A cute fast-paced YA thriller, with teenagers solving the crimes happening in their small town. The characters very accurately reflect the teenage mind and thought processes.

An intriguing young adult thriller. I was hooked from the first page and needed to know what was going to happen. I enjoyed the different point of views in each chapter. It was nice to see everyone’s different perspectives. Overall, a great read!



Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Didn't really care for this one. Three (former) friends have to band together to exonerate the one friend's brother, who has been accused and convicted of murdering a local teacher. All of the characters blended together and I didn't really care for the plot. I did give an extra star because there was a twist at the end that I didn't see coming, so bonus points for surprising me.

A fun and enjoyable young adult thriller. I enjoyed the concept of the teenagers becoming sleuths- it reminded me of a modern day Nancy Drew. While much of the mystery was predictable, I still enjoyed the characters and the plot. This does read more young adult and would be good for those that like a lighter thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars ☆
⤿ spoiler-free review
thank you to net galley for this arc!!

ೃ⁀➷“How do you feel, knowing they're letting a killer out of jail today? ”

characters: Grace, Henry and Ally all used to be best friends. But when Grace testifies in court against Henry's brother, ultimately putting him in jail, that friendship breaks apart. Over the course of the book, you see them work out their problems, while solving this case together. Henry and Grace are adorable, I love how soft they are with each other. Ally, I feel is misunderstood. Overall, I love them all.

plot: When Jake Hanson, a convicted murderer, is let out of jail, his brother, Henry, Henrys bestfriend, Ally, and Henrys ex bestfriend, Grace, decide to solve the case of who really killed the beloved English teacher before Jake gets put back in prison.

pacing: The first half of this book was a little slow, really setting up for the next half. Once this story picked up, I couldnt put it down! The plot twist mostly got me, and that last page was perfect.

✧.* the point is: if you are wanting that YA murder mystery vibe The Cheerleaders, Kara Thomas, and AGGGTM, Holly Jackson deliver, you will probably enjoy this book aswell!

Rating: 3.5

Murder Between Friends is a thrilling murder mystery that follows a known murderer, Jake, after he is released from prison due to the discovery that the prosecutor was sleeping with the judge. This led to many, but not all, believing that he was wrongfully convicted of Ms. Applebaum's murder. Ms. Applebaum is a beloved teacher that was found locked in the freezer of her own home. After Jake's release, the search for the real killer begins again. Grace, having played a part in Jake's possible wrongful conviction, feels it's her responsibility to find the true killer. She teams up with her childhood friends to begin their own investigation and clear Henry's brother, Jake's name, once and for all. This novel kept me enwrapped in the mystery and kept me questioning who the real killer was. Liz Lawson does an impeccable job of keeping you second guessing who actually killed Ms. Applebaum. I'll let you in on a secret... It's not who you think it is.

As an English teacher I was really excited yo read this even though it’s about a murdered English Teacher. I was so excited that there was a book about us and what the dynamic would be (we are mostly portrayed as weird and crazy). HOLY SH*T this book had me on edge the whole time. I finished it in two days and I did not want to put it down. the twists had me second guessing everything and I definitely did not guess the ending or who did it at all. I had three people in mind and Nope…I was wrong. I can’t wait for this to come out in April! 10🌸 /5🌸

In Murder Between Friends two years after a popular teacher was found murdered, her supposed killer Jake is released from prison for a retrial. Jake’s younger brother Henry and Henry’s friends Ally and Grace have taken it upon themselves to try and prove Jake’s innocence before his new trial. This is complicated by a town that is convinced Jake did it and that Grace was a key eye witness in Jake’s original trial.

The mystery in this book was great. There were enough threads and clues to follow to keep me guessing who the killer was. Also, some surprises that I didn’t see coming which I appreciated.

The beginning of the book felt a bit slow. The book jumped between the perspectives of Ally, Henry, and Grace. It took a while between all their perspectives to get the details of their relationships before the murder and Jake going to prison. Once I had the backstory and understood where all the characters were coming from so much of their current interactions made more sense. But before then it was hard to really connect with all the characters.

Overall, a decent mystery book.

Thank you Liz Lawson, Random House Children’s, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Oh. My. God!!!!! I got the absolute privilege to ARC read this book and i was NOT disappointed!! The little details, the multiple povs, THE HINTS!!!! it was all so well thought out and completely messed with my mind on who i thought did it. Grace annoyed me at first but i grew to tolerate and appreciate her at some points. I absolutely loved Ally and everything she stood for, she was my fav!!! Henry made me feel a lot of emotions but mainly sympathy. he was just a boy in love with his best friend and wanted to clear his brothers name. Although this book isn’t a five star for me, i will wholeheartedly say i thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

**Review of *Murder Between Friends* by Liz Lawson**

*Murder Between Friends* by Liz Lawson is a gripping and twisty thriller that explores the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the weight of secrets. Lawson, known for her work on *The Agathas*, once again crafts a compelling narrative filled with tension, moral dilemmas, and unforgettable characters.

The story revolves around three former best friends—Grace, Henry, and Ally—who have been torn apart by the murder of their English teacher two years earlier. Grace’s testimony put Henry’s brother, Jake, behind bars for the crime, but with a mistrial and Jake’s release, the truth is now clouded in uncertainty. The central conflict hinges on whether Jake is guilty or innocent, and whether Grace’s recollection of the night in question is reliable or flawed. The narrative skillfully plays on the theme of doubt, keeping readers on edge as the characters wrestle with their past decisions and the consequences of their actions.

Grace is a complex character, torn between her guilt over Jake’s conviction and her doubts about what really happened. Her internal struggle drives much of the emotional core of the novel, as she reaches out to reconnect with the friends who now view her as a betrayer. Henry’s fierce loyalty to his brother and his belief in Jake’s innocence add layers to the narrative, while Ally, whose hatred for Grace is palpable, provides an intriguing dynamic that reflects the fractured nature of their friendship.

The pacing of *Murder Between Friends* is spot-on, with Lawson gradually unraveling the mystery at the heart of the story. The tension builds as the characters are forced to confront their pasts, their fractured relationships, and the terrifying possibility that they might have been wrong all along. The question of whether Grace can be trusted adds an extra layer of suspense, making it hard to predict where the story will go next.

The writing is sharp and emotionally resonant, with Lawson capturing the complexities of friendship and betrayal in a way that feels authentic. The characters’ struggles with guilt, shame, and the need for redemption are well explored, making them relatable and real. The book delves deep into the gray areas of morality, leaving readers questioning what they would do if they were in the characters' shoes.

In addition to its emotional depth, *Murder Between Friends* is a taut thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The twists and turns in the plot are clever and unexpected, with each revelation adding more layers to the mystery. Lawson’s ability to weave together suspense and character-driven drama makes this a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Overall, *Murder Between Friends* is a smart, captivating, and thought-provoking read. It’s a compelling exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the difficulty of facing the truth, with a mystery that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. If you enjoy books that blend emotional complexity with a thrilling plot, this one is not to be missed.

⭐⭐⭐

Book was good, unfortunately I just wasn’t captivated by it. I felt the beginning started off slow and then it started picking up which was good. But the story itself unfolding was predictable, it started becoming obvious really quick and I found myself not entertained. I also found myself not liking the MFC, I felt like there was no character growth with her until the very end and it made it that much harder to stay involved with the novel. However, I did enjoy the mystery part of it that was entertaining! and I liked how the twists were revealed.
Murder Between Friends was your decent, average and fun little read.

As always thank you to Liz Lawson and Netgalley for this ARC stay blessed everyone 😊🙏

Overall a good book, but there were some inconsistencies that made it a little confusing. The characters were mostly realistic and relatable. I loved the ending! I thought I had it figured out, but the twist at the end was one I didn’t see coming!

I have found that for me to LOVE the teen murder mystery genre, I need strong characters to get attached to as there is nothing new to the genre. I didn't love any of the characters but it is a compelling read.

"Murder Between Friends" is an engaging YA thriller full of twists and turns that will have you guessing until the very end.

A group of teens try to solve a murder. Good writing and a good mystery. A story about friendship and being there when your friends need you!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. I enjoyed the suspense and thriller aspect of this book. The cover was really appealing and I really wanted to read this. I'm so glad I read this, it was a 4 stars.

This book was a new take on a mystery thriller. Following teen friends as they try to prove the innocence of a young man convicted of the murder of their teacher. The characters each had their own drive towards the truth, but together they all wanted the same thing. I thought the strings tying together near the end were very satisfying. My only frustration was the amount of threads going in different directions which did not have any direct impact on the story. I am unsure if these were created to try to distract the reader, but there were times it felt that there was too much going on.
Otherwise I greatly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to reading more from this author!

Holy smokes!! This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the layers unfolded and took me in a different direction. The suspense, corruption, betrayal, and mind blowing twists kept me on the edge of my seat! You must read this brilliant psychological thriller, I promise you won't regret it!

Title: Murder Between Friends
Author: Liz Lawson
Genre: YA/ Teen Mystery
Publisher: Random House Children’s ~ Delacorte Press
Pub Date: April 22, 2025
My Rating: 4.3
Pages: 384

I am not the target audience for this story but I do enjoy a good YA story (as a high school guidance counselor I always like to know what my students are reading and also to make suggestions.)
I read and loved "The Agathas" co-written by authors, Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson]


Brawner High School English teacher Miriam Appelbaum was murdered in her home.
Jake Hanson, a student as well as the next door neighbor was charged with the crime.

Grace Topham another student in Ms. Appelbaum English’s class and also a neighbor saw the killer enter the backyard that night.
Jake has been in prison serving a twenty-five sentence for the murder – as his hair and notebook were found at the home of Ms. Appelbaum. However, he was released after thirteen months based on a technicality!!

Story is told from the POV of students Ally, Grace, and Henry, Jake’s brother.

Social media goes viral with all kinds of accusations.
But it's not until the end that we know what really happened!


Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Children’s ~ Delacorte Press for this early enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 22, 2025.

⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.5/5
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC! I didn’t realize it was a YA mystery when I started reading it but it became quickly apparent. I think it is a great read if that is your preferred genre. There were some things that I had trouble with (such as the teachers being called by their last name only) but it could be because I don’t typically read YA mysteries. There were some big typos in this advanced copy (characters using incorrect names, initials used as a plot line being different in multiple places) so I’m hopping a good editor gets their hands on this before publication day!