This book has a lot of elements i like , toxic friendship, moral dilemmas, secrets, traumatic pasts but it didn't work for me. I usually like unlikeable characters but not in this case. I didn't like Alexa and her treatment of Savannah was too much, so things from the first kept turning me off. I made myself finish it but it never was worth it for me.

My oh my. Her dark desires sure know how to fix some problems though. Couldn't put this book down today. I just needed to know how it ended.

This was an ARC that was given to me by the author and Rising Action Publishing for my honest review. Pub day: June 10,.2025.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! The author made me feel like I was actually witnessing some of the things Alexa got herself into. She made me feel the dread and anxiety all of the other characters felt, too. She kept me engaged and that epilogue, c'mon meow!

So short cliff notes, Alexa and Courtney have been friends since they were teenagers. They've witnessed eachothers up's and downs, and their loyalty to eachother runs deep. Then, people start dying. Is there a serial killer on the loose? What is going on?!?!? Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead.

Also, loooooove this quote (disclaimer: this quote may be altered or removed entirely from the final publication):
It's always at the end when we question the beginning. It's then we wonder how we got there. It's a weird feeling, wondering if you made the right choices, if you'd done something different, how things would have changed.
-Alexa

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

Would you speak up?

Told from two perspectives—Alexa Huston and her childhood best friend, Courtney Faith—The Art of Murder explores the weight of secrets, the fine line between loyalty and justice, and the messy complications of lifelong friendships. Set over just seven weeks, this psychological thriller takes readers into the seemingly safe town of Cedar Plains, where a body is discovered, shattering its quiet facade.

Courtney has built a life of stability, while Alexa is spiralling into chaos. When an accidental murder triggers a string of crimes, Courtney is forced to confront an impossible choice: turn in the person who has always been by her side or protect her and risk everything.

While I enjoyed the tension and the way Maggie Giles delves into moral dilemmas, the plot felt somewhat predictable. The twists, though engaging, didn’t fully surprise me. That said, the novel is still a gripping read, with a fast pace and an unsettling atmosphere that kept me turning the pages. If you love psychological thrillers with morally grey characters, toxic friendships, and ethical quandaries, this is worth picking up!

⚠️ Content Warnings: homicide, alcoholism, drug use, drunk driving, voyeurism, sexual violence, ableism, references to domestic abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC review • pub date 06.10.25

I really enjoyed this book. When I say it starts off with a bang and never lets up, I mean it!

Alexa and her boyfriend, Dean, accidentally cause a girl they barely know to die. Instead of confessing, they cover up the crime. But the sight of the blood unlocks something deep within Alexa, and she can’t seem to fight the urge for it to happen again.
Meanwhile, her best friend Courtney —who is engaged to a police officer — is trying to figure out why all the murders are happening in their small town.

Told in from POV from Alexa and Courtney, this book is impossible to put down, and you’re guaranteed to love it.

4.5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for my ARC

this was a good book. I liked all of the secrets that were getting uncovered throughout the book. I think it flowed well, it did have lots of twists and turns and this book was hard to put down, I just wanted to finish it quickly!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book was so hard to put down. It put a fresh spin on the murder mystery and keeps you guessing the whole time. I loved this book!

The Art of Murder by Maggie Giles is coming out this summer. This is a book you’ll want to pick up on publication day.