When a young woman is found dead on her college campus, her sister doesn''t believe it was an accident—and her search for answers leads her closer to home than she ever would have imagined in this thrilling debut novel from an exciting new talent.

Maya can’t wait to return to Princeton for Reunions—it’s been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her college days. This year is even more special because her little sister, Naomi, is graduating.

But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya''s worst nightmare when she gets a call no one ever wants—Naomi is dead. The police are saying it’s an accident, but Maya suspects there is more to the story than they are letting on.

As Maya pieces together the months leading up to her sister’s death, she starts to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus—the same one Maya belonged to—despite Maya’s warnings. And if she had to guess, she''d say Naomi was also tapped for the secret society within it. 

The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi''s decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya''s time at Princeton wasn''t as wonderful as she always pretended it was—after all, her sister wasn''t the first young woman to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past…and to the secrets she’s kept all these years.

Autorentext

Lauren Ling Brown received a BA in English literature from Princeton University and an MFA in film production with a focus in screenwriting from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she works as a film editor.

Zusammenfassung
**NATIONAL BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • “A dark and haunting debut that explores secret societies, the bonds of sisterhood, and the intricacies of privilege at an elite college . . . I couldn’t put this twisty tale down.”—Julia Bartz, author of The Writing Retreat**

“Readers of dark academia, prepare to meet your new obsession.”—Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here

How far would you go to belong?

Maya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion—it’s been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her time there. This visit is special because Maya will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi.

But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya’s worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on.

As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister’s death, she begins to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya’s warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus—the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it.

The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi’s decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya’s time at Princeton wasn’t as wonderful as she’d always made it seem—after all, her sister wasn’t the first young woman to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past . . . and to the secret she’s kept all these years.

Leseprobe
Chapter One

Maya

May 2023
**
A blur of lights and guests streak past as i spin my five-­year-­old daughter through the cool night air. Dani giggles, smiling with pure childlike joy as golden-­brown curls bounce off her flushed cheeks. I hope she never loses this feeling of wonder. I don’t want her to know about the bad things in the world—­the bad ­people.

The band switches to Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and all around us, alumni dance faster to the beat—old friends and classmates whom I haven’t seen in years, their faces now only vaguely familiar. Every May, in the days leading up to commencement, alumni return for Princeton Reunions, where, in over a dozen tents, they host parties all over campus. We bring our partners and kids to show them this place that made such an impression on our lives . . . It’s also an excuse to show them off to each other.

I wonder if my old classmates recognize me now with my proud mane of curls, so different than the flat-­ironed hair I’d hidden beneath in college. It took me far too long to embrace my unique set of features, and now that I’m a mother, I want to set a good example for my daughter.

“All right, Dani, Mama’s arms need a break.” Shoulders burning, I set her down and she runs off, disappearing into the crowd. My heart flutters when I lose sight of her, but moments later, she reappears next to Daisy’s daughter, Susie, and I find my breath again.

I have to admit, I’m not at my best tonight. It never feels good when my sister and I argue. Naomi is the only family I have left aside from my husband and daughter, and it’s usually my fault when there’s an issue between us.

But coming back here always sets me on edge. This place brings with it so many memories, and not all of them are good.

Still, Naomi is graduating in a few days, so I need to pull myself together and try to have a good time for her sake.

Speaking of that, where is my sister? She was supposed to be here hours ago.

I’m checking my phone to see if Naomi has called when an alert from campus safety pops onto the screen: Washington Road Bridge and the Lake Carnegie towpath are closed due to police activity. Please use alternative routes. And then my phone dies. Great. Now it’ll be impossible to get hold of her. Why didn’t I charge it earlier? Why couldn’t Naomi be on time for once?

“Having fun?” Daisy asks, making her way over.

Daisy looks effortlessly beautiful even after several hours of dancing, wearing her signature pearls and an orange linen dress, copper-­brown waves perfectly falling around flushed cheeks. She’s my best friend and one of the kindest people I know, and after what we’ve been through, she’s basically family.

I sigh. “Naomi isn’t answering, and now my phone’s dead.”

Daisy gives me a sympathetic frown. “She still upset?”

I shrug. My sister hasn’t returned my calls or texts all day, probably because I hung up on her when we spoke yesterday morning.

It wasn’t my best moment, but we had plans to spend time together on Friday. I was looking forward to seeing her. Nate and I had even booked the hotel room an extra night just so I could spend time with her, and it wasn’t cheap. So when Naomi said something came up last minute and she’d see us Saturday instead, the anger rushed up, and I couldn’t stop it: Fine, I guess I shouldn’t miss work, then.

She began saying something, but I’d already ended the call.

I sigh and close my eyes. All I want is for her to be happy, but sometimes I feel like the more I try to connect with her, the more she pushes me away.

“She’s probably out with her Sterling friends or getting drunk with some new boyfriend,” Daisy says, and when I flinch at the thought, she adds, “Oh, come on, relax! I’m s…