What I Told My Friends

A dark academia, coming-of-age thriller about murder, secrets and revenge from an brilliant new voice. A must-read if you love Jo Spain, Samantha Downing and Alice Feeney.

High Hill Manor has a secret.

The prestigious boarding school attracted the brightest students. But that was before the head girl Emily Asbourne was found dead on the ground below the belltower.

A long list of suspects.

Chloe Carter joined in the final year. Things went badly wrong back in London, and she was desperate for a new start. She had her own reasons to hate Emily, but she wasn't the only one.

A much-loved music teacher is charged with murder.

Two decades pass, and Chloe greets Mr Aides at the prison gates on the day of his release. She is ready to tell all. But sharing secrets is a dangerous business and comes with a high price.
A dark academia thriller perfect for fans of When We Were Silent, The Four, The Trial and My Dark Vanessa.

Praise for What I Told My Friends

‘Between its themes of guilt and growth and its propulsive plotting, WHAT I TOLD MY FRIENDS is a layered, darkly atmospheric thriller… Alice Leigh is an absolute thriller master and I can't wait to see what she does next.’ Sara Ochs

‘Beautifully written with a deliciously gothic backdrop, What I Told My Friends, is a haunting and timely slice of dark academia that will stay with you long after the final page.’ Nuala Ellwood

What readers are saying about What I Told My Friends

‘The twists were excellent, and the ending had my mouth hanging wide open… It is complex, complicated and dark – one of those books that makes you think long after you finish.’ Reader Review
‘This honestly encapsulated everything I wanted from a thriller – suspense, tension, secrets and lies.’ Reader Review
‘This book had the perfect mean girl vibes in a dark academia setting.’ Reader Review
‘Moody, layered and quietly unsettling. A great read.’ Reader Review
‘Absolutely fantastic.’ Reader Review
‘Intoxicating, thrilling and captivating this is a fantastic psychological thriller that will have you thinking what would you do in that situation.’ Reader Review
‘The dark academia vibes are perfectly – claustrophobic halls, hidden alliances and that uneasy sense that everyone is lying about something.’ Reader Review
‘Full of intrigue and crime, this is an amazing book to read in one sitting.’ Reader Review