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The Games We Play

Three best friends. One Deadly secret.

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Pub Date 30 Jul 2026 | Archive Date 29 Jul 2026


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Description

3 Best Friends. 1 Deadly Secret.

With Ali's wedding fast approaching, her friendship with Erin and Sophie threatens to implode with deathly consequences when a twisted teenage game comes back to haunt them.

As teenagers, Ali, Erin and Sophie are bonded by a secret, and a promise to protect each other. Years later, Ali’s wedding is looming when the three women set off for their annual couples’ trip, unaware that one final drunken game and a weekend of secrets and revelations will bring their teenage promise back to haunt them.

As the truth begins to creep out, making headlines that threaten to pull their lives apart, it puts their friendship to the ultimate test – has it been love or fear holding them together, and if one of them cracks, will any of them survive?

Readers are loving The Games We Play

'A twisty-turny tale of friendships put to the ultimate test … terrifyingly relatable and shockingly surprising' Charlotte Duckworth, author of The Perfect Father

'The complexity of female friendship is brought to breaking point as long-buried secrets threaten far more than the bonds of sisterhood in The Games We PlayNatalie Chandler, author of The Voices

'This sharp and suspenseful thriller had me hooked from start to finish. The Games We Play is a classy and compelling read, superbly written and terrifyingly relatable. Claire Quinn is one to watch' Nicola Whyte, author of 10 Marchfield Square

'An intricate blend of friendship, dark secrets and sinister betrayal had me turning the pages into the early hours … Twisty and suspenseful, I cannot wait to see what comes next from this author.' Nasheema Lennon, author of Going Going Gone

What readers are saying about The Games We Play…

'A strong, upmarket suspense novel, well written and pacy, with believable characters. I ended up reading it one sitting and really enjoyed it … one to watch.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping, suspenseful read with a strong atmosphere and plenty of tension.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A compulsive, emotionally charged thriller … A perfect pick for readers who love friendship dramas with a sharp, suspenseful bite.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A tense, character-driven psychological thriller … Twisty, suspenseful, and addictive, it’s a gripping read that keeps you second-guessing right to the final page.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

3 Best Friends. 1 Deadly Secret.

With Ali's wedding fast approaching, her friendship with Erin and Sophie threatens to implode with...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9780008812041
PRICE £5.99 (GBP)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 10 members


Featured Reviews

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This was a strong, upmarket suspense novel, well written and pacy, with believable characters. I ended up reading it one sitting and really enjoyed it. This author might be one to watch.

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A fantastic exploration of trust, friendship and long-buried secrets, The Games We Play by Claire Quinn is a compelling suspense novel.

The friendship between Erin, Sophie and Ali is the hinge of the novel. There is a clear sense of manipulation within their dynamic, something that has developed since childhood. Bound together by a traumatic secret from their past, the women find old tensions resurfacing as Ali’s wedding draws near.

The novel unfolds beautifully, brimming with suspense throughout. Quinn handles the shifting perceptions of each character with real skill, constantly encouraging the reader to reassess where their loyalties lie. The story also examines the intensity of teenage friendships and the lengths women will go to in order to protect one another. The quiet acceptance of each other’s flaws feels especially thoughtful and perceptive.

Overall, this is a gripping and constantly evolving novel. Like standing on shifting sand, the reader is never fully steady, and that lingering sense of uncertainty makes for an absorbing read.

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A sharp and beautifully written suspense novel that was pacy, twisty, and gut wrenching. A superb debut.

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