Prom Queen by Laura Wolfe Published by Bookouture on October 9, 2023
Genres: Psychological Thrillers
Buy on Amazon
Bailey stood on the stage, her crown glittering under the high school lights as she blew kisses to those glaring beneath her. Despite the celebrations, something didnāt feel right. She wasnāt supposed to be prom queen, and someone would make her pay for itā¦
Twenty years ago, my best friend, Bailey, was found dead by the train tracks, half of our friendship locket missing from her pale neck. She never took that off. Officially, it was ruled a tragic accident ā but I knew better. Sheād been crowned prom queen only hours earlier, and someoneās jealousy had finally gotten to them.
Now I have been forced to return to my childhood home, to the small lakeside town, and the group of friends I grew up with. Back to the scene of the crime that ruined my life, and stole my best friend away from me forever. I need a fresh slate, but I am seeing Bailey everywhere. A quick flash of her locket on a woman in a cafĆ© surely canāt be a coincidence?
As I walk along the street, I avoid the suspicious stares of my former classmates. Everyone here thinks I had something to do with Baileyās death. Sure, we did things we shouldnāt have as teenagers, but who didnāt? But when I start to hear noises in my house and receive threatening notes, I realize someone here never wanted me to come back, and theyāll do whatever it takes to keep me awayā¦
Someone in this small town murdered my best friend the night she was crowned prom queen, and now theyāre after me. We all have our secrets, but who would kill for them?
My Thoughts
This book has everything you could look for in a suspenseful story – a small town, the mysterious death of a popular girl, and many secrets. The author’s use of past and present storytelling lets us slowly get to know the characters and the lies they’ve been hiding. Adding an actual crime podcast element was a brilliant move, adding an extra level of intrigue to the plot. At its core, the story raises important questions about trust and the consequences of keeping secrets. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read and review this book.
About Laura Wolfe
Laura Wolfe is an Amazon Charts bestselling author of dark and twisty psychological thriller and suspense novels. Her new and upcoming releases with Bookouture include WE LIVE NEXT DOOR, HER BEST FRIEND’S LIE, SHE LIES ALONE, and TWO WIDOWS. The books in her YA mystery series and her adult suspense novel, TOP PRODUCER, have been shortlisted for multiple indie book awards. Laura is a lover of animals and nature. When she is not writing, she can be found hanging out with her highly energetic kids, growing vegetables in her garden, or spoiling her rescue dog. She enjoys living in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
