple of supporting characters too many (I had trouble, at times, differentiating between various boyfriends) but Marilyn makes for an engaging lead and the mystery plays out well. Definitely worth a read, I’d very much recommend this.
March 18, 2023
When a close group of friends decide to hold a partner swapping key party one night, it is meant to be "just a but of fun." No obligations, but no strings attached. And anything that does happen will remain under wraps. But things quickly start to unravel, with utterly deadly consequences.
This book had a then and now story sequence. It was all about a group of old friends who lost touch for years after a tragic event occurred while on vacation when they were teenagers. They decided to throw this no obligation party weekend to find the killer.
If you read a lot of thrillers, you will likely guess a portion of the ending. It does have a good twist, but the ending left much to be desired for me. Still a good short and easy read.
This book had a then and now story sequence. It was all about a group of old friends who lost touch for years after a tragic event occurred while on vacation when they were teenagers. They decided to throw this no obligation party weekend to find the killer.
If you read a lot of thrillers, you will likely guess a portion of the ending. It does have a good twist, but the ending left much to be desired for me. Still a good short and easy read.
August 24, 2023
This book is my favourite one written by Vanessa Garbin. It gave me the chills and the isolation of the house made the settings perfect and I was easily able to picture it. Marylin isn't sure whether to go to the reunion with her old highschool friends but when she does shocking secrets are revealed. I was suspicious of everyone involved at some stage and I had not guessed who the culprit was when it was revealed. I loved it and read in one sitting without stopping.
November 2, 2023
I had read one book by this author so I thought my next one would be as good, but sadly it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Eight friends marooned in the middle of a storm with a huge lake between them and the road, yet someone still managed to buy fish and chips?
The power was down and yet someone else was grilling chicken?
Apart from that I did enjoy the book, just not as good as I was expecting.
Eight friends marooned in the middle of a storm with a huge lake between them and the road, yet someone still managed to buy fish and chips?
The power was down and yet someone else was grilling chicken?
Apart from that I did enjoy the book, just not as good as I was expecting.
January 10, 2024
The death count in this book was ridiculous. It was just too much, OTT for me to want to stick with. I do enjoy reunion type books but not ones where it seems characters are killed off left and right with little impact on the others. I didn't like any of the characters and just thought it was silly, disappointing.
April 1, 2025
No Friends of Mine by Vanessa Garbin was a good read—suspenseful and engaging. The mystery kept me hooked, and the characters were interesting. The story had some slow parts, but it was still entertaining. Marilyn’s secrets and the tension between friends made it a gripping thriller. The setting at the beach house added to the eerie atmosphere. While it dragged a bit, the twists made up for it.
September 18, 2023
What a twist
This b ook was awesome, I couldn't stop reading it for all the twists in the story ,just when u you thought u had if figured out,bam. Made me stop and think about my friends....good read.
This b ook was awesome, I couldn't stop reading it for all the twists in the story ,just when u you thought u had if figured out,bam. Made me stop and think about my friends....good read.
February 28, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ fast paced twisty but a bit too much of a far fetched lifetime movie for me
April 29, 2023
Liked it until the end
Oh my gosh. I get people want twists but oh my gosh. Authors are going way overboard with the twists. It's ridiculous. I didn't even finish reading the book.
Oh my gosh. I get people want twists but oh my gosh. Authors are going way overboard with the twists. It's ridiculous. I didn't even finish reading the book.
April 29, 2023
A page turner!
Ooo very good book, good plot and characters, well written and fast paced. An enjoyable read. Will be checking to see if she has written any others!
Ooo very good book, good plot and characters, well written and fast paced. An enjoyable read. Will be checking to see if she has written any others!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews