Friends Like These

A Novel

By: Kimberly McCreight

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan, Ewan Chung, Susan Dalian, Lauren Fortgang, James Fouhey, Stacey Glemboski, Joe Knezevich, Alex McKenna

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A GMA Buzz Pick

“Kim McCreight's thrillers are smart, propulsive and impossible to put down." (Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me)

In this relentlessly twisty literary thriller from New York Times best-selling author Kimberly McCreight, a desperate intervention brings together a group of college friends 10 years after graduation - a reunion marked by lies, betrayal, and murder.

Coming Soon from Amblin Television

Six college friends have reunited for a glamorous weekend in the Catskills, a decade after a fatal accident that nearly destroyed them. Keith, once the ringleader of the group, was a handsome charmer on the fast track to success. Now he’s spiraling into addiction and stands at the edge of losing it all. This weekend is the last chance to save him.

But Keith, it turns out, is not the only one who needs saving.

By dawn on Sunday morning, a car has been found deep in the woods - one of the friends is dead, another is missing. When a local detective turns up to investigate, it’s clear the group is hiding something ominous.

Haunted by her sister’s murder years ago, Detective Julia Scutt has her own share of problems. But she’s a skilled detective, and knows a rehearsed story when she hears one. It is up to Julia to untangle a decade-long web of friendship, lies, and betrayals to discover the truth. But first she needs to face her own past - including the secrets that could, in the end, offer the key to everything.

A story of unconditional love, obsession, and the sometimes-impossible choices we have to make in the name of loyalty, Friends Like These is a relentlessly twisty, roller coaster of a novel.

©2021 Kimberly McCreight (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Full of Twists & Turns to its Chilling End

Full of twists and turns, and with a tenacious detective that “sinks her teeth in and doesn’t let go until she hits bone”, Kimberly McCreight's new novel tells the tale of betrayal and murder with modern flair. Suspenseful, fast paced, and full of red herrings, it leaves you wondering and wanting to know more all in the same moment.... the ending is delivered is Ms. McCreight’s signature style, and does not disappoint.

Lots of characters to keep track of (hence the 4 stars) - but the narrators all did an excellent job of bringing their characters to life. Really enjoyed a first listen to Ewan Chung, and this one was one of Lauren Fortgang’s most nuanced and best performances.

Thank you, Ms. McCreight - keep ‘‘em coming. Look forward to your next read!

riveting and surprising

enjoyed the story, the characters and the way the plot developed. Julia Scutt's a rock star.

Deserving of all the Kudos

The author presents her story in a rather unique manner, toggling back and forth among the characters and time periods. The ending was both a stunner and a very satisfactory conclusion.

Worth the Effort

I’ve loved Kimberly McCreight since reading ‘Deconstructing Amelia’. Going into this book, I saw there were quite a few low ratings and I understand where they’re coming from. It took over half of the book for me to form a connection to the characters - and probably a little longer to care how it turned out. However, the last quarter of the book made me glad I’d invested the time and effort.

too many characters and petty teenage drama

this book was ok. most of the book was filling a group of friends and a murder that happened. we also follow a detective. I didn't really like any of the characters. there was too much drama as well.

it was fine

There weren’t any really likable characters or motivations. So the storyline didn’t wasn’t very impactful. I’d say mild mystery. Which was disappointing because a few of her other novels are in my top 10 list.

Friends Like These?

Not what I was expecting to read. I wasn’t a fan of the story and the characters were not well liked. I did enjoy the different audio narrators but other than that it was a so-so thriller.

Loved it

Kept me guessing and even when I started to figure it out there was still more. Lots of characters in this book and an intertwined main plot with several other things going on at once, so it may not be for those who prefer fewer characters in an audiobook. Suspenseful thriller with a mystery - I wished it had gone on just a little longer to see what all the characters thought of the ending.

Very engaging

One of the best mysteries I’ve ever read! I was captivated the entire read. This book was not even a little predictable. I had no clue where it was going until the very end. Good job.

A Little Let Down

I have loved her other books, but this one was a little lackluster. It was a surprise in the end, not predictable.