Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls

Murder is an art . . . and she's the next masterpiece. 
 
From the bestselling author of BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die comes an addictive killer-thriller with a horror twist, following an aspiring crime journalist’s investigation into a case of copycat murders seemingly connected to a ‘cursed’ painting. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Naturals series and Bill Wood's Let's Split Up. 
 
‘A thriller author to watch!’ Karen M. McManus, international bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying 
 
When aspiring crime journalist Fliss Keller uncovers a disturbing self-portrait of a man at an estate sale, her Art History professor dad buys it, despite how unsettled Fliss feels. The portrait has been lost for decades and completes a set of four existing paintings of women by the same artist already hanging in the town’s gallery. 
 
That evening, the portrait falls to the floor, revealing paperwork inside the frame that suggests the artist was a serial killer and that the women depicted were his victims. Despite her alarm, Fliss vows to investigate and uncover the truth. 
 
But when a series of gruesome murders rock the community, and some think the resurrection of the self-portrait has unleashed a curse, Fliss knows better than to believe them. There are shocking similarities between the poses of the modern-day murders and the painted women, and she’s sure there’s a copycat killer on the loose. 
 
Racing against time, can Fliss unravel the clues before she becomes the murderer's next muse? 
 
PRAISE FOR CYNTHIA MURPHY: 
 
‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Your next obsession.’ Karen M. McManus, author of One of Us is Lying 
 
‘An intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’ Bill Wood, author of Let’s Split Up 
 
‘A taut and twisty read that takes no prisoners. This captivatingly murderous book will keep you up all night and leave you unsure who you can trust.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First 
 
‘Twists, turns and heartstopping tension, Cynthia Murphy is a thriller author at the top of her game.’ Benjamin Dean, author of How to Die Famous

Cynthia Murphy is the bestselling author of a number of YA thrillers, including the BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die. 
 
She has a long-standing love affair with all things scary, reading Point Horrors before graduating to Stephen King in her misguided teens. Studying for a degree in Art History and Archaeology meant that she developed a thirst for anything old, beautiful and very often dead. She tries to combine this with contemporary settings in her writing to make unique and chilling modern stories. 
 
Cynthia lives in her hometown of Manchester with her husband and their rescue dog, Loli, who you will see a lot of on TikTok and Instagram @CynthiaMurphyYA

Cynthia Murphy

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.'

‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Keep Your Friends Close will be your next obsession.’

Karen M. McManus, author of One of Us is Lying

‘Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Murphy book, I know I'm in for a wild ride. Keep Your Friends Close is no exception – an intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’

‘Keep Your Friends Close is a taut and twisty read that takes no prisoners. This captivatingly murderous book will keep you up all night and leave you unsure who you can trust.’

Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First

‘Chloe Roberts is an ambitious, brilliantly flawed protagonist who fights her way out of the darkest places.’

‘Twists, turns and heartstopping tension, Cynthia Murphy is a thriller author at the top of her game.’

Benjamin Dean, author of How to Die Famous

‘Taut, vicious and edge-of-your-seat thrilling, the queen of YA slashers has created another darkly delicious tale. You won't be able to put it down!’

Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen

‘Delicious 90s Scream vibes, a vicious teen secret society and bodies piling up around every corner . . . We’re back at Morton Academy, and there’s never been a more terrifying time to be a student. This is Cynthia Murphy at her absolute best.’

‘Keep Your Friends Close is dark, viciously fun and dangerously addictive. It’ll punch the breath out of you. Cynthia Murphy writes academia like it’s a blood sport – get ready to play.’

‘Mean Girls meets The Secret History, Keep Your Friends Close is the perfect blend of 90s nostalgia and twisty, compelling murder mystery. Cynthia Murphy never misses but this is her best yet.’

Laura Wood, author of The Agency for Scandal

‘An engrossing and cut-throat thriller where mean-girl antics, shifting alliances and a growing web of secrets keep the tension sky-high. Twisty and unputdownable.’

Channelle Desamours, author of Needy Little Things

‘A white-knuckled, stomach-clenching, un-put-downable thriller with characters you 
love to hate and an irresistible retro 90s vibe. The twists kept me on the edge of my seat!’

J. L. Simmonds, author of Run Away With Me

‘Deliciously dark and creepy, this return to Morton Academy was such a wild ride. It had me on the edge of my seat ’til the very last page. It’s everything I've come to expect from Cynthia Murphy and more!’

‘Twisty, atmospheric and great fun – Cynthia Murphy has done it again!’

‘Murder is back on the timetable at Morton Academy in this twisty tale of murderous backstabbing and secret societies.’

‘The Queen of the Killer Twist strikes again! You thought you knew everything when you read Win Lose Kill Die? Prepare to be shocked all over again when you read Keep Your Friends Close! Nostalgic, dark and witty, this book will keep readers up way past bedtime, until they reach the very last page.’

Melissa Welliver, author of My Love Life and the Apocalypse  

‘The UK’s No. 1 Scream Queen has done it again! Keep Your Friends Close is a twisty, scalpel-crafted novel that racks up the body count so fast Billy Loomis and Stu Macher are taking notes, nodding approvingly and wondering if Murphy is available as tutor and/or date. Returning us to Morton Hall as the twentieth century dies, Deputy Head Girl Chloe Roberts has lost her best friend, her boyfriend, and her fiercely fought-for chance to be Head Girl, but at least she still has her head . . . For now. Because it seems someone has an issue with the members of the clandestine Jewel and Bone Society, and Chloe has made it into The Book of Crime and Punishment. Paced like a bullet train and packed with more twists than a packet of Flumps, Keep Your Friends Close is a 90s themed horror dream. It's so good to be back at Morton.’

Melinda Salisbury, author of The Sin Eater’s Daughter

From the bestselling author of BookTok sensation Win Lose Kill Die and ‘CEO of Plot Twists’ comes an explosive dark academia thriller, perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Holly Jackson and Mean Girls. Don't miss out on the limited edition in-world sprayed edge! 
 
‘A thriller author to watch!’ Karen M. McManus, international bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying 
 
'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.' The Guardian 
 
Chloe Roberts is on top of the world at Morton Academy. She’s a shoo-in for Head Girl and the lead spot in the school’s secret society: Jewel and Bone. But then her best friend, Nikhita Patel, betrays her, and life comes crashing down. 
 
Things take a darker turn when Chloe stumbles upon the Book of Crime and Punishment – a record of every misdeed committed by Morton students and the fitting penalty. And it’s not long before entries in the book start to match up with murders of Jewel and Bone members. Anyone could be a suspect. 
 
Can Chloe get to the bottom of this twisted game before she’s next on the killer’s hit list . . . ? 
 
PRAISE FOR KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE: 
‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Your next obsession.’ Karen M. McManus, author of One of Us is Lying 
 
‘An intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’ Bill Wood, author of Let’s Split Up 
 
‘A taut and twisty read that takes no prisoners. This captivatingly murderous book will keep you up all night and leave you unsure who you can trust.’ Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First 
 
‘Taut, vicious and edge-of-your-seat thrilling, the queen of YA slashers has created another darkly delicious tale. You won't be able to put it down!’ Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen 
 
‘Chloe Roberts is an ambitious, brilliantly flawed protagonist who fights her way out of the darkest places.’ Sue Wallman, author of I Know You Did It 
 
‘Twists, turns and heartstopping tension, Cynthia Murphy is a thriller author at the top of her game.’ Benjamin Dean, author of How to Die Famous 
 
‘Delicious 90s Scream vibes, a vicious teen secret society and bodies piling up around every corner . . . This is Cynthia Murphy at her absolute best.’ Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake 
 
‘Dark, viciously fun and dangerously addictive. Cynthia Murphy writes academia like it’s a blood sport – get ready to play.’ Josh Silver, author of HappyHead 
 
‘Mean Girls meets The Secret History – the perfect blend of 90s nostalgia and twisty, compelling murder mystery.’ Laura Wood, author of The Agency for Scandal 
 
‘An engrossing and cut-throat thriller where mean-girl antics, shifting alliances and a growing web of secrets keep the tension sky-high. Twisty and unputdownable.’ Channelle Desamours, author of Needy Little Things

Cynthia Murphy

Praise for Keep Your Friends Close

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.'

‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Keep Your Friends Close will be your next obsession.’

‘Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Murphy book, I know I'm in for a wild ride. Keep Your Friends Close is no exception – an intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.'

‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Keep Your Friends Close will be your next obsession.’

‘Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Murphy book, I know I'm in for a wild ride. Keep Your Friends Close is no exception – an intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’

'An intensely readable dark academia thriller, ideal for fans of Holly Jackson.'

‘Bold, thrilling, and wickedly addictive. Keep Your Friends Close will be your next obsession.’

‘Whenever I pick up a Cynthia Murphy book, I know I'm in for a wild ride. Keep Your Friends Close is no exception – an intricately crafted YA thriller that I cannot wait to read again.’

Books by Cynthia Murphy

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter