I LOVE a good Friend Group Thriller. Is this book about a group of women terrified when a True Crime YouTuber wants to delve into their friend’s murder going to make that list? Check out my Review of The Secrets We Buried by Becca Day!
Written and edited by Jen Ryland. Last updated on:
The Secrets We Buried by Becca Day
Published on September 5, 2023 by Embla Books.
I read this book in September 2023 and put it on my list of Best Neighborhood Thrillers AND Best Books with Podcast Elements AND Friend Group Thrillers.
Review of The Secrets We Buried
From I Know What You Did Last Summer to Pretty Little Liars, the Friend Group Thriller is a staple in the teen thriller subgenre but also popular among adult thrillers too.
Here’s my definition of a Friend Group Thriller: a small, tight-knit group of friends (or former friends) is keeping a secret about something terrible they were involved in, often something in the past. What happened? Who was responsible? Is someone going to get double-crossed? Will one of them crack?
Friend Group Thrillers are closely related to Neighborhood Thrillers and Evil Family Thrillers in that there’s a limited pool of suspects.
So YES, The Secrets We Buried is a great example of a Friend Group Thriller.
My favorite variation on the Friend Group Thriller is the “we used to be friends a long time ago, but I haven’t thought of you lately at all” sort. (If you recognize that 2000s TV show theme song, tell me in the comments.)
In other words, I like it when the friend group has drifted apart (possibly by the strain of the secret they are keeping) and has to come back together for some reason.
What Did I Think The Secrets We Buried did well?
I thought the book differentiated the three women (Frankie, Zara, Nadine, and Geneva) really well. Part of this is giving them types: Frankie is the mum, Zara is glamorous and Nadine is steely and ambitious.
These three are also keeping BIG secrets from each other. This also adds to the tension and drama of a Friend Group Mystery.
Then, there’s a catalyst character who isn’t part of the friend group. Juniper Rose (I know, the most Millennial name ever), is a true crime YouTuber determined to delve into the murder of their fourth friend Geneva. Everyone assumed Geneva was killed by her husband, Elliott, but Juniper isn’t so sure.
As a book with True Crime podcast elements, The Secrets We Buried got it all right. If you listen to true crime podcasts or YouTubes, you’ll recognize Juniper’s chirpy yet mysterious tone.
What Bothered Me About The Secrets We Buried?
The ending. Some readers may disagree, and my dislike of the ending wasn’t enough to stop me from liking the book or checking out other books by the author, I had one major issue.
First, there was one part of the ending I guessed, and that I think other readers will guess too. But there was another that seemed to come out of absolutely nowhere. I prefer books where I actually have a chance to figure it out, and this wacky aspect just didn’t ring true to me.
But still, I am definitely putting this on my Friend Group Thriller list and my Mysteries and Thrillers With Podcast Elements list, and I recommend it if you are looking for something twisty and fun to read!