Where Sleeping Girls Lie follows Sade as she transfers to a mysterious boarding school, only for her roommate Elizabeth to suddenly disappear—an event the school seems disturbingly unconcerned about. Refusing to let Elizabeth be forgotten, Sade begins investigating alongside Elizabeth’s best friend, pulling her deeper into a web of secrets, lies, and unsettling truths.
I absolutely loved this novel. It struck the perfect balance between thriller, contemporary fiction, and a subtle hint of romance. While the opening was a bit slow for me and took some time to fully pull me in, once the story gained momentum, I couldn’t put it down. I needed answers. The mystery kept unfolding in unexpected ways, with plot twists coming one after another and constantly keeping me on edge.
The setting was one of my favorite elements—an elite academic boarding school layered with tension, secrecy, and unease. It added such a strong atmospheric pull to the story and made the mystery feel even more immersive. The plot was gripping, and the characters were incredibly well done. Each one served a clear purpose, contributing meaningfully to the overall story.
Baz completely stole my heart. His friendship with Sade and Persephone was easily my favorite dynamic in the book—their bond felt genuine, supportive, and deeply comforting amid all the chaos. I was also genuinely surprised by the relationship between April and Francis, but by the end of the novel, I absolutely adored Francis and truly believe he was one of the best guys in the group.
Beyond the mystery, this novel explores heavy but important themes such as grief, trauma, healing after tragedy, and learning to rely on the people you can trust. It also thoughtfully addresses LGBTQ+ representation and difficult topics, including sexual assault, making it an emotionally layered and impactful read. Overall, Where Sleeping Girls Lie is an eccentric, twist-filled, and emotionally resonant novel that I would highly recommend—especially for readers who love dark academia vibes mixed with suspense and heart.