ARC Review: Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Publication Date: March 19, 2024
Library Purchase: Absolutely.

Synopsis

In Where Sleeping Girls Lie — a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, the New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades — a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.

It’s like I keep stumbling into a dark room, searching for the switch to make things bright again...

Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, after being home-schooled all her life. Misfortune has clung to her seemingly since birth, but even she doesn’t expect her new roommate, Elizabeth, to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think Sade had something to do with it.

With rumors swirling around her, Sade catches the attention of the girls collectively known as the ‘Unholy Trinity’ and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them—especially Persephone, who Sade is inexplicably drawn to—and playing catchup in class, Sade already has so much on her plate. But when it seems people don't care enough about what happened to Elizabeth, it's up to she and Elizabeth's best friend, Baz, to investigate.

And then a student is found dead.

The more Sade and Baz dig into Elizabeth's disappearance, the more she realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she thought. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.

Review

This is the second book I've read by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Ace of Spades is also amazing) and her books have a Tiffany Jackson vibe in the best way. Where Sleeping Girls Lie opened in the middle of conflict and mystery and that vibe carried through the book. 

As we watch Sade and Baz identify lies that lead to mysteries about the disappearance of Elizabeth, we also explore the hot and cold action of Persephone, and a guy from the swim team who's very interested in Sade, but can he be trusted? Amidst all mysteries and who-done-its Sade and Baz learn that Elizabeth had a few secrets of her own. 

While readers rush to untangle this web of questions there are mysteries brewing that we readers don't even know to be on the look out for. 

At this point after both Ace of Spade and Where Sleeping Girls Lie, I'll read anything Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Thank you NetGalley for ARC access to this book! I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next one!