The Things We Do to Our Friends

November 14, 2022
Little is as it initially appears in Darwent’s deviously plotted debut. The young woman now known as Clare, who was disowned by her parents at 16 following an “episode” that isn’t fully disclosed until later, arrives at university in Edinburgh to study art history and laser-focused on reinventing herself—an enterprise that gets off to a better start than she could have hoped when an encounter at the bar where she’s working leads to her clicking with classmate Tabitha, the lanky blonde, elegantly louche queen bee of a circle of privileged chums since boarding school. Though Clare initially approaches every invitation to her aspirational bestie’s elegant Georgian flat as something of an audition, Tabitha proves to have just as much riding on cultivating her—for a key role in the potentially life-altering but treacherous “project” she and her pals have been secretly planning and which could shatter Clare’s fresh start. Despite an uneven pace, the suspense rises, and if the characters don’t always ring true, they, like a nest of vipers, are tough to take one’s eyes off of. Darwent is off to an auspicious start. Agent: Emily Glenister, DHH Literary.

January 1, 2023
Distinguishing between predator and prey could prove difficult for readers of Darwent's chilling debut. Seeking anonymity and reinvention, Clare moves to Edinburgh to attend university. Armed with a new name and a fictitious backstory, she plans to infiltrate an elite clique as part of her reformation. She wants to learn how to overcome her self-loathing and master her disturbing natural tendencies by imitating the in-crowd's carefree attitude. Clare thinks she has found the perfect social circle--its members are posh, exclusive, and exciting--especially the magnetic Imogen. After passing tests of loyalty and demonstrations of eager collusion, Clare is permitted limited entrance to the group. She becomes increasingly preoccupied with fitting in and paranoid about potential exposure. The strain of constant evaluation, self-doubt and restraint distracts her from considering the possibility that her new friends may have a twisted agenda of their own. A good choice for those who favor suspense in an academic setting and those attracted to enigmatic and complicated narrators.

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