The Blurb
She knows your darkest secret… Can she keep it?
It’s a normal sunny day when Mia sees her ex-boyfriend on the street where she lives. But she knows that’s crazy. She knows it can’t possibly be him. She knows… because she killed him.
Mia and Carrie have been best friends since school. They share everything: clothes, shoes, a home… and their secrets.
Only Carrie knew what Mia did that night. Where everything went wrong and Mia’s boyfriend attacked her, so she attacked him right back.
Carrie made the problem go away. Like she always would for her best friend. They’ve got on with their lives. Mia’s even met someone new – a man she thinks she could be with forever.
But now it looks like her ex is back. Alive and well. So either Mia is losing her mind, or somebody very close to her has been lying…
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She knows your darkest secret… Can she keep it?
It’s a normal sunny day when Mia sees her ex-boyfriend on the street where she lives. But she knows that’s crazy. She knows it can’t possibly be him. She knows… because she killed him.
Mia and Carrie have been best friends since school. They share everything: clothes, shoes, a home… and their secrets.
Only Carrie knew what Mia did that night. Where everything went wrong and Mia’s boyfriend attacked her, so she attacked him right back.
Carrie made the problem go away. Like she always would for her best friend. They’ve got on with their lives. Mia’s even met someone new – a man she thinks she could be with forever.
But now it looks like her ex is back. Alive and well. So either Mia is losing her mind, or somebody very close to her has been lying…
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My Review
Carrie has been Mia's best friend for years, despite the difference in their backgrounds. And Carrie has always been there for Mia, especially at her worst moments. Like when she killed Marco in self defence. She was such a mess, Carrie took over and sorted everything out despite her own shock at what had happened. Eight months on, life has moved on, but Mia owes Carrie so much for the support she gave her that night. And Carrie can't understand why Mia thinks she's seen her ex when it just can't be true...
So, Mia is not that easy to like, or she wasn't for me anyway. Financially comfortable, she is enjoying life and living it to the full. Which would be fine if she hadn't killed someone less than a year earlier, but she seems to have conveniently pushed that to one side. She's beautiful, got an often glamorous job (that she doesn't need), a handsome beau and loves to party. It would seem that Carrie is still the responsible one in the relationship! All of that said, when things start to turn a little strange for Mia I did really feel for her. Something is clearly very wrong but the only person she can turn to is Carrie because she's the only one who knows the truth. If I'd been in that situation, I'd have struggled not to spill the beans to anyone else!
Conversely, I really felt for Carrie. She's had to work so much harder than Mia to succeed in life, and continues to work hard to get to improve her situation. And she carries as much of a burden of responsibility for some of the events of eight months previous as Mia does, and it seems to weigh heavier for her. It's clear she doesn't approve of some of Mia's current lifestyle decisions but she's her best friend, and always stands by her.
Whilst there are other characters involved in the story, although special mention to Sebastian, who I initially loathed but grew fonder of, this is very much about these two friends, and the depth of their relationship - its strengths and weaknesses. As a result, it feels quite claustrophobic, which I felt suited the storyline.
I can't go into too much detail about the plot without giving away spoilers, which I obviously don't want to do! But I felt that Liz's growing sense of confusion and unease was nicely handled, and really helped to ramp up the tension. I did guess some of what was going on but there were still surprises aplenty! Keep Your Friends Close is a neatly written quick read - a tale of friendship, trust and betrayal.
The Author
Joanne Ryan is the author of several well-reviewed psychological thrillers. Previously published by Tamarillas Press, she lives in Wiltshire. Her first thriller for Boldwood is Keep Your Friends Close.
Author Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1929779393871097/user/100089068085573/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorjoanneryan/
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joanne-ryan
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