Where Sleeping Girls Lie

Gr 9 Up–British author Àbíké-Íyímídé is back at it with another thriller in the same vein as her Ace of Spades. This time, readers are immersed in the prestigious boarding school Alfred Nobel Academy where main character Sade Hussein has recently transferred. Despite claims that the school is unwelcoming to new students, Sade is relatively quickly accepted by a handful of students just as her roommate goes missing. Meanwhile, Jude presents himself as a potential bad boy love interest. Turns out there’s more to the bad boy edge than readers originally anticipate as Sade and friends uncover a sinister secret text thread where unscrupulous boys tell all, including date rape brags. As the finale is revealed, the perspectives shift multiple times, and unreliable narration is revealed. Overall, the work is ambitious, running long with too many characters and plot complications. The author wants to spend time establishing the setting and cast, but only the most determined readers will push past to the real intrigue. The book does have a nicely diverse cast, including a Black, Muslim main character. The LGBTQIA+ representation is excellent with two exceptionally well represented sidekicks whose identity is not just a plot device—readers will wish Basil was their bestie.