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'The Secret Place' by Tana French revolves around a cold murder case at a private girl's school, St. Kilda's. Detective Stephen Moran gets a chance to join Dublin's Murder Squad when Holly Mackey provides a clue related to the case. The story unfolds as Moran teams up with Detective Antoinette Conway to investigate the tangled relationships and secrets among the schoolgirls, all set against the backdrop of a mysterious 'secret place' at the school. The narrative alternates between the present investigation and the past events at the school, showcasing French's skill in character development and atmospheric storytelling.

If you liked The Secret Place, here are the top 100 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: Dublin Murder Squad)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman
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    Set at a private girls' high school in the Adirondacks, 'The Lake of Dead Languages' follows Jane Hudson, a Latin teacher who returns to her alma mater, where she uncovers buried secrets from her past. The story intertwines past tragedies with present mysteries, creating a suspenseful and gothic atmosphere that keeps readers engaged. The plot revolves around a series of suicides that seem to be repeating, with Jane at the center of the unfolding events, leading to a chilling and intriguing narrative. The writing style is described as atmospheric, with a strong sense of foreboding and suspense that captures the reader's attention.

    IHAVE BEEN TOLD TO MAKE THE LATIN CURRICULUM RELEvant to the lives of my students. I am finding, though, that my advanced girls at Heart Lake like Latin precisely because it has no relevance to their ...

  2. #2

    If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
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    If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is a dark and suspenseful novel set in an eccentric conservatory college where seven fourth-year acting students are deeply immersed in Shakespearean theater. The story unfolds through the memories of Oliver, who has just been released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence for a crime that is gradually revealed. The book delves into the relationships, secrets, and tragedies that unfold among the students, all while incorporating Shakespearean quotes and themes throughout the narrative. The writing style is described as captivating, emotionally arresting, and filled with tension, making the book a thrilling and engrossing read.

    I sit with my wrists cuffed to the table and I think, But that I am forbid / To tell the secrets of my prison-house, / I could a tale unfold whose lightest word / Would harrow up thy soul. The guard s...

  3. #3

    The Witch Elm by Tana French
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    The Witch Elm by Tana French is a slow-paced mystery novel that delves into the psyche of the main character, Toby. After a brutal attack leaves Toby physically and mentally damaged, he retreats to his family's ancestral home, Ivy House, where a mysterious skull is discovered in the garden. As Toby grapples with memory loss and uncovers secrets about his family, the plot twists and turns, revealing the complexities of his past. The book is narrated from Toby's perspective, providing insights into his crisis of identity and self-awareness as he navigates through the unsettling events.

    That night. I know there are an infinite number of places to begin any story, and I’m well aware that everyone else involved in this one would take issue with my choice—I can just see the wry lift at ...

  4. #4

    Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates
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    Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates is a psychological thriller that revolves around six college friends who create a high-stakes game of consequences during their time at Oxford University. The narrative switches between the present day and their college days, exploring the escalating psychological challenges and consequences faced by the characters. The book delves into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the long-term impacts of youthful recklessness, all while keeping readers engaged with its intricate plot and alternating viewpoints.

    I hold the phone to my chest for some time after the call has ended. And then, crossing the room, I open my curtains for the first time in three years. Because now he has found me, tracked me down, an...

  5. #5
    Gentlemen and Players
    Book 1 in the series:Malbry

    Gentlemen and Players - Malbry by Joanne M. Harris
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    Gentlemen and Players by Joanne M. Harris is a dark and sinister thriller set in a prestigious all boys boarding school, St. Oswald's. The story revolves around a clever psychopath seeking revenge on the school, creating a complex psychological mystery that keeps the reader hooked until the unpredictable ending. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Roy Straitley, an elderly Classics master, and the mysterious assailant, adding depth to the plot and character development.

    The book delves into themes of revenge, deception, loyalty, and identity within the backdrop of a British public school. With a well-crafted plot, unexpected twists, and engaging character interactions, Gentlemen and Players offers a gripping and suspenseful read that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

    If there's one thing I've learned in the past fifteen years, it's this: that murder is really no big deal. It's just a boundary, meaningless and arbitrary as all others - a line drawn in the dirt. Lik...

  6. #6

    Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
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    Catherine House is a prestigious and exclusive college hidden in the woods where students are offered full scholarships and a chance at a prestigious career. The story follows Ines, a student running from her past, who finds herself drawn into the mysterious and unsettling world of Catherine House. The setting is described as gothic and eerie, with elements of mystery, mind control, and secret experiments, creating a dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. The plot revolves around the students' isolation from the outside world, the unconventional curriculum, and the hidden agenda within the school's walls.

    I ran a hand over my stomach. I was going be sick. The back of my throat tasted like sour wine and my ears rang with the echoes of a party: a smutty, fucked-up bass line reverberating through the floo...

  7. #7

    Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
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    "Prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld follows the story of Lee Fiora, a scholarship student at a prestigious boarding school in Massachusetts. The narrative delves into Lee's struggles with insecurity, alienation, and self-doubt as she navigates through the complexities and awkwardness of high school life. The writing style captures the bittersweet account of Lee's coming of age, portraying her as a relatable but not always sympathetic character who grapples with fitting into her surroundings while dealing with unrequited love and teenage angst.

    Set against the backdrop of a prep school, the novel offers a realistic portrayal of adolescent experiences, showcasing themes of anxiety, insecurity, and the constant struggle for acceptance and belonging. The story unfolds through Lee's perspective, providing insights into her journey of self-discovery and transformation during her years at the boarding school. The plot explores the challenges faced by Lee as she copes with feelings of isolation and inadequacy, ultimately offering a poignant reflection on the complexities of teenage life.

    I think that everything, or at least the part of everything that happened to me, started with the Roman architecture mix-up. Ancient History was my first class of the day, occurring after morning chap...

  8. #8

    Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
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    'Special Topics in Calamity Physics' by Marisha Pessl follows the story of Blue van Meer, an intelligent adolescent who moves to a small liberal arts college community with her college professor father. Befriended by a high school teacher and four students under her influence, Blue uncovers the true nature of those around her. The book is filled with literary and film references, written in a unique 'faux' research paper style, with a labyrinthine plot that keeps readers engaged despite its length. The writing style is described as clever, witty, and filled with endless references and allusions, showcasing the author's intelligence and imagination.

    Dinner at Hannah's was a honey-bunch tradition, held more or less every Sunday for the past three years. Charles and his friends looked forward to the hours at her house (the address itself, a little ...

  9. #9
    Truly Devious
    Book 1 in the series:Truly Devious

    Truly Devious - Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
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    In 'Truly Devious' by Maureen Johnson, the story follows Stevie Bell, a true crime enthusiast who gets accepted into the prestigious Ellingham Academy to pursue her dream of solving the decades-old murder and kidnapping that occurred at the school in 1936. The book alternates between the past events of 1936 and Stevie's present-day investigations, creating a compelling narrative full of mysteries and intriguing characters. However, the book ends on a major cliffhanger, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment to unravel the unresolved plot threads.

    Stevie finds herself caught up in a web of mysteries as she delves into the historical murder disappearance at Ellingham Academy while navigating her own challenges in the present day. With engaging storytelling that intertwines past and present events, Johnson crafts a YA murder mystery that keeps readers hooked with its blend of riddles, puzzles, and questions. Despite some readers finding the ending unsatisfying due to the abrupt cliffhanger, the book's ability to keep readers on edge and craving more sets the stage for a promising series that blends elements of historical crime with modern-day investigations.

    This resulted in a long pause. Stevie and her parents had had many conversations about the nature of truth and fact, and this might, on another day, have erupted into an argument. Not today. They seem...

  10. #10

    In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
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    In "In My Dreams I Hold A Knife" by Ashley Winstead, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through the lives of the East House Seven, a group of former college friends haunted by a murder that occurred ten years ago. The narrative unfolds in dual timelines, expertly weaving together the reunion of the friends in the present day and the events of the past. As secrets resurface and tensions rise, the reader is drawn into a complex web of lies, betrayals, and hidden motives, culminating in a gripping whodunnit mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

    The author, Ashley Winstead, delves deep into the complexities of human relationships and the dark underbelly of the characters' lives. Through poetic prose and well-timed twists, Winstead creates a narrative that is both heartbreakingly raw and brutally honest, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and the weight of past secrets that can tear people apart. The story is a commentary on the human condition, revealing the inner turmoil and hidden truths that shape the characters' actions and relationships.

    Your body has a knowing. Like an antenna, attuned to tremors in the air, or a dowsing rod, tracing things so deeply buried you have no language for them yet. The Saturday it arrived, I woke taut as a ...

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