Cute YA Thriller

I had reservations going in to this one but it was really well done. I have been a thriller reader for years so it’s hard to really grab my attention but this book did exactly that.

There are a few YA thrillers I have loved and I was so hopeful for this one. Unfortunately it didn't meet that expectation. That isn't to say it isn't a good read. The characters are hard for me to like and while it seems a little predictable, but the pacing was amazing and the parts that needed to hit still hit. Overall, it entertained but it didnt capture my love.

This was an easy read. Packed with great twists. Just loved it. Definitely will recommend
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this

This story explores complex friendships tested by trauma and secrets, creating a tense atmosphere filled with doubt and shifting loyalties. The characters’ emotional struggles feel authentic, especially Grace’s internal conflict about what she witnessed.
However, the plot sometimes drags with repetitive scenes, and the mystery doesn’t always deliver the suspense or surprises it promises. While the themes of trust and redemption are compelling, the pacing and resolution leave something to be desired.
A decent read for fans of character-driven thrillers, though it may not fully satisfy mystery lovers looking for a sharper plot.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early!

Murder Between Friends begins with the release of Jake Hanson from jail after he was convicted of killing a high school English teacher two years ago. Now due to a mistrial, Jake is free and his brother Henry, friend Ally and Grace, the girl who testified against him, are trying to prove his innocence. Grace is rethinking what she testified she saw the night of the murder. Although Ally and Henry are still angry with Grace, they realize that her help can be invaluable in proving Jake's innocence. Jake's new trial date is coming up and unless the trio can find new evidence about the real killer, he will be reconvicted. Written from Ally, Henry and Grace's perspectives, the twists and turns keep the suspense high in the new thriller from the author of The Agathas.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson is the kind of twisty, emotional rollercoaster that will have you canceling plans, skipping sleep, and whispering “wait, WHAT?” at your book like a lunatic in public.

At its heart, this is a story about three estranged friends—Grace, Henry, and Ally—thrust back together by a murder, a mistrial, and a big messy tangle of guilt, loyalty, and second chances. Two years ago, Grace’s testimony helped convict Henry’s brother Jake of murdering their English teacher. Oof. Friendships shattered, trust disintegrated, and teenage angst dialed up to eleven.

But now Jake’s out of prison due to a mistrial (plot twist #1 of many), and Grace suddenly isn’t so sure she saw what she thought she saw. Cue the paranoia, the creeping doubts, and the awkward attempts at “Hey remember me, the girl who kinda put your brother behind bars? Want to sleuth together?” Spoiler: it’s tense.

Liz Lawson masterfully plays with shifting loyalties and blurred lines—this is not one of those books where you smugly guess the ending halfway through. I tried. I had theories, I had red strings connecting pins on a mental corkboard, and still, I got played. The plot twists are genuinely surprising without feeling cheap, and every revelation hits with just the right punch of “oh no… oh WOW.”

What really elevates this mystery is how emotionally grounded it is. Lawson doesn’t just give us secrets and lies—she gives us heartbreak, complicated friendships, and the painful, vulnerable question: can I ever really trust someone again?

If you’re into books that keep you guessing, characters that feel heartbreakingly real, and a final twist that’ll have you mentally applauding Liz Lawson for being ten steps ahead of you the whole time—Murder Between Friends is a must-read.

Seriously. I never saw it coming. And I always see it coming!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Delacorte Press, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based off of an uncorrected proof which did not sway my opinion either way.

Aly, Henry and Grace are good friends until they aren't. For these friends one night leads them to undo their friendship and build a wall of distrust and anger.
Liz Lawson craftily weaves the narrative of her new book Murder Between Friends through the perspective of the three friends. Henry and Aly are still friends, spending time together with Aly vigilant in protecting Henry. Grace has been welcomed to a new group and new set of friends but still longs for the time spent with Aly and Henry. However as she is the one who told police she saw Jake, Henry's brother, at the scene of a murder and that testimony put Jake in jail it's not likely that the three friends will find a way to stay friends.
Lawson builds on this friendship as Aly and Henry try to prove that Jake is innocent and couldn't possibly have killed anyone. A long the way more secrets are unburied and new circumstances come to light that will change these friends forever.
A good easy read that will keep the mind guessing how all the parts fit together. And reader, there's a definite twist you don't see coming!

Liz Lawson delivers a gripping and emotionally charged thriller in Murder Between Friends. The story masterfully intertwines a compelling mystery with the complexities of teenage friendships, betrayal, and the quest for truth. The dynamic between Ally, Grace, and Henry is both poignant and tense, adding depth to the suspenseful narrative. The unexpected twists and the exploration of justice and morality keep readers on the edge of their seats, making this a standout in the YA mystery genre.

I flew through Murder Between Friends in just a couple of days — it’s the kind of mystery that hooks you early and doesn’t let go. The dual POVs of Aiden and Maddie work really well, giving both a heart and an edge to the story. It balances teen drama and true crime obsession in a way that feels believable, especially in a social media age.

The pacing is solid, with just enough red herrings to keep you guessing without being frustrating. I especially appreciated how the emotional stakes (friendship, trust, grief) felt just as important as solving the murder itself. Liz Lawson manages to explore trauma without making it heavy-handed, which is tricky in YA mysteries.

Thanks for the ARC! This was a tense, character-driven thriller with solid emotional depth and a strong core mystery. The dynamic between Grace, Henry, and Ally was compelling, full of tension, regret, and complicated loyalty. Some plot points felt slightly drawn out, but the pacing picked up as the stakes rose. A solid pick for fans of layered friendships, courtroom drama, and second chances wrapped in suspense.

Liz Lawson's Murder Between Friends is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that explores the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the elusive nature of truth. Centered around Grace, Henry, and Ally—former best friends torn apart by a devastating murder—the novel skillfully delves into their tangled pasts and the shifting alliances that emerge when the convicted killer is suddenly released due to a mistrial.

Lawson masterfully captures the tension and mistrust between the characters, creating a palpable atmosphere of suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The characters are vividly drawn, each navigating their personal doubts and convictions, making it nearly impossible to discern the truth until the very end. Grace's internal struggle and evolving perceptions offer a nuanced portrayal of memory's fragility and the pressure of bearing witness.

Packed with unexpected twists and thought-provoking revelations, Murder Between Friends raises compelling questions about loyalty, justice, and forgiveness. Fans of intense, character-driven thrillers will find this novel both satisfying and emotionally resonant—a story that stays with you long after the final page.

It's been two years since ms.applebaum was unalived and the guy who was charged for it has been released on a technicality. However ally, Henry and grace are out to prove Jake's innocence. They all have motive to help, Henry is his brother, ally figures out it connects to her dad's accident and grace thinks she made a mistake when she testified. Together they're trying to find out what really happened and wow are the twists interesting! It keeps you guessing and really makes you wonder who the actual culprit is right until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

Summary:
Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart--now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past--and each other--in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Grace, Henry, and Ally grew up together on the same block. They used to be best friends--until Grace's testimony put Henry's brother, Jake, away for killing their English teacher. Now, two years later, Ally and Henry hate Grace, and Grace is doubting what she thinks she saw that night.

It feels like everyone's getting a second chance, then, when due to a mistrial, Jake is suddenly released. And Henry knows his brother is innocent, but when Grace reaches out to say she’s rethinking what she saw the night of the murder, Jake’s reaction is confusing. He doesn’t want Henry—or Grace--getting involved.

For Ally not getting involved isn’t an option, and there’s nothing Grace can say to convince Ally she’s not the enemy. But can Ally afford to push Grace out when she’s one of the only other people willing to believe in Jake’s innocence?

The clock is ticking. Jake’s new trial date is about to be set, and he's sure to be found guilty again unless there's new evidence to prove he's innocent. Grace, Henry, and Ally are going to have to decide whether you can trust an old friend now that they’re your enemy.
Review: 4 Star
The reason for 4 star and not 5 star is for the fact that if I needed to do something else the book was easy to put down.. The author did a fantastic job of making the characters feel real so easy to connect with them she also did an awesome job of capturing the emotions. The editing was spot on.

Conclusion:
Would I recommend this book to others YES
Would I read other books written from this author YES

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for an ARC ebook!

Murder Between Friends opens with a convicted murderer being released from prison on a procedural technicality. Three friends were torn apart by the murder and ensuing trial two years ago. Grace, Henry (the murderer's brother), and Ally are forced to work together as they question whether the crime was correctly solved the first time around.

The book is similar to others in the genre (e.g. One of Us is Lying, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder). It travels along similar paths as books that have come before but is an enjoyable ride. The twists and reveals are well done, and there's only one trope that I personally dislike that comes up (I won't share so I don't spoil anything).

For those who have read The Agathas books co-authored by Liz Lawson, you should know what to expect, and also receive what you're expecting, a well thought out and entertaining mystery!

It took me a while to get in to this book. It was a decent read but the beginning was soo slow. I also wish there would have been more for Henry and Grace at the end or atleast an update a few months/years down the road on how Grace is coping.

Thank you to Random House Children's Book for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My Thoughts:
Murder Between Friends totally pulled me in with its mix of small-town secrets, teen drama, and nonstop suspicion. The story follows three ex-best friends who get caught up in a murder case, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages once things got going. The high school setting felt super real—awkward relationships, emotional chaos, that teenage feeling of being invincible—it all hit in a way that brought me right back to my high school days. The main characters made great amateur detectives - I like to consider myself an amateur sleuth so it was a blast. It’s an easy read that's bingeable with short chapters.

Fun little Ya thriller that really draws in the reader without being to childish. The characters weren't;t boring and the mystery was eye catching and not super cliche.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson was such a great read! If you enjoy YA mysteries with small-town politics, broken friendships, mistaken identity, suspense, a murder mystery, and a dash of romance—you’ll want to pick this one up.

This was my first book by Liz Lawson, and I was really impressed. The plot, pacing, and character development were so well done. When Jake is released from prison after being convicted of a murder he claims he didn’t commit, the town is thrown into chaos. His release forces former friends Henry, Ally, and Grace to reunite and uncover the truth about what really happened that night. Grace, who helped convict Jake, begins to question everything she thought she knew.

Full of twists, secrets, betrayal, and tension, this book had me hooked. It’s smart, emotional, and kept me guessing. I also listened to the audiobook and was blown away by the narration—it truly brought the story to life! Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Murder Between Friends" is an excellent YA thriller. It has great characters and plot development, keeps you guessing, and feels fresh in the plot twist. I will definitely be recommending this to our teen patrons, as I can see where the characters will be relatable!

🕵‍♀️🗒🕵‍♂️

🔍 What an incredible book with layers upon layers of plot twists. I was at a loss as to who was "guilty" until about 80% through!

🔍 Sometimes, our lifelong friends hold love, grief, loss, flaws, secrets, guilt, and shame! This simply shows how human we all are!

🔍 This book is nothing short of forgiveness, growth, love, and resilience. Judgment from our peers can make or break our worlds, but holding on to our core values and beliefs is crucial in making it through.

🔍 Betrayal can alter how we show up around others, but it isn't permanent, and we have the opportunity to heal and shift from a toxic pattern. This book is well worth the read, and I hope you enjoy the experience with a hint of Sherlock Holmes vibes.