Female friends can go from competitors to besties and back again. Here are some mysteries and thrillers where female rivalry gets out of hand! My List of Mystery and Thriller Books About Female Friendship was inspired by White Lotus Season Three. I love a Friend Group Mystery, but there’s something very specific about female friendship. Let’s explore it in the context of mystery and thriller books!
Mystery and Thriller Books About Female Friendship
Ah, how to deal with the “tricky” female friendship. Glamour magazine talks about why that White Lotus Trio was so triggering!
- Is the “niceness” real or fake?
- Can the inevitable rivalries over love interests, grades and accomplishments be put aside?
- Add murder to the mix, and you wonder if you should really keep your friends close and your enemies closer…
These mysteries and thrillers featuring female friendship explore the impact of rivalry, manipulation, and deceit on the characters involved.
Female Rivals and Frenemies
There are a lot of rival writer plots here, and I have a whole post on Mysteries and Thrillers about Writers
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023)
This gripping book about a rivalry between two up and coming female writers will keep you glued to the pages. It’s a wild ride with plenty of twists and turns.
Check out my Review of Yellowface
I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto (2023)
Another rival female writers book, this one about two women who met in a writing program at Oxford University. One hits the big time and the other is happy for her … right?
Check out My Spoiler Review for I’m Not Done With You Yet
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins (2023)
Surprise! Another book about a writer, but this book features two female friend duos: Emily and Chess in the present and Mari and Lara in the 1970s.
Check out my Spoiler Review of The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine (2017)
Amber and Daphne bond over their beloved late sisters, and wealthy Daphne invites awkward Amber to help out with her charity. So touching, right? Except Amber has an ulterior motive and Daphne better watch out!
My Spoiler Review of The Last Mrs. Parrish
Mystery and Thriller Books About Old Friends
“We used to be friends, a long time ago, but I haven’t thought of you lately at all…. “
Whether toxic old friends are still in your life or not, they could pop up at any time to reminisce about the old days or dredge up old secrets and rivalries!
The Note by Alafair Burke (2025)
These three women met as teens at summer camp, which is so great, except that (of course) they were foolish enough to think that a dark secret in the past would stay that way.
Check out my Review of The Note by Alafair Burke
There Should Have Been Eight by Nalini Singh (2023)
A group of old friends gather at a remote New Zealand estate to remember one of their own. But secrets start to spill out, betrayals are revealed, and are all these relationships really what they seem?
Check out my Review with Spoiler Discussion for There Should Have Been Eight
Bye Baby by Carola Lovering (2024)
Billie and Cassie were lifelong best friends. But now Cassie has it all: a devoted husband, a beautiful baby, glamorous friends and a career as an influencer. When Cassie’ baby disappears, what does Billie know about it?
Check out my Review and Spoiler Discussion for Bye Baby!
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney (2017)
Taylor and Amber met in childhood. Or did they?
Amber has lost her memory warns us that “sometimes I lie.” This is one of the craziest, most tangled toxic friendships I’ve read about, and I’m still not sure understand it!
Join my Spoiler Discussion for Sometimes I Lie
Mystery and Thriller Books about School Friends
High school or university can be an intense bonding experience. But classmates can also be bitter rivals, competing over friends, love interests, extracurriculars, and grades.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead (2021)
Jessica is excited for her tenth college reunion, where she can show her old classmates how fabulous and successful she’s become.
But the still unsolved murder of one of her friend group all those years ago casts a dark shadow over the festivities. Someone wants the guilty person to pay…
Check out my thoughts on In My Dreams I Hold a Knife!
Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham (2024)
Margot and Lucy become the closest of friends at college, and Lucy draws Margot into her close band of girlfriends.
Then a student at their college goes missing and Lucy vanishes without a trace….
Check out My Spoiler Review on Only If You’re Lucky!
Mystery and Thriller Books about New Friends
The Collective by Allison Gaylin (2021)
When tragedy strikes, Camille is heartbroken and furious. She’s then approached by a mysterious group of women who offer more than condolences. They are suggesting a way to right the wrong that was done.
Check out my Spoiler Discussion Post on The Collective
Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen (2024)
Exhausted by motherhood and a legal battle with her ex, Mary is thrilled to meet Willa, a sympathetic new friend on the playground.
But Mary soon realizes that Willa is not being honest with her, and might be up to something terrible.
Check out my Spoiler Review of Keep Your Friends Close
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava (2025)
Sloane is feeling a little lost, and so thrilled to meet golden couple Violet and Jay. She ends up being their nanny, and she and Violet become very close.
But all is not as it seems.
Check out my Readers Guide with Spoilers for Count My Lies.
Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang (2025)
After Julie takes the place of her twin sister, Chloe, she has to fake her way as a Belladonna, an intimidating group of influencers.
Are these girls toxic? Uh… yeah!
Check out my Readers Guide for Julie Chan is Dead.
You Are Not Alone by Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks (2020)
Shay is feeling lost and lonely, but is befriended by Jane and Cassandra Moore. She’s thrilled to be drawn into their glamorous world, but their glamour has a dark side…
Check out my Review with Spoilers for You Are Not Alone
If you have books to add to my list, let me know in the comments!
I love this list as I love books with this in a plot! I would add Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton.
Ooh, thanks – I have never heard of that one. And I think we are in luck, as I’m seeing this trend continue 🙂