They Wish They Were Us

Praise

“Seductive and slick, They Wish They Were Us is a searing novel about power, privilege, and the dangerous pursuit of perfection. You’ll remember the girls of Gold Coast Prep Long after the last page.”—Jessica Knoll, New York Times bestselling author of The Luckiest Girl Alive and The Favorite Sister

“Fast-paced and completely consuming—I was swept into this riveting mystery from beginning to end. They Wish They Were Us smartly explores the complexities of friendship, the secrets and lies buried under the picturesque façade, and the ultimate cost of perfection.”—Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls, The Perfect Stranger, and The Last Guest House

“[A]n engrossing story of evil, upscale Long Island teens.”—Variety

“The chilling murder mystery is an irresistible hook, but it’s the careful building of each character’s fraught, internal conflicts that really digs in, elevating the work from a high society whodunit to a knowing mission to not just uncover one’s own identity, but to build it.”—
Esquire, Best Books of 2020

“A pristine infusion of Gossip Girl and Netflix’s Elite, this prep-school thriller has it all: plaid skirts, secret societies, and a gripping murder mystery, but paired with an adept critique of the powers and privileges that goeth before the fall.”—Elle

“Jessica Goodman’s thrilling debut is a modern-day Gossip Girl—but darker.”—Marie Claire,

“One of this summer’s buzziest reads.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Jessica Goodman’s debut mystery is a true page-turner, but it’s her exploration of Gold Coast’s high-achieving, socioeconomically stratified culture that sets They Wish They Were Us apart on the shelf.”—BookPage

“Goodman deftly explores the complex nature of friendship, privilege, grief, and the often crushing expectations placed on teens, all of which dovetails neatly with a twisty murder mystery….A sophisticated and suspenseful debut.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This debut murder mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep its pages turning.”—Booklist

“A whip-smart mystery with a pitch-perfect voice.”—Kara Thomas, author of The Cheerleaders, Little Monsters and The Darkest Corners

“A juicy, fast-paced, addictive tale that’s more than a mystery—it’s a timely exploration of ambition, loyalty, and how far we’ll go to belong. I couldn’t put it down.”—Andrea Bartz, author of The Lost Night